Descendants of Charles Robertson

Generation No. 1

1. CHARLES1 ROBERTSON died Bef. 1843. He married ANN MCLEOD. She was born 1770 in Scotland, and died Feb 20, 1843 in Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Ann widow of the late Charles Robinson of Redgorton in Scotland aged Seventy Three years died on the twentieth and was buried on the twenty second day of February One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Three. Signed John Cook, Alex Smeaton, Alex Robertson.").

Notes for CHARLES ROBERTSON: Charles was a Tailor and Labourer.

Children of CHARLES ROBERTSON and ANN MCLEOD are: i. ANNE2 ROBERTSON, b. Dec 21, 1796, Caputh, PER, SCT. ii. JOHN ROBERTSON, b. Mar 02, 1799, Caputh, PER, SCT.

Notes for JOHN ROBERTSON: Christening occurred on Mar 2, 1799 Information Found IGI 1986 Page 17172

iii. MARGARET ROBERTSON, b. Jun 05, 1804, Redgorton, PER, SCT (Source: Redgorton Parish Record, Reads "June 5 1804 - Charles Robertson, Taylor at Hillside and Ann McLeod his spouse had a daughter born upon this date and baptized June 14 named Margaret."). 2. iv. ALEXANDER ROBERTSON, b. 1806, Scotland; d. Aug 30, 1874, Quebec City, QUE, CAN. 3. v. HELEN C. ROBERTSON, b. Feb 20, 1808, Redgorton, PER, SCT; d. Feb 20, 1890, Quebec City, QUE, CAN. 4. vi. CATHARINE ROBERTSON, b. Jun 07, 1810, Redgorton, PER, SCT; d. Feb 08, 1887, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN. 5. vii. THOMAS ROBERTSON, b. Jun 09, 1812, Redgorton, PER, SCT. viii. MARY ROBERTSON, b. Mar 04, 1814, Redgorton, PER, SCT (Source: Redgorton Parish Record, Reads "March 4, 1814 - Charles Robertson in Pitcairngreen and Ann McLeod his spouse had a daughter born this date and baptized the 9th called Mary."); d. Oct 02, 1864, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Mary Robertson, from Caputh Scotland aged forty five years died on the second and was buried on the fourth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and sixty four. Signed John Cook; Alex Smeaton and James Robertson.").

Notes for MARY ROBERTSON: In 1851, Mary lived at Quebec City, Quebec with her sister Helen Smeaton.

The 1871 Census has a Mary Robertson living with Alex & Helen Smeaton.

ix. CHARLES ROBERTSON, b. Sep 05, 1816, Redgorton, PER, SCT (Source: Redgorton Parish Record, Reads "1816 - Charles lawful son to Charles Robertson, labourer Pitcairngreen and Ann McLeod his spouse born the 5th and baptized the 12th Sept.").

Notes for CHARLES ROBERTSON: Christening occurred on Sept 12, 1816 Information Found IGI 1986 Page 16749

Generation No. 2

2. ALEXANDER2 ROBERTSON (CHARLES1) was born 1806 in Scotland, and died Aug 30, 1874 in Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Alexander Robertson of Quebec, age sixty eight years died on the thirtieth day of August and was buried on the first day of September one thousand eight hundred and seventy four. Signed John Cook, Jas Robertson and A Robertson."). He married MARGARET TODD Apr 27, 1833 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: Reads "November 9, 1834 Alexander Robertson and Margaret McDuff both residing at Ballinloan of this parish we proclaimed in order to marriage and no objections were 1 offered."). She was born 1813 in Scotland.

Notes for ALEXANDER ROBERTSON: In 1851, Alexander and Margaret lived at Quebec City, Quebec with their children Catherine, James, Janet and Alexander. Alexander was a Grocer.

Children of ALEXANDER ROBERTSON and MARGARET TODD are: 6. i. CATHERINE3 ROBERTSON, b. Apr 10, 1834, Scotland; d. May 01, 1914, Quebec City, QUE, CAN. ii. JAMES ROBERTSON, b. Feb 22, 1836, Quebec City, QUE, CAN.

Notes for JAMES ROBERTSON: In 1881, James and his siblings ALexander and Jane lived at Quebec City, Quebec. Alexander was a Labourer. James was a Presbyterian Minister.

iii. MARGARET TODD ROBERTSON, b. 1838; d. Sep 28, 1839, Quebec City, QUE, CAN. iv. JANE MARIE ROBERTSON, b. Jan 31, 1842, Quebec City, QUE, CAN. v. ALEXANDER ROBERTSON, b. May 01, 1844, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Alexander Robertson, QUebec, Grocer and Margaret his wife had a son born the first day of May and baptized on the twenty seventh day of June one thousand eight hundred and forty four named Alexander. Signed John Cook, Alex Robertson, Margaret Robertson, J Wilson and George Hall."). vi. MARGARET TODD ROBERTSON, b. Sep 29, 1846, Quebec City, QUE, CAN.

3. HELEN C.2 ROBERTSON (CHARLES1) was born Feb 20, 1808 in Redgorton, PER, SCT (Source: Redgorton Parish Record, Reads "February 21, 1808 - Charles Robertson, labourer in Redgorton and Ann McLeod his spouse had a daughter born this date and baptized the 23rd called Helen."), and died Feb 20, 1890 in Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St. Gaberial Montreal Parish Register, Reads "Burial of Helen C Robertson Smeaton - Helen C Robertson, widow of the late Alexander Smeaton of Quebec, died at Quebec on the twentieth of February, One thousand eight hundred and ninety, and was buried in Mt. Royal Cemetery, Montreal, on the twenty-second day of the same month, aged eighty-two years, in presence of the undersigned. Signed by Robert Campbell DD, Minister of St Gabriel Church; John Smeaton."). She married ALEXANDER SMEATON Nov 22, 1832 in Redgorton, PER, SCT (Source: Letter from Redgorton Minister, Reads "That the names of marriage between Alexander Smeaton, and Helen Robertson, both in this Parish, have been regularly proclaimed in the Church of Redgorton, and that no objections have been offered against the solemnizing of the same", is certified by Ja. Wilson, Session Clerk, and signed by William Liston, Minister. The Redgorton Parish Record Reads "November 11th 1832 - Alexander Smeaton, and Helen Robertson, both of this parish were Proclaimed on this & the following Sabbath in order to marriage."), son of WILLIAM SMEATON and HELEN HONEYMAN. He was born Apr 26, 1812 in Jack's Chairs, Forteviot, PER, SCT (Source: Forteviot Parish Register, Reads "April 26, 1812, Alexander lawfull son to William Smeaton and Helen Honeyman in Jack Chairs."), and died Sep 03, 1889 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: St. Gaberial Montreal Parish Register, Reads "Burial of Alexander Smeaton - Alexander Smeaton of Quebec, Tailor, died at Montreal on the third day of September, One thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine, age seventy-seven years of pneumonia and was buried on the fifth day of the same month, in Mt. Royal Cemetery. Signed by Robert Campbell DD, Minister Officiating; John Smeaton; Chris Caving.").

Notes for HELEN C. ROBERTSON: A Letter Written by Alexander Smeaton 7 March 1881, from Quebec, to his sister Janet Wilson in Australia.

Dear Sister & Brother And all the rest of your family, and also the Grand Children. How glad I would have been to meet you all in the middle of your beautiful summer as you stated, it was your summer when you wrote in Dec. But I was ever glad when I opened your letter in the beginning of March and saw you were all well, for I had lost hopes you were so long in writing. You should take the trouble to write oftener, you cannot think of the happiness that it gives me when I get a letter and it made me feel more so when your pictures being enclosed, I received last September a letter from John Smeaton's wife of Dundee (that is) Brother James youngest son and last of his family. Giving an account of his death he leaves a wife and three or four children, but they are grown up some of them married. At the time I was last in Scotland I got him to send the Total Abstinence Pledge. He was out of work then, I suppose from being unsteady and went to the loading man of the temperance body there and had work for him in the afternoon and he continued a steady man till he died, and his wife said in her letter, died a very different man from the first part of his life. He made me a present of the old Bible that John Proudfoot of Moneydie had when

2 he read through three times and a half through during the time he lay palsied in bed, for twenty five years, the Bible is two hundred years old. All John Smeatons (of Dundee) family sent the Pledge of Total abstinence and is pasted in that Book. I do not know if I ever stated any thing in any of my letters before but I now state I have been A Total Abstainer for over thirty years and I finds it suits me well. I consider the effects of drinking the greatest Curse that the human Family has on this Earth, it is the Father of most of the evils that comes on mankind but I need not commence a temperance lecture.

Father Shinequie?, that visited your island is also a Temperance man and I am well acquainted with him, he is a good man, and a very well learned man. I knew him when he was a Priest he and a large number of French Canadians emigrated to the United States and located on a large piece of land and they built a Church to themselves, after pushing hard to get it built the Bishop of the Roman Catholic wanted to take it and make it belong to the Church, but they would not submit. It went into the Courts but the Court decided against the Bishop, then Father Chingue?, and his people turned Protestants but that is over thirty years ago the same Priest has turned thousands of French Canadians to Protestants. Since that time they have (that is) the Priests several times tried to kill him both in Quebec and Montreal, but as far as it has gone he has been saved. It is God that saves him because you would think ______it would be easy to kill a man that walks the streets publicly here have hundreds turned out for the purpose to kill him. I asked him if he was not afraid he said no I will live all the days that God has given me to live and they cannot kill me till that time ______. For me to try to give you any idea what he has suffered from the Roman Church. My son John is still in Montreal in the same place he has been there for over ten years. He has five children, three boys and two girls, the oldest about eleven and the youngest three or four years. I had a visit from one of sister Jeans daughters last summer. She stayed about a week, her trip would cost her fifty dollars. Sister Jean has two sons, married and two daughters also married and two daughters unmarried. Her oldest son married lives about forty miles above Montreal. He has a family some of them grown up. He is a paper worker, has moderate good pay. His brother lives beside his mother in the States is also a paper maker, has about three dollars per day and the two sisters work in the paper Mill, makes about two dollars per day each and indeed they are all doing well. How glad I was to have the means to bring them to this country. What would there have been in Scotland. Placed in a part of the country where there was little paid for man and less for woman. I had word from them lately, they are all well and doing well. I had a letter from Edinburgh and business is not good there and in fact the working man is Scotland between whisky drinking and high priced provisions is scarcely any better off then when you left.

When I was there last, Beefsteaks was fourteen pence which we get now for 6.

I now send enclosed my sons and wife's picture and as I received a letter from sister Jean since I got yours with her picture I think she is about seventy one but in good health. I think I will send her picture also and I will try and get another one to myself. I think you make a mistake about your own age. I was born 1812 in April, I have the record from the Parish of Forteviot, which makes me 69 in April and I think you are between two and three years younger then me, Jean is as much older so she will be seventy one or two. You must reflect that brother James died about 64, sister Margaret about the same age, John that is brother John a little older. Now it is our turn, we have been blest with longer life then the ordinary life that the Smeaton Family lives, none of our aunts and uncles lived to be very old men on the Smeaton side, but on our Mothers side they lived to be old. I saw my Mother in her nineties, 90 year wonderful smart, but she died that year. So by these dates my time is up my God prepares me for the great change, may we all be prepared for that great day. Perhaps this is my last letter that I may ever write to you my health is ______good. My daughter is well and also my wife considering her age seventy three. My son is very grey haired and looks old, he had twice inflammation of the lungs and also the business he is engaged in has an affect on making him look old. He has a great deal of brain work and great charge, he is not very strong, but holds out well. I will close this wishing you all my best love and respects to all the children and grand children, may the blessing of God fall on them. All your family must be something great to you, considering as many alive and see me seven out of nine dead, only the two alive. If my son Charles had lived there would have been no superior to him in the World.

Alex'r Smeaton

A Letter from Alexander Smeaton to Australia Quebec May 2nd 1887

Dear Friends I did not send the letter when I wrote it because I received your letter Directed to John Smeaton

3 Quebec. It should have been Montreal 27 St Constant Street. I sent it him, I was much pleased with the information it gave me, and my Son wrote one he was to write you which I Hope he did.

Montreal is one hundred and eighty miles up river above Quebec, the St Lawrance river is between two and three thousand miles long and then is rises out of great Lakes one larger than all Briten it is an inland Sea.

I am in good health and Wife and Daughter also well, I have only one Son and Daughter - that is all the Family, my Son has six Children, they are the only Grand Children I have, so I send inclosed the two Families in one group. I will send a kind of kee to it with the names that I think you will know them all, I am now in my 75 year and my wife is her 79 year. All the friends here are well, one of my Sisters Sons has come to reside very near me, his business is to take charge of a Paper Mill, one that is nine miles from this city. He has a Family, two sons at manhood and some more smaller Children. He only came in the fall last year.

This Winter has been very cold and largest quantity of snow I have ever seen in Canada. Our winter begins about the twenty of November and now we are in May and some places in the City there are ten feet of Snow. Altho we drive a great deal away out of business parts of the City during the winter, Sound to do it by the Corporation Lous it costs many thousands dollars to keep the streets right. Still it is not very cold, at present thermometer thirty eight this morning. First Mail Steamer from England arrived this morning, they do not come to Quebec during the winter months.

They only come Halifax during the winter which is six hundred from Quebec but railway all the way, the same railway extends to British Columbia in the Pacific Ocean, the length is between three and four thousand miles through the great west and over the Rocky Mountains which is the nearest way to your country from here now when. Once properly established, we have the longest Railway System in the world for the number our inhabitance we are only five millions which causes Custom duties to be high. The government is not free trade. If we were free traders things here would be very low but the large amount of money spent on Railways causes us to have a large amount of to be raised to pay expenses in some way. Give my best respects to your Father and all the Friends your many. I will always be glad here from you if you have time and can take the trouble. This world will not be long to me now. My eyesight is not very good so excuse all mistakes in this letter. I will now close with my best wishes to all your welfares may the great God Bliss you all which is my Ernest wish

I remain your Friend well wishes till Death

Signed Alex Smeaton

Address My Son John address Alex Smeaton John Smeaton Quebec 27 St Constant Street this is quite enough Montreal Canada this will always find me

The last page of the letter was a diagram showing the people in the picture that Alexander enclosed.

Notes for ALEXANDER SMEATON: In 1841 they lived at Craighead, Redgorton, Perthshire. Alexander was a Tailor. Besides their family, Daniel Robertson age 15, John McIntyre age 15, Thomas Marshall age 15 and John Smeaton age 10 lived with them and worked as Tailors. I believe that John Smeaton was Alexander's nephew and son of James Smeaton and Margaret Proudfoot.

Alexander, Helen along with their children William, Annie, Charles and James, and also Helen's sister Mary and mother Ann McLeod moved to Quebec City in 1842. They arrived at Quebec City on May 25, 1842. Their son

4 John was born at Quebec City a few days after they landed.

The following document which was probably used as a character reference reads as follows: "On 23 March 1842, Redgorton These do certify that Alexander Smeaton and his wife, Helen Robertson, have resided in this Parish, the former for about twelve years, and the latter from her infancy, that they have all along maintained good moral characters; and that they now leave this place in full communion with the Church of Scotland." William Liston, Minister and James Wilson, Session Clerk.

Alexander rented three small rooms for the first year. This location had a back entry from which he could do a little business. In March 1843, Alexander's mother-in-law, Ann McLeod died at Quebec City. The following May he opened a shop in the best part of Quebec City. He was persuaded by a cousin Rutherford to help him start up a business so that he could also bring his family to Quebec City. This new business did not do very well and Alexander found him self in debt. It took Alexander three years to repay the debt that he was in. In addition on 15 March 1844, there was a fire that burnt out Alexander's shop.

Things continued not to go well for Alexander. In 1846, two of his children James and David died of Scarlet Fever. His oldest son William was stricken with Consumption. Alexander spent a great deal of time and money trying to get him help. He took William to New York to see a doctor there and in 1853 Helen took William back to Scotland to see if that would help.

By 1853, Alexander was a successful Merchant Tailor and had a number of Tailors working for him and had several servants.

In 1851, Alexander and Helen lived at Quebec City, Quebec with their children William, Ann, Charles, John and Helen's sister Mary. Alexander was a Tailor.

At the time of the 1861 Census, the family lived in a 2 Stories Stone House in St Louis Ward, Quebec City. Alexander was a Tailor age 49; Helen Smeaton age 53; Annie Smeaton age 22; Charles Smeaton Artist Age 21 was absent in NY; John Smeaton Age 19; Mary Robertson Age 45. They were members of the Church of Scotland. Alexander employed 10 males.

At the time of the 1871 Census, the family lived in the Palace District of Quebec City. Alexander Smeaton was Photographer age 66; Helen Smeaton age 62; Annie Mary Smeaton age 30; Mary Robertson age 55. Mary Smeaton widow age 68. They were members of the Church of Scotland. Hannah Smith age 28 lived with them. She was a member of the Church of England, Born in Quebec.

In 1881, Alexander and Helen lived at Quebec City, Quebec with their daughter Ann. Alexander was a Tailor.

Alexander and Helen were buried at Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal, Plot F1085 C&D

The following are from various Quebec City directories of the time.

1848/49 MacKay's Quebec Directory Smeaton, Alexander, merchant tailor, 12 Couillard street, opposite W. Benjamin & Co.

1850 MacKay's Directory Smeaton, Alex. Merchant Tailor 20 1/2 St. John's

1852 MacKay's Directory Smeaton, Alexander Merchant Tailor 20 1/2 St. John u.t.

1855 McLaughlin's Directory Smeaton, Alexander Merchant Tailor 21 St. John, u.t.

1858/59 Quebec Directory Smeaton, Alexander, of C. & A. Smeaton, 27 St. John St. U.T. Smeaton, C., of C. & A. Smeaton, 27 St. John St. U.T. SMEATON, of C. & A., merchant tailors, 27 St. John St. U.T. (See Advertisement)

5 1860/61 Quebec Directory Smeaton, Alexander, of C. & A. Smeaton, 27 St. John St. U.T. Smeaton, C., of C. & A. Smeaton, 27 St. John St. U.T. SMEATON, of C. & A., merchant tailors, 27 St. John St. U.T.

1861/62 Quebec Directory Smeaton, Alexander, of C. & A. Smeaton, 24 Palace St. U.T. Smeaton, C., of C. & A. Smeaton, 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON, of C. & A., merchant tailors, 24 Palace St. U.T. (See Advertisement

1862/63 Quebec Directory Smeaton, Alexander, 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC GALLERY, 24 Palace St. U.T.

1863/64 Quebec Directory Smeaton, Alexander, 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON, C & J, artists and photographers, 24 Palace St. U.T.

1864/65 Quebec Directory Smeaton, Alexander, 24 Palace St. U.T. Smeaton, Charles , of Smeaton's , 24 Palace St. U.T. Smeaton, John, of Smeaton's, 24 Palace St. U.T. Smeaton,Miss C., stamping, braiding and embroidery establishment, 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ART GALLERY, 24 Palace St. U.T. and 10 St. John St U.T.

1865/66 Quebec Directory Smeaton, Alexander, 24 Palace St. U.T. Smeaton, Charles , of Smeaton's , 24 Palace St. U.T. Smeaton, David, collector, 2 1/2 Plessis St. U.T. Smeaton, John, of Smeaton's, 24 Palace St. U.T. Smeaton,Miss A., stamping, braiding and embroidery establishment, 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ART GALLERY, 24 Palace St. U.T. and 10 St. John St U.T.

1866/67 Quebec Directory Smeaton, Alexander, 24 Palace St. U.T. Smeaton, Charles , of Smeaton's , 24 Palace St. U.T. Smeaton, John, of Smeaton's, 24 Palace St. U.T. Smeaton,Miss A., stamping, braiding and embroidery establishment, 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ART GALLERY, 24 Palace St. U.T. and 10 St. John St U.T.

1867/68 - 1870/71 Quebec Directory Smeaton, John, of Smeaton's, 24 Palace St. U.T. Smeaton,Miss A., stamping, braiding and embroidery establishment, 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ART GALLERY, 24 Palace St. U.T.

1872/73 1873/74 Cherrier Directory Smeaton & Co Stamping and embroidering establishment 2 Fabrique U.T. Smeaton, Miss Annie of Smeaton & Co. 2 Garneau, u.t. Smeaton, Mrs Alexander 2 Garneau u.t.

1875 Cherrier Directory Smeaton & Co Stamping and embroidering establishment 2 Fabrique Smeaton, Miss Annie of Smeaton & Co. 2 Garneau Smeaton, Mrs Alexander 2 Garneau

1876 Cherrier Directory Smeaton & Co Stamping and embroidering establishment 2 Fabrique

6 Smeaton, Miss Annie of Smeaton & Co. 2 Garneau

1877 Cherrier Directory Smeaton & Co Stamping and embroidering establishment Fabrique 54 Smeaton, Miss Annie of Smeaton & Co. Garneau 35

1878 Cherrier Directory Smeaton & Co (Miss Annie Smeaton) Stamping and embroidering establishment Fabrique 54 Smeaton, Miss Annie of Smeaton & Co. Garneau 35

1879/1880 Cherrier Directory Smeaton & Co (Miss Annie Smeaton) Stamping and embroidering establishment Fabrique 54 Smeaton, Miss Annie of Smeaton & Co. Garneau 35

1881 Cherrier Directory Smeaton, Alexander, Garneau 35 Smeaton & Co (Miss Annie Smeaton) Stamping and embroidering establishment Fabrique 54 Smeaton, Miss Annie of Smeaton & Co. Garneau 35

1890/91 Lovell's Quebec Directory Smeaton,Miss Ann, fancy goods, 54 Fabrique

Letter from Alexander Smeaton to Australia Quebec October 9, 1853

Dear Brother and Sister and Family

I received your letter on the 6th of Oct and my son Wm Sailed in the Bark Roilest for Greenock and his mother along with him specialy for his health. All the rest of us is well. William is doing very poorly though not sick he is like on consumption. I have wrote a copy of your letter out and will ____ her ____ on the ____ have not _____- of what you have done______in return. I will let you know what I have been doing in America or rather Canada. I arrived in Quebec on the 25 May eleven years ago. I had a son born two or three days after landing causing my family to amount to nine, that is counting my Mother-in-law and Mary Robertson. It was with some difficulty, I got into three small garvot rooms for that year at a rent of L18 for a eleven months coupled with a back entry that I could do a little business for that year. In May I was just about in the same state as I was in the day that I landed only my Mother-in-law died in March previous. I took a shop in the best area in Quebec on the first of May.1843 and got a good deal of business

Letter from Alexander Smeaton to Australia Quebec Dec 5th 1877

Dear Sister & Brother & Friends

I received your welcome letter sometime ago. It found us all well and I hope you & yours are the same. In my last I gave you the history of how Brother John had used me and also an account of our friends generally. I will now give some history of what this country produces.

In the Province of Ontario or Uper Canada. Wheat growes very plenty of good quality Barly , peas to Buck wheat, turnups, carrots and some places there is vast crops of fine apples, pears, plums, cherries & etc. In some of the sutheran parts, grapes in the open air Peaches etc. Altho there is six months winter never less then five in Lower Canada or Province Quebec the crops is principle Oats Peas Barley (Turnips very fine) The french people grows tobaco pretty good. Mellins Cuckumbers and all these kinds of fruite in abundance and a little wheat also but our winter is a little longer then Uper Canada. Ordinary farmers in Upper Canada has often 5 to 6 acres of orchard and often great crops. Beef ranges about ten cents a lb, mutton, lamb etc and in the market in Lower Province you often have Bair beef counted. A great rarity salmon often ten cents a lb. Fish of all kinds plenty the spoted trout. Plenty flour about six dollars a Barel, 196 lbs but this rises and falls the same as in other countrys.

7 The last two years we have been exporting live beef by the steam ships to England. Every week very often three large steam ships lives Quebec every week. We have about forteen hundred ships sailing vesels in the summer season, majority of cargo. Timber we burn fine black birch for fire wood coals sets in Quebec almost as cheap as in Briten large coal fields.

In the Lower Province of Nova Scotia there is gold mining. There also gold mines about fifty miles from Quebec in the Province. This country exports ashes for making peral ash made from wood.

The short season is hard against farmers, our winter is something different from Briten. The ground covered with five or six feet of snow for five or six months. No vackles can go with wheels during that time. We travel with sleds all that time little or no horse. Back it is too cold, in the sleds we cover up with fur rabes ware fur caps, fur gloves in very cold wether fur overboots or rather double boots. We keep our houses warm in winter with Cast Iron stoves, some of them very beautiful, stands in middle of the room. We keep our houses far more comfortable than in Briten. We also put on double windows on our houses in winter. There is three months that is very cold. There is one month in sumer that is too hot. Plant potatoes in May, eat them in July, perhaps snow on the ground till the end of April. Snow falls generally about the first on November. Never latter than the twenth all navigation stops.

Our railways manages to clear there tracks at great expense and runs all winter. Railway far lower then in Britten, more comfortable also. Cars sixty feet long and a stove in them also. A watercloset. We have also sleeping cars that hire a good bed for traveling all night. There is a passage up the middle that we can walk about when tired sitting. When I was in England, I was very uncomfortable traveling as it was winter. The Cars was very cold. Our Mail Steem Ship line that goes to Liverpool is one of the best in the world, goes over often in eigh and nine days one every week. The pasage money steerage twenty five dollars, Cabin sixteen to twenty or eighty dolars. Our river boats will cary from fifteen hundred and two hundred and fifty sit down to dinner at once. Three stories high. State rooms for all Cabin passengers. They are moving palices as good usage as in the best Hotel. So we have a few comforts of this world.

I have been in Scotland several times since I came here but I would not like to live there. The peoples minds is to small. I have been through ten of the United States. It is a grand country everything there since it is a little biger then in Canada but wages is a little higer also, but there Civil War brought them down a great deal. It was a grand country before the war.

I have lived now almost as long as the slated time for man to live and I am glad to feel that God Providence has treated me better then I deserve. I have had more comforts then my father had and I feel thankful for it. We are in this world something like the Children of Israel. We are journing through the wilderness but it is not the Garden we have to cross, it is death. I pray God may prepare us all for the crossing of the Garden of Death. I hope you pray for me. I do for you & yours Dear Sister. What a satisfaction it would be for us to meet on this earth but how much more satisfaction if we meet in heaven. God grant that it be so. My wife says she would like to see you but I supose that will never be. My wife sends her best complements to you all.

My son John is still in Montreal and all’s well with his five children. Sister Jean is still in Untied States. All’s well the last word I had from her. She is a noble woman, has bettered herself a great deal by comeing to this country herself and all her family had each a bank account when I saw them last.

There is one Railway in the Dominion fifteen hundred miles long on a streach but our Railways are many and very convenant in traveling . Our dry goods Stores in some of them very large and Beautiful, especially in Montreal more like palaces more beautiful then in England. The work shop my son works in is five stories high. His place is on the top of the fifth story. He has charge of three departments, has been six years there. His business is working on the pictures you see in the paper.

We have also a number of cotton mills in this country. Also a large number of wolen mills. Some of the Patons of Alvia in Scotland has Mills here. There is a large number of Paper Mills, Flower Mills without number so we are progressing. Iron Roling Mill Axe Factorys. We require a large number for cutting down the woods etc. We also build a large number of sea going ships of large size besides schoners for casting trade of smaler size over our three large lakes is something very great. Each a little sea of its self. Besides grand River St Laurance two thousand miles long we are or rather Quebec City is seven hundred miles from the Sea. Still we have a tide rises

8 approcite the City twenty four feet but not saltwater. A hundred miles below the water is a little salt. There is whale fishing in the mouth of the St Laurence River.

