http://www.kfhs.org
ISSN Volume 35 Number 1 Spring 2019 2371-1078
Inside this issue • Message from the President • Message from the Editor • On our Cover
Special Points of Interest • My Favorite Ancestor Winner article • Upcoming events • Websites of interest
Photo Courtesy KMA - 995
PO B O X 1 1 6 2 , K AMLOOPS , BC, V2C 6 H 3 Contents
Your Current Executive ...... 3 About the Kamloops Family History Society ...... 4 Message from the President ...... 6 From the Editor ...... 7 Meet My Ancestor Contest ...... 7 On our Cover ...... 7 Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group ...... 8 New Members...... 8 Charles T. Cooney ...... 9 One Man's Empire ...... 9 Charles Cooney of Tranquille ...... 13 My Favorite Ancestor Winners ...... 14 First Place Ancestor Winner ...... 15 Life of the Okanagan Falls United Church ...... 22 Kamloops Spring Floods ...... 23 The Great Flood of 1894 ...... 23 Floods in Kamloops (1984) ...... 26 Images of the Past – Peterson Creek in Flood ...... 29 Upcoming Events ...... 30 Websites of interest & Online Resources ...... 31
Kamloops Family History Society Family Footsteps Spring 2019 Vol. 35 No. 1
Your Current Executive
President Lindley Roff Program Coordinator [email protected] 250-318-7758
Vice President Vacant
This could be You!
Past President Al Yelland [email protected] 250-374-5478
Treasurer Jan Hobbs [email protected] 250-374-6850
Secretary (sharing position) Karen Collins [email protected] 250-372-8839
Secretary (sharing position) Margaret MacDonald [email protected] 250-372-2899
Publicity Coordinator Connie Walker [email protected] 250-828-9460
Social Convener Helen Gendrin [email protected] 250-374-3121
Membership Secretary Kay Mihalech [email protected] 250-828-2506
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Web Administrator Doug Foreman Journal Editor [email protected] 250-318-4458
Journal Distribution Donna Mazur [email protected] 250-376-0581
Research Secretary Kate Cullinane [email protected] 250-573-5897
LDS Liaison Barb Pillar Publications Coordinator [email protected] 250-372-2093
Historian Marg Rodgers [email protected]
Unassigned Margaret Sharon [email protected] 778-257-3319
Journal Committee (Vol. 35 No. 1): Doug Foreman, Marg Rodgers, Margaret Sharon, Tracy Johnson, Lindley Roff, Gill Gaiser, Kay Mihalech and Al Yelland
About the Kamloops Family History Society
• Kamloops is located at the junction of the North and South Thompson Rivers in the south-central Interior of British Columbia, Canada. • Individual membership $25.00 • Family membership $37.00 • Half-year $13.00 • Annual memberships payable in September • Annual meetings and elections in March
The Family Footsteps e-Journal is published twice per year by the Kamloops Family History Society. An Index to all our journals can be found on our website. Back issues of some of our printed journals are available for purchase.
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• Classified advertisements $5 — maximum 75 words. • Monumental inscriptions search fee $1 for each name. Kamloops Family History Society’s indexed records include Clinton, Monte Creek Cemetery, Pleasant Street Cemetery (Kamloops), and Pioneer Cemetery (Kamloops). • Non-member Queries $3 (maximum length 75 words, including name and address). • Members’ queries published without charge. • Research requests $15 payable in advance, plus postage and copying expenses, for non-members living at a distance. The Family History Society disclaims responsibility for errors within the publication but strives for maximum accuracy. Articles do not necessarily reflect the view of the KFHS or Family Footsteps committee. Unless otherwise noted, reproduction of material for genealogical use is permitted and appropriate credit must be given.
