Lanark County Genealogical Society Awards and Recognitions Event

On Saturday, November 5, 2022, in the Beckwith Municipal Building at Black’s Corners Ontario, it was a time to recognize the countless hours of many of our volunteers for their work in researching, authoring and preserving Lanark County Families History and Heritage for the future generations. It also was a time to recognize those who work behind the scenes to make and advance the Society of today.

Awards were presented:

Lanark County Pioneer Families Humanitarian Award to Rose Mary Sarsfield for her leadership and collaborative interest in preserving the history of Lanark County Ontario for future generations. Her lifetime contributions to fostering unity in genealogy, the preservation of records and in helping make family history a vital force in the community at large.

Long-Standing Community Service Recognition Award to Gary Byron and Jayne Munro-Ouimet for their many years of dedication to preserving the family histories of Lanark County.

Dedicated Volunteer Awards to Karen Prytula and Don Ross for their countless hours and dedication in researching and documenting our Lanark County heritage and family stories for future generations.

Back Row: Deputy Reeve Brian Dowdall, Jayne Munro-Ouimet 20+ years service, Helen Benda Life Member, Gary Byron 25+ years service, Rose Mary Sarsfield Humanitarian Award, Karen Prytula Dedicated Volunteer Award

Front row: Marilyn Snedden, Shirley Somerville and Helen Gillan all Life Members.

Absent were Don Ross Dedicated Volunteer Award and Life Members Marion Cavanagh, Linda Seccaspina, Arlene Stafford-Wilson, Rosetta McInnes, and Josephine Van Alstine.

Our Guest Speaker Catherine Poag, writer and a local author spoke to us about her latest publication “The Ferry Man’s House” which is based on a Lanark County real-life legend. Catherine will soon release her second publication that advances on Rideau Ferry’s Gate Keeper legend

February is Canada’s Black History Month “HONORING A PROUD HERITAGE”

On February 2nd, 2019 local author Ron Shaw will present his research on two black families who lived in Perth between 1858 and 1926; the Gilberts and the Jacksons.

Ron is from Perth Ontario. He studied journalism at Algonquin College and worked for newspapers, radio and television prior to his 35 year career with non-governmental relief and development organizations in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Start Time 1:30 pm
Location, Beckwith Township Administration Complex
1702 9th Line Beckwith @ Black’s Corners Ontario

Event Organizers: Lanark County Genealogical Society

AGM & Potluck Luncheon Saturday, December 3rd

Our Annual General Meeting and Potluck Luncheon was held in the Centennial Hall 152 Church Street Franktown ON  (GPS Coordinates: 45.042956, -76.055936).

Guest Speakers: Claudia Smith and Linda Seccaspina

Barns: A Reflection of Changing Times book coverFascinated by old barns or have fond memories of being in a barn,  Claudia Smith’s presentation of her book: Barns — A Reflection of Changing Times.

Claudia’s presentation celebrated and honored the wealth of heritage barns in Lanark County. She  shared farm histories and anecdotes collected over the past 25 years, as well as photographs from her book that document the changes in agricultural life over the decades from early settlement to the 1950s.  We learned about different barn styles and how people went about getting a barn constructed, how barns were filled and how they were used on a day-to-day basis from choring, to milking, to getting cows used to the brightness of electric lighting. You will never drive along a country road again without seeing the barns in a new light.

Linda Seccaspina shared short Christmas tales from her blog writing on our Facebook page and her website https://lindaseccaspina.wordpress.com