The Island of Anticastie lying in the Gulf of the St Laurence is one hundred and fifty miles long with very few inhabitence on it. There is a good many Black faxes on that Island. There skins is worth twenty pounds each. They are used in China. A Gentelmans fur cap will cost twenty dollars & his gloves ten dollars. They are made of Otter or Minck fur but much finer then the Otters of Britten. There is a great export of furs from the Dominion where there is cold winters. God has provided the animals with fine coats of fur. There is more or fur kinds of large deer, one larger than a horse. When full grownen good to eat besides small ones. Some places a few wolves. Also an animal we all the Cat amount very like a cat in the face. Stands high on it’s legs larger than a man’s arms is wicked and dangerous but not plentiful.

Whare man is Bairs is rather plentiful where is plenty of cover. I once saw three warm not cold in the Quebec Market, so they had not been far away. There is also a large abundance of wild strayberries all around Quebec. The french country people brings them into Market, sells them cheep, makes fine perservesof finer flavour then graden ones. There is country part in Quebec that is a vast Quantity of blue berries, tons & tons of them consent all over with the steam boats. They are very good to eat, good for mixing with other fruit in making perserves.

I may also mention there is an Inden Vilage within nine miles of Quebec City. They make a good many useful things and sels them to us. There is no trouble with them, the Law does not alow us to sell spirits to them. They farm a little, prety civilised, They have a chief. I was introduced to this Chief thirty years ago. He showed me a maddle he got from King George forth I was also introduced to his wife. They were as proud as the King himself.

I do not know if I ever told you that I have been a total abstaner this thirty years. I have not tasted any thing that intocates. During that period never uses it in my house and I hope never will. It is I think the article that does the most evel to mankind in the world. It is certanly an instrument of the Devel. I has been proved in Briten that it kills sixty thousand anualy. As many in the United States so I am free of it, and will try to keep clear with God’s assistance.

It certainly would be a pleasure to see you all but I supose that will never be so the only friendship is by letter. Do not neglect to write as it gives me great pleasure. If you was as well as I wish you, you would all be well. Some of our families may meet.

I met with the Families of our friends of our cusons Rutherfords. There is a little coloney of them second cusons names in Jacksons and McIntosh. Then there is third cusins. One family of them is of the name Wilson. I called on Uncal Peter’s Daughter Many Smeaton. She came to this country over forth years ago but she was dead but her Husband was alive. All her family was up and Married. Some of Uncle Peter’s sons came to this country but I could not find them, such is mankind and then we lose the tract of one another.

I met in the United States the son of W Haly Tailor Kinross, the Rev W Haly I found him a full American in principal. He was a tallented great man, was frank & kind to me.

I must conclude, I remain with Brotherly Kindness

Alex Smeaton Quebec City will alwas find me.

Letter from Alexander Smeaton to Australia Quebec November 1st 1880

Dear Sister & Brother

The last two letters that I wrote to you, I have got none from you since. I am still in the land of the living and I

9 hope this will find you all well. The winter is just about to comence and I must say I like the sumer better. The winter before the last I was very poorly and I thought I would never be well again and I did not get strong for about twelve months. But since I have been improving very much and now nearly as well as ever. I am now over sixty years of age and I think this is about the age the Smeaton race lives and I think I may get my turn in Death anytime. I wish I may be prepared for it. My wife is over sixty two but still active and smart, can do neddle work such as embrodries as well as when she was forty years younger. My Son John Smeaton is well again but in March last he was very ill with inflamation but now restored to health but he is almost as old looking as I am. He looks old, He has five beautiful children, three of them spent there School Holiday days with me in Quebec. I went home with them on the first Sept. when the schools began. It is one hundred and eight miles to Montreal. We have Steam Boat or railway convayance to Montreal.

I had a visit of Sister Jean’s Daughter this sumer at Quebec. There is two sisters not married. They both work at the Paper Factory and does very well. They are both doing very well. There is one of her brothers lives beside her Mother (that is) Mr Low, he works also at the paper factory also, He was two dollars seventy five cents per day which is equal to twelve and sixpence sterling per day. All that family is doing well. I am proud of them as I was the cause of them coming to this country. I laid out thirty pounds to bring them here but Brother John abraded me, said it was lost money. I said I had made up my mind to lose it, but they payed me back the first year. They would have been poor indeed if they had remained there. The last time I was in Scotland Beef stakes was fourteen pence sterling per pound and I think working men does not eat very much of it. Our best beefstakes is about five pence sterling.

I wrote you in my last letter the account of John’s death. His Widow still lives in Kingston Canada West three hundred fifty miles from Quebec. His family is all married. Two of the sons was widowers but one of them is married again.

One of Sister Jean’s sons lives in Canada and has a family some of them grown up and married. John Low is his name, he works also at a Paper Factory. They are also doing well. Sister Jean’s Family is in the United States of America. The family is much American and you would hardly know them to be Scotch. My wife and me speak as broad Scotch as when we lived in Scotland.

This is nearly all the news here and from Scotland. I have very little that would interest you as my corespenders is mostly all new people that you do not know. I have not heard from Brother David in a long time. I do not know whether he is living or not. Brother James’ family is all dead. I had a letter from his last son’s widow about two months ago. His name was John and he leves a widow with four children but some of them are married. I have no other news from Dundee.

I suppose you would have a visit from a Father Chinique. He is a turned Cathlack Priest has done a great deal in turning French Canadians to Protestant. He is a good Lectorer and a good man and has done a great deal of good in his time. He visited Australia and lectered there against the Cathlock religion and also New Zealand. I knew him when he was a Priest. He was even a good Priest but he uses very strong language against them. I heard him once on a Platform Lectering where there was lots of Cathlocks. He was describing the god he served when he was a Priest. He spoke about the wafer that they represent as Gods. I got my servant Perl to roal out the doe very thin she stamped into wafers and five magic words I made them God. This serves the God that I believed. Then \m and many other things equally strong. I know him personally. He is really a good man. It is a decrpet religion. I have no doubt my son Charles lays ___ in the City of Rome through the fangs of that Church. I all but lost my own life when father Gavidson visited Quebec. There was another terrible affair ____ at Montreal. I was there at the time last year. The Orangemen and the Cathocks had a desperit quarel about making prosessions on the streets of Montreal and afterwards there was an Orange Ball at one of the halls in the city. A large number of the Orangemen had to cross a canal bridge to get to one of the suburbs of the city where they lived. They were returning about midnight and was close to the bridge. They were warned by a man that saw Cathlicks laying in wait for them with loaded guns. They turned by another street, went farther ___ and crossed at another bridge and got home safe. But there had been some meeting of Cathlocks that did not know of and they came along the bridge. They shot twenty or near thirty of own people. Did not know till the morning. Thought they were Orangemen. They tried to consell what they had done but it leaked out the bodies had to be buried. It was a punishment from God. I was in Montreal at the time Orangemen was not safe to walk the streets after night at that time.

I will now close this letter and say that you have all my very best wished but they do not amount to much but it is

10 that is in my power to give. I would like you to write to me. It lifts up my heart to get a letter from any friends. I often feel it for days after. So do write as often as posible. I ______

Alex Smeaton Quebec Dominion of Canada

Letter from Alexander Smeaton to Australia Quebec August 21st, 1881

Dear Sister & Brother

I received yours a few days ago and certainly it gave me great pleasure to hear of your welfare and all that concerns you. It is a great pleasure to me to have the power and pleasure that I can sit and talk to you altho not in your presence, we are indeted still our old Parents for giving us that education that enables us to correspond with one another and it certainly is a thing we should prize and make use of as long as we are left in this world. Another thing we should prize highly is the Post Office arangements which enables us to do so with so much regularity.

Since I wrote you last our Sister Jean or rather Mrs Low made a visit to Canada. She came to visit her oldest son Jow Low. She came to Montreal that was the nearest she came to Quebec. She then telegraphed for me to meet her there, which I was happy to do so. She had a Grand Daughter with her, a grown up woman. I spent five days in Montreal with her. We lived in my Son’s house and the few days was happy days for me. I wish you had been there. I drove them about in a carriage one day and went to see all the grand views around Montreal which there are many. There is a high Mountain just back of City, the lower half of it next to the city is covered with Gentlemens houses of a very fine class with gardens around them. The houses is all built of cut stone and they are built of a very ornemantal class not even to be beat in the Mother country. The people that lives in them is mostly retired merchants, they generaly have vinerays and green houses that is kept all through our lng winter at some expense. It is altogether a grand city Montreal.

My sister and myself made ourselves happy during the few days we had in Montreal. When she arrived first my wife was in Montreal at our sons and she also saw Mrs Low. She returned home before I went up the distance. Mrs Low came would be about five hundred miles. She can aford to live comfortable and take some pleasure to. She would never been as well off in the old country. I have the great pleasure to think I was the means of bring her to this country and she is so pleased and satisfied at this. She payed me for everything I ever did for her. All her people are well.

I supose I wrote to you sometime before that I brought out Sister Margaret’s Daughter (Boyel) was her name. She got married to a man that came from Dundee Scotland. A printer by trade. They have done remarkable well also they have got a very good house seteawated on the Mountain at Montreal. Her two sons took a degre at the high school and one of her daughters the year before, she being older then the Boys. They are also very comfortable. I see them always when in Montreal. John Low lives about forth miles up the river St Laurance from Montreal. He has a family, some of them growen up. This is Mrs Low’s son. He is a Paper Maker by trade, lives comfortable also. May sometime go to the United States where his mother is but not now.

My daughter carried on a ladies fancy shop business and is doing well and my wife is in her ordinary health and also myself. We have had three Grand Children during the vacation of the schools. They leave this week. The distance for them to go is one hundred and eighty miles. They are very fine children. They can either go home by water or by railroad. You mention about that I had mentioned in a former letter being a teatalter. I have been I strick teatolter for over thrity years. I was chosen by the vote of the Province of Quebec Grand Wthorty Patrack for the Province over twenty years ago. I have had no occasion to think but temperance has done me good in every way . Spirits figures is the deadly enemy of the working man, does him no good but evil, makes him serve the Devil rather than God, takes all comfort out of his house, robes his children often of bread and othe comforts.

Our great north west country is drawing the attention of emigrants. There is emence quantities praries lands that has no ties, ready for the plow and also able to give a great crop of wheat of the best quality, but the clamamte is

11 very cold in winter. I do not want a place any colder then Quebec. It is cold enough for me. There is a company of Gentleman formed by the sanchions of the government to build a railway across the whole continent to the Pacific Ocean some three thousand miles when completed. It will be the shortest way to your country even from the Mother country. Man is makin gangantic strides in this last fifty years, the new telephone is something mervelos. They use them about Quebec in doing business on distances up to ten miles, that is to say you can go in and talk to one another that distance..

I have great hopes in time that electricty will do the whale work of the steam power and that is not little now altho is was nothing but railways and steam boats. The power is in the electricity if we only knew how to collect it and they are colecting now and storing it also even now.

There is more thaen that in it. We will in time be able to cook and do all the heating that is required without coals, such is my openion. I will not live to see it but perhaps my thoughts will. You mention about having a bad _____ more than likely it is the comon leg that ______is subject to that has had large familys. My wife has had a bad leg of that kind for many years and is so now. Sister Jean also had one but she had got quite of hers. There is lettle can be done for them, nature has to work its way. I mentioned in a former letter that I had been in bad helth near three years ago now. I am completely restored to helth. It was my water that was wrong. A few died in Quebec. I have got well my sale medisine was linseed tea masked strong take a pint cupful in the afternoon and one at bedtime. I am completely well now. Give this care to any one you have troubled the same way. Dear Sister this conversation most draw to a close altho not very edefinging it is pleasant to me do not forget to keep it up. It becomes a sweet morsel to me. Give my best respects to your Dear Husband. He lloks well for his age in his picture and I have no doubt has been a good husband to you. God grant him long life and helth. Be kind to your Daughter that her husband has been so unkind to. God will reward you. I remain your brother.

Alex Smeaton

Letter from Alexander Smeaton to Australia Quebec Nov 1st, 1880

Dear Sister & Brother

The last two letters that I wrote to you I have got none from you since. I am still in the land of the living and I hope this will find you all well. The winter is just about to comence and I must say I like the sumer best. The winter before the last I was very poorly and I thought I would never be well again and did not get strong for about twelve months but since I have been improving very much and now nearly as well as ever. I am now over sixty eight years of age and I think this is about the age the Smeaton race lives and I think I may get my turn in Death any time. I wish I may be prepared for it. My wife is over seventy two but still active and smart. Can do neddle work such as embrodries so well as when she was thirty years younger. My son John Smeaton is well again but in March last he was very ill with inflamation but now restored to helth but he is almost as ______I am. He looks old. He has five beautiful children. Three of them spent there school holydays with me in Quebec. I went home with them on the first Spet. When the school began. It is onehundred and eight miles to Montreal. We have steam boat or railway convanance to Montreal.

I had a visit of Sister Jean’s daughter this summer at Quebec. There is two sisters not married. They both work at the Paper Factory and does very well. They are all doing very well. There is one of her brothers lives beside her mother (that is) Mrs Low. He works also at the Paper Factory also, he has two dolars seventy five cents per day which is equal to twelve and six pence sterling per day. All that family is doing well. I am proud of them as I was the cause of them coming to this country. I laid out thirty pounds to bring them here but Brother John abraded me said it was lost money. I said I had made up my mind to lose it, but they payed me back the first year. They would have been poor indeed if they had remained there, the last time I was in Scotland Beef stakes was forteen pence Sterling per pound and I think working men does not eat very much of it. Our best beefstakes is about five pence Stirling.

I wrote you in my last letter the account of John’s death. His Widow still lives in Kingston Canada West three hundred fifty miles from Quebec. His family is all married. Two of the sons was widowers but one of them is married again. One of Sister Jean’s sons lives in Canada. He has a family some of them grown up and ______. John Low is his name. He works ____ a Paper Factory. Thay are also doing well. Sister Jean’s Family is in the

12 United States of America. The Family is much American and you would hardly know them to be Scotch. My wife and me speak as broadseat as when we lived in Scotland. This is nearly all the news here and from Scotland. I have very little that would interest you as my core spendens is mostly all new people that you do not know. I have not hard from Brother David for a long time. I do not know whether he is alive or not. Brother James’ Family is all dead. I had a letter from his last son’s widow about two months ago. His name was John Smeaton. He leves a Widow with four children but some of them are married. I have not other news from Dundee.

I suspose you would have a visit from as Father Chinigie. He is a turned Cathlack Priest, has done a great deal in turning the French Canadens to Protestans. He is good Lectorer and a good man and has done a great deal of good in his time. He visited Austrelia and turned there against the Cathock religion and also Newseland. I knew him when he was a Priest. He was even a good Priest but he uses very strong Language against them. I heard him once on a Platform Lecturing where there was lots of Cathacks. He was describing the God he served when he was a Priest he spoke about the wafer that they represent as God. He said when I run out of Gods I got my Servant Girl to roal out the dpe very thin. She stamped out the wafers and with five magick words I made them God this saves the God that I saved. Then and many other things equaly strong. I know them personally. He is realy a very good man. It is a despret religion. I have no doubt my Son Charles lays present in the City of Rome through the fangs of that Church. I all but lost my own life when Father Gavidsise visited Quebec. There was another terrible affair happened in Montreal. I was there at the time last year. The Orange men and Cathlacks had a despret quarel about making prosessions on the streets of Montreal and afterwards there was an Orange Ball at one of the Halls in the city. A large number of the Orange men had to cross a Canal Bridge to get to one of the suburbs of the city where they lived. They were returning about midnight and cross to the bridge. They were warned by a man that saw the Cathlacks laying in wait for them with loded guns. They truned by another street went farther up the Canal, crosed at another Bridge and got home safe. But there had been some meetings of Cathlocks that they did not know off and they came along the bridge. They shot twenty or near thirty of orden people, did not know till the morning, thought they were all Orangemen. They tried to consell what they had done but it leaked out. The boodies had to be buried. It was like a punishment from God. I was in Montreal at the time. Orangeman was not safe to walk the streets afternight at the time.

I will now close this letter and say that you have all my very best wishes but they do not amount to much but it is that is in my power to give. I would like you to write to me often. It liffs up my heart to get a letter from my friends. I often feel it for days after so do write as soon as posible. I ______your wishes. Till Death

Alex Smeaton Quebec City Dominion of Canada.

Letter from Alexander Smeaton to Australia Quebec May 2nd 1887

Dear Friends I did not send the letter when I wrote it because I received your letter Directed to John Smeaton Quebec. It should have been Montreal 27 St Constant Street. I sent it him, I was much pleased with the information it gave me, and my Son wrote one he was to write you which I hpe he did.

Montreal is one hundred and eighty miles up river above Quebec, the St Lawrance river is between two and three thousand miles long and then is rises out of great Lakes one larger than all Briten it is an inland Sea.

I am in good health and Wife and Daughter also well, I have one one Son and Daughter - that is all the Family, my Son has six Children, they are the only Grand Children I have, so I send inclosed the two Families in one group. I will send a kind of kee to it with the names that I think you will know them all, I am now in my 75 year and my wife is her 79 year. All the friends here are well, one of my Sisters Sons has come to reside very near me, his business is to take charge of a Paper Mill, one that is nine miles from this city. He has a Family, two sons at manhood and some more smaler Children. He only came in the fall last year.

This Winter has been very cold and largest guanty of snow I have ever seen in Canada. Our winter begins about the twenthy of November and now we are in May and some places in the City there are ten feet of Snow. Altho

13 we drive a great deal away out of business parts of the City during the winter, Sound to do it by the Corparation Lous it costs many thousands dolars to keep the streets right. Still it is not very cold, at present thermomter thrity eight this morning. First Mail Steamer from England arived this morning, they do not come to Quebec during the winter months.

They only come Halifax during the winter which is six hundred from Quebec but railway all the way, the same railway extends to British Columbia in the Pacific Ocean, the length is between three and four thousand miles through the great west and over the Rocky Mountains which is the nearest way to your country from here now when. Once properly established, we have the longest Railway System in the world for the number our inhabetance we are only five millions which causes Custom duties to be high. The government is not free trade. If we were free traders things here would be very low but the large amount of money spent on Railways causes us to have a large amount of to be raised to pay expenses in some way. Give my best respects to your Father and all the Friends your many. I will always be glad here from you if you have time and can take the trouble. This world will not be long to me now. My eyesight is not very good so excuse all mistakes in this letter. I will now close with my best wishes to all your welfares may the great God Bliss you all which is my ernest wish

I remain your Friend well wishes till Death

Signed Alex Smeaton

Adres My Son John adres Alex Smeaton John Smeaton Quebec 27 St Constant Street this is quite enough Montreal Canada this will always find me

The last page of the letter was a diagram showing the people in the picture that Alexander enclosed

Children of HELEN ROBERTSON and ALEXANDER SMEATON are: i. WILLIAM3 SMEATON, b. Mar 28, 1834, Redgorton, PER, SCT (Source: Redgorton Parish Record, Reads "March 28th 1834 - Born William, son to Alexander Smeaton, Tailor, Bridgeton of Almond and Helen Robertson, his wife and baptized on the 13th April."); d. Bef. 1881.

Notes for WILLIAM SMEATON: William was baptized on April 13,1834.

ii. ANNIE MARY SMEATON, b. Feb 14, 1836, Redgorton, PER, SCT (Source: Redgorton Parish Record, Reads "February 16, 1836 - Born Ann, daughter to Alexander Smeaton, Tailor, Bridgeton of Almond, and Helen Robertson, his wife and baptized on the 27th current."); d. Oct 06, 1908, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St. Gaberial Montreal Parish Register, Reads "Annie Smeaton of Quebec, Ladies Store, died at Quebec on the sixth day of October one thousand nine hundred and eight of Tubereclois, aged seventy two years and was buried in Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal on the ninth day of the same month in the presence of the undersigned.").

Notes for ANNIE MARY SMEATON: Annie was baptized on February 27,1836. She was buried at Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal, Plot F1085 C&D.

14 In 1891, Annie lived at Quebec City, Quebec. She was a Merchant.

The following are entries in Quebec City Directories of the time:

1864/65 Quebec Directory Smeaton,Miss A., stamping, braiding and embroidery establishment, 24 Palace St. U.T.

1865/66 Quebec Directory Smeaton,Miss A., stamping, braiding and embroidery establishment, 24 Palace St. U.T.

1866/67 Quebec Directory Smeaton,Miss A., stamping, braiding and embroidery establishment, 24 Palace St. U.T.

1867/68 - 1870/71 Quebec Directory Smeaton,Miss A., stamping, braiding and embroidery establishment, 24 Palace St. U.T.

1872/73 1873/74 Cherrier Directory Smeaton & Co Stamping and embroidering establishment 2 Fabrique U.T. Smeaton, Miss Annie of Smeaton & Co. 2 Garneau, u.t.

1875 Cherrier Directory Smeaton & Co Stamping and embroidering establishment 2 Fabrique Smeaton, Miss Annie of Smeaton & Co. 2 Garneau

1876 Cherrier Directory Smeaton & Co Stamping and embroidering establishment 2 Fabrique The following are from various Quebec City directories of the time.

Smeaton, Miss Annie of Smeaton & Co. 2 Garneau

1877 Cherrier Directory Smeaton & Co Stamping and embroidering establishment Fabrique 54 Smeaton, Miss Annie of Smeaton & Co. Garneau 35

1878 Cherrier Directory Smeaton & Co (Miss Annie Smeaton) Stamping and embroidering establishment Fabrique 54 Smeaton, Miss Annie of Smeaton & Co. Garneau 35

1879/1880 Cherrier Directory Smeaton & Co (Miss Annie Smeaton) Stamping and embroidering establishment Fabrique 54 Smeaton, Miss Annie of Smeaton & Co. Garneau 35

1890/91 Lovell's Quebec Directory "Smeaton, Miss Ann, fancy goods, 54 Fabrique" iii. CHARLES SMEATON, b. Apr 05, 1838, Redgorton, PER, SCT (Source: Redgorton Parish Record, Reads "April 5th , 1838 - Born Charles, son to Alexander Smeaton, Tailor, Bridgeton of Almond and Helen Robertson, his wife and baptized on the 15th."); d. Feb 26, 1868, Rome, Italy.

Notes for CHARLES SMEATON: Charles was an Artists and Photographer. He died in Rome and was buried at the Protestant Cemetery, Rome, Italy.

The following are entries in the Quebec City Directories of the time:

1858/59 Quebec Directory Smeaton, C., of C. & A. Smeaton, 27 St. John St. U.T. SMEATON, of C. & A., merchant tailors, 27 St. John St. U.T. (See Advertisement

1860/61 Quebec Directory Smeaton, C., of C. & A. Smeaton, 27 St. John St. U.T. SMEATON, of C. & A., merchant tailors, 27 St. John St. U.T.

15 1861/62 Quebec Directory Smeaton, C., of C. & A. Smeaton, 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON, of C. & A., merchant tailors, 24 Palace St. U.T. (See Advertisement

1862/63 Quebec Directory SMEATON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC GALLERY, 24 Palace St. U.T.

1863/64 Quebec Directory SMEATON, C & J, artists and photographers, 24 Palace St. U.T.

1864/65 Quebec Directory Smeaton, Charles , of Smeaton's , 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ART GALLERY, 24 Palace St. U.T. and 10 St. John St U.T.

1865/66 Quebec Directory Smeaton, Charles , of Smeaton's , 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ART GALLERY, 24 Palace St. U.T. and 10 St. John St U.T.

1866/67 Quebec Directory Smeaton, Charles , of Smeaton's , 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ART GALLERY, 24 Palace St. U.T. and 10 St. John St U.T.

1867/68 - 1870/71 Quebec Directory SMEATON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ART GALLERY, 24 Palace St. U.T.

Diary of Charles Smeaton "An Incident in the Catacombs"

Having determined to take some photographic pictures in the Catacombs, I communicated this intention to a couple of intimate friends, who on hearing it expressed a very strong desire to accompany me, and earnestly entreated to be allowed to do so. To this I at once consented, because however much love of any profession and a desire to bring to light whatever relics of ancient art might exist amongst the hidden mysteries of those receptacles of the mighty dead might stimulate me to exertion, I felt glad indeed to think that I should have the company and conversation of friends to cheer me in any labours. Accordingly on an appointed day in January 1867, having hired a carriage in which I deposited my instruments and chemicals, we left Rome by the Porta Salara. The day was bright and beautiful as a June day in Canada, and when, in passing through a vine yard, I observed some very fine canalias in full bloom, I could not prevent myself from falling into a home reverie, and a picture rose before my minds eye of old Quebec in the middle of January. I saw its ancient streets and its surrounding fields covered with their winter coat of snow. I heard the music of the sleigh bell as it swept swiftly and cheerily along - I was on the mighty St. Lawrence as it lay bound in icy chains, its broad bosom and sweeping current converted into a solid highway of travel for equestrian and pedestrian, whether in the pursuit of pleasure or of profit, and resounding with the ring of skates. The heartfelt silver laugh of enjoyment as it burst from the lips of beauty, or went sweeping across the ice in the louder tones of masculine excitement. I thought of the clear cold atmosphere and its healthy bracing influence, even although the thermometer might be marking from ten to twelve degrees below zero, and wished -oh! how sincerely - I was once more at home, once more luxuriating in the society of those who were always near and dear to my heart, and enjoying the happiness which lives and centres in and around that temple, before whose holy influence the grand and sculptured monuments of ancient and modern art sink into comparative insignificance - our ____fireside." I started from my waking dream to find myself under the beams of an Italian sun, and our carriage halted at a small gate in the wall which gave entrance to the Catacombs. My object this visit was in particular, to obtain photographs of the various paintings and sculptures which adorn the walls of the Chapel of St Priscilla and in general to take a picture of anything which might attract my attention. Having left the vehicle we at once prepared for our descent, the custodian and guide of the Catacombs assisting me by carrying the chemicals and other matters, while I took charge of the instruments. It is true we were about to descend into utter darkness, but that consideration did not in the least affect our party because they know that, in addition to the usual supply of candles, I carried with me into those dismal dungeons coil upon coil of sunshine in the shape of Magnesium wire, and that I would bring to view much that had been hidden from the light of day for centuries past.