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Message from the President
Welcome back to a spring and summer of The Kamloops Family History Society. We are finally out of what, for many of us, was a long winter. We give good thanks for this. We’ve had several projects on the go this year. Some we were able to complete; some are still in the works. We worked with the Thompson Nicola Library System to bring the “Genealogy Brochure” up to date. This will likely appear in digital format as the Library digitization of resources moves ahead. In the meantime, the catalogue of materials in the genealogy section is now available for your perusal. I am happy to report that our membership continues to grow. From the feedback I have receive, members continue to enjoy meetings, social times, meeting topics and genealogy tips. In January, the Kamloops Connector produced a very nice article entitled “Tips for Building Your Family Tree” which garnered some interest among members of the public. We continue to develop our relationships with other agencies in Kamloops, including the Kamloops Association of Adult Learners, Probus (Professional Business Association), Thompson Nicola Regional Library System (TNRL) and City of Kamloops – Kamloops Museum & Archives. Five of our members (and a very knowledgeable TNRL resource person) presented a seminar at the Downtown Library on “Basics of Researching and Recording your Family Tree”. We are presenting another session at the North Shore branch on June 4. These sessions are in the evening and are open to the public. In the fall, we hope to present a similar session with the Kamloops Museum & Archives. Other clubs may be interested in what we do - so stay tuned for information on that. During the year, your executive experimented with the structure of our meetings. We have been trying to allow for more “member-to-member” sharing of information, “open forum” sessions and time at the beginning of the meeting and at the break for social time. This seems to be going well. Our guest speakers during the year have broad interests, and members enjoyed learning more about: Kamloops Heritage projects, British Home Projects, History of Public Schools in Kamloops, the Kamloops NewsHound Project and how it is bringing Newspaper History to life, Show & Tell of Genealogy (original documents and photos from the Russian Army), war medals displayed, some computer tricks, setting up a DNA binder, drawing up a timeline for your family, documents and photos used for teaching in various projects. One of the speakers who generated a lot of interest was a gentleman who presented a story of “One Man’s Search for his Mother. This was a story full of twists and turns, dead ends and, ultimately, surprises. It was a story that touched on things Canadian – some epic and some sad. His search also illustrated how amazing genealogical research can be. Good luck tracing your roots and shoots over the summer. Lindley Roff, President, Kamloops Family History Society. Lindley Roff
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From the Editor
As I put the final touches on this journal, I am thankful that there were others helping me. Marg Rodgers researched and compiled the Charles T. Cooney articles and photos; Tracy Johnson worked on the flood articles and took some photos of the monument by the Coliseum showing the height of the floodwaters for the different years; Lindley Roff provided photos from the archives showing flooding on different areas of Kamloops; Margaret Sharon provided the upcoming events and websites of interest. Gill Gaiser, Al Yelland and Kay Mihalech provided the proofing. A big thank you to all the members listed above who helped to put this edition together so quickly. You were all a huge help. Doug Foreman Meet My Ancestor Contest
While the previous “Meet My Ancestor” contest generated several excellent articles for our journal some felt that the parameters were a bit strict and daunting for some of our junior members. We revamped the requirements, to make them more in line with the busy lifestyles we all have. There will be only one winner, and the prize will be “ONE FULL YEAR’S MEMBERSHIP”, (single or family) beginning in September after the contest. The new criteria below will be considered in the judging; • The author is a member of the Kamloops Family History Society on October 31, 2019. • The entry has not been previously published. • The entry is an interesting read with a specific focus on genealogical interests. • The entry may include appropriate diagrams, photographs, or other illustrations. • The length of the entry limited to 500 words or less (one page). • The entry may include footnotes and sources where necessary.
Entries are to be submitted to the Kamloops Family History Society no later than midnight February 28, 2020. Entries may be submitted to any executive member by e-mail or by hand. The winning entries will be announced at the Annual General Meeting in March 2020 and will be published in the next editions of the “Family Footsteps”. Other submitted entries may be published in subsequent editions of the “Family Footsteps” journals following the winning entrants. Entries may be edited, as required, before they are placed in “Family Footsteps”. Doug Foreman On our Cover
The cover photo is at the Cooney home, Tranquille. Partial identification by Mrs. Cooney (Sept 1963): Centre back Mrs. Cooney (sr.) with baby, centre front Edmund Cooney, on right “Georgie” Cooney (later Mrs. John L. Sullivan), possibly Johnnie Cooney sitting on left at back. Doug Foreman
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Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group
The Special Interest Group meets at the North Shore Library on Tranquille Road from 11:00AM to 1:00PM usually on the Second Monday of the Month. Everyone is welcome. Bring your laptops and your questions. An email will be sent to those who specified an interest in attending the meetings prior to the next meeting. Lindley Roff New Members
We have had three new members since our January meeting Welcome to Lynn and Bob Webster (on the left). Bob and Lynn joined our group in January 2019. Lynn became immediately involved with her entry into our spring 2019 contest 'Meet My Ancestor.' Her story was chosen as the winning entry. Congratulations Lynn, and to learn more about Lynn's Family History go to page 15. On the right is Carrie Wright our very newest member and she was asked at the April meeting to share what got her started in family history. Carrie writes The short answer is that my Mom was adopted. I remember her describing her feelings of not knowing where she fit in or belonged… because she didn’t look like her adopted parents or siblings. She wanted to know who she was and where she came from. This was of course back before DNA testing and the internet. That curiosity of knowing where we fit in and how we belong has followed me over decades. I’ve stayed interested in genealogy because I love history and feel like grandparents are wasted on the young. When I was a child, I didn’t put much thought into who my grandparents were before I came along. Those questions didn’t matter to me until I became a parent myself. So, researching my family tree is a great way for me to walk in their footsteps and get to know them better. I feel like I am honoring their memory and everything they endured that eventually got me to where I am. I feel very proud when my children are learning about WW2 in school and I can share what I know about their Great-Grandfather landing his Horsa Glider in a field in Ranville, France on D-Day. Or another Great-Grandfather being a part of liberating Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Or show them a picture of the White Star Line Ship that their Great-Grandparents emigrated to Canada aboard.