Following our guide we wound our way through a perfect labyrinth of corridors, on each side of which were the tombs of the early Christian Martyrs. Many of the skeletons were lying (in situ)?, some in a state of seemingly perfect preservation, others reduced to an undistinguishable heap in consequence of having been disturbed in some way or other. I particularly observed one skeleton so perfect in all its parts that even the (patella) or knee caps remained in their places, but so frail was this apparent firmness, the custodian informed

16 me, that a breath of wind touching the remains too ruddily would cause them to crumble into dust. After travelling through those tortuous passages for upwards of half an hour, we at length arrived at the Chapel of St. Priscilla. This being my principal theatre of operations, I proceeded to make my arrangements for taking pictures. Diary of Charles Smeaton "An Incident in the Catacombs" Continued

These arrangements, however, occupied a good deal of time, and when I had completed my first photograph I found my companions labouring under that restless and uneasy demeanor which so soon betrays the uninterested spectator, telling that whatever there was of novelty about the thing had been completely worn away, and listless indifference resumed control of the mind. Observing this, and feeling in my heart that had I been in their place, my mind would in all probability have been in complete unison with theirs, and knowing besides that there was nothing very enchanting in the prospect by which they were surrounded, and that they had nothing to do, I did not at all wonder they should very naturally begin to feel very tired indeed, so I told them that if they would rather ascend to the light of day, they were at perfect liberty to do so, as I by on means wished to detain them against their inclinations, the more especially as it would take one fully two hours longer to get up the pictures I intended taking that day. Well , they made a frank confession, and said they certainly did feel tired, and as I had no objection, they would in truth much rather go, the great difficulty with them however, was that they could not go by themselves, because had they done so they would inevitably have been lost in the maze of corridors by which we were surrounded. The custode, therefore, would require to accompany them and I would be left in those dismal vaults in lonely solitude. This I plainly saw they did not like to do, so when the custode asked me if I thought I would not feel afraid were I left alone, I told him, rather sharply too, to go on with the gentlemen, returning after he had seen them safely out, and to take no heed for me, I would do well enough never fear. They all left me. I stood still for a few moments under the influence of a strange undescribable feeling - my eyes strained after them so long as the faint glimmer of the custodes candle could be seen - my ears drank in the echoes of their receding footsteps, until at last these also sank into dark and dreary silence, and I was alone with the dead. Casting off the incubus which seemed to be hanging over me, I tackled my work with renewed vigour and mind and body being thus fully employed the absence of living companionship did not give me a single thought. This was well enough for a time, but having completed all the negatives I intended taking at that time, I commenced packing up any apparatus to be ready for starting when the custode should return. In the course of this operation it struck me that surely he might have been back long before, and on looking at my watch I found that he had been gone for upwards of two hours - my work had kept me heedless of the flight of time, but my packing being finished and having nothing else to do, I began wondering what could have kept him so long away. To pass away the time I rambled about here and there peering first into this tomb then into that, endeavouring to conjure up pictures of the long past times when the dust which lay before me lived and moved and had its being, its pleasures and its pains, its loves and hatreds, its pride and ambition or its pity and humility, and all the other passions which assert their sway over the human mind, as it mingled with its fellow man through the intricate windings of its mortal existence. Tired of this my mind took another direction. The idea sprung up that some accident might have befallen the guide and that he would never return. Then rose before me a long array of the many tales I had read of travellers belated in those dark corridors, starved to death, and lost forever to the outer world. My imagination seemed to revel on each incident of those fearful stories, clinging as it were with tenfold tenacity to their most revolting and harrowing details, ending in the thought that I too might add one more to the awful list of the buried alive wandering as doubtlessly they had done, round and round the dreadful channel house enduring the pangs of thirst and hunger - the blighted visions of fame and ambition - of happiness and home the madness of despair, and at last the cold clammy hand of Death throwing around me, amid all these horrors, the dark and silent pall of earthly extinction. Under the influence of such thoughts my ears seemed filled with strange sounds - sounds which defy description - sounds such as I had never heard before but which seemed born of the grave and the Catacomb - until unable to hear them, all imaginative as I felt they were, I rushed back to the Chapel and sitting down strove to turn my thoughts to things and circumstances widely different from my present surroundings. It was all in vain - back would come the stern reality of the position and its dread imaginings. Keenly did I stretch ear and eye to catch sound or sight of the old custode returning, but no such comfort came. For the first time too I bethought me my candles, the whole three of which I had allowed to burn on unheeded, on examination I found to my horror that one had burned out, while as I calculated, what remained of the other two, after extinguishing one piece to act as a reserve, would barely last for another half hour, and then total darkness. Having carefully put away the piece of candle I had extinguished, leaving the other burning, I lit my magnesium lamp and again commenced rambling among the corridors throwing bright gleams of light into the surrounding darkness just as fancy prompted me. This amusement, however, availed me nothing. The light I threw around, with its shadows flicking and flitting here and there, shimmering restlessly thought the nervous vibration of my hand, seemed but to bring to my disordered eye pale and ghastly forms clad in the white garments of the grave wandering about - seeming to wonder at strange light which, after so many

17 hundreds of years of darkness was thus illuminating their sepulchres. So real seemed the illusion that the beating of my heart became slow, painful, and laboured, a feeling of approaching unconsciousness came creeping slowly over me, and leaning against the wall for support, you may imagine my thoughts when I felt it slowly giving way with me - the added horror drove back the faintness, and starting up I found I had been leaning against the marble slab of a tomb which loosened by the pressure fell at my feet on the floor of the corridor and with it a portion of the bones of its tenant. I staggered back to the Chapel and sitting down strove to rally my nerves to steadiness and constrain my thoughts to reason. For a time I partially succeeded, and it then struck me that I had been expending my magnesium light in a very foolish manner. The more especially as the candle I had left burning was smouldering in its socket, so lighting my last piece and extinguishing my lamp, I determined to wait quietly and patiently for the return of the custode. The intention was a good one, but like many others of a similar description it was not carried out. Quiet or patient I could not be - so jumping up I again passed into a chapel next to that in which I had been working, scarcely had I taken half a dozen paces when my foot struck against something on the floor, I stooped, put out my hand to feel what it was, and shivered in my very heart with terror inexpressible, when I found my fingers in the eye holes of a human skull - perhaps, I thought, the skull of one who had been left there to perish - as I might be. At that moment a strange noise struck on my ear. I rushed back to the chapel, I must own it , wild with affright and terror, to find the old custode making a thousand apologies for leaving one as long alone. How I felt I leave you to judge - but that three hours, alone in the Catacombs, never cam or will be effaced from my memory, until I have sunk into that untroubled sleep which lay upon those by whom I was then surrounded.

Signed C.S.

Charles Smeaton's Obituaries

The following article is from the Kingston Daily News, June 15, 1867.

A Young Canadian Artist Abroad - Mr. Charles Smeaton, a young Canadian artist of great merit, who has now been between two and three years abroad, visiting the great galleries of the old masters in the various cities of Europe, is expected to return home this summer, with as rare a collection of views as was ever brought to this country be any travelled Canadian. In addition to his being a portrait and scenic painter, Mr. Smeaton has called in photography to his aid, and by the latest advices received by his friends in Quebec and this city, had taken a series of views of some of the most interesting monuments of antiquity in the cities of Rome, Florence, &c., with specimens of views taken in the Catacombs by the Magnesian lights". Some of these have been sent to his photographic gallery at Quebec, and the Gazette says of them that they are really splendid, bringing out all the minute and graceful details of such ancient works of art as the Coliseum, Trojan's Arch, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Sculptares on the Walls of the Catacombs, and many other Interesting subjects. These, however, were taken to fill up his time, for it is as a painter that Mr. Smeaton will be best known if, after his continental tour is over, he comes back to his native home to settle down as one of the most promising of the rising artists of the New Dominion.

The following article is from the Quebec paper:

Death of Mr. Charles Smeaton, At Rome - In the obituary notices of to-days impression our readers will learn with general regret the death of Mr. Charles Smeaton, well known as a highly talented and promising artist of the city of Quebec, which melancholy event occurred at the city of Rome, on the 26th of last month. Mr. Smeaton had the honour of being the first artist to photograph the catacombs of Rome, and during his three years absence from his native city, had not only acquired valuable friends and highly honorable professional connections amongst the literary and artistic world in England, who appreciated his talents and respected his character, but had also made his mark in that "Eternal City" which has long been known as the "mother of the arts". His death was occasioned by fever supervening on lung disease, which proved fatal despite the best medical attendance the city of Rome could afford, and the attentions of the numerous and distinguished friends he had secured by his artistic and personal merit. His mortal remains, which lie interred in the Protestant burying ground near the grave of Shelley, were attended to their last resting place by a host of illustrious mourners including the famous sculptor, Randolph Rodgers, Mr. Macpherson and other well known residents.

The following article is from the Montreal Daily Witness, May 22, 1868.

The Late Mr. Smeaton of Quebec - The Pall Mall Gazette of the 4th says: The Roman fever seems to have been unusually rife during the past winter among the visitors to the Holy City. A correspondent stated last week that Lady Herbert of Lea, had been attacked by it, and that for a while her life was despaired of; now we

18 learn the death of Mr. Smeaton, a young Canadian artist of much distinction from the same cause. Mr. Smeaton had been assisting Mr. Parker, the well-known archaeologist, in photographing the catacombs of Rome, and was attacked in March last by the disease to which he has now fallen a victim.

The following article is from the London Standard, May 8th 1868

THE CATACOMBS OF ROME.-Mr. Parker, of London and Oxford, the well-known archaeologists, has been for two seasons busily engaged in obtaining photographs of the most interesting portions of the catacombs of Rome. In these labours he had the valuable assistance of Mr. Charles Smeaton, of Quebec, a young artist of much promise, who we regret to say, fell a victim to the Roman fever in March last. The great difficulties hitherto experienced in obtaining good pictures of the catacombs were almost entirely removed by certain discoveries made by Mr. Smeaton, which, combined with his superior skill in photographic art, made him both envied and respected by his rivals in Rome. The new light which will be thrown on these ancient subterranean monuments by Mr. Parker will be hailed with gladness by the general public, while the hand and brain that mainly developed the glowing pictures with be lying in darkness deep and gloomy as that of the catacombs themselves.

Charles Smeaton and John Smeaton

The following article is from the Quebec Merquery, 28th February 1865

A PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEW OF THE FALLS OF MONTMORENCI

The Messrs. Smeaton have just issued one of the largest views of the Falls of Montmorenci that has ever been taken - the size of the picture being twenty-two inches by eighteen; and although many attempts have been made with varied success, to obtain a perfect view of this - to Quebecers familiar portion of their far-famed river scenery, we are of opinion the Messrs. Smeaton have at last succeeded in that undertaking. The size of the picture, as a matter of course, enables every point of beauty in the scene to come out with great distinctness and fidelity.

The verandah, or stand, from which summer visitors enjoy the view of the falls, and the remaining portions of the piers of the broken bridge, stone by stone, stand out with peculiar clearness. The bare and withered wood scenery-in wintry sky-the smaller, ice-bound streamlets, skewing like streaks of silver on the dark rugged lace of rock - the dashing body of the main fall - and the large and little cones, are excellently pourtrayed; but the great beauty of the picture, in our opinion, is the manner in which the spray is shown as it rises up from the bottom of the falls and overshadows the cones - just as we have often seen, and felt it, on our visits to the romantic spot.

The picture will form an admirable companion to the Messrs. Smeaton's large views of Quebec; and we have no doubt, will also be highly prized by the many visitors who come to view the scene during the months of summer, as showing the contrast between its beauty then, and its still grand, though sombre aspect in "gloomy Winter."

We have been much pleased to learn that the beauty of this picture has been duly appreciated by those capable of judging of its merits in an intrinsic point of view, and that His Excellency the Governor General, Lord Monck, Col. Monck, Col Hassard, Col. McCrea, and many other gentlemen, both civil and military, at once became subscribers for it. The Messrs. Smeaton have been very properly secured the copyright of the picture, and we trust its sale will remunerate them for the trouble they doubtlessly underwent to obtain it.

iv. JAMES SMEATON, b. Apr 23, 1840, Redgorton, PER, SCT (Source: Redgorton Parish Record, Reads "April 23, 1840 - Born ______, son to Alexander Smeaton, Tailor, Bridgeton, and Helen Robertson, his wife, and baptized on the 17th May."); d. Mar 15, 1846, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "James, son of Alexander Smeaton of Quebec, Tailor, aged six years died on the fifteenth and was buried on the sixteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and forty six. Signed John Cook, Alexander Smeaton and John Rickaby.").

Notes for JAMES SMEATON: James was baptized on May 17,1840. He was buried on March 16, 1846 by Rev Dr Cook at St Andrews, Quebec City.

19 7. v. JOHN SMEATON, b. Jun 19, 1842, Quebec City, QUE, CAN; d. Jan 08, 1904, Montreal, QUE, CAN. vi. DAVID HONEYMAN SMEATON, b. Mar 09, 1845, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Alexander Smeaton of Quebec, Tailor and Helen Robertson his wife had a son born the ninth day of March and baptized on this fifth day of October one thousand eight hundred and forty five, named David Honeyman. Signed John Cook; Alexander Smeaton; Helen Robertson and John ."); d. Feb 24, 1846, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "David son of Alexander Smeaton of Quebec, Tailor, aged one year died on the twenty fourth and was buried on the twenty fifth day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty six. Signed Alex Smeaton and John Richaby .").

Notes for DAVID HONEYMAN SMEATON: David was baptized on October 05, 1845 by Rev Dr Cook of St Andrews. He was buried on February 26, 1846 by Rev Dr Cook at St Andrews, Quebec City.

vii. HELEN SMEATON, b. Jan 10, 1847, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Alexander Smeaton of Quebec, Tailor and Helen his wife had a daughter born the tenth and baptized the eighteenth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and forty seven named Helen. Signed John Cook Minister; Alex'r Smeaton; Helen Robertson; David Serine and Jane Serine."); d. Aug 03, 1847, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Ellen, daughter of Alexande Smeaton of Quebec, Tailor, aged six months died on the third and was buried on the fifth day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty seven. Signed Alexander Smeaton and William Smeaton.").

Notes for HELEN SMEATON: Helen was baptized on January 18, 1847 by Rev Dr Cook of St Andrews. She was buried on August 05, 1847 by Rev Dr Cook at St Andrews, Quebec City.

viii. ALEXANDER SMEATON, b. Jun 29, 1848, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Alexander Smeaton of Quebec Tailor and Helen his wife had a son born on the twenty ninth day of June and baptized on the twenty fifth day of September, one thousand eight hundred and forty eight named Alexander. Signed John Cook DD Minister, Alex Smeaton and Hellen Smeaton."); d. Apr 21, 1849, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Alexander son of Alexander Smeaton of Quebec Tailor aged ten months died on the twenty first and was buried on the twenty third day of April, one thousand eight hundred and forty nine. Signed John Cook DD Minister and Alex Smeaton."). ix. ELLEN SMEATON, b. 1850, Quebec City, QUE, CAN; d. Apr 21, 1856, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Ellen Smeaton aged six years died on the twenty first and was buried on the twenty fourth day of April one thousand eight hundred and fifty six. Signed John Cook DD Minister, Alex Smeaton and C Smeaton.").

Notes for ELLEN SMEATON: Ellen was buried on April 24, 1856 by Rev Dr Cook at St Andrews, Quebec City.

4. CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON (CHARLES1) was born Jun 07, 1810 in Redgorton, PER, SCT (Source: Redgorton Parish Record, Reads "June 7, 1810 - Charles Robertson, Redgorton and Ann McLeod his spouse had a daughter born this date and baptized the 8th called Catharine."), and died Feb 08, 1887 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Death Certificate, Reads "Catherine Smeaton died on February 8, 1887 at Kingston. Her age was 77. She was a Widow. She was born at Scotland. The cause of death was General debility for 8 years. The Physician was Dr Strange. The death was registered by J R Smeaton, Clerk, Kingston. Her religious denomination was Presbyterian."). She married JOHN SMEATON, son of WILLIAM SMEATON and HELEN HONEYMAN. He was born Mar 27, 1805 in Crivie, Arngask, FIF, SCT (Source: Arngask Parish Register, Reads "John ,Father William Smyton , Living at Crivie , Born on Mar 27 , Baptised on Apr 5 ,1807."), and died Aug 27, 1878 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Death Certificate, Reads "John Smeaton died on August 27, 1878 at Kingston. His age was 71 years. He was a Tailor. He was born at Scotland. The cause of death was General Debility, 4 weeks. The Physician was Dr Strange. The death was registered by Jno R Smeaton, School Teacher, Ernestown. His religious denomination was St Andrews.").

Notes for JOHN SMEATON: In 1841, John and Catherine lived at Krowhead , Fossoway and Tulliebole, Kinross with their children William, CHarles, John and their nephew William. John was a Tailor.

Catharine Robertson was the sister of the wife of John's brother Alexander. John and Catharine were buried at Catarqui Cemetery Kingston. 20 Children of CATHARINE ROBERTSON and JOHN SMEATON are: 8. i. WILLIAM3 SMEATON, b. Oct 11, 1836, Brook of Devon, Fossoway, KRS, SCT. 9. ii. CHARLES SMEATON, b. Jan 15, 1838, Drum, Fossoway, KRS, SCT; d. Feb 06, 1917, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN. iii. JOHN SMEATON, b. Feb 08, 1839, Waulkmill, Fossoway, KRS, SCT (Source: Fossoway & Tulliebole Parish Register, Reads "February 1839 John son to John Smeaton, Tailor, Waulkmill born 8th Feb'y 1839."); d. Bef. 1845. 10. iv. THOMAS SMEATON, b. Aug 11, 1842, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN; d. Aug 25, 1934, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN. 11. v. JOHN ROBERTSON SMEATON, b. Nov 17, 1844, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN; d. Jan 08, 1926, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN. vi. ANNE SMEATON, b. Jan 04, 1847, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN; m. JAMES MCINTOSH, Sep 13, 1875, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Marriage Certificate, Reads "On September 13, 1875 at Kingston. James McIntosh, Bachelor, Farmer; age 36, he was born at Dundee, Scotland. His usual residence was Oswego. His parents were William McIntosh and Cath Peacock. Ann Smeaton, Spinster; age 26, she was born at Kingston. Her usual residence was Kingston. Her parents were John Smeaton and Catherine Robertson. The witnesses were J A Smeaton and Wm Smeaton. They were both Presbyterians and were married by T G Smith."); b. 1839, Dundee, ANS, SCT; d. Bef. 1911.

Notes for ANNE SMEATON: James was a Farmer.

vii. HELEN SMEATON, b. Sep 04, 1849, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN. viii. ALEXANDER SMEATON, b. Aug 04, 1853, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN; d. Aug 30, 1883, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Death Certificate, Reads "Alexander Smeaton, Engineer died on August 30, 1883. His age was 30 years and 14 days. He was born in Kingston. The death was Certified by Dr Strange. The death was registered by J R Smeaton of Kingston."); m. ELIZABETH REID MORRISON, Oct 16, 1876, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Marriage Certificate, Reads "On October 16, 1876 at Kingston. Alexander Smeaton, Bachelor, Patern Maker; age 23, he was born at Kingston. His usual residence was Kingston. His parents were John Smeaton and Catherine Robertson. Elizabeth Reid Morrison, Spinster; age 22, she was born at Kingston. Her usual residence was Portsmouth. Her parents were John Morrison and Elizabeth Cochrane. The witnesses were J R Smeaton and Rebecca M Rogers. They were both Presbyterians and were married by J B Mowat."); b. 1853, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN.

Notes for ALEXANDER SMEATON: Alexander was a Pattern Maker.

In 1881, Alexander and ELizabeth lived at Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario. Alexander was an Engineer.

He was buried at Catarqui Cemetery Kingston.

5. THOMAS2 ROBERTSON (CHARLES1) was born Jun 09, 1812 in Redgorton, PER, SCT (Source: Redgorton Parish Record, Reads "June 9, 1812 - Charles Robertson in Pitcairngreen and Ann McLeod his spouse had a son born this date and baptized the 17th called Thomas."). He married ELIZABETH HOOD Nov 15, 1850 in Redgorton, PER, SCT (Source: IGI 1881 Census).

Children of THOMAS ROBERTSON and ELIZABETH HOOD are: 12. i. GEORGE3 ROBERTSON, b. Aug 31, 1851, Redgorton, PER, SCT. ii. SAMUEL ROBERTSON, b. May 17, 1861, Redgorton, PER, SCT (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads "Samuel Robertson was born on May 17, 1861 at 10:00 PM at Luncarty, Redgorton. The father was Thomas Robertson, Labourer. The mother was Elizabeth Hood They were married on November 15, 1850 at Luncarty. The birth was registered by Thomas Robertson, father."). iii. GRANT KEAY ROBERTSON, b. Jun 14, 1868, Redgorton, PER, SCT.

Generation No. 3

6. CATHERINE3 ROBERTSON (ALEXANDER2, CHARLES1) was born Apr 10, 1834 in Scotland, and died May 01, 1914 in Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Catherine

21 Robertson Richardson, widow of the late Robert Richardson Merchant of QUebec, died at Quebec on the first day of May one thousand nine hundred & fourteen & was buried in Mount Hermon Cemetery of Quebec on this the fourth day of May of the same year aged eighty years."). She married ROBERT RICHARDSON Jun 07, 1859 in Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Robert Richardson of Quebec, Merchant, bachelor and Catherine Robertson of the same place, spinster, were by license from his execilency the Right Honourable Sir Edmund Walker married on the seventh day of June one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine by John Cook. Signed R Richardson, Catherine Robertson, Osborne Richardson and Alex Robertson."). He was born 1829, and died Mar 25, 1866 in Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: Chalmer's Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Robert Richardson Leather Merchant, aged thirty seven died on the twenty fifth, was buried this twenty eighth of March, one thousand eight hundred & sixty six be me.").

Notes for CATHERINE ROBERTSON: In 1881, Catherine lived at Quebec City, Quebec with her daughter Margaret and her brothers Alexander and James.

Children of CATHERINE ROBERTSON and ROBERT RICHARDSON are: i. ALEXANDER DAVID4 RICHARDSON, b. Aug 09, 1860, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: Chalmer's Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Alexander David Richardson, son of Robert Richardson, Leather Merchant, Quebec, & Catharine Robertson his wife, was born ninth August one thousand eight hundred & sixty & baptized this twenty sixth of September of the same year by me."); d. Mar 28, 1899, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Alexander David Richardson, Clerk, son of the late Robert Richardson, Merchant, Quebec, died at Quebec on the twenty eighth day of March, and was buried in Mount Hermon Cemetery, Quebec, on the thirty first day of March One thousand eight hundred and ninety nine, aged thirty eight years and six months."). ii. MARGARET TODD RICHARDSON, b. Dec 08, 1861, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: Chalmer's Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Margaret Todd Richardson daughter of Robert Richardson Leather Merchant, Quebec & Catharine Robertson his wife, was born eighth December, one thousand eight hundred & sixty one & baptized on this eighteenth April one thousand eight hundred & sixty two by me."). iii. M THERESE RICHARDSON, b. Dec 08, 1870, Quebec, CAN.

7. JOHN3 SMEATON (HELEN C.2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Jun 19, 1842 in Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "Alexander Smeaton of Quebec, Tailor, and Helen b\his wife had a son born on the nineteenth day of June and baptized on the seventeenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty two named John. Signed John Cook DD Minister, Alex Smeaton, Helen Smeaton, P C Campbell, Eliza Cook, John Cook, Robert Cook and Margaret G Cook."), and died Jan 08, 1904 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: St. Gaberial Montreal Parish Register, Reads "John Smeaton of Montreal died of Cebro Anersonoma on the eighth day of January One thousand nine hundred and four, aged sixty two years and was buried on the eleventh day of the same month in presence of the undersigned."). He married MARY JANE SMITH Nov 19, 1868 in St. Andrews, Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "John Smeaton of Quebec City, Photographer, bachelor and Mary Jane Smith of Lake Beauport, Spinster were by license from his Excellency Lieutenant General Sir Charles Wenetham K.C.B.& C.G. married on the nineteenth day of November one thousand eight hundred and sixty eight. Signed John Cook DD Minister, John Smeaton, Mary Jane Smeaton, Jas Smith and Helen Serin."), daughter of JOHN SMITH and MARY. She was born Oct 10, 1846 in Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: Quebec City Garrison Anglican Church Registry, Reads “Mary Jane, daughter of John Smith and of Mary his wife born on the tenth of October and was baptized on the twenty eighth day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Six in the presence of By me George Cowell Mary Hume – God Mother Jane Quest – God Mother William Strang – God Father."), and died Dec 19, 1940 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: Montreal Kensington Presbyterian Church Parish Register, Reads "On this twenty first day of December in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty Mary Jane Smith wife of the late John Smeaton was buried by me in the Mount Royal Cemetery, she having died in the Western Division of the Montreal General Hospital on the nineteenth day of the same month and in the year aforesaid in her ninety fouth year.").

Notes for JOHN SMEATON: In 1881, John and Mary lived at Montreal, Quebec with their children Charles, Joseph, Annie, Maggie and John. John was a Photo Engraver.

In 1891, John and Mary Jane and their children Joseph, Annie, Maggie, John, Polly and William lived at Montreal.

22 In 1901, John and Mary and their children John, Annie, Mary Jane and William lived at 257 Bleury, Montreal.

The following are from various Quebec City directories of the time.

1864/65 Quebec Directory Smeaton, John, of Smeaton's, 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ART GALLERY, 24 Palace St. U.T. and 10 St. John St U.T.

1865/66 Quebec Directory Smeaton, John, of Smeaton's, 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ART GALLERY, 24 Palace St. U.T. and 10 St. John St U.T.

1866/67 Quebec Directory Smeaton, John, of Smeaton's, 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ART GALLERY, 24 Palace St. U.T. and 10 St. John St U.T.

1867/68 - 1870/71 Quebec Directory Smeaton, John, of Smeaton's, 24 Palace St. U.T. SMEATON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ART GALLERY, 24 Palace St. U.T.

1880/81 Montreal Directory Smeaton John, photo-lithographer, 440 Richmond

1889/90 Montreal Directory Smeaton John , photographer, 251 Bleury

John and Mary Jane were buried at Mount Royal Cementer, Montreal, Plot F1099 C,D,E.

Children of JOHN SMEATON and MARY SMITH are: 13. i. CHARLES4 SMEATON, b. Aug 27, 1869, Quebec City, QUE, CAN; d. 1926, Miami, FLA, USA. 14. ii. JOSEPH LEPSITT SMEATON, b. Feb 17, 1871, Quebec City, QUE, CAN; d. Aug 10, 1953, Montreal, QUE, CAN. iii. ANNIE SMEATON, b. Nov 23, 1872, Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: Calvin Church Montreal Parish Register, Reads "1873 - Baptism Annie Smeaton - Annie daughter of John Smeaton of the city of Montreal Photographer and Mary Jane his wife was born on the twenty third day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two and baptised on the twenty eighth of January one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three by me. Signed by Alexander ? Minister; John Smeaton; Mary Jane Smeaton; Alex Smeaton; Ann McDonald" .); d. Aug 26, 1968, Montreal, QUE, CAN; m. JOHN HAMILTON SMITH, Jul 14, 1909, Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: St Simon Montreal Parish Register, Reads "John Hamilton Smith of the City of Westmount in the District of Montreal, bachelor, Commerical Traveller son of William SMith of the said place and of his wife the late Christine Smith and Annie Smeaton of the City of Montreal, Spinster daughter of the late John Smeaton of the said City and his wife Jane Smeaton - both being of full age of majority and no opposition being made, were by authority of License, married in St Simons Church on the fourteenth day of July in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and nine - This marriage was solemonized between us Signed John Hamilton Smith and Annie Smeaton. The witnesses were D N McCallum and A A Sharp. They were married by Frank Charters, Rector."); b. May 25, 1873, New Glasgow, QUE, CAN; d. Nov 08, 1922, Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: St Matthew, Montreal Parish Record, Reads "John Hamilton Smith of the city of Montreal, Province of Quebec died at Montreal on the eighth day of November one thousand nine hundred and twenty two, aged forty nine years and was buried at Mount Royal Cemetery Montreal on the ninth day of the same month and year."). iv. MARGARET LILY MAY SMEATON, b. Oct 15, 1874, Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "John Smeaton of Montreal, Photographer and Mary his wife had a daughter born on the sixteenth day of October last and baptized on the tenth day of September one thousand eight hundred and seventy five named Margaret Lily May. Signed John Cook DD Minister, Mary Smeaton, father not present."); d. Jun 25, 1924, Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: Montreal First Presbyterian Church Parish Register, Reads "Margaret Lilly May Smeaton beloved wife of George Henry Douglass, Quebec City, Quebec died at Montreal on the twenty-fifth day of June one thousand nine hundred and twenty four, aged fourty nine years and was buried by me in the Mount Royal Cemetery on the twenty seventh day of the same month and in the same year and in the presence of the undersigned. J A Smeaton and G H Douglass."); m. GEORGE HENRY DOUGLASS, Jun 20, 1900, Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: St. Gaberial Montreal Parish Register, Reads

23 "George Henry Douglass of Windsor Locks in Hartford County, State of Connecticut, one of the United States of America, Mechanic, a bachelor and Margaret Lily May, daughter of John Smeaton, Photo-Engraver of Montreal, a spinster, both being of the full age of twenty one years, upon authority of License were united in marriage by me on this the twentieth day of June in the year of Our Lord one thousand and nine hundred. Signed T M Dewey; George Henry Douglass; Margaret Lily May Smeaton; David S Lowe; M J Smeaton."); b. May 1869, Connecticut, USA; d. Shriners Old Peoples Home, New Haven, CT, USA. v. JOHN ALEXANDER (JACK) SMEATON, b. May 02, 1876, Montreal, QUE, CAN; d. 1957, Montreal, QUE, CAN; m. MARY ESTELLE BURNS, Sep 15, 1903, Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: St Anthony of Padua Montreal Parish Register, Reads "This fifteenth day of September, nineteen hundred and three, considering the dispentation of mixed regilion and that of the banns of marriage granted by the Rt Revverend Grant of the diocese to John Alexander Smeaton of New York City, protestant son of age of John Smeaton and Mary Jane Smeaton of this City of the one part and to Mary Estella Burns, daughter of age of Thomas Gerald Burns and of the late Catherine Burns of the later part. No opposition having been made known and the non Catholic party having agreed to the conditions required by the church, we the undersigned priest having recieved their mutual consent of marriage in presence of William SMeaton, brother of the groom and Evelyn Burns, sister of the bride who have signed with the contracting parties with us. Signed Mary Estelle Burns; J A Smeaton; Eveline Burns; Willie Smeaton."); b. Nov 09, 1878, Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: St Paul's Montreal Parish Register, Reads "On the seventeenth day of November one thousand eight hundred and seventy eight, the undersigned priest have baptized Mary born on the ninth instant of the lawful marriage of Thomas G Burns, and of Catherine Burns. The sponsors were Thomas Loftus and Mary Loftus who declared she cannot sign."); d. Jul 16, 1969, Los Angeles, CA, USA. 15. vi. MARY JANE (POLLY) SMEATON, b. Jan 31, 1882, Montreal, QUE, CAN; d. Aug 23, 1976, Montreal, QUE, CAN. 16. vii. WILLIAM JAMES ROBERTSON SMEATON, b. Dec 15, 1888, Montreal, QUE, CAN; d. Jun 01, 1975, Lakeshore Hosiptal, Pointe Claire, QUE, CAN.

8. WILLIAM3 SMEATON (CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Oct 11, 1836 in Brook of Devon, Fossoway, KRS, SCT (Source: Fossoway & Tulliebole Parish Register, Reads "October 1836 William son to John Smeaton, Tailor Brook of Devon and Cath Robertson was born on 11th Oct and baptised on the 24th current in the church."). He married ALOINA MARTHA SWEANEY. She was born 1838 in Picton, Prince Edward, ONT, CAN, and died Feb 28, 1878 in Picton, Prince Edward, ONT, CAN (Source: Death Certificate, Reads “Aloina Martha Smeaton died on February 28, 1878 at Picton. Her age was 40. She was a Wife of Informant. She was born at Picton. The cause of death was Anxiety for 10 days. The Physician was Dr Morden. The death was registered by Wm Smeaton, Clothier, Picton. Her religious denomination was Methodist.").

Notes for WILLIAM SMEATON: In 1881, William lived at Picton, Prince Edward, Ontario with his children William and John. William was a Cutter.

In 1891, William lived at Picton, Prince Edward, Ontario with his son William. William was a Cutter in a Clothing Store.

In 1901, William lived at Picton, Prince Edward, Ontario.

In 1910, WIlliam lived at Ann Arbor, Washtenaw, Michigan with his son William.

In 1920, WIlliam lived at Ann Arbor, Washtenaw, Michigan with his son William.

Children of WILLIAM SMEATON and ALOINA SWEANEY are: 17. i. WILLIAM GABB4 SMEATON, b. Sep 08, 1874, Picton, Prince Edward, ONT, CAN; d. 1959. ii. JOHN ARTHUR SMEATON, b. Feb 20, 1878, Picton, Prince Edward, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads “John Arthur was born on February 20, 1878 at Picton. The father was William Smeaton, Tailor's Cutter. The mother was Aloina Martha Sweaney. The birth was registered by Wm Smeaton, Tailor's Cutter, Picton. The Physician in attendance was Dr Morden."); m. ANTOINETTE TUTTLE, Jul 25, 1907; b. Oct 01, 1883, Connecticut, USA; d. Sep 1974, Springfield, Hampden, MA, USA.

Notes for JOHN ARTHUR SMEATON: In 1910, John and Antoinette lived at Springfield, Hampden, Masssachusetts. John was a Interior Decorator.

In 1920, John and Antoinette lived at Springfield, Hampden, Masssachusetts. John was a Interior Decorator.

24 In 1930, John and Antoinette lived at Springfield, Hampden, Masssachusetts. John was a Interior Decorator.

9. CHARLES3 SMEATON (CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Jan 15, 1838 in Drum, Fossoway, KRS, SCT (Source: Fossoway & Tulliebole Parish Register, Reads "April 1838 Charles son to John Smeaton, Tailor Drum and Cath Robertson was born on 15th Jan 1838 & baptised 11th Feb following."), and died Feb 06, 1917 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Death Certificate, Reads " Charles Smeaton, married, retired, died on February 6, 1917. The Place of death was Kingston. His age was 79 years. He was buried at Cataraqui Cemetery. He was the son of John Smeaton and Catharine Robertson. The death was Certified by Dr R J Gardiner."). He married (1) ADELINE DAWSON Feb 22, 1870 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Marriage Certificate, Reads "On February 22, 1870 at Kingston. Charles Smeaton, Bachelor, Tanner; age 30, he was born in Scotland. His usual residence was Kingston. His parents were John & Catherine Smeaton. Adeline Dawson, Spinster; age 24, she was born in Kingston. Her usual residence was Kingston. Her parents were William and Barbara Dawson. The witnesses were Daniel McIntosh and Annie Smeaton both of Kingston. He was a Presbyterian and she was a Methodists. They were married by James Smith."), daughter of WILLIAM DAWSON and BARBARA. She was born 1846 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN, and died Nov 18, 1877 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Death Certificate, Reads "Adeline Smeaton died on November 18, 1877 at Kingston. Her age was 31 years. She was a Married woman. She was born at Kingston. The cause of death was Inflammation of the lungs for 2 weeks. The Physician was Dr Strange. The death was registered by Charles Smeaton, Currier, Kingston. Her religious denomination was Methodist." Reads "Adeline Smeaton died on November 18, 1877 at Kingston. She was a Married woman. The cause of death was Pneumonia. The Physician was Dr Strange. The death was registered by A S Strange."). He married (2) ELLEN JANE WISEMAN Aft. 1877. She was born Nov 23, 1859 in Ontario, CAN.

Notes for CHARLES SMEATON: In 1881, Chalres and Ellen lived at Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario with their children Catherine and Emma. CHarles was a Farmer.

In 1891, Charles and Ellen lived at Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario with their children Catherine, Emma, Ellen, George and Charles. Charles was a Currier.

In 1901, Charles and Ellen lived at Kingston, Frontenac, Otario with their children Ellen, Charles and George. Charles was a Currier.

In 1910, Charles was a Clerk in McKays Fir Store. In 1911, he was a Farmer.

In 1911, Charles and Ellen lived at Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario with their children George, Ellen Woodrow, Emma and sister Ann McIntosh. Charles was a Tailor. George was a Patern Maker.

Charles and Adeline were buried at Catarqui Cemetery Kingston.

Child of CHARLES SMEATON and ADELINE DAWSON is: 18. i. CATHARINE ROBERTSON4 SMEATON, b. Aug 20, 1872, Portsmouth, Frontenac, ONT, CAN.

Children of CHARLES SMEATON and ELLEN WISEMAN are: 19. ii. EMMA RICHARDS4 SMEATON, b. Dec 10, 1880, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN. 20. iii. ELLEN WISEMAN SMEATON, b. Sep 05, 1886, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN. 21. iv. GEORGE HOULDER SMEATON, b. Jan 08, 1889, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN; d. Jul 12, 1954, Hartford, CT, USA. v. CHARLES ALEXANDER SMEATON, b. Jan 08, 1889, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads “Charles Alexander was born on January 8, 1889 at Kingston. The father was Charles Smeaton, Currier. The mother was Ellen Jane Wiseman. The Physician in attendance was Dr Strange. The birth was registered by Charles Smeaton, Currier, Kingston."); d. May 08, 1913, Winnipeg, MAN, CAN.

Notes for CHARLES ALEXANDER SMEATON: Charles was buried at Catarqui Cemetery Kingston.

10. THOMAS3 SMEATON (CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Aug 11, 1842 in Kingston, Frontenac,

25 ONT, CAN, and died Aug 25, 1934 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Death Certificate, Reads “Thomas Smeaton died on August 25, 1934 at Kingston. His residence was Kingston. He was Widower. His age was 92. He was born on August 11, 1842. He was born at Kingston. His was a Retired. He lived at His place of death for 80 years. He lived his whole life in Ontario. His father was John Smeaton, born is Scotland. His mother was Catharine Robertson, born in Scotland. The death was registered by Mrs W Millar, 244 Victoria St Kingston, Niece. He was buried at Cataraqui Cemetery on August 27, 1934. The primary cause of death was Hypostatic Pneumonia. The immediate cause of death was Senility. The Physician was Dr Ford Connell”.). He married ALICE DONALDSON, daughter of JOHN DONALDSON and LINTON. She was born Dec 05, 1851 in Scotland, and died May 16, 1920 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Death Certificate, Reads “Alice Donaldson Smeaton died on May 16, 1920 at Kingston. She was Married. Her age was 69. She was born on December 5, 1851. She was born at Scotland. She lived at Her place of death for 50 years. She lived 50 years in Ontario. Her father was John Donaldson, born in Scotland. Her mother was Linton, born in Scotland. The death was registered by Thos Smeaton, Kingston, husband. She was buried at Catarqui Cemetery. The Undertaker was S S Corbett, Kingston. The primary cause of death was Myocardites. The Physician was Dr A R B Williamson, Kingston.").

Notes for THOMAS SMEATON: In 1881, Thomas and Alice lived at Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario with their son John. Thomas was a Paper Maker.

In 1891, Thomas and Alice lived at Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario with their son John.

In 1901, Thomas and Alice lived at Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario. Thomas was a a Superintendant of an Orphan Home.

In 1911, Thomas and Alice lived at Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario with their daughter in law Anna M and her daughter Alice. Thomas was a Superintendant.

Child of THOMAS SMEATON and ALICE DONALDSON is: 22. i. JOHN4 SMEATON, b. 1870, USA.

11. JOHN ROBERTSON3 SMEATON (CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Nov 17, 1844 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN, and died Jan 08, 1926 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Death Certificate, Reads “John Robertson Smeaton died on January 8, 1926 at Kingston. He died at Kingston General Hospital. He was Widowed. His age was 81 years, 11 months. He was born on November 14, 1844. He was born at Kingston. His occupation was Retired School Teacher. He lived at His place of death for 81 years in Ontario. His father was John Smeaton, born in Scotland. His mother was Kathryn Robertson, born in Scotland. The death was registered by Francis Robertson Smeaton, 78 Victoria St., son. He was buried at Cataraqui Cemetery on January 11, 1926. The Undertaker was James Reid, Kingston. The primary cause of death was Myocardial degeneration with angina rectories for the last few days. The Physician was Dr A R B Williamson, Kingston."). He married REBECCA MARY ROGERS Dec 25, 1876 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Marriage Certificate, Reads "On December 25, 1876 at Kingston. John Robertson Smeaton, Bachelor, Teacher; age 32, he was born at Kingston. His usual residence was Kingston. His parents were John Smeaton and Catherine Robertson. Rebecca Mary Rogers; she was born in Kingston. Her usual residence was Kingston. Her parents were John B Rogers and Anna Dorcas. The witnesses were William Hutchison and Jane Rogers of Kingston. They were both Presbyterians and were married by T G Smith."), daughter of JOHN ROGERS and ANNA DUCAS. She was born 1847 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN, and died Oct 25, 1895 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Death Certificate, Reads "Rebecca Mary Smeaton, married women died on October 25, 1895. The Place of death was Kingston. Her age was 48 years. The cause of death was Heart Failure for 4 months as Certified by Dr Strang. The death was registered by J R Smeaton, Store Keeper, Kingston.").

Notes for JOHN ROBERTSON SMEATON: In 1871, John was School Master. In 1885, John was a Book Keeper. In 1895 he was a Store Keeper. Rebecca was buried at Catarqui Cemetery Kingston.

In 1881, John and Rebecca lived at Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario with John's mother Catherine. John was a Merchant.

26 In 1891, John and Rebecca lived at Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario with their children Francis and Annie. John was a Fish Dealer.

In 1901, John lived at Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario with his children Frank and Annie. John was a Teacher.

In 1911, John lived at Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario with his son Francis. Francis was a Cutter.

Children of JOHN SMEATON and REBECCA ROGERS are: i. FRANCIS ROBERTSON4 SMEATON, b. Jul 06, 1881, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads "Francis Robertson was born on July 6, 1881. The father was John R Smeaton, Trader. The mother was Rebecca M Rogers."). 23. ii. ANNIE CLARK SMEATON, b. Apr 12, 1885, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN; d. Mar 19, 1943, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN.

12. GEORGE3 ROBERTSON (THOMAS2, CHARLES1) was born Aug 31, 1851 in Redgorton, PER, SCT. He married ANN. She was born Abt. 1850 in Redgorton, PER, SCT.

Notes for GEORGE ROBERTSON: In 1901, George and Ann lived at Tayview Cottages , Redgorton, Perthshire with their son Thomas. George was a Lapperiand Calendarman. Thomas was a Linen Beetler.

Child of GEORGE ROBERTSON and ANN is: i. THOMAS4 ROBERTSON, b. Abt. 1880, Redgorton, PER, SCT.

Generation No. 4

13. CHARLES4 SMEATON (JOHN3, HELEN C.2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Aug 27, 1869 in Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "John Smeaton of Quebec, Photographer, and Mary Jane his wife had a son born on the twenty seventh day of August and baptized on the twenty sixth day of November, one thousand eight hundred and sixty nine, named Charles. Signed John Cook DD Minister, John Smeaton and M J Smeaton."), and died 1926 in Miami, FLA, USA. He married FRANCES 1896. She was born 1881 in New York, USA.

Notes for CHARLES SMEATON: In 1910, Charles and Frances lived at Manhattan, New York. Charles was a Photoengraver for the Newspaper.

In 1920, Charles and Frances lived at Manhattan, New York. Charles was a Photoengraver.

Children of CHARLES SMEATON and FRANCES are: i. CHILD5 SMEATON, b. Bet. 1896 - 1910; d. Bef. 1910. ii. CHILD SMEATON, b. Bet. 1896 - 1910; d. Bef. 1910.

14. JOSEPH LEPSITT4 SMEATON (JOHN3, HELEN C.2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Feb 17, 1871 in Quebec City, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Quebec City Parish Register, Reads "John Smeaton of Montreal and Mary Jane his wife had a son born on the seventeenth day of February and baptized on the fifth day of September one thousand eight hundred and seventy one, named Joseph Lepsitt. Signed John Cook DD Minister, Mary Jane Smeaton, father was away."), and died Aug 10, 1953 in Montreal, QUE, CAN. He married (1) HELEN MITCHELL Sep 25, 1899 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: St Andrews Montreal Parish Register, Reads - Joseph Lepsitt Smeaton of the City of Montreal and Helen Mitchell of the same City were married by Authority of License at Montreal this fourteenth day of September One hundred eight hundred and ninety nine."), daughter of PETER MITCHELL and HELEN BOYLE. She was born Jun 20, 1868 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: St Paul's Montreal Presbyterian Parish Register, Reads "Helen Mitchell - On the eleventh day of October eighteen hundred sixty eight was baptized the above named daughter of Peter Mitchell and of Helen Honeyman Boyle his wife, being a printer in Wellington Street Montreal, the first named Helen being declared to have been born on the twentieth day of June last."), and died Apr 26, 1916 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: Verdun Presbyterian Church Parish Register, Reads "Helen Mitchell, aged forty seven years, wife of Joseph L Smeaton died of heart failure on the twenty sixrh day of April nineteen hundred and sixteen and was buried at Mount Royal Cemetery on the twenty

27 eighth day of April of the same year."). He married (2) ELIZABETH BUCHAN Jan 10, 1923 in Ottawa, Carleton, ONT, CAN, daughter of ROBERT BUCHAN and BARBARA. She was born Aug 07, 1884 in East Templeton, Wright, QUE, CAN, and died Nov 23, 1940 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: Montreal Kensington Presbyterian Church Parish Register, Reads "On this twenty fifth day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand nine hundred and forty, ELizabeth Buchan wife of Joseph Lipsett Smeaton residing at 3455 Melsore Avenue Montreal was buried (cremated) by me at the Mount Royal Cemetery, she having died on the twenty third day of the same month and in the year aforesaid, aged fifty six years. Witnesses J L Smeaton and Jas H Taylor.").

Notes for JOSEPH LEPSITT SMEATON:

At the time of his death, Joseph lived at 3455 Melrose Ave., Montreal. His Obituary reads "SMEATON - At his residence, 3455 Melrose Avenue, in August 10th, 1953, Joseph L. Smeaton, in his 83rd year, beloved husband of the late Elizabeth Buchan and father of William B., and brother of John A., William J., Polly and Annie. Funeral from D.A. Collins Chapel, 5610 Sherbrooke Street West, Wednesday, at 2 P.M. to Mount Royal Cemetery."

Joseph, and his wives Helen Mitchell and Elizabeth Buchan are buried at Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal, QUE, CAN Plot F1101 -C.

Child of JOSEPH SMEATON and ELIZABETH BUCHAN is: 24. i. WILLIAM BUCHAN5 SMEATON, b. Oct 07, 1923, Montreal, QUE, CAN; d. Mar 13, 2003, Monreal, QUE, CAN.

15. MARY JANE (POLLY)4 SMEATON (JOHN3, HELEN C.2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Jan 31, 1882 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: Wesley Montreal Parish Register, Reads "Baptism of Mary Jane Smeaton; Mary Jane, daughter of John Smeaton, of Montreal, Photographer and his wife Mary Jane Smith, his wife born on the thirty first day of January eighteen hundred and eighty-two, was baptized on the eighth day of May in the same year by me. Signed by James Roos; John Smeaton; Mary Jane Smeaton."), and died Aug 23, 1976 in Montreal, QUE, CAN. She married HARRY GEORGE NEWMAN Jun 04, 1914 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: Montreal First Presbyterian Church Parish Register, Reads "Harry George Newman, of the City of Montreal, Foreman, and a bachelor, and Mary Jane Smeaton also of Montreal, Spinster were married by me under a License on the fourth day of June in the year of Our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and fourteen and in the presence of the undersigned witnesses. Signed Harry G Newman; M J SMeaton; J Johnson; L Johnson."), son of THOMAS NEWMAN and KATHERINE GIBSON. He was born Sep 23, 1884 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: St Paul's Montreal Presbyterian Parish Register, Reads "Henry Newman, son of Thomas Henry Newman and Kate Gibson, his wife, was born on the twenty third day of September eighteen hundred and eighty four and was baptized on this sixteenth day of June eighteen hundred and eighty five years."), and died Jul 08, 1951 in Montreal, QUE, CAN.

Notes for HARRY GEORGE NEWMAN: Harry and Polly were buried at Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal, QUE, CAN Plot F1099 C,D,E. Harry's Obituary reads as follows: NEWMAN - Suddenly in this city, July 8th, 1951, Harry George Newman, in his 68th year, beloved husband of Mary Jane Smeaton and father of Smeaton and Douglass. Funeral from D.A. Collins Chapel, 5610 Sherbrooke Street West, on Tuesday at 3:30 P.M. to Mount Royal Cemetery.

Children of MARY SMEATON and HARRY NEWMAN are: 25. i. SMEATON5 NEWMAN, b. Jun 02, 1918, Montreal, QUE, CAN; d. Dec 24, 1999, Oakville, Halton, ONT, CAN. 26. ii. HARRY "DOUGLASS" NEWMAN, b. May 28, 1919, Montreal, QUE, CAN.

16. WILLIAM JAMES ROBERTSON4 SMEATON (JOHN3, HELEN C.2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Dec 15, 1888 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: St. Gaberial Montreal Parish Register, Reads "Baptism of William James Robertson Smeaton - John Smeaton of Montreal, Photographer and his wife Mary Jane Smith had a son born to them on the fifteenth day of December One thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight, who was baptized on the fifteenth day of April, One thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine, named William James Robertson, by me.

28 Signed by Robert Campbell DD, Minister St Gabriel Church; John Smeaton; M J Smeaton; Annie Smeaton; M Hodge."), and died Jun 01, 1975 in Lakeshore Hosiptal, Pointe Claire, QUE, CAN. He married MAGGIE WHITELAW MCLEAN Apr 17, 1912 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: Montreal First Presbyterian Church Parish Register, Reads "William James Robertson Smeaton of Montreal, PQ, Photo-Engraver and a batchelor and Margaret Whitelaw MacLean, Spinster were married under a license by me on the seventeenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twelve and in the presence of the undersigned. Signed W J R Smeaton, M W MacLean, F A Johnson, M J Smeaton, D G McLean."), daughter of GEORGE MCLEAN and MAGGIE WHITELAW. She was born Jan 20, 1885 in Dundee, ANS, SCT, and died May 30, 1964 in St Canut, QUE, CAN.

Notes for WILLIAM JAMES ROBERTSON SMEATON: William was a Photoengraver. After his retirement, they lived in St Canut at their summer cottage during the summer and in Florida in the winter. William and Maggie were buried at Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal, Plot F1099 C,D,E.

Notes for MAGGIE WHITELAW MCLEAN: Burial Costs were $ 725.50

Child of WILLIAM SMEATON and MAGGIE MCLEAN is: 27. i. JOHN JOSEPH MCLEAN5 SMEATON, b. May 28, 1915, Montreal, QUE, CAN; d. Apr 03, 1985, Lakeshore Hosiptal, Pointe Claire, QUE, CAN.

17. WILLIAM GABB4 SMEATON (WILLIAM3, CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Sep 08, 1874 in Picton, Prince Edward, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads “William was born on September 8, 1874 at Picton. The father was William Smeaton, Gentleman. The mother was Alorna M Sweany. The birth was registered by Wm Smeaton, Gentleman, Picton. The Physician in attendance was Dr Colton."), and died 1959. He married ANNIE BOWIE GRAY Jul 10, 1902 in Avondale, LKS, SCT, daughter of GLEN GRAY and JESSIE MACALISTER. She was born 1873 in Scotland.

Notes for WILLIAM GABB SMEATON: In 1920, William and Ann lived at Ann Arbor, Washtenaw, Michigan with their children Winnifred and Ronald. William was a University Professor.

In 1910, William and Ann lived at Ann Arbor, Washtenaw, Michigan with their children Winnifred and Ronald. William was a University Professor.

Children of WILLIAM SMEATON and ANNIE GRAY are: i. WINNIFRED J S5 SMEATON, b. 1904, Michigan, USA. 28. ii. RONALD M A SMEATON, b. 1905, Michigan, USA.

18. CATHARINE ROBERTSON4 SMEATON (CHARLES3, CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Aug 20, 1872 in Portsmouth, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads "Catharine Robertson Smeaton was born on August 20, 1872. The father was Charles Smeaton, Farmer. The mother was Adeline Dawson. The birth was registered by Dr Strange."). She married HENRY EVANS ROBSON Apr 19, 1893 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Marriage Certificate, Reads "On April 19, 1893 at Kingston. Henry Evans Robson, Bachelor, Farmer; age 26, he was born at Camden Township. His usual residence was Ernestown. His parents were Joseph E Robson and Elizabeth Wallbridge. Catharine Robertson Smeaton, Spinster; age 20, she was born at Portsmouth. Her usual residence was Kingston. Her parents were Charles Smeaton and Adeline Dawson. The witnesses were Jennie Murray and Charles Smeaton, both of Kingston. They were both Methodists and were married by D C Sanderson."), son of JOSEPH ROBSON and ELIZABETH WALLBRIDGE. He was born May 1866 in Camden, Addington, ONT, CAN.

Notes for CATHARINE ROBERTSON SMEATON: In 1893, Henry was a Farmer.

In 1900, Henry and Catherine lived at Alexandria, Jefferson, New York with their children Charles and Darrell. Henry was a Farm Labourer.

29 In 1911, Henry and Catherine lived at Ernestown, Lennox, Ontario with their children Charles, Darrell, Bessie, Harold and Hazel. Henry was a Farmer.

Children of CATHARINE SMEATON and HENRY ROBSON are: i. CHARLES EVANS5 ROBSON, b. Mar 20, 1894, Ernestown, Lennox, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads "Charles Evan Robson was born on March 20, 1894. The father was Henry E Robson, Farmer. The mother was Catherine B Smeaton. The birth was registered by ."). ii. DARRELL SMEATON ROBSON, b. Oct 30, 1895, Richmond, Addington, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads “Darrell Smeaton was born on October 30, 1895 at Richmond. The father was Harry Robson born at Camden East. The mother was Katherine Smeaton, born at Portsmouth. The birth was registered by Darrell S Robson on July 15, 1965 at Toronto."); m. ALEITA MAY SIMPKINS, Dec 25, 1916, Odessa, Lennox, ONT, CAN (Source: Marriage Certificate, Reads "On December 25, 1916 at Odessa. Darrell Smeaton Robson, age 21, Bachelor, Farmer. His residence was Odessa. His birthplace was Richmond Township. His parents were Henry Robson & Catherine Smeaton. Aleita May Simpkins, age 22, Spinster. Her residence was Odessa. Her birthplace was Odessa. Her parents were George Simpkins & Miss Snider. His religious domination was Methodist. Her religious domination was Methodist. The marriage witnesses were R M Barnes, Odessa and J Barnes, Odessa. They were married by Jos Barnes by License."); b. Jul 10, 1894, Odessa, Lennox, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads “Leta May was born on July 10, 1894 at Odessa. The father was George Simpkins. The mother was Demarus Snider. The birth was registered by Leta May Robson on June 2, 1964 at Kingston."). iii. ELIZABETH "BESSIE" ROBSON, b. Sep 1901, Ontario, CAN. iv. HAROLD ROBSON, b. Oct 1903, Ontario, CAN. v. HAZEL ADELINO ROBSON, b. Oct 1904, Clayton, NY, USA; m. WILFRED RAE SNIDER, Oct 31, 1923, Ernestown, Lennox, ONT, CAN (Source: Marriage Certificate, Reads "On October 31, 1923 at Ernestown. Wilfred Rae Snider, age 24, Bachelor, Farmer. His residence was Ernestown. His birthplace was Township of Ernestown. His parents were Henry Miles Snider & Catherine Ida Snider. Hazel Adelino Robson, age 19, Spinster, Spinster. Her residence was Ernestown. Her birthplace was Clayton NY. Her parents were Henry Evans Robson & Catherine Robertson Smeaton. His religious domination was Methodist. Her religious domination was Methodist. The marriage witnesses were Mrs J Luke, Napanee RR#1 and Mrs Rev W R Merrick, Napanee RR#1. They were married by W R Merrick by License."); b. Jul 21, 1899, Ernestown, Lennox, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads “Wilfred Ray was born on July 21, 1899 at Ernestown. The father was Henry M Sinder. The mother was Catharine M Sinder.").