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I’ve just recently started a blog about my journey into researching my family tree. I’ve found it to be a great way to share with my family what I’ve discovered and learned along the way. Otherwise all this time and effort just sits in a binder on a shelf waiting for someone to ask me about it! I was invited to the Kamloops History Society meeting by another member who found me through Ancestry. We share a common maiden name, Apps - which isn’t very common. So far, we haven’t been able to figure out how or if we are related, but both of our trees go back to Kent, England. (We are not a DNA match according to Ancestry). At the first meeting I came to, there was a guest speaker, who told an interesting story about his search for Annie, his biological mother. I enjoyed hearing his story and how friendly and helpful everyone at the meeting was, so I decided to join. My hope is to connect with other people that are interested in family history and hopefully learn some new skills or tips to help me smash through my brick walls! Surnames that I am researching include: Apps, Newitt, Carré, Mauger, Rodger, Ramsay, Wright, Perry & Lippman. If you’re interested please feel free to check out my blog. Charles T. Cooney
Editor’s Note: The following articles were written in the past and some terminology and language represent the ideas and thinking of the day. One Man's Empire
Part l - The Early Adventures of Charles Thomas Cooney 1835-1917 Kamloops has grown over past generations from the achievements of many pioneers and their families. Charles Thomas Cooney was one of those individuals who during his life was involved in numerous occupations, such as goldmining, surveying, mule train packing, farming, ranching, and raising a family. To research his history various books have been used, and many references in the Inland Sentinel newspaper of that era. Most particularly, thanks are due to two of his grandchildren, Jean Cooney and Eric Norfolk, who have supplied much additional information. C.T. Cooney was born into the household of William and Mary Cooney, farmers in Banagher, Kings County, Ireland on March 18, 1835. His early education consisted of a limited quantity of parochial school and the practical training of farming. Both Charles and his older brother John helped their parents work the farm. Along with this, Charles learned the harness dressing trade. At the age of sixteen Charles and John immigrated to this, America, the reason "Stranger wonders to see". 1852 was spent working in a tannery at Johnstown, Fulton County, New York. Not satisfied with the country, Charles Cooney travelled to Lower Canada (Quebec), according to R.E. Gosnell's History, and never saw his brother again. After three years of working as a leather dresser (tanner) at Three Rivers, Cooney returned to the United States. At this time, he became connected with a survey party which was
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mapping a path for rail line from the Atlantic to Pacific Seaboards. In 1857 he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, and worked on a survey crew for the U.S. rail magnate Jim Hill. By the end of 1857, the lure of gold had reached the east and attracted hundreds of men to what next year would become the colony of British Columbia. Some braved the overland route of the northwest, by way of Hudson's Bay Company fur trails. At this time Cooney travelled from St. Paul to Fort Garry (Winnipeg) to begin a trek to BC in search of gold. Eric Norfolk writes: "In the spring of 1858, Charles and 42 other men left Fort Garry for their big adventure. Travelling on foot, each carried a musket, sleeping and eating items, and trinkets to trade with the Indians." They crossed Touchwood Hills, proceeded to Fort