19. EMMA RICHARDS4 SMEATON (CHARLES3, CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Dec 10, 1880 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads "Emma Richards was born on December 10, 1880. The father was Charles Smeaton, Farmer. The mother was Ellen Wiseman. The birth was registered by Dr Strange."). She married GUSTANE PRAGER Jun 25, 1904 in Toronto, ONT, CAN (Source: Marriage Certificate, Reads "On June 25, 1914 at Toronto. Gustane Prager, bachelor, Salesman; age 27. His usual residence was New York City. He was born in Austria. His parents were Sigmond Prager and Julia Krenger. Emma Smeaton; age 24. Her usual residence was Kingston. She was born in Kingston. Her parents were Charles Smeaton and Ellen Wiseman. The witnesses were Max Spitger of New York City and Arthur Smith of Toronto. They were married by J N Smith by license."), son of SIGMEND PRAGER and JULIA KRENGER. He was born 1887 in Austria.

Notes for EMMA RICHARDS SMEATON: In 1911, Gustane and Emma lived at 172 Lancaster, Berlin, Waterloo, Ontario with their children Karl, Anna, George and Frederick. Gustane was a Salesman.

In 1914, Gustane worked as a Salesman.

Children of EMMA SMEATON and GUSTANE PRAGER are: 29. i. KARL SMEATON5 PRAGER, b. Sep 1902, Syracuse, NY, USA. ii. ANNA ELLEN PRAGER, b. Feb 07, 1905, Toronto, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads “Anna Ellen was born on February 7, 1905 at Toronto. The father was Gustane Prager, Manager. The mother was Emma Smeaton. The Physician in attendance was Dr Clarke. The birth was registered by Gustane Prager."). iii. GEORGE SMEATON PRAGER, b. Jan 09, 1907, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads “George Smeaton was born on January 9, 1907 at Kingston. The father was Gustane Prager, 210 Colborne St, Manager Insurance Company. The mother was Emma Smeaton. The Physician in attendance was Dr J H bell. The birth was registered by Emma Prager."). iv. FREDERICK HENRY PRAGER, b. Aug 10, 1909, Berlin, Waterloo, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads “Frederick Henry was born on August 10, 1909 at Berlin. The father was Gustane Prager, Salesman.

30 The mother was Emma Smeaton. They were married in Toronto in December 1901. The Physician in attendance was Dr Whiteman. The birth was registered by Gustane Prager, father, Berlin."). v. KATHRYNE JEAN PRAGER, b. Jul 13, 1911, Berlin, Waterloo, ONT, CAN.

20. ELLEN WISEMAN4 SMEATON (CHARLES3, CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Sep 05, 1886 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads " Ellen Wiseman Smeaton was born on February 5, 1886. The father was Charles Smeaton. The mother was Ellen Smeaton. The birth was registered by Dr Strange."). She married GEORGE FRANCIS WOODROW Jun 02, 1910 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Marriage Certificate, Reads "On June 1, 1910 at Kingston. George Francis Woodrow, Bachelor, Drug Clerk; age 22. His usual residence was Kinston. His parents were W H Woodrow, Fireman and Isabel Elliot. Ellen Wiseman Smeaton, Spinster; age 23. Her usual residence was Kingston. Her parents were Charles Smeaton, Clerk in McKay's Fur Store and Ellen Jane Wiseman. The witnesses were Chas Smeaton and Ellen Bloutine. He was a Congregationist and she was a Methodists. They were married by T E Bourke of Kingston."), son of WILLIAM WOODROW and ISABEL ELLIOTT. He was born Sep 21, 1887 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads “George Francis was born on September 21, 1887 at Kingston. The father was William Henry Woodrow, Labourer. The mother was Isabella Elisabeth McNaughton Elliott. The Physician in attendance was Dr Philan. The birth was registered by Wm Hy Woodrow, Labourer, Kingston.").

Notes for ELLEN WISEMAN SMEATON: In 1910, George was a Drug Clerk.

Child of ELLEN SMEATON and GEORGE WOODROW is: i. EDNA FRANCES5 WOODROW, b. Jul 14, 1911, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN.

21. GEORGE HOULDER4 SMEATON (CHARLES3, CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Jan 08, 1889 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads “George Holder was born on January 8, 1889 at Kingston. The father was Charles Smeaton, Currier. The mother was Ellen Jane Wiseman. The Physician in attendance was Dr Strange. The birth was registered by Charles Smeaton, Currier, Kingston."), and died Jul 12, 1954 in Hartford, CT, USA. He married NAOMI HAMILTON Aug 23, 1911 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Marriage Certificate, Reads "On August 23, 1911 at Kingston. George Houlder Smeaton, Bachelor, Patern Maker; age 22. His usual residence was Kingston. His parents were Charles Smeaton, Tanner and Ellen Wiseman. Naomi Hamilton, Spinster; age 19. Her usual residence was Kingston. Her parents were Frank J Hamilton, Tanner and Margaret Hall. The witnesses were C A Smeaton of Perth Ontario and Robert Gibson of Montreal. They were both Methodists and were married by E B Ryckmair."), daughter of FRANCIS HAMILTON and MARGARET HALL. She was born Nov 12, 1891 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads "Naomi was born on November 12, 1891 at Kingston. The father was Francis John Hamilton, Soldier. The mother was Margaret Hall. The birth was registered by Francis John Hamilton, Soldier A Artlery, Kingston.").

Notes for GEORGE HOULDER SMEATON: In 1911, George was a Pattern Maker.

Child of GEORGE SMEATON and NAOMI HAMILTON is: i. FEMALE5 SMEATON, b. Apr 03, 1912, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN; d. Apr 03, 1912, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Death Certificate, Reads "Female Baby Smeaton died on April 3, 1912. She lived 10 hours. The Place of death was 69 Raglan Road, Kingston. She was the daughter of George Houlder Smeaton and Naomi Hamilton. The cause of death was Premature Birth as Certified by Dr R J Gardner.").

Notes for FEMALE SMEATON: She was buried at Catarqui Cemetery, Kingston.

22. JOHN4 SMEATON (THOMAS3, CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born 1870 in USA. He married ANNA M. She was born Nov 1883 in USA.

Child of JOHN SMEATON and ANNA M is: i. ALICE O5 SMEATON, b. Jul 1907, USA.

31 23. ANNIE CLARK4 SMEATON (JOHN ROBERTSON3, CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Apr 12, 1885 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads "Female was born on April 12, 1885. The father was John R Smeaton, Grocer Clerk. The mother was Rebecca Mary Rodgers. The birth was registered by Dr Strange."), and died Mar 19, 1943 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN. She married WILLIAM JAMES MILLAR Apr 12, 1910 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Marriage Certificate, Reads "On April 12, 1910 at Kingston. William Millar, Bachelor, Labourer; age 30. His usual residence was Kingston. His parents were James Millar, Lumber Merchant and Isabella Duncan. Annie Clark Smeaton, Spinster, Teacher; age 25. Her usual residence was Kingston. Her parents were John R Smeaton, Book Keeper and Rebecca Rogers. The witnesses were Bella Millar and Francis Smeaton. They were both Presbyterians. They were married by J Mackie."), son of JAMES MILLAR and ISABELLA DUNCAN. He was born Aug 25, 1879 in Snow Road, ONT, CAN, and died Jul 17, 1953 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN.

Notes for ANNIE CLARK SMEATON: At the time of their marriage, Annie was a Teacher and William was a Labourer.

In 1911, William and Annie lived at 84 Victoria, Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario. William was a Building Contractor.

Children of ANNIE SMEATON and WILLIAM MILLAR are: i. JOHN SMEATON "JOHNNY"5 MILLAR, b. Jun 16, 1911, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN; d. Oct 19, 1920, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Death Certificate, Reads “John Smeaton Millar died on October 19, 1920 at Kingston. He was Single. His age was 9 years, 4 months. He was born on June 16, 1911. He was born at Kingston. His father was William Millar, born at Snow Road, Ontario. His mother was Annie C Smeaton, born at Kingston. The death was registered by William Millar, 78 Victoria St, father. The primary cause of death was Pneumonia. The immediate cause of death was Heart Failure. The Physician was Dr G W Mylks”.). 30. ii. ANNIE ISABEL (ISABEL) MILLAR, b. Jun 16, 1914, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN; d. Feb 02, 2002. iii. ALICE MCNEILL MILLAR, b. 1916, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN; d. Oct 04, 2009, Ottawa, Carleton, ONT, CAN.

Notes for ALICE MCNEILL MILLAR: Alice Millar MILLAR, Alice McNeil Alice Millar passed away peacefully on Sunday October 4, 2009 at the Elisabeth Bruyere Center (palliative care unit) in Ottawa, at the age of 93 years. Alice was a dedicated Civil Servant for over 30 years in Ottawa and continued to live in the Sandy Hill area of Ottawa after her retirement. She was born in Kingston, Ontario to the late William and Annie Millar (Smeaton). Her sister Isabel Hill (Millard) and her brother William (Bill) predeceased her. Alice's life long friend Albert Bennett (Benny) also predeceased her. Alice enjoyed travelling and had many wonderful trips abroad to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as, to Florida. Alice was a lover of all animals and especially cats. She also loved music and played the piano, organ and violin. After suffering a stroke in 2001, Alice dearly missed playing her prized Baldwin organ. Alice's sweet and demure ways and sense of humor will be missed by her sister-in-law Alma Millar Charlottetown, PEI, her niece Linda (Millar) and Al MacLean Dundas, Ontario, her nephew David Millard and Norma Levesque Kingston, Ontario and her nephew Charles and Paula Millard of Edgett's Landing, NB. The visitation and funeral service will take place from James Reid Funeral Home, 1900 John Counter Blvd in Kingston. Visitation will be on Wednesday October 7, 2009 from 7-9 p.m. and the funeral at 2:30 p.m. Thursday October 8, 2009 with internment following at the Cataraqui Cemetery, Kingston. There will be a social time following the internment in the James Reid Funeral home reception center.

31. iv. WILLIAM JAMES MILLAR, b. Aug 28, 1922, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN; d. Jan 12, 1996.

Generation No. 5

24. WILLIAM BUCHAN5 SMEATON (JOSEPH LEPSITT4, JOHN3, HELEN C.2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Oct 07, 1923 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: Montreal First Presbyterian Church Parish Register, Reads "William Buchan infant son of Joseph Leipsett Smeaton and of his wife Elizabeth Buchan was born on October seventh one thousand nine hundred and twenty three, was baptized the ninth day of March one thousand and twenty four and in the presence of the undersigned by me."), and died Mar 13, 2003 in Monreal, QUE, CAN. He married MARGARET W. SHAW Jun 11, 1960 in Birmingham, ENG. She was born Nov 12, 1925 in Edinburgh, MLN, SCT.

32 Children of WILLIAM SMEATON and MARGARET SHAW are: i. ELIZABETH KAY6 SMEATON, b. Sep 02, 1961, Montreal, QUE, CAN. ii. WILLIAM JAMES SMEATON, b. Feb 02, 1963, Montreal, QUE, CAN.

25. SMEATON5 NEWMAN (MARY JANE (POLLY)4 SMEATON, JOHN3, HELEN C.2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Jun 02, 1918 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: Montreal First Presbyterian Church Parish Register, Reads "Smeaton infant son of Harry G Newman and of his wife Mary Jane Smeaton was born on the second day of June, one thousand nine hundred and eighteen and was baptized by me on the first day of December on the same year and in the presence of the undersigned. Signed H G Newman and M J S Newman."), and died Dec 24, 1999 in Oakville, Halton, ONT, CAN. He married EDITH "MARGARET" SANDERS Jan 10, 1942 in Montreal, QUE, CAN, daughter of ROBERT SANDERS and MARY JANKS. She was born Jan 10, 1921 in Verdun, Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: Verdun Presbyterian Church Parish Register, Reads "Edith Margaret Saunders daughter of Robert Saunders & Mary Janks his wife was born on the tenth of January nineteen hundred & twenty one years & was baptized by me on the sixteenth of June of the same year.").

Children of SMEATON NEWMAN and EDITH SANDERS are: i. SHIRLEY6 NEWMAN, b. Nov 25, 1943, Montreal, QUE, CAN; d. Nov 24, 2000, Oakville, Halton, ONT, CAN; m. RICHARD HALE-SANDERS, Nov 28, 1964, Montreal, QUE, CAN; b. Jan 12, 1943. ii. THOMAS SMEATON NEWMAN, b. Jan 24, 1950, Montreal, QUE, CAN; m. GABERIALE MARIA VORDING; b. Germany. iii. DEBORAH ANN NEWMAN, b. Aug 18, 1956, Montreal, QUE, CAN; m. MICHAEL R. BRUNET, Sep 20, 1980, Dorval, QUE, CAN; b. Sep 30, 1955. iv. HARRY GEORGE NEWMAN, b. Jan 18, 1960, Montreal, QUE, CAN; m. CINDY.

26. HARRY "DOUGLASS"5 NEWMAN (MARY JANE (POLLY)4 SMEATON, JOHN3, HELEN C.2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born May 28, 1919 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: Montreal First Presbyterian Church Parish Register, Reads "Harry Douglass in parish son of Harry George Newman of Montreal and of his wife Mary J Smeaton was born on the twenty eighth day of May in the year one thousand nine hundred and nineteen and was baptized by me on the twenty eighth day of March one thousand nine hundred and twenty in the presence of the undersigned. SIgned H G Newman, M J Newman, Donato Young."). He married WINNIFRED DONNAN Sep 06, 1947 in Montreal, QUE, CAN. She was born Apr 02, 1925 in Montreal, QUE, CAN, and died Feb 13, 2011 in Vancouver, BC, CAN.

Notes for HARRY "DOUGLASS" NEWMAN: Was names after George Douglass, his uncle by marriage to Polly's sister Margaret. Source Billy Smeaton

Children of HARRY NEWMAN and WINNIFRED DONNAN are: i. BRIAN6 NEWMAN, b. Feb 05, 1950, Montreal, QUE, CAN; m. YOLANDA SIGNORELLA, Jun 28, 1980, Vancouver, BC, CAN; b. May 16, 1953. ii. DONNA NEWMAN, b. Jul 06, 1954, Montreal, QUE, CAN; m. DONALD EHL, Dec 28, 1974, Vancouver, BC, CAN; b. Nov 22, 1945, Vancouver, BC, CAN.

27. JOHN JOSEPH MCLEAN5 SMEATON (WILLIAM JAMES ROBERTSON4, JOHN3, HELEN C.2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born May 28, 1915 in Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: Montreal First Presbyterian Church Parish Register, Reads "John Joseph McLean Smeaton, William James Robertson Smeaton of Montreal, Photoengraver and his wife Margaret Whitelaw McLean had a son both to them on the twenty eighth day of May One thousand nine hundred and fifteen and baptized on the third of January one thousand nine hundred and sixteen in the presence of the following; W J R Smeaton; Margaret W M Smeaton; M J Smeaton amd Mildred Thomson."), and died Apr 03, 1985 in Lakeshore Hosiptal, Pointe Claire, QUE, CAN. He married ELIZABETH DORIS GERTRUDE HIGGERTY Oct 25, 1941 in St Augustine of Canterbury, Montreal, QUE, CAN (Source: St Augustine of Canterbury, Montreal Parish Register, No 84 John J M Smeaton & E Doris Higgerty – This twenty fifth day of October nineteen hundred and forty one, considering the desperation for the banns, mixed religion and ad cantelian disparitatis cultus, granted by the Most Reverend Ordinary of the Archdiocese the forms having been signed: no opposition nor impediment being discovered we the undersigned parish priest, have received the mutual consent to marriage of John Jas McLean Smeaton, non-Catholic of Montreal, son of age of William J R Smeaton and Margaret McLean of the one part and Elizabeth Doris G Higgerty of At Augustine’s daughter of

33 age of Patrick J Higgerty and Margaret Harris other the other part, in the presence of Noreen Higgerty, sister of the bride and Norman Stanley, a friend of the contracting parties who have undersigned witness. A marriage contract was sworn up at the offices of J N Labelle, Notaries Banns. This act was real. Signed E Doris Higgerty John J M Smeaton Noreen Higgerty Norman Stanley .), daughter of PATRICK HIGGERTY and MARGARET HARRIS. She was born Mar 16, 1914 in Ottawa, Carleton, ONT, CAN (Source: St Patrice Ottawa Parish Register, Reads "The twenty ninth day of March, nineteen hundred and fourteen, I the undersigned priest have baptized Elizabeth Doris Gertrude lawful daughter of Patrick J Higgerty (Manager) and Margaret Harris of this parish born the sixteenth. The sponsors were James Higgerty and Mary Harris. Signed P Whelan."), and died Jul 20, 1983 in 4 Cedar Circle, Dollard des Ormeaux, QUE, CAN.

Notes for JOHN JOSEPH MCLEAN SMEATON: Baptism Record God Parents M.J. Smeaton and Mathilda Johnson Rev Robert Campbell

Montreal Star March 18, 1972 By Dan Rosenburg

HE HAS THE BEST seat in the house, and gets to hob-nob with the elite of the National Hockey League. For that, he is probably the envy of the Forum faithful. But John Smeaton, the penalty time-keeper at all Canadiens' home games, is not so sure he is to be envied. There are, you see, the hazards of his chosen profession to contend with. "It's not really a profession," clarifies Smeaton, "it's more of a hobby. The salary is not that great. You do it because you like it. But there are dangers involved." Number one on the list is injuries. Naturally, when one sits as close to the ice surface as Smeaton does (In the penalty box), one becomes more vulnerable than somebody seated, say, several light years away in the press box. "I had six stitches in my right eye once on a ,shot from Jean-Pierre Bordeleau (now with Chicago Black Hawks) in a junior' game," recalls Smeaton. "And I've been hit with sticks crashing in front of me. Generally, I manage to get my arm up in time for protection, but sometimes I react too late. "When that happens, they stitch me up quickly (in the Forum clinic), and I'm back at my post in five minutes or so. These incidents are seldom serious. It's all part of the game." Smeaton's son, Allen, however, has been involved in more disastrous episodes than that. Allen, presently the official scorer at Canadiens' games, has some unpleasant memories of occasions on which he served as penalty time-keeper in the days of the single-bench penalty box. "Until they split the benches, we (the minor officials) would have to sit between two players after a fight," recalls Smeaton. "I personally never had any trouble, but Allen got beaten to the floor once when two players fell on top of him. "It was a game between Peterborough and Junior Canadiens," continued Smeaton, "and there were only two flimsy pipes separating the two sections of the penalty box. The players ignored Allen lying on the ground and resumed their fight over the pipes." Then, of course, there is the peril of flying objects. "We don't get too much of that anymore," chuckles Smeaton, "but it used to present a real problem. Especially in the Junior Canadiens' games four or five years ago. Once, someone heaved a pig's head at the referee. I guess they were trying to tell him something. Anyway, it missed the target and hit a spectator near the penalty box, cutting his head open. "Another time, somebody threw a frozen northern pike that would have done some damage if it had made contact. And, one night, some guy tossed a live white hen on the ice. Nobody was hurt, but the hen was petrified!" Smeaton finds maintaining neutrality the toughest part of his time-keeping assignment: "It's a challenge," he says. "You've got to force yourself to be neutral. After you get to know the players personally, you find yourself rooting one minute for Bobby Orr to score and the next minute for Frank Mahovlich to put one in the net. The last time I had to stifle excessively partial feelings was when the Junior Canadiens' Memorial Cup team beat the Russians 8-3. Perreault (Gilbert) had a big night. and it was all I could do to hold myself back." Smeaton admits deriving much personal satisfaction from his work, and does not look forward to the day when he will be inevitably required to make the transition from neutral minor official to plain old Joe fan again. "I often wonder if I'd pay to watch these guys play," says Smeaton. "The only fault I can find with this job is that

34 you're no longer a spectator. I've trained myself to be so neutral it would be hard to enjoy the game as a fan again. "It would be difficult to work up enough enthusiasm to want to see a particular team win. Many times, I can watch a game and not even realize what the score is." Smeaton is also quick to point out that his job requires promptness, accuracy and punctuality. "I haven't made any major blunders to speak of," he says. "Touch wood. At least, not in the NHL, at any rate. Oh, I might have made a boo-boo or two in junior hockey, but everybody has to make some mistakes in order to learn. The key is not to make the same mistake twice. Hockey is too big an operation. There's just no room for mistakes by minor officials." Smeaton, who is in charge of the Forum's crew of minor officials, acknowledges that one of the most flagrant errors on the amateur hockey' level is the tendency of goal-judges to flick on the red light too soon. "They're trying to outguess the puck," analyzes Smeaton. "I tell my men that it's better to be two seconds late than a quarter-of-a-second early. You've just got to get used to the angle from behind the net. Often, you'll swear the puck will go in, but many things can happen to alter its route at the,, last possible split-second." Smeaton, whose full-time occupation is photo engraving, is kept hopping. He works in the downtown area, but lives in Dollard des Ormeaux. "I still go home for supper 90 per cent of the time on game days," he says. "My own personal rule is to get to the Forum at least an hour before game time," which must be pressing it close. "Allen has to be there early to get the lineups, and I have to find out who the referees are. We always take separate cars, just in case one of us doesn't make it. Has that ever happened? "Yes, during the recent snow storm (when Philadelphia was in town). Allen didn't get there. And he left home only a half-hour after I did. You see, we can work one man short, because there is always a spare handy. But two guys missing would present a real problem. I'm responsible for lining up emergency replacements." Smeaton is not adverse to giving readers a little peek at what NHL stars are REALLY like when caught with their misdemeanors down in the penalty box. "I think hockey players are the best fellows alive," he enthuses. "They may be terrors on the ice, but I've seldom met a bad one. There are no real mean guys. Even the wild ones who go crazy on the ice are warm and subdued on the penalty bench. You could say it's because they are dedicated during a game. But off the ice, they are different people altogether. Maybe they have split personalities." Among Smeaton's best 'friends' in the sin bin are Boston's Phil Esposito, Bryan Watson of Pittsburgh Penguins, and Norm Ferguson, of California Golden Seals. "Guys like Watson and Ferguson, I got to know because they were reared in the Canadiens' organization," says Smeaton, "but Esposito is just a naturally friendly type." "During the playoffs we minor officials are sent to work games in other arenas, and I remember one time when Espo came into the box in Toronto. Orr was killing the penalty, and Espo kept nudging me and saying, 'Look at that guygo, willya!" "And, of course, the most common type of comment I get is from a player in the penalty box whose team has just scored a short-handed goal. 'Do I get an assist on that?' they invariably ask." Despite the drawbacks and disadvantages of the job already enumerated by Smeaton, his number one 'pet hate' is the ticket-hunter. "People seem to think that just because I work in the Forum, I can get tickets anytime I want," he protests. "Well, I have news for them. It's just as hard for me as anyone else. For games against the expansion teams, they can do just as well as! can by lining up at the wicket. But the trouble is that they all want to see Boston or New York. It's a nuisance." Has Smeaton ever been yelled at during the course of his duties? "Barry MacDonald is my boss, but he normally leaves me alone," says Smeaton. "If he has a complaint, he lets me know about it quietly. But these are just minor things. Oh, there have been a few incidents where representatives of teams come around and make disparaging remarks. But if this is handled properly, no feelings are hurt. "The NHL will question you on occasion, with Brian O'Neill, Ron Andrews, or even Clarence Campbell. But this is to be expected. After all, Montreal is the hub of the NHL!"

Notes for ELIZABETH DORIS GERTRUDE HIGGERTY: Birth and Baptism Record

35 God Father James Higgerty God Mother Mary Harris Priest A. Newman

Children of JOHN SMEATON and ELIZABETH HIGGERTY are: i. ALLEN PETER6 SMEATON, b. Oct 19, 1942, Montreal, QUE, CAN. ii. PATRICIA ANN SMEATON, b. Oct 04, 1945, Montreal, QUE, CAN; m. PATRICK O'HALLORAN, Aug 16, 1969, Mary Queen of Peace, Roxboro, QUE, CAN; b. Dec 01, 1939, North Bay , ONT, CAN.

Notes for PATRICIA ANN SMEATON: Birth Notice SMEATON., On Oct. 4th, 1945, at the Homeopathic Hospital, to Mr. and Mrs. J. J. M. Smeaton, a daughter, a sister for Allen. Both well.

iii. PETER JOHN SMEATON, b. Nov 02, 1951, Montreal, QUE, CAN; m. MAUREEN CATHARINE GRAHAM, Jul 30, 1983, Church of Our Lady, Moose Jaw, SK, CAN; b. Oct 18, 1949, Moose Jaw, SK, CAN.

Notes for PETER JOHN SMEATON: Birth Notice

SMEATON. At the Homeopathic Hospital,on November 2nd, 1951, to Mr. and Mrs. John M. Smeaton (nee Doris Higgerty), a son. Brother to Allen and Patricia. Both well.

Christmas Letter 1994

Dear Allen

It is hard to believe that a year has past since we were in Australia. The girls still talk a lot about you and Australia and when we are going to go back to Australia. A lot has happened here since we got back. I am not quite sure where to begin.

At work, I am no longer with Eaton’s. When we got back, I finished up the two projects that I was working on and sat doing nothing for two months. In the middle of June there was a major downsizing and I was let go on June 15. Financially, I think that they are in a lot of trouble and about 150 middle management types were let go. They gave me a package that would pay me until the end of February if I was out of work or 1/2 of the remainder when I got a new job. In addition, they also paid for an outplacement agency for me.

We decided that I was going to take the summer off and become a house husband. From the middle of June until the girls were finished with school, I played a lot of golf and did some things around the house. The girls and myself went to Bird Lake for 10 days in July. A week after getting back from Bird Lake, the three of us drove out west for 4 weeks. Maureen flew out for the middle week and joined us in Moose Jaw. While in Moose Jaw, I played golf every day except one. We arrived in Moose Jaw at 4pm on the Monday and Don and I were at the golf course by 4:15. After a drive of 1000km that day I did not have a very good game but as time went on my game got better.

Maureen’s father had a great idea while I was there. “If I had trouble finding the right job, Maureen would just have to find a second job”. I don’t think Maureen was too impressed with this. By the end of our stay in Moose Jaw, Maureen’s sisters were happy that I was leaving. I was trying to talk Don, Albert and Lyle into quitting their jobs and coming to Arizona with me to play golf all winter. They thought that that would be a great idea but Rita, Cel and Eileen were ready to kill me.

On the way back, we stopped in Detroit and spend a few days with Joan and Tom. Maureen drove to Detroit with Liz for the weekend.

After getting back we stayed close to home and did a lot on camping. We sure got good use out of our camper this year. At the end June, when it got very hot, I would take the camper up to Lake Simcoe on Friday morning and set it up. Later in the day, I would return home and pick up Maureen and the girls. The girls and I did the same thing in August.

Once the girls got back to school, I went back to playing golf for a couple of weeks. This year I had two rounds in the 80’s and a lot in the low 90’s. Once things started cooling off in September, I decided to paint the house. I went through 10 gallons of white ceiling paint and 6 gallons of wall paint for the living room,

36 dinning room and upstairs hall ways.

At the end of September, I started to send out my resume around town. I used the computer to draft “Marketing Letters” and I would send out 25-30 letters every week to different head hunters and companies. I also started responding to a lot of advertisements in the papers. By mid-October, I started going for interviews. One company, FlavorCoffee, had me in for a 1/2 hour interview with their president.

Well, the interview lasted 2 1/2 hours and the next week they offered me a job as their MIS Director. They are located about 15 minutes from the house and don’t have much in the way of computers today. But, they are growing at a rate of 35% a year over the past 3 years and could double in the next year. It is a ground floor opportunity, I don’t have any staff yet, but will look at hiring some help next year once I figure out the direction that I want to go.

It is very much a different type of company from those that I have worked for. I have only been there a week but it seems that only myself and the VP of Marketing wear suits. I had gone to Eaton’s the week before I started and bought a bunch of shirts and ties. Now, I have to go back next week and buy some more causal clothes. I still have my contacts at the local Eaton’s store, and they let me know when the sales are on and won’t let me buy anything that is about to go on sale.

FlavorCoffee manufactures and distributes coffee to retail stores across North America. Their major clients are Kmart, Price Club, Provigo and Krogers. They are also looking at opening a string of coffee stores. I have a lot of knowledge about retail, so I hope that I can help them. I figure that there is 2 years worth of hands on work for me there. After concentrating so much on management over the last 10 years, the hands on experience will help me. This, and the fact that they are 15 minutes from the house and are paying me more than Eaton’s was, made me decide to accept the job.

So much for the employment news.

In sports, (or the lack there of) things are really messed up. The Baseball players went on-strike in the middle of the summer. The Montreal Expo’s had the best team in baseball at the time of the strike and were being picked as the number one contender for the World Series. This strike may end up killing that team. The Blue Jays were not very good this year so Toronto fans weren’t as affected. For the first 2 months of the strike the two sides did very little talking. Only in the last two weeks, once the US government appointed a mediator did they even start to seriously negotiate. The negotiations have gone slow and now it looks like the owners will impose a contract under their terms for next year. They will invite to training camp anyone who wants to play. They can get away with this everywhere except Toronto where the labor laws won’t allow it. The talk is that if the laws are not changed that the Blue Jays will play out of Buffalo until the government is changed and the law changed.

On the hockey front, we had training camp and the exhibition games. Prior to the start of the training camp the league changed the rules as far as the players were concerned. All contracts were two way, the players had to pay their own way to training camp and all their expenses. On top of that, the league said that they were going to impose a salary cap and/or have a luxury tax to support the small market teams. Well this got all the players up in arms.

By the end of the training camp the owners said take it or leave it. The players offered to play the season under last year’s terms, with a guarantee not to strike this year (both regular season and playoffs) The owner’s said no thanks, and one day prior to the start of the season they locked out the players. For the first 45 days of the lockout the two sides met less than 6 times. In the middle of November, they started talking but things are moving very slowly. As it stands now, if we have a season it will probably be around 50-60 games, and the playoffs won’t end until the beginning of July. What a zoo.

Some of the big name players have gone to Europe to play. Gilmour from the leafs is playing in Switzerland. With the lockout, we are getting to know a lot about European hockey. The news papers, all sports radio station and newspaper are dying for something to cover.

On the computer front, I still have my 386/dx33 but I hope to upgrade it shortly. I have 2x130mb IDE drives and 1x540mb SCSI. All the drives are double spaced and I have about 100mb left. I will be getting Stacker 4.0 from a friend shortly and that should add some capacity. I am attaching the latest listing of the software that I have, if you need anything, let me know and I will mail it to you. Also at work, I am getting MS Office 4.3, Lotus for Windows R5.0, Visual Basic 3.0 Pro, Visual C++ 2 Pro and etc. So if there is anything that you need let me know.

At home, I am shopping for a new machine. With the new software the 386 is just too slow. I am thinking

37 about either an Itel 486/dx2/66 or a Pentium 66 with 540mb harddrive and a 15” SVGA Flat screen. The prices of these systems have dropped a lot over the past two months and I think that I can get a good deal. When I get the new machine, I also want to get a new printer. I have been looking at an EPSON 800 or HP Laser Jet 540. The girls what a printer that prints in color and the HP can be upgraded to color for $60. They are priced at under $400 and would add a lot of quality to what we have now. I would keep my sound card, CDROM, 540mb and 130mb drives from the 386. We are then thinking of giving Liz (Maureen’s niece) the old machine until she finishes University. Then when we get it back we would put it into Jessica’s room for the girls to use. I will also LAN the two PC’s together.

I signed up for the FreeNet here. Also, at work I am going to get access to the Internet. Do you have access to the Internet yet. It so let me know, as I will have 2 id’s and Al is also on the Internet.

On the political front here, the more things change the more they stay the same. In Ottawa, Chretien has been doing a half decent job. It has not been so much what he has done as the approach that he has taken. Their style is to do a lot of consulting with the people and they seem to want to get input from the people before doing anything. After the 9 years of the Conservatives that is refreshing. Next spring’s budget will be a tough one. the conservative’s had run the deficit up to $46 billion and the liberals want to bring it down to $26 billion over the next 3 years. So there’s a lot of cutting to be done. They are looking at everything from RRSP’s to working for welfare and unemployment insurance. They are holding the discussions on where and what to cut public. The only thing that is government policy is that they will cut. So, next spring’s budget will be interesting.

Quebec elected the PQ in September and we will have another referendum next year. Current opinion polls indicate that they won’t win the referendum. We can expect that they will try and create incidents over the next near with the rest of the country. What’s new? Ottawa and the provinces have adopted a stance of ignoring the PQ and not getting drawn into the stupidity. It seems to be working so far. In some way, I wish the idiots would just separate and let the rest of us get on with our lives. (Don’t tell Patty this).

In Ontario, we just had our local election last week. A lot of politicians got the boot.(Mayor’s of Toronto, Markham etc.) The voters are still not in a good mood. In Toronto where the school board trustee’s had voted themselves raises to $50,000/year, most of them did not get reelected. To a lesser extent the same thing happened in the suburbs. We will have a provincial election in the spring. The NDP won’t win 12 seats and they know it. Unfortunately neither the liberals or conservatives impress me so I’m not sure who’s going to win. All I know is that the NDP will come in 3rd or 4th. After taking the deficit from 0 to $12 billion a year over the last 4 years, they deserve it.

Getting back to Australia, all of our pictures turned out great. I have two full albums of them. The girls still love to look at them. The movie’s that we took also turned out great. I hope you enjoy them and let me know how well they converted them for you.

My new office phone number is (905) 738-0103 and the Fax is (905) 738-6986.

Peter

Hi Allen, Peter seems to have covered the year pretty well , so I will just add my two cents worth. I have to tell you how much we have all enjoyed the Australian cassettes. The girls know the words much better than me from their travels in the car. You must remember how much better they travel when they have something good to listen to.

It is quite a shock to my system to have Peter back at work. It was really great to come home to dinner all ready. Now the girls are back at their old baby-sitters after school, with Peter picking them up on his way home from work.

They are both doing well in school. Remember how we kept trying to get Jessica to read last Christmas? She now reads on her own without any prompting and is zooming through the “Sweet Valley Twin” collection. Her cousin Jackie, who owns a book store in Moose Jaw set her up with quite a few and someone from my office gave me another pile of them, so I think that she has the complete series. Jessica went to camp for a week in the summer. It was in the Georgian Bay area and the weather was beautiful. Actually the whole summer was beautiful weather this year. The camp was quite an experience for her and she would like to start going every year.

Alison is busy improving her skating this year. We have being going to the Community Center rink every Sat or Sun afternoon for the past few weeks.

38 Christmas is a busy time for us this year. Last weekend we had my office’s Children’s Christmas party and adults dinner/dance and tonight is Peter’s office’s dinner-dance. Up to this week it has been a pretty mild fall , but we did get some snow this week and it is quite cold out there today.

Well I should get busy with some more letters so I will say good-bye for now. Hope that you decide to plan a visit sometime soon.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Maureen dear uncle Allen Nov. 1 , 1994

I hope you enjoy are film especially the parts that dad put in .In school I ‘m doing speech’s my to pick is the NHL I found it rely interesting looking in books and seeing names of Smeatons. I heard one speech that I thought would win first prize it was by JAMES PALERA .I really liked he’s and I think it was well memorized too I really think he desires to win I don’t wont to win LOVE JESSICA

Dear uncle Allen Nov. 14, 1994 About the speeches Daniel[gordanel] + James where the top two the backups where Diane and Michael I got 75 witch is good to me Well got to go right soon love Jessica

Dear uncle DEC 5 ,94 The are on strike still , my dad got a new job what nest? The school I just got to many things on my mind and why now. Well I wish I was going, away this year. Love Jessica

Christmas Letter 1995

Hi Everyone

We hope that this letter finds you all well. Another year has past and it is time for our Christmas letter. For us, it is hard to believe that Christmas is only a few weeks away. It is also hard to believe that it has been two years since we spent Christmas in Australia with Allen.

We have had a busy year. There never seems to be enough time to do all the things that you want to do.

The girls played soccer this year. Alison played last year but this was Jessica’s first year. When we sent in the registration forms this year, I checked off that I was willing to help by being an assistant coach. Well, a short time later I got a call telling me that Alison and my team was the Thornhill Paints. When I asked who the coach was, I was told that I was the coach. On top of that they talked me into being the convenor for that age group. They arranged for me to go to school to learn about coaching and soccer. I now have my level 1 coaching certificate.

As a result of this, I had a busy time with soccer this year. Alison improved 100% this year, must have been the coaching. Alison played defense most of the time. At the end of the year, I tried her in goal and she did an excellent job. Next year, I think I will play her more often in goal. Alison did score one goal this year and was excited about that. Our season started off slowly. Besides myself most of my players had not played soccer before. By the end of the season we were the third best team in the league and came close to upsetting the league champions in the playoffs.

Jessica also seemed to enjoy playing soccer. I only got to see her play once, as they both played on the same nights and at different parks. Maureen would take Jessica while Alison and I went off together.

At the end of the season we had a team BBQ in the back yard for the players and families of our team. We went through 36 hamburgers and 48 hot dogs. Luckily the weather was OK. Maureen would have killed me if it rained and we all had to move indoors.

Last Christmas Santa got the girls hamsters. Boy was Maureen upset about having rodents in the house. Boy did Santa ever goof! It turned out that one was a boy and one was a girl. Their names are Patches and Splothes. By mid January we had 8 hamsters, with Spot, Puny, Ellen, Gus, Fluffy and Gondy joining the family. One of Jessica’s friends got Gondy for her birthday. One of Alison’s friends took Fluffy. One of the girls at the sitters took Ellen. One of the girls in the office took Gus. That left us with 4 hamsters and 4 cages

39 in the house. Giving them away was expensive as we had to supply a cage with each one. I hope Santa does not do something like this again this year. Maureen will kill him if he does.

Jessica still takes piano once a week. In the spring there was a recital and I was impressed with how well she played before all those people. Right now, Jessica is taking drama at lunch time at the school. We can hardly wait to see her premier performance.

Alison is in brownies. Most of the players on our soccer team are in the same group so she knows a lot of the kids.

In the spring, I got a new car or should I say truck. I got a GMC Safari Van. Boy have we put it to a lot of use. It is now 6 months old and I have 21,000km on it. We missed going to Moose Jaw this year. Instead we did our part for National Unity and spent our time in Quebec. We started at the cottage for a few days. Boy do the girls enjoy going to the cottage.

Alison made a pile of money this year. Last year she had trouble swimming a few yards. This year she started off by swimming to the raft for .50. Next she swam to the neighbors wharf for $2.00. Next it was to the beach for $5.00. Then she swam across the lake for $10. Finally she swam the length of the lake for $20. On top of the money that I had to pay her, Patty had to match it, so she turned out to be a very rich girl.

After spending a few days at the cottage we took the Van and Tent Trailer and set off. Our first stop was Patty’s house in Pierrefonds to drop off Kelly (the cat). When we got there, I noticed that the trailer was listing to one side. One of the springs was broken. Luckily, Canadian Tire had the part and we were only delayed for a few hours while I fixed it. We then drove to Quebec City where we camped for a few days.

We could not have picked a busier time to go, as it was their summer festival. The girls seemed to really enjoy Quebec City. They had heard me talking about it, but to actually see it was something else. They had a hard time believing that there were buildings dating back to 1700.

We did a lot of walking and it also seemed to tire them out.

After Quebec City we went to Montmercy Falls and Ste Anne de Beaupre which are just north east of Quebec City. From Quebec City, we then drove to Trois Pistiolles. The girl at the check-in for the campground was very impressed that someone from Toronto could speak French as well as I did. I was even impressed with my French. The camp ground there was very nice, but unfortunately we were only spending one night. The next day it rained, so we drove to Perce Rock. The rain stopped about the time we arrived and the weather cleared up. In the morning, it was a nice day and we went out to the rock at low tide. After that it was time for lunch and my favorite Hot Dogs. After Jessica had finished her first Hot Dog, she decided that she wanted another. She went up to the window and ordered another Hot Dog and a Chocolate Milk in French. She was very impressed with herself.

From Perce, we drove to Forlin National Park at the tip of the Gaspe. I had been there years ago and remembered being impressed with the park. If anything, the park was even better. They have many restored buildings from the old Cod Fishery. From the shore you could see whales in the bay. At the tip of the park, when you looked out you could see 20 whales out in the Gulf. Along the shore, the girls were impressed by the seals playing in the water.

I tried to get us on a whale watching cruise while we were there but they were all booked up. We decided that we would try when we got back to Trois Pistiolles. After spending three days at the park it was time to start heading back. As we drove along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, something caught the corner of my eye. There were whales swimming about 100 yards out in the river. Several times during the trip we saw whales.

When we arrived back at the camp ground at Trois Pistiolles, I got the information for a whale watching cruise the next morning. As luck would have it, when we got up the next morning, the fog was so thick that you could not see two feet. So we packed up and started back to Montreal.

We picked up Kelly from Patty’s and went back to the cottage for the rest of our vacation.

While we were at the cottage, we went to see my Uncle Billy Smeaton, who has a cottage about 30 minutes from ours. Uncle Billy has been building the family tree. I have been interested in this and this time he really got me hooked on it. I now have a new hobby, Genealogy. I spend every Saturday morning at the library researching the family tree. I have been using tools like:

• An index of births and marriages for Scotland.

40 • The 1851/1861/1871/1881/1891/1901 Canadian Census Returns

• The Ontario Index of Births, Deaths and Marriages

• Old City Directories

• The Internet

On my father’s side, we are now back to 1700 and an Alexander Honeyman in Dron, Perthshire, Scotland. The earliest Smeaton ancestor that I have found is my GreatGreatGreatGreatGrandfather James Smeaton who married Jean Marshall in 1763. In my search, I have written to Scotland for a death certificate of a Smeaton uncle who died in 1878. From that I found his address and occupation (Confectioner) and that of his father (Shoe Maker). The Smeaton family came to Quebec City in 1842. From the census returns and old city directories, I know the address in Quebec City where they lived and what they did for a living. All this research is going to make the next trip to Quebec City interesting. My GreatGreatGrandfather Alexander Smeaton was a Tailor in Quebec City. I have found an advertisement from the 1850’s for his store.

On my mother’s side, I have traced the family back to the 1850’s and a James Higgerty in Ottawa. In the process of tracing the Higgerty side of the family, I have met a cousin on the internet who is doing the same thing. We trade electronic mail on a daily basis as we try and sort out the family. Although we have never met in person, I have come to know him very well and think of him as a member of the family. The Higgerty’s originally came from Co. Clare in Ireland. One of the problems we have tracing them is that they kept changing the spelling of their name. They also don’t seem to have stayed in any place very long prior to 1901. I have found records with it spelt Haggerty then Hagerty then Higgerty. We suspect that it was O’Hagerty prior to that. On top of this, they had a tendency to lie about their ages. I wonder what they were trying to hide.

I have not done much work yet on the Graham side. Searching for records in Ireland is more difficult than Canada and Scotland. Most of the Census records before 1901 have been destroyed. Once I have completed the Higgerty’s and off shoots in Canada, I will start on Ireland.

I am attaching the current direct ancestor family tree. In total, I have over 500 names in the tree and it grows weekly. Next summer when we go to Moose Jaw I will want to get all the details on that side of the tree.

I am still doing the hockey here in Toronto. The Leafs have a middle of the pack team. They are getting old and I don’t expect that they will do much this year. I wonder how Lyle is doing. His Canadiens are going downhill quickly. I hope no one is picking on him about the Canadiens and the fact that they will miss the playoffs for the second year in a row.

The weather here in Toronto has been very cold this December. Last weekend, with the wind chill it got down to -40c. On top of that we have snow on the ground. Last year, we did not get snow that stayed on the ground until Christmas and then it only stayed for a few days. In fact, last year we had such a mild winter that I did not attempt a rink in the back yard as there was no snow and it never got cold enough. I guess we are going to pay for it this year. So much for the Global Warming!

Last week we went to the local Conservation Park for a Christmas evening. We did crafts, walked in the woods and roasted chestnuts over an open fire. Last year Alison and I went to this evening. This year Maureen and Jessica wanted to go. On top of that, Brenda, Al and Brian came along too.

I have not started my Christmas shopping yet. The girls don’t seem to want anything big this year. They have mentioned a dog but with 5 animals already that is out of the question.

I have not talked to Patty for a few weeks, but Brenda says that she will be coming after Christmas for a few days. We will be having Christmas dinner at our place with Brenda, Al and Brian coming over.

Well, I guess that’s all the news from Toronto. We hope everyone has a good Christmas.

Christmas Letter 1997

Well, it is Christmas again. Boy time does fly.

We have had a busy time over the last year. To bring you up to date, here is the news from Thornhill.

We have had an addition to the family. Her name is Lucinda Biscuit. She is a 4 month old Boxer. Maureen

41 and the girls had been on my case to get them a dog for a couple of years and I finally broke down and we added Lucinda to the family. The girls had wanted to call her Biscuit because of her coloring but Maureen said that no dog of her’s would be called Biscuit. She thought Lucinda would be a good name, Lucy for short. The girls, feeling that they were not going to win the argument, gave in and agreed. Maureen said that she liked the name and “Was it not someone in your family that was named Lucinda”. She was a little embarrassed when I informed her that your GreatGrandMother’s name was Lucinda.

In the few weeks that we have had Lucy, she has grown a lot. We have her trained to sit now on command and I am working on “Come”. She must have Graham blood as she is very good at ignoring you when she wants to. I guess I will have to have her hearing checked out in the new year.

She is just about trained to do her business outside. She just has to learn a way to tell us that she wants out. The girls and Maureen like taking her on walks. She does not like the rain and cold weather. We bought her a sweater to wear on cold and wet days to help out.

Kelly, the cat, is not too impressed with Lucy. Lucy would like it if Kelly would play with her. Unfortunately, Kelly is now 17 and likes to eat and sleep and do very little else. She does not like it when Lucy sticks her cold nose into her face. Kelly has been very paticent with Lucy, but by the end of the day, she will start hitting her whenever she comes close.

Just after we got Lucy, Patches , one of the Hamsters died. The girls were very upset about it but Maureen took it very well. This leaves me with 1 cat, 1 dog, 3 hamsters, 1 wife and 2 daughters.

On the employment side of things, FlavorCoffee and myself parted company in November. There wasn’t any work left for me to do. I was able to negotiate a good severance package with them. Right now, while I am looking for a job, I am doing some consulting. FlavorCoffee is my client and in a way, I guess I found a way for them to pay me twice. The job market seems to be hot here, so I hope to have no problems finding something once the holidays are over. If not, I can just stay home and let Maureen support me.

Alison is in Guides this year. They were short of leaders and Maureen is one of the Leaders. Jessica is still taking Piano She seems to be very good but she never practices. Jessica is also taking drama both at school and one evening a week. For a girl that is as shy as Jessica, she really impresses me with her talent. Her teacher even gets her to perform before the school on a regular basis. Maybe some day we will see her in the movies.

I am still working at hockey. The Leafs don’t have a very good team this year. During training camp when I predicted that they would come in last in their conference, every one made fun of me and said that I just did not like the Leafs. Well it looks like I was right and it is going to be a long winter..again.

The girls took Horse Back riding for a month in the fall and they seemed to enjoy it. I think that if they had there way they would take it all year.

Both of the girls played soccer again this year. I coached Alison’s team again this year. Jessica played for a team coached by one of my players father. Our team would both the League and Playoff Championship. The girls played really well this year. We had the same bunch of girls from last year and I really enjoyed working with them. This year I managed to draft 5 assistant coaches and that really helped out. Alison was one of my goalies until she broke her nose in a game. That was the last time in nets for her. She really impressed me by playing the rest of the season with a hockey helmet and mask on.

I have been busy on my Genealogy Hobby. On the Graham side of the family, I have discovered that the Grahams came from County Derry in Ireland. I have not found any records of them in Ireland yet but it is on my to do list. On my mother’s Higgerty’s, I have not made any progress since last year.

I have spent most the last year working on the Smeaton side of the family. I now have about 5000 descendants of my GreatGreatGreatGreatGreatGrandfather John Smeaton listed. I am in correspondence with distant cousins in Tasmania, Australia; London, Ontario and Eugene, Oregon who are also working on this line. I just started working on my grandmother’s McLean family in Scotland. I have been able to trace them back to the 1770’s so far and this line could prove to be interesting and they seemed to have been well off. My GreatGreatGreatGreatGrandfather Peter McLean was a Sawyer. This could make is easier to find additional information about him.

This past summer we went to the cottage, north of Montreal, for a week. The girls really enjoy going to the cottage. The weather was not very good but we still had a good time. We managed to made one side trip to Ottawa for a day to see Andrew who was part of the Changing of the Guards on Parliament Hill. Jessica and Alison were very impressed with this. I also got to see my cousin Will Lockhart for an hour before we

42 returned to the cottage. I felt bad that we could not visit with my other relatives in Ottawa but we ran out of time. Maybe we can make a trip up to Ottawa some time in the spring. I know that the girls would love to meet some of their cousins that they have never seen.

After we returned from the cottage, Tim and Cathy and family visited us for a week. I guess the highlight of this visit was the day Tim and I took all the kids to WonderLand for a day. You talk about Above and Beyond the Call of Duty. Cathy and Maureen owe us for this one. We arrived at WonderLand at 10am and left at 10pm at night. Jessica and Laera got stuck at the top of TOP GUN for 20 minutes. Jessica now likes to tell everyone about her adventure and how brave she was to have survived the ride.

In August, we went to Moose Jaw for 10 days. I managed to get in the only 11 rounds of golf that I played all year. On our last day we went to the Hot Springs and don’t tell anyone (especially Albert) this but I was very impressed with the facilities. I am certain that we will be going there more often in the future.

I have left this letter to the last minute so I must cut it off now. We hope that you all have a great Christmas and that 1997 is the best year yet.

Christmas Letter 1999

Another year has come and gone and as we prepare for the new Millennium Maureen, Jessica, Alison, Lucy, Cody, Fox and Peter hope that you are all well.

We have had another busy year and all are well here.

We had some bad news in September when Kelly, our 20 year old cat died. She got sick on a Monday night and was gone on Wednesday. Being older than the girls, they were really upset about her passing. Thankfully she was not sick for a long period and was active right up until the Monday when she got sick. I miss her yelling at me to be fed in the morning when I get up.

In October, we added two new members to the family, Cody and Fox. They are black and white kittens that are forever on the go. Jessica’s kitten is Cody and Alison’s is Fox. They keep Lucy on her toes, as they seem to think that she is their mother. They like to cuddle up to Lucy or rub their faces in Lucy’s when she is asleep. Lucy used to like to eat Kelly’s food whenever she could, now she has to put up with the kitten’s trying to eat hers. I have been really surprised with the patience that she has shown with them.

Alison is very active in TaeKwonDo. She just received her BlueStripe Belt and came close to getting a Blue Belt. (This means she is in the top 1/3 of the Belts) Out of respect (fear) we all call her Sir now. Her instructor seems to be very impressed with her progress even if his face is a little sore from where she kicked him last week.

Alison is doing well in school again this year and still reads 3 or 4 books a week between TaeKwonDo and mothering her kitten Fox.

During the summer, Alison played on my Soccer teams again. We did not do very well in the regular season but played well in the playoffs, winning 2 games and losing 2 games in shootouts. In the playoffs, I changed my strategy and used some hockey strategy like killing the clock when we were ahead by making lots of player changes and pulling our goalie and putting Alison in nets when we were down. In the final playoff game of the year, Alison scored the goal in the shootout that got us back into the game that we ended up winning.

Jessica is now in her first year of High School and seems to be adjusting very well to High School. Besides her old friends from grade school she has made a number of new friends. They seem to go to all the new Movies as they are released. She has also attended two Concerts downtown this fall.

During the summer she played soccer on my friend’s team and they ended up 2nd in a very tough age group (Under 17 Girls). Her team was very young when compared to the other teams in the division, so they did very well. She played mid field and some forward and scored an important goal in one of her games.

Maureen has been working hard this year. She is involved in all that Y2K stuff you hear about on the news and will have to work on New Years Day. I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. Why would anyone want to take all that whiteout and change all the Y’s to K’s in all those computer programs is beyond me.

I still work at Purolator doing Computer Planning. Right now I am architecting their new Web Site that they hope to launch early in the New Year.

43 I am also still working at hockey. This is my 30th season and I figured that I have worked 1100 regular season NHL games and at least another 200 playoff games. I had thought of not going back this year, but the girls insisted upon it. I don’t think they could stand the thought of be being around all the time if I stopped working hockey. This and the fact that Jessica is a real Maple Leaf fan and wants tickets to as many games as she can get made me reconsider.

At a recent game that she attended with one of her friends she wanted to get some autographs. Luckily for me, I saw Don Cherry in the hallway and when I signaled to him, he came over and signed their Maple Leaf sweaters.

For our vacation this year, we went to Ireland and Scotland. I had been talking for some time about going to Scotland to try and find all the places where my ancestors came from. In April we decided to make the trip this year.

We email Cathy Kelly (Maureen’s cousin) in Dublin and asked for some travel advice and before you knew it, we were also planning on Ireland. We booked a Flight for July 1st to Dublin and a return flight from Glasgow for July 24th. Cathy booked us a flight from Dublin to Glasgow over there as they had special prices for short trips to Scotland.

When we arrived in Dublin, Cathy met us at the airport and I picked up our rental car. Luckily for me, I had reserved a larger car as we had enough luggage to move to Ireland. When we got the car organized and were ready to leave the parking lot to follow Cathy to her house, the fun started. I had not driven a standard since the Calgary Olympics when Rose let me use her car. The rental was face in to it’s parking spot and backing out was comical. I think Maureen was ready to catch the next flight out by the time we got out of the parking lot.

Cathy planned a route to her house that kept us off of the main roads so to avoid traffic. This sounded good except for the fact that their roads are much narrower than ours are and have high stone fences on both sides. On the hour trip to Cathy’s, I learned to close my eyes and pray in tight spots.

A few times on the trip, I would stall the car, have trouble getting it going again and have traffic backup behind me. To my great surprise, no one ever honked their horn or yelled at me from outside the car. (I cannot say the same thing for inside the car). This will always remind me of the friendliness of the Irish people that we found on our trip.

We spent the next three days at Cathy’s in Brae, south of Dublin. On the weekend we went on a great hike in the mountains. By this point in the trip, the girls were rating me on a daily basis on my driving skills. On a scale of 1 to 10, I was averaging 2s and 3s. In my defense, Maureen was navigating and I found it hard to drive a standard on the wrong side of the road and still be able to point out on Maureen’s map that we were nowhere near Belfast. On Sunday evening, Maureen started calling around to see if she could find an automatic car for me to drive out of kindness to me. (She really meant for her safety) None could be had.

On Monday morning, we set out to explore the West Coast of Ireland. Cathy led us to the highway to the southwest, made a sign of the cross, wished us luck and we were off. We drove that day to Cloghane in Kerry. Halfway there, I made a change in the lineup in the car and had Jessica moved to the front seat to act as navigator. It was at this point that my driving started to improve. That day, I received my first 5 on the scale and things were looking up.

Cloghane is a town near Ballnalaken where Maureen’s Kane ancestors came from. There are about a dozen houses in the town and 4 pubs. This it turns out is typical of Ireland. We arranged for a room in the Pub and I settled into what became another tradition on the trip of having a good pint of beer in the pub after a day of driving to calm my nerves. That evening we drove up Brandon Mountain for a great view of Kerry’s Dingle Peninsula. Before setting off, no one warned me that the road was what we would call a one-lane country path. Luckily, because of the time of day, there were no buses coming the other way.

That evening in the Pub we meet many of the local people who were extremely friendly and welcomed us to the area. We spent a great deal of time talking to a man who said that he remembered Maureen’s grandfather from his youth.

In the morning, we explored the local area, including the ruins of the old church and the area were Ballnalaken use to be. The girls seem to enjoy seeing where their ancestors came from.

From Cloghane we drove to County Clare and visited with Maureen’s Aunt, Sister Johanna. What a nice lady Sister Johanna is. I remember her from meeting her at the airport in Toronto years ago when Jessica was a baby. After a visit, a great lunch at the convent and a nice visit, Sister Johanna gave us a special religious card

44 for the car to make sure we had a safe trip..

The scenery and roads in Clare are straight out of an Irish Postcard. When driving along the coast and especially in some of the towns, the narrow roads, with cars parked on both sides, left room for only one car to pass. If it was up hill, I just prayed that everyone coming the other way would get out of my way. I still had not mastered starting the car in gear on an up slope. If I had to stop, I might never get going again.

We found a B&B with a good Pub a few doors away for the night. After eating at the Pub, we took the girls back to the B&B and returned to the Pub for an evening of Irish traditional music. NO PATTY, we did not abandon the girls for a night of drinking with only a bag of Smarties for their dinner as Jessica suggested in her Postcard.

The next morning, the fog was so thick that when we got to the Cliffs of Moher that you could see only a few feet in front of yourself. The cliffs were one of the places that I was looking forward to seeing but had to settle on a postcard.

We headed inland to avoid the fog. We stopped in some nice towns and visited some churches that dated from the 11th century. In Burren of Clare we say a tomb site that was 2,000 years old. Later in the day Alison and I went through some caves in Clare. That night we made it to a Pub on the coast past Galway. We had planned on calling in on Maureen’s cousin in Galway but by the time we got there, Jessica was not felling well and we drove up the coast a bit before stopping for the night.

The next day we continued up the coast to the Monastery. It is a girl’s school now and I suggested that maybe the girls go there for school but they did not think that that was a good idea. From there we started southwest to Ballyhaunis, were Maureen’s Kilkenny ancestors came from.

After spending the night at a B&B in Ballayhaunis, we telephoned Ed and Mary Grourke, Maureen’s cousin. With their directions we found their house and they took us over to the Kilkenny house up the road. It’s hard to believe that the house is 150+ years old by the shape that it is in. We spent several hours visiting with Ed and Mary before setting off for our drive back to Dublin.

We arrived back safely in Dublin and even with getting lost in Dublin managed to find Brae and Cathy’s house. I think this impressed Cathy as she was probably expecting to hear about us on the News. By this point in time, my driving rating was up to the 7 and 8s and the girls were no longer white when I stopped the car.

We spent the Saturday resting in Brae and I got to play golf with Paddy. He managed to borrow a left-handed wood and an iron and he had a 2-sided putter for me to use. It was not one of my better rounds of Golf but at least I can say that I have played golf in Ireland.

On Sunday morning we boarded our flight from Dublin to Glasgow after a great time in Ireland. Cathy and Paddy were so kind to all of us that I will always be grateful to them.

In Glasgow, we picked up our rental, which turned out to be the same car as Ireland. This made me happy, as I knew that the luggage would all fit. We drove from the airport to Edinburgh where I had booked a B&B for 3 nights.

We spent the next few days sightseeing in Edinburgh and looking for the Beannie Baby “Britannia” for Jessica’s collection. We must have checked out 15 stores that sold Beannie Babies but saw only one Britannia that was a way too expensive. Edinburgh with it’s Castle and other historic buildings is a great place to visit. Jessica was still not feeling well so one rainy day we left her at the B&B and went to the Royal Museum.

From Edinburgh, we went to Dunfermline where there is an old Abbey where Robert The Bruce is buried. I was also able to find the house where my GG-Grandfather’s sister lived.

After a short visit in Dunfermline we drove to Fossoway, Dron, Dunbarney and Forteviot, where my Smeaton ancestors lived. We found the old churches and several of the buildings where they lived in during the late 1700 and 1800’s. In Fossoway, we found the houses where my GGG-Grandmother lived in the 1850’s (Gartwhinzean Feus and Bridgeend Cottage). In Dron, we found Burnside, the house of my GGGG- Grandfather. And in Forteviot, we found the place where my GG-Grandfather was born. When we arrived in Perth that evening, we found out that all accommodations in Perth and to the east were booked for the British Open Golf Championship that was just starting. This forced a quick change in our plans and we headed west to Stirling Castle. By this time, I was had caught the cold and had to spend the day in bed.

This turned out to be a good thing for Jessica. While she, Alison and Maureen were out in Stirling, they came upon a store that had Britannia at a very good price. Jessica bought it and this made her trip. It was only

45 afterwards that we realized that she had bought 2 as she could have sold the second one a home for enough to pay for both of them.

We spend the next morning at Stirling Castle. Alison, at a historic show that they put on, gave the 2 actors such a rough time that they threatened to through her in the dungeon for a 100 years. It was all in good humor and they encourage the audience to participate.

From Stirling we drove to Oban on the West Coast of Scotland. Oban is a very picturiest seaside town. We spent sometime there shopping. From there the drive took us through the Highlands of Scotland which are very much like our Rockies only condensed in a very small area. At the top of one Glen we found a Piper playing the pipes to the background of the valley below.

At Loch Carron, we visited with Jessica’s soccer coach’s cousins for awhile and then headed inland for Inverness.

The next day we saw the Loch Ness Monster. For those of you that don’t believe us, I have enclosed the picture to prove it. It tried to eat Alison but found her to be too tough and went on it’s way.

From Loch Ness our travels took us to Blair Athol were we spent the night is an old Country Estate. The room we had was by a large margin the largest of the trip. We spent the next morning at Blair Castle and then headed to Dundee.

We spent 2 days in Dundee. I tried to find where my GG-Grandparents were buried but had no luck. The people at the archives were very nice but I could not find any information on them. We did find the tombstone in Longforgan for my GGGG-Grandparents (James Galloway (1763-1820 and Catherine Galloway 1774- 1851) who are buried there.

In Leetown and St. Madoes , we were able to find the places where my Brough ancestor lived in the 1700s and 1800s.

From Dundee we went down the road to Perth. In Perth we found the Smeaton Bridge, built by John Smeaton in 1769. South of Perth we went to Dunning and found the farm Middle Third of Pitcairns where my Smeaton ancestors lived in the 1700’s. To the west, we also found Coul, a farm in Auchterarder where I believe the family lived prior to Dunning.

Our last stop on the trip was Glasgow. When we arrived near the airport, the hotel was all booked so we had to go to Greenock to find a place for our last 2 nights.

I had not had a good impression of Glasgow and was not that interested in spend a lot of time there. Now that I have been there, I would definitely go back. We drove into Glasgow in the morning and I found a subway station with a parking lot into which to park the car.

When we went into the station to get some directions, the ticket taker was great. He went searching for a map of Glasgow and then spent a long time pointing out places on the map for us. He circled a number of places on the map that we should visit and worked out a circular route for us to take that would bring us back to the station where we were parked.

We then got on the Subway for 2 stops and got off. While I was looking at a map on the wall to get my bearings, a man that had gotten on the subway with us offered to take us to where we wanted to go. This friendliness of the people was only one of many examples how nice people had been to us on our trip.

We took a Bus Tour of Glasgow that was great. After that we went to do the last of our shopping. When we got to the station to take the subway to our car we stopped into a small shop. The man was so nice and interested in where we had been on our trip that a 5 minutes stopped turned into a 2-hour talk on Scotland and it’s history.

At closing time, we caught the subway back to out car and from there to the hotel for one last night in Scotland. All in all it was a great trip.

Yes, I am still researching the family history. For the first part of the year, I worked mostly on my Grandmother Margaret McLean’s family. I had a lot of success with her Brough ancestors in Scotland and in the process have made contact with 4 cousins from this side of the family in Australia.

On the Smeaton side of the family, the number of 4th and 5th cousins that I am in contact with continues to grow. While we were in Scotland, I was amazed how close the various place were where I suspected that the

46 family lived. This has provided me with new leads to be checked out. Currently, I am awaiting the detail of a Will from 1663 that a friend in Ottawa found reference to. It is for a David Smeaton the Younger of the Middle Third of Pitcairns the place where I have traced the family to in the early 1700’s. This Will could provide with the information to trace the family back 3 more generations.

I have also started some serious work on Maureen’s family. From the information that I picked up in Ireland on our trip, I have many leads that need to be checked out.

Well, If I don’t stop soon, I will never get this letter printed and mailed off to you. Once again, from all of us here, we wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and an even better New Year.

Maureen, Peter, Jessica, Alison, Lucy, Cody and Fox

Christmas 2002 in Venezuela

A diary of a Christmas Away From Home

Background

The story of how we can to spend Christmas in Venezuela begins in June when Andrew makes the shocking call from Montreal that he is engaged. This comes to us and his mother completely out of nowhere. Clarissa, a girl he met while attend University, and Andrew where engaged on his most recent trip to Venezuela. He called us to tell us shortly after telling his mother of his plans.

The initial plans are for the wedding to be held in Peru at Christmas. Andrew asks if we are going to be able to attend and I immediately say “Yes” and start thinking of how I can get Maureen to buy into this trip.

Over the next few days, I spend some time on the Internet checking out Peru as a travel destination. The more time I spend looking the more excited I get about making the trip. After a few more weeks, I give Patty a call and she tells me that it looks like the wedding will be help in Caracas, Venezuela and not Peru. So it’s back to the drawing board with a new destination to research.

Over the next couple on months, there are numerous conversations with Patty and Brenda on possible travel plans for Christmas. By the end of August, the date is set for the wedding to occur on the 28th of December in Caracas. I make a trip to the Venezuelan Consulate in Toronto, and they give advice me on several places to visit while in Venezuela.

Brenda and I have cornered the market on travel books on Venezuela and there are so many interesting places that are worth visiting. We decide on starting the trip at the main tourist location of Margarita Island for the time period leading up to the wedding. Also under consideration is a 2-day side trip to Angel Falls. The only problem with Angel Falls is that it’s the trip involves a small plane and sleeping in hammocks. Maureen does not seem too excited about the small plane and Jessica is worried about the hammocks and no electricity. Meanwhile, Alison is ok for anything.

After the wedding, it is decided that we will go to Henri Pitter National Park. This is Venezuela’s oldest National Park and is on the migration path for Birds from both North and South America. The only major concern I have now is our lack of Spanish and will the girls be able to eat the food.

Now the problem is how do we go about booking the trip and how much is it going to cost. The first place I check are the charter companies. They seem to fly to Margarita Island during the winter months from Toronto but don’t have any flights yet scheduled. Air Canada does not fly to Venezuela. A friend of mine works for Expedia.ca, so I decide to give his web site a check and find that Delta flies from Toronto to Atlanta to Caracas on a daily basis.

The next problem is to find out how we get around the country and where are we going to stay. The Internet has sure changed the way of planning a trip. By putting “Venezuela” into a Search Engine many travel sites are immediately identified that would have been impossible to find in the past.

On Margarita Island we are able to identify 6 places that seem to be nice destinations. We start sending emails to all of them as to their available, rates and recommendations on things to do. Over a few weeks we have narrowed down our choice to Villa Cabo Blanco at Playa Parquito.

For the Henri Pitter part of the trip, I found a tour company in Venezuela that recommends a converted Hacienda at Choroni that seems very nice.

47 By the beginning of September, a phone call to Andrew confirms that the wedding is still on and Brenda and I decide that we better start booking flights and accommodations so not to end up disappointed. Since we are doing this over the Internet, I get Brenda on the phone and we both go to the Expedia.ca site. At the same time we both start the booking process for the flights to Venezuela. When we get to the final confirmation page, Brenda gets an error and has to start over. Meanwhile, my tickets are now booked. Our first challenge to the trip occurs when Brenda gets back to booking their tickets and finds that there are none available. A few hours’ later things get sorted out with Brenda having to fly to Venezuela a day earlier than us.

Next step in the booking process is booking Villa Cabo Blanco on Margarita Island. This is painless as a quick email is answered immediately with instructions on where to wire the deposit. The same occurs with booking the Hacienda in Choroni. Brenda does some shopping for the Airfare between Caracas and Margarita Island and finds a local airline that is very reasonable. When I check out their website, I notice that the planes are very small but decide that it’s in everyone best interest that we keep this information from Maureen until a later date.

By the 15th of September, everything is booked that has to be done ahead of time and the only thing to do now is wait for December.

December – Civil Unrest Throughout Venezuela

By the beginning of December, everything for the trip seemed to be under control. All the plane tickets were booked and paid for. The hotel on Margarita Island is booked and ½ paid for. Brenda and I have decided to go Scuba Diving with Jessica, Alison and Gary. Maureen and Al will have a day at the beach with Patty while we are diving. The side trip to Angel Falls is still under consideration but we will leave that until we get to Margarita Island. The Hacienda at Choroni is booked and paid for. The Hotels in Caracas are organized. The neighbour’s girls will be looking after the cats and Maureen’s friend is taking Lucy while we are away. All I need to do is get some Venezuelan money and get to the airport.

Then I start reading news reports about a General Strike in Venezuela. While a little concerned, I am not worried. How long can something like this last? By the middle of December, the General Strike is making the National News and Maureen is reading about it in the newspapers. It is be portrayed in Canada as a Civil War.

Maureen talks to some people at work who gets her upset about the situation that is developing in Venezuela and she starts preparing me for not going. I make a phone call to Andrew who emails back that the unrest is more like a party that a Civil War. This seems to calm Maureen down for a while.

With 2 weeks to go before departure, Maureen has some anxious moments. The latest reports that we have gotten from Caracas is that there are mass demonstrations in Caracas, up to 1 million people but that the atmosphere is almost party like.

Todd (Lyz’s husband) talks to a friend who goes to Venezuela all the time. This friend’s comments prompt Lyz to call Maureen. Lyz asks Maureen if she had been following the news on Venezuela and points her to the External Affairs website. Words cannot describe what happened next. Maureen calls Brenda and the next thing you knew was that the world was ending.

I end up spending the entire weekend trying to calm everyone down. I had to read the riot act to Lyz, Todd and anyone else who dared bring up the trip with Maureen. Jessica and Alison talked about seeing a doctor to get her some pills to calm her down but by Sunday she seemed much better.

Jessica takes on responsibility for screening all incoming phone calls until we leave to ensure that no one gets her upset again. Lyz has been told that if she calls then Maureen will be spending Christmas with her.

In the week leading up to departure, I am watching the news from Caracas hourly. The Charter Flights to Margarita have been all canceled but the Delta flights are on time every day. Our flights between Caracas and Margarita Island seem to be changing on a daily basis but they respond to our emails that we will be OK. Brenda leaves for Caracas the day before us, so if things are real bad then she can calls us when she arrives.

Toronto to Caracas

No phone call from Brenda on Thursday night so no last minute panic. We get up early on Friday morning and do a last minute check that all is packed. Maureen takes Lucy for a walk and leaves her with her sitters. Lucy is a little confused but is not too upset when Maureen leaves her. The Limo Driver arrives on time and we load everything into the Limo for the trip to the airport.

48 When we get to the airport, it is very quiet, no long lineups. We check in at Delta and proceed through US Immigration and Customs. The guy at Customs seems more interested in having a conversation with Jessica than in anything we are bring into the country. Once through Customs, a friend of mine who works for US Customs comes over and has a coffee with us. He makes a few jokes about this size of the plane to Atlanta and the service on the flight but backs off when Maureen seems a little nervous. The flight to Atlanta is uneventful. The girls joke a little with Maureen that it’s too late to back out now but that is it. We have a 2- hour lay over in Atlanta before our flight to Caracas. After a lunch in the airport we head to our gate and wait for the flight.

We arrive in Caracas

Our flight from Atlanta to Caracas is only half full and once again uneventful. At 9:30 we arrive in Caracas and the adventure in Venezuela begins. Andrew fiancée Clarissa is going to meet us at the airport to make sure we get to our Hotel ok. I am a little nervous with having to go through Immigration and Customs and not being able to speak Spanish. I have my Spanish-English dictionary ready as we head to Immigration. I put down the 4 passports and visa papers and the Immigration Officer starts going through them veryyyyy slowly but never asks us anything. With our passports stamped, we collect our baggage and head to customs.

To decide who’s baggage gets check, they have a system in place where you push a button and if you get a red light then your baggage is checked. I push first and get a green light and head out. Jessica is next and she gets a Red Light. As I watch with all the passports the Custom Official spends 5 minutes trying to tell Jessica where she has to go before giving up and letting her, Maureen and Alison to pass.

Once outside the Customs area in the Terminal Building, I am greeting by a hundreds of people yelling “Taxi”. The first thing that goes through my head is “I guess the gas shortage is not affecting the Taxi’s”. After a couple of minutes Clarissa finds us. I guess that was not too hard as we were the only North Americans on the flight and the pale colour of our skin gave us away. After introducing ourselves, she negotiates a Taxi for us, tells us how much it will be and helps us get our bags to the Taxi.

Once outside the terminal building, the temperature and humidity hits us. When we left Toronto the temperature was about 0 and it was snowing. On arriving in Caracas it is 30 and humid and this is 10:30pm. What a difference!

It turns out that our Taxi Driver speaks some English. On the way to the Hotel he explains to us how he has to lineup for gasoline for 9 hours each time he has to fill up. The gasoline station at the airport has a lineup over 2 miles long. This is our first glimpse of the impact of the General Strike.

After a 15-minute drive we arrive at our Hotel. I had read that their traffic laws are based on the biggest car having the right away. The Taxi driver proves this as he cuts off several smaller cars and motorcycles on the trip. By 11:00pm “Mission Accomplished” – I have us checked into a Hotel in Venezuela without having our pictures broadcast on the Canadian National News.

Venezuela – Day 1 – December 21

We are up early on day 1 in Venezuela. Today’s agenda is to get from Caracas to Margarita Island. Our flights were originally scheduled for 11am but the day before we left, I noticed that the flight had been changed to 2:30pm. When we were checking in on Friday night, I noticed that they Internet Access in the hotel. After breakfast, a quick check shows we are still on the 2:30pm flight. We spend the morning in the hotel and by the pool outside. At 11:30 we checkout and wait for our Taxi driver from the previous night to take us back to the airport at 12:00. When he does not arrive by 12:15, I arrange with the Hotel’s driver for the transfer to the Airport. Arriving at Avior checking, I quickly discover that no one speaks English. - No Problem – as hand signs and gestures get us checked in with a few laughs from the Check in Clerk. There is not much to do in the Domestic Terminal at Caracas Airport, so we make our way to where our gate should be.

Looking out the window, I see some planes with Avior on them. I start hoping Maureen does not look out the window too! Those planes look veryyyy small. “We may have trouble here!" I tell Jessica as she sees what I am looking at. Jessica tells me not to worry, she will keep Maureen occupied until we have to get on the plane.

30 minutes prior to departure, I move the girls to the waiting room where the flights for Avior seem to be departing from. There is no flight information for our flight so we just sit and wait. 15 minutes prior to departure, just as I am getting worried there is an announcement in Spanish from which I pick out the word Porlamar – the main city on Margarita Island. When I go to the Check in desk the girl takes my ticket and point me out the door. I yell back to the girls that that announcement was for us. Out the door we go and get

49 on a bus that takes us to a small plane. On exiting the bus Maureen says “We are not flying on that are we?" I lead the girls over to the pilot who tells us we are in the right place and to get on the plane. On the plane behind the pilot there are 2 rows of 9 seats on each side of the plane. We get settled into our seats and Jessica points out the look on Maureen’s face.

We are no sooner seated and the door closes and the pilot starts taxing for takeoff. There's nothing Maureen can do now. It’s a clear day and the flight to Porlamar Airport is smooth and 45 minutes later we are back on land. Maureen even says she enjoyed the flight!

Our luggage seems to take forever to come out but when it does; we load up and go looking for a Taxi. At the Taxi stand, I negotiate a Taxi with the help of the Spanish-English dictionary and we are off to Villa Cabo Blanco on Playa Parquito beach. On the way there are no lineups for Gas and the driver tells us there are very few problems on the island. We also notice the gasoline costs about 6 cents a liter here in Venezuela. Maybe it’s time for civil unrest back in Canada. After a 40-minute ride we turn off the road at the Villa Cabo Blanco sign to see Brenda, Al and Brian returning from the beach.

We quickly find Michel and Carman, the owners of Villa Cabo Blanco, get checked in, changed and off to the beach. Brenda quickly introduces Maureen, Jessica and Alison to all the beach vendors that she has established a business relationship so far. I quickly see that this is going to be a costly beach to be on. Al quickly points out that there are no silly restrictions on drinking in Venezuela and beer cost 1,000bs ($1) a bottle on the beach. I give Jessica 5,000bs and send her off. Back she comes with my beer and a fancy drink for herself that costs 4,000bs.

After an hour at the beach, it’s back to Villa Cabo Blanco where Michel arranges a Taxi and sends us off to the first on many great restaurants.

Venezuela – Day 2 – December 22

Everyone except Jessica is up early on Sunday morning. Brenda bought coffee before we arrived and delivers my morning coffee to me. After getting Jessica up and everyone eating some food that Brenda had, we head off for our first full day at the beach.

As we arrive at the beach, all of Brenda’s Vendor Friends come over to say good morning and introduce themselves to us. Since all the tour companies have cancelled their flights to Venezuela, we are the only North American/European people on the beach. No Americans! Just some local people and us!

By 9:15, the girls are looking at Pearl Necklaces. By 9:30, we are negotiating for 6 beach towels ($10 US each). By 9:45, it’s back to Villa Cabo Blanco for more money! While I am gone Brenda leave the girls unattended and I get back to Alison and Jessica having their hair braided. Maureen did not negotiate the price so we end up paying 45,000bs for something we would see later costing 8,000bs. What the heck it’s only money!

While the hair is being done, Brenda is negotiating for some pearl necklaces for herself and Jessica. Once she settles on a price, she turns to me for the funding. I try and get the vendor to take 45,000bs instead of $45US. He quickly gives Brenda the nickname of Mafia and calls me the Capitalists.

Later in the morning while I am practicing my first Spanish word “Polar” (the local beer), Maureen, Jessica, Alison and Brian have worked there way down to the end of the beach. The sea is quite rough and Maureen gets caught up in the waves, loses her glasses and has to be rescued by one of the locals who gives her hell in Spanish for being out too far and too close to the rocks at then end of the beach.

Just after noon we head back to Villa Cabo Blanco were we leave Jessica, Alison and Brian while we walk to the local grocery store to pick up some things for snacks and breakfast. While in the store, I notice that a 26oz bottle of Barcardi cost 2,800bs ($2.80) and beer is 6,500bs for a case of 24 bottles. I think I have died and gone to heaven!

We spend the rest of the afternoon waiting for Patty and Gary to arrive. Once they arrive it’s off to the beach with some fresh dollars for the Beach Vendors. That evening the people from Atlantis Diving drop by to go over our desires to go diving. Jessica has an ear infection so it is decided that Jessica and Brenda will go snorkeling while Gary, Alison, Brian and my self do 2 dives on December 24. This means that we will be spending the afternoon of December 23 taking a ½ course in diving. At the time this seems excessive but as things turned out, I was happy we did it. Later it’s off to a great Thai Restaurant that Michel has recommended to us. Boy is the food great here. Even Alison is able to get her Vegetarian Meals without any troubles.

50 Venezuela – Day 3 – December 23

The Roosters have me up at 4am with their squawking back and forth to each other. There seems to be more roosters here than people! By 7am everyone is up except Jessica. Brenda has my coffee ready and Maureen is making toast for everyone. After getting Jessica up it is off to the beach for the morning. We need to introduce Patty to all the Beach Vendors! Looks like another expensive morning!

As we get to the beach at 9am all our friends come by to say good morning and introduce themselves to Patty. More necklaces are bought. Our favorite vendor calls Patty Mafia #2. Maureen and the girls end up with beach dresses to go along with their necklaces. I am going to have to stop bring money to the beach with me.

At 11:30 it’s back to Villa Cabo Blanco where our dive master (Anna) is picking us up to go see a one-hour video on diving. After the video and some classroom talks, it’s back to Villa Cabo Blanco for some practice time in the pool. Anna has us taking our masks off and on, taking off each other’s masks, removing the breathing regulator, sharing regulators, etc. The course is quite extensive and is suppose to prepare you for anything. It seems after this course, a second course and 4 dives you can get your certification to dive anywhere.

By the end of the course, I am exhausted and need a couple of Polar’s before we head out to the beach for another great meal. This time Jessica, Alison and Brian discover that they are developing a taste for Alcohol and Wine and think that Venezuela has great drinking rules. (That is none)

Venezuela – Day 4 – December 24

Dive Day Arrives.

The Roosters have had me up since 4am again. I had talked to Michel last night about buying the Rooster that keeps waking me up but he tells me there are dozens of them and if I bought one, it would only be replaced by 12 more by the end of the day.

Michel drives us to the small port where we meet Anna and the other people going on the dive trip. The seas are very rough and Brenda and I are concerned about Jessica, Alison and Brian becoming seasick. The trip from Margarita to Los Frailes takes 45 minutes. By the time we arrive, Jessica is very green. Alison and Brain are only slightly better off. Alison and Brian say they are ready to go diving. Since Jessica and Brenda are just snorkeling, everything seems to be a go. Gary, Alison, Brian and myself start getting into our wet suites and diving equipment. Gary and Brian are to go with Anna’s husband while Alison and I will be with Anna.

Once in the water, the first thing that we are to do is go to the bottom which is 15 feet and go through taking the mask off and putting is back on and exchanging breathing regulators and few times to get use to doing it in salt water. With the in water test passed we head out. The rough seas have made the water clouded but it is like be in another world. As we move along, there are fish and coral everywhere. We become so interested in our new surroundings that we quickly lose track of time. Anna, the dive master comes over to me and checks my air regulator. She quickly shows it to me. I am almost out of air. She gives me the sign that I am to buddy breathe on her air supply until we can get back to the boat.

Using her air supply, we turn and start back to the boat. We start to slowly go from 55 feet depth up towards the surface. After a few minutes we surface to get our bearings. My weights that have been giving me problems the whole dive come loose. Anna goes back to the bottom to find them. They are too heavy for her to swim with, so she tells Alison and me to go to the boat and send the boat back to get her and the weights.

All the training and practice from the previous day have paid off. I ran out of air on my first dive.

After lunch and a break we head further down the coast of the island for the second dive. This time Anna is going to take all four of us. She reminds us to keep a close watch on our air supply after the incident with me. With our equipment back on it’s into the water again. Our first dive was in a small bay. This time we are on the coast near a point between 2 big islands.

Down we go and start heading towards the point. We come upon a large boulder with a big ell like fish living at it base. Anna points it out to Brian and myself and we move in for a closer look. She then motions for us to back up and let Gary and Alison have a look. Brian and I turn to back off and by the time we turn back everyone is gone. Just off of the boulder there is a strong current and it’s taking all our strength just to maintain our position. After 10 minutes of waiting for the rest of the group to return I check my air supply. Not only am I getting tired maintain our position, we are 45 feet down and I only have ½ a tank left. Using what we had learned, I single to Brian that I am getting exhausted, running low on air and we should head for the surface. As we start up, I have to remind Brian what we learnt. Not to go up too fast or else we will get the

51 bends. Brian shows me that he still has lots air so if I run out, I can share his. Slowly we make our way to the surface, taking 10 minutes to do this. Once on the surface, we see the boat off in the distance. The seas are rough where we are and even at the surface there is a current coming around the point. I send Brian off for help, as I am too tired to fight the current. Anna, Alison and Gary when they realized that they lost us had headed back to the boat. When they see us surface, Anna and her husband swam out to rescue me and tow me back to the boat.

With us all tired now, we packed up the equipment and started the 45-minute trip back to Margarita.

It’s Christmas Eve and Michel and Carman have planned a large Christmas Eve Party for us and the other people staying with them. They have also invited some of their local friends including our Dive Masters. Once again the food, wine and Polaris are great. There is great music and everyone is having a great time. By 11:30 pm, still exhausted from the days diving I sneak off to bed.

Venezuela – Day 5 – December 25

It’s Christmas Day and the temperature our side to 30 degrees. Celsius.

Christmas day starts off like every other day so far only we all sleep in a little. At 8:00, Brenda brings me my usual coffee. By 9:00, we start trying to get Jessica up. There are no presents under the tree in Venezuela. They are on the beach. By 9:30 we head off to the beach to see what Santa brought the girls. As usual all our Vendor Friends are there to greet us and delivery all the presents that my wallet can afford.

Santa has a new hat for Jessica along with some necklaces. Both Maureen and Alison get some necklaces also from Santa. Boy is Santa Generous in Venezuela, what with all those necklaces.

We spend most of the entire morning on the beach. At about 1pm we decide that we are going to walk down to the next beach where there is a flea market and several stores. So off we go. At the flea market more shopping for bargains. As we head down the road off of the beach we stop for a late lunch and a Polar. By about 5pm, it is time to head back to Villa Cabo Blanco. We have made arrangements with Michel and Carman for dinner in Porlamar. We have hired a large Van to pick us up just at dark to take all of us (Maureen, Jessica, Alison, Brenda, Al, Patty, Gary, Julien (the best man), Elizabeth (his girl friend), Michel and Carman) on a tour of all the Christmas lights on the Island, ending at what Michel tells us to be the best restaurant on the Island.

Boy Michel was not wrong about either the Christmas Lights or the Food. Many of the small towns between Playa Parquito and Porlamar have a contest to see who can decorate their houses with the best lighting. I have never seen so many Christmas lights and Santa Clauses in my whole life. Then the food in Porlamar is just great. I ended having 8 shrimp that must have been 6 inches long each…what a feast…not Turkey but then I did not have to cook it either. After dinner we make our way back to Villa Cabo Blanco, passing more towns and their light show. The driver of the van will be back on the 26th to take us on a tour of the Island so it’s off to bed.

Venezuela – Day 6 – December 26

The 26th starts the same as every other day so far. Brenda has my coffee ready by 7am. Today Jessica has to get up early as the Van, Driver and Tour Guide are picking us up at 8:30 for our daylong tour of the Island. From Villa Cabo Blanco we head off along the north coast of Margarita. After 15 minutes we get to the top a hill over looking a bay on the north shore where we make our first stop. Our guide point out the large resort, with a golf course and large beach down in the bay. She then tells us that it has been empty since the beginning of December because of all the troubles and the charter airlines canceling all the flights. She tells us that all the large resorts on the Island are shut down and how this is their high season.

Further along the coast we come to a number of beaches that are completely empty because it seems we are the only tourists in the country. We drive to La Restinga National Park where we go a boat ride in the Mangroves. There are Pelicans and Cranes on the shore. We stop at one place to look at the clams and their potential future pearls. We also see a number of starfish that feed off of the clams and our boat driver catches a Seahorse for us. Just as our luck would have it, the boat that Maureen, Alison, Brian and myself are on runs out of gas and Brenda, Patty, Al and Jessica’s boat has to come rescue us.

After the boat tour I have an Empadis that I had been told about and they were great eating. I tried to get the recipe for Maureen but since I did not have my Spanish-English dictionary with me no luck.

From La Restinga we headed towards Porlamar and stopped at the islands religious shrine of Santoario Virgen de la Valle. The tour guide had heard of Maureen collection of holy water from around the world and

52 wanted to make sure she got some from here. From here we went to La Asuncion, the capital of Isla de Margarita where there was some time for shopping. At the store we stopped at they had Internet Access and they let me send off a quick email to everyone. Next on the agenda was an old fort and then onto the Pearl Factory. The Pearl Factory, which is geared to American Tourists with prices in US$ that only the rich could afford. Luckily for me, the girls had already locked up the Pearl Market at Playa Parquito and did not want to expand their market penetration.

Our last stop was Playa El Agua, the next beach down from where we were staying; we had dinner before returning to Villa Cabo Blanco and an early night.

Venezuela – Day 7 – December 27

December 27th started the same way for me. After being awakened by the Roosters at 4am again, I managed to get some sleep until 7am when it was time to get up. Once again Brenda had my coffee ready. I wonder if Maureen was noticing how Brenda made coffee for me every day. Back home I would be on my own! Patty and Gary leave today for Caracas while we will be spending our last day on Margarita.

After Patty and Gary leave for the Airport with Julien and Elizabeth, we make our way to the beach from one last day of shopping. We are a little later than usual and as we get to the beach there is much relief from all our friends. They all knew this was our last day and wanted to make sure they made that last sale before we left. Our friend who called Brenda the Mafia and me the Capitalist came over to say hello and show us what specials he had for us today. Since it was our last day, he had very special discounts for us. By the time the merchandise was looked over and the selections made, there were 8 necklaces selected for purchase. Brenda did her usual job of getting his price down in $US and then I started in on him in Bolivars. Things got so confusing, that in the end he throw up his arms and agreed to our price…even if it meant that his 3 children would not eat that night.

In the afternoon we made the long walk to Playa El Agua for some more shopping at the flea market. There was also a store there that had promised Brenda that they would have earrings to match her necklaces for her today. It turned out that the earrings cost more than the necklaces that they matched.

Exhausted from all the shopping we returned to Villa Cabo Blanco for some rest before venturing out to Playa El Agua later that evening via taxi for another great shrimp dinner.

Venezuela – Day 8 – December 28

It’s Wedding. I wonder if our flights are still on. The people we took the tour with called the airline and confirmed our flights for us. They are picking us up at 8am to take us to the airport and make sure we get checked in ok. It will be nice not to have to use hand signs to check in again. Maureen seems resigned to flying on a small plane again and is not making too much of a fuss over us trying to kill her.

We are picked up on time and get to the airport and checked in without any trouble. Our flight leaves on time and once again it’s a beautiful day, so a smooth flight for Maureen. Upon arrival in Caracas we collect our luggage and find a Taxi to the hotel without any problem.

On the 45-minute drive into the city we pass many lineups for gasoline that are miles long. They even have ice cream vendors out selling their wares to the people in line. We see numerous cars being pushed, as they must have run out of gas already. At the gas stations, there are soldiers with guns keeping all in order.

The hotel in Caracas is the Tamanco, which we have heard is the best hotel in the city. On arrival it looks very nice. Patty is in the lobby when we arrive and Andrew shows up a few minutes after our arrival. We get checked in and it’s off for lunch in the Hotel. What a difference in prices! On Margarita dinner for 4 with several Polars was costing us 40,000bs ($40), here at the Tamanco lunch with a coke is 75,000bs or $75. It’s my first coke of the trip as with the shortages on Margarita there was no coke.

The wedding is scheduled for 7pm at a church in the city. We meet in the lobby at 6pm. Andrew is supposed to be picked up in a limo and we are going to take taxis. At 6:30pm, we start to get worried when Andrews limo does not arrive. December 28th is the Venezuelan equivalent of April Fools day. I start teasing Andrew, asking him if this is all a joke to encourage tourism to Venezuela. Andrew’s limo arrives at 7:15pm. We arrange with the hotel for 2 of their limos to take us to the church.

Caracas is a city built in a narrow valley with high mountains on either side. Our ride to the church takes us over and around several hills. Brenda’s limo get lost on the way to the church and ends up having to go the wrong way down several winding streets to get caught up.

53 At the church, our driver asks if we want him to pick us up in an hour. Sounds great to me and we make the arrangements for both limos to pick us up. The one thing I have learnt so far about the people in Venezuela is their willingness to got out of their way to make you feel very welcomed and to assist in any way they can.

There is something going on in the church when we arrive so we wait outside. Andrew does not seem too nervous but Julien his best man is sweating. That’s all the encouragement I need and I have a few words of “Encouragement” for Julien.

Inside the church we find our places. When the service starts, the priest stops everything and in Spanish asks for someone who speaks both Spanish and English. He then instructs this person to sit with us and translate everything that he says. Another example of how nice and considerate the people are here.

After the service, a number of Clarissa relatives come up to us to tell us how many of us they can take in each of their cars. Patty, Julien and Elizabeth are the only ones needing transportation so that is easily handled.

We were warned ahead of time that wedding receptions/dances last all night in Venezuela. On arriving back at the hotel were the reception is being held we head to the banquet hall. One of Clarissa cousins helps get us settles. After the usual wedding pictures everyone settles in. At our table a bottle of whiskey is placed in front on me. The waiter at our table seems to take a liking to me and spend the night constantly refilling my glass. If he feels I am drink too slowly he gives me hell.

The dancing starts almost immediately. The music is all Spanish. With a little encouragement we have Jessica, Alison and Brian up dancing also. In the case of Alison, I don’t think she ever sat down. Several people come over and get each of us up and give us lessons in dancing to their music. Alison seems to be getting the most attention.

After a few dances, I am very hot and Maureen encourages me to take off my jacket. Everyone else is still wearing their jackets but I decide to introduce a Canadian Tradition to the wedding and off goes the jacket.

After over an hour of fast paced dancing it’s time for a great buffet dinner. Clarissa family makes sure that we are first in line. The food is just great. I am not sure what everything is but enjoy everything. My waiter friend puts a bottle of good wine in front of me and makes sure I drink the whole bottle while we eat.

Time again for another Canadian Tradition. I get Brian, Al, Jessica and Alison organized and we start clanging the glasses every time Andrew or Clarissa takes a bite. It seems they don’t do this in Venezuela. In fact, clanging glasses means that there are federalies in the room in Venezuela.

Clarissa cousins catch on very quickly to what’s happening and start leading the charge. Later, Gary, Brian and myself start going from table to table showing everyone how to do it.

After dinner it’s dancing again. By 3am, all my fellow Canadians are exhausted and go off to bed leaving Alison and myself to uphold the Canadian tradition. By 5:30am, things die down when Alison runs out of people to dance with and we go to bed.

Venezuela – Day 9 – December 29

Today day is a day of recovery for everyone. Alison and I are up relatively early and go downstairs to the pool area while Maureen and Jessica recover. Since it was Alison and I that were up to the very end, this does not make a lot of sense. While downstairs, Al point out a demonstration on the highway outside the hotel. The entire highway is full of people marching against the government. Our first live encounter with a demonstration in Caracas!

Brenda and I are concerned about our plans for December 30th. We have arranged for Car Rentals to take us to Choroni. We decide to call out Tour Operator to see what the gas situation is like in Choroni. All we need is to get there and not have enough gasoline to get back!

No answer at the Tour Company so we leave messages and hope for the best. We spend the rest of the day hang out at the Hotel with a short walk into the neighborhood around the Hotel.

Venezuela – Day 10 – December 30

Maureen, Alison and myself are up early. Jessica won’t move so we decide to go for a walk in the neighborhood around the Hotel to see if we can get a coffee for less than 5,000bs. We come upon a restaurant that seems to make freshly squeezed drinks and has food so inside we go. A nice girl points us to a table and asks us what we want in Spanish. I try some English on her and it’s time for sign language. The owner comes

54 over and points towards the kitchen. Up we get and he leads us over where he points out items on the menu and then points to them being prepared.

After some consideration, I order a coffee that turns out to be the best coffee of the trip. Maureen gets a tea and Alison gets an oversized pancake filled with local fruits that is very tasty. After second coffees and teas, I try to find out ho late he is opened as this looks like a good candidate to come back to. No luck. I should have brought the dictionary with me!

Once back at the Hotel, Brenda and I ask the people in the Hotel for advise. They tell us that the gas situation west of the city is not very good. We try to call to the Tour Company and get through Jose Luis who says he will make come calls and for us to call back in 45 minutes. We call back he say that there was some gas in Choroni but that it will not last very long. We ask about other modes of transportation and he tells us he will make some phone calls.

Back downstairs in the lobby, the entire Hotel Staff are now trying to find a way to help us. They fell renting a car will not be the right thing to do. A conversation with 2 of the Hotel Limo Drivers gives us an alternative. They will take us to Choroni today and come and pick us up on January 2nd. The trip is 3 ½ hours each way. The cost for the return trip will be less than renting 2 cars. Sound like a plan to me. A quick call to the Tour Operator and it’s time to pack.

Our driver Miguel speaks some English and helps to get us organized. We leave 3 suitcases with the hotel, as we will not need the contents on the trip. With the 2 cars loaded, the people at the Hotel gives us some numbers to call if we have any troubles and see us off.

As we drive through Caracas, Miguel points out all the line-ups for gas. He tells us that he spent 12 hours yesterday filling up. Once outside of the city and on the highway to Maracay, there is little traffic. The road signs say its 80km to Maracay, which is 2/3 of the way. This puzzles me as they said that it was a 3-½ hour trip. Is there something wrong with my math?

As we near Maracay, Miguel points to the mountains to the north. He tells me that we have to go over the mountains to get to Choroni. He says the road is real dangerous but hopeful with the gas shortage there won’t be much traffic to deal with. Maureen asks from the back seat what we are talking about and I tell her it’s about the beautiful weather we are having for the drive.

At Maracay, we turn off the highway and Miguel navigates through the city. We slowly start climbing up the mountain and the road slowly starts to narrow. The next 2 hours are spent going 20kmh on the switchback main road to the coast. We get behind a bus that has to stop and backup to go around the many turns on the road. On the driver’s side of the car it is straight up and on the passenger side it is straight down. I hang on for dear life. Maureen is making comments along the lines of “What have you done to me now!"

Several times we round a corner only to have to jam on the breaks to avoid hitting a car coming from the opposite way. On coming cars are not bad, they try and stop to avoid you. It was the on coming buses that nearly killed us several times. They would not stop. It’s get out of the way or be hit. The buses travel with both a driver and a lookout. The lookout hangs out of the passenger door to keep a lookout for oncoming traffic.

After making it to the top of the mountain, Miguel tells me, he does this drive about once a year and swears that he will never do it again. Once half way down the coast side of the mountain, the 2 cars pull over. Miguel tells me it is to let the brakes cool down before making the rest of the trip.

10 minutes later we are off and slowly make our way to Choroni where we ask for directions to Hacienda EL Portete. On arrival we all get out of the cars and I get down and kiss the ground. Maureen is glaring at me for not telling her about this ahead of time.

We walk into the Hacienda and find the bar where a Polar is promptly opened for me. Once unloaded and organized Miguel says take they will meet us here between 1pm and 3pm on January 2nd for the return trip.

After another Polar we decide to go for a walk to get over the trip, so off we go. We find a small residential area we come upon a Tour Truck with Bird Watching on the side. Veevee, the owner comes out to introduce himself and welcome us to Choroni. Like Margarita, there are no foreigners here so we kind of stick out like a sore thumb. We tell Veevee where we are staying and he says that if we want a tour to give him a call.

Back to the Hacienda El Portete we go where we decide to have dinner. Another excellent meal! Richard our host comes by to welcome us and tells us to let him you if there is anything he can do to help out. He gives us directions to the beach and says the first time we go to let him know and he will drive us. We ask about

55 Veevee and he highly recommends him to us. If we want he will arrange Veevee to come by and discuss various things to be seen in the area.

Venezuela – Day 11 – December 31

New Years Eve!

We are all up early for breakfast and what a feast it is. Scrambled Eggs – Venezuelan Style, Pancakes with Maple Syrup, many different fruits, toast and more local things. After eating we talk to Richard who tells us that he is putting on a Venezuelan New Years Eve dinner tonight if we are interested. We agree immediately. We then ask about Veevee. Richard tells us to wait a few minutes and he will have Veevee come right over to discuss things with us.

After another coffee Veevee arrives. After some discussion it is agreed that tomorrow, Veevee will take us beach hopping up the coast for the day and on January 2nd we will go for a hike and bird watching in the morning. When I ask how much, Veevee suggests $15US a head for the 2 days. When I suggest $20US everyone is happy.

When we tell Veevee that we plan on spend the day at the beach and in the town, he tells us that he will drive us down to the beach and give us a tour of the town. We all get changed and loaded into Veevee’s tour truck and head off. Ask we drive down the road towards the Port, Veevee point out the various sites. At one point he stops to talk to someone who seems excited that some tourists have come to visit. It seems like we are celebrities here for being the only foreigners again.

As we walk from the town towards the beach we pass a large number of restaurants. The owners all come out to greet us and offer us menus. Maureen promises each that we will come back later in the day, making many new friends. We spend the next several hours on the beach. They are some vendors here and Maureen ends up with several bottles of Coconut Oil.

Late in the afternoon, we start to head back. Through the row of restaurants Maureen explains that we are just going for a walk and will be back shortly. In the town, we find a restaurant were I can get a Polar or 2 and the girls some food. After being refreshed we take the 15-minute walk back to the Hacienda and a nap in the Hammocks.

Around 8pm we head into the pool/restaurant area for a couple of Polars before dinner. When the food comes out for dinner it looks great, roast pork, turkey and several Venezuelan dishes. Richard comes over and explains each dish to us. He also has the kitchen prepare special meals for Alison and Jessica. After stuffing ourselves, Richard and his wife sit down with us and start telling us about the surrounding area, it’s history and the history of the Hacienda that has been in his mother’s family hands for 100s of years.

He use to work for a Canadian Company and has been to Toronto several times. We make a comment about how bright the stars are in the sky and he volunteers to shut off the lights for a better view. As he is about to shut off the lights there is a general power failure in the Choroni area that affords us of even better view. Richard tries to explain how he did not arrange for the complete power failure and we have a few laughs over it.

10 minutes later, with power restored we celebrate New Years sitting by the pool drinking wine and Polars.

Venezuela – Day 12 – January 1

We are up early again. Veevee is coming by to pick us up at 9:00 for our day of beach hopping. As we head off towards the Port Veevee tells us more stories about the local area and where we are going. When we arrive at the Port the first thing I notice is that the sea is very rough today. Poor Maureen! What am I doing to her! Veevee gets all of us loaded into an 18-foot boat for our trip. The owner of the boat has to time the 4-foot swales in order to get out of the landing for the boats. After this 10-minute exercise is completed we start making our way along the coast. We are going against the waves and are getting bounced around a fair bit. I only hope Maureen can survive the trip.

We pass the beach we spent yesterday on and round a point towards a second smaller beach. 20 minutes later we round another point and come to Playa Chauo. We make a 1-hour stop here to go visit a Cocoa Plantation. Being New Years day there is no activity but Veevee explains that the plantation is run as a Co-op. He cuts down one Cocoa and opens it for us. This Cocoa from here is shipped to Europe to make high end chocolates in Belgium and Germany.

Back in the boat we make another ½ hour trip to Playa Cepe where we will spend most of the day. We start

56 off by going for a walk in the local area where we see many fruit and bananas trees. There is a baseball diamond and a lawn bowling area. The only way into the area is via boat and once again we are the only tourists here. After several swims at the beach and a walk from end to end we sit down at the restaurant for a lunch of fried bananas, the local favorite.

After another swim and some time on the beach, we see our boat round the point to come pick us up. I also have noticed that the waves are much higher now with swells up to 10 feet. Maureen is going to kill me if she catches on. Into the boat we get for the trip back to Choroni. Maureen is sitting beside me with one hand on the side of the boat and one hand on my knee hanging on. By the time we reach Choroni there are deep marks on my knee from Maureen’s hand but she has not complained at all.

The owner of the boat has to wait about 10 minutes off the point where we are to land for the seas to settle to do in safely. Once on shore we head to Veevee Truck from the ride back to the Hacienda.

Because of the sun and the air conditioner at night in the room, I have come down with a fever and the beginnings of a cold. Rather than going into the town for dinner, we decide to eat at the Hacienda again tonight.

Venezuela – Day 13 – January 2

My cold is not much better in the morning and I still have a little fever so it is decided that I won’t go on the hike and bird watching trip. At 8:30 everyone deserts me and heads out with Veevee. Just as they are leaving our 2 drivers from Caracas arrive. They tell us they are going to the beach for the day and will be back at 2pm.

I ate breakfast and spent the morning in my hammock resting.

Shortly after 1pm everyone returns from the trip and we pack up for the long trip back to Caracas. Our route back to Maracay is the reverse route of the trip to Choroni. This time we are prepared for what we are to face. Also this time the traffic is much heaver. After several close calls we make Maracay and get caught up in a traffic jam cause by a lineup at the gas station. As Miguel makes his way around the city, I can only think of how lucky we are that we did not rent cars. With Maureen navigating we would have got lost for sure.

After Maracay the highway ride to Caracas is non descript. As we enter Caracas, the road is blocked by a demonstration and TV Cameramen. Following the directions from the Army we eventually make our way by the demonstration and arrive safely at the hotel.

Miguel asks when we are leaving for the airport in the morning and agrees to pick us up at 7am.

We check in and decide to go to a Pizza Restaurant that we saw on our walks. On arriving and getting seated, I saw my favorite Spanish word “Polar” The waiter quickly responds “No Polar”. The owner seeing that we only speak English sends over his English Speaking waiter who explains to me that they have no beer left because of the strike. He also tells us they have no flower so no Pizza. Someone on Margarita told me that when they ran out of beer because of the strike then the violence would start. May be its time to go home.

Venezuela – Day 14 – January 3

We forced Jessica to get up early on January 3rd. After I get dressed, I start taking the luggage downstairs and get us checked out. Miguel is at the front door on time and gets us loaded in the limos for the drive to the airport.

We arrived real early for the flight but there were long lineups at Delta. When it came time to check in, they made the girls check in separately from us, which caused a lot of confusion since I had the ticket and all the passports. It turns out that I was picked for a complete search of our luggage for security purposes. This turned comical when the girl do the checking could not pronounce Peter and the guy working with her spent the whole time teasing her.

Once through the process we made our way through Venezuelan Exist Immigration without incident. After a coffee, we went to the gate where once again it was my turn to be searched again. Off with my shoes, jacket and carry on luggage and a lot more joking because we had to us hand signs to communicate.

On the plane, we left Caracas for Atlanta. On arriving in Atlanta, it took us 15 minutes to get through US Immigration. The Officer we had was being transferred to Vancouver in a month’s time and we spent 15 minutes talking about Vancouver. It did not seem to bother her that there was a long lineup behind us as she was looking for pointers on Vancouver.

57 The first thing we noticed in Atlanta was that it was very cold. (55F) Jessica started suggesting that we return to Caracas, I could only think of what she was going to say when we got into Toronto later that night. Our flight was delayed for a ½ hour to Toronto and we could hear the people next to us on the phone to Toronto and talk of 15cm of snow. At this point, I join Jessica in suggesting we return to Caracas.

We arrive home in Toronto to blowing snow and veryyyyy cold temperatures without incident ending a great trip to Venezuela.

iv. BRENDA ELIZABETH SMEATON, b. Nov 08, 1953, Montreal, QUE, CAN; m. JOHN ALBERT ALFRED PUTRE, May 27, 1978, St. Ignatius Loyola, Montreal, QUE, CAN; b. Aug 14, 1956, Verdun, QUE, CAN.

Notes for BRENDA ELIZABETH SMEATON: Birth Notice SMEATON. To Mr. and Mrs. J. J. M. Smeaton (nee Doris Higgerty), a daughter, on November 8th, 1953, at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Both well.

28. RONALD M A5 SMEATON (WILLIAM GABB4, WILLIAM3, CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born 1905 in Michigan, USA. He married VIRGINIA 1926. She was born 1910 in Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes for RONALD M A SMEATON: In 1930, Ronald and Virginia lived at Clairton, Allegheny, Pennsylvania with their daughter Florence. Ronald was a Chemists at the Coke Works.

Child of RONALD SMEATON and VIRGINIA is: i. FLORENCE6 SMEATON, b. 1928, Pennsylvania, USA.

29. KARL SMEATON5 PRAGER (EMMA RICHARDS4 SMEATON, CHARLES3, CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Sep 1902 in Syracuse, NY, USA. He married EMILY MAY PEPPIATT Jan 31, 1922 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Marriage Certificate, Reads "On January 31, 1922 at Frontenac. Karl Prager, age 19, Bachelor, Tailor. His residence was Kingston. His birthplace was Syracuse NY. His parents were Gustave Prager & Emma Smeaton. Mamie Peppiatt, age 20, Spinster. Her residence was Kingston. Her birthplace was Kingston Ontario. Her parents were Wm Alex Peppiatt & Annie Oliver Peppiatt. His religious domination was Protestant. Her religious domination was Catholic. The marriage witnesses were Cath H Pierce, Kingston and Muriel H Pierce, Kingston. They were married by Barry Pierce by License."), daughter of WILLIAM PEPPIATT and ANNIE OLIVER. She was born Sep 14, 1901 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads “Emily May was born on September 14, 1901 at Frontenac. The father was William Peppiott. The mother was Annie Oliver.").

Child of KARL PRAGER and EMILY PEPPIATT is: i. GEORGE6 PRAGER, b. Aug 23, 1922, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN; d. Aug 23, 1922, Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Death Certificate, Reads “George Prager died on August 23, 1922 at Kingston. He died at 69 Raglan Rd. He was Single. His age was Stillborn. He was born on August 23, 1922. He was born at Kingston. His father was Karl Prager, born at Syracuse. His mother was Emily May Peppiatt, born at Kingston. The death was registered by Karl Prager, Kingston, father. He was buried at Cataraqui Cemetery on August 24, 1922. The Undertaker was S S Corbett. The primary cause of death was Stillborn. The Physician was Dr S E Porter.").

30. ANNIE ISABEL (ISABEL)5 MILLAR (ANNIE CLARK4 SMEATON, JOHN ROBERTSON3, CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Jun 16, 1914 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN, and died Feb 02, 2002. She married (1) AL HILL. She married (2) WILLIAM EDWIN "EDDY" MILLARD, son of RICHARD MILLARD and FRANCES BUCK. He was born Mar 01, 1909 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN (Source: Birth Certificate, Reads “William Edwin was born on March 1, 1909 at Kingston. The father was Richard Millard, Carpenter & Upholsterer. The mother was Frances Hamely Buck. The Physician in attendance was Dr Bogart. The birth was registered by

58 Jerusha Buck, 234 Wellington St."), and died Oct 18, 1972 in Elphin, ONT, CAN.

Children of ANNIE MILLAR and AL HILL are: i. ROBERT6 HILL. ii. ANDREW HILL.

Children of ANNIE MILLAR and WILLIAM MILLARD are: iii. DAVID WILLIAM6 MILLARD, m. (1) SHARI MILLS; m. (2) JUDITH BALSON. iv. CHARLES EDWIN MILLARD, m. (1) ANNIE FERGUSON; m. (2) PAULLA MACQUUARRIE.

31. WILLIAM JAMES5 MILLAR (ANNIE CLARK4 SMEATON, JOHN ROBERTSON3, CATHARINE2 ROBERTSON, CHARLES1) was born Aug 28, 1922 in Kingston, Frontenac, ONT, CAN, and died Jan 12, 1996. He married ALMA VIOLA CARR.

Children of WILLIAM MILLAR and ALMA CARR are: i. THELMA DIANE (DIANE)6 MILLAR, b. Mar 22, 1945; d. Mar 18, 1975; m. RICHARD CARROL. ii. LINDA JOANNE MILLAR, m. DOUGLAS ALISON (AL) MACLEAN.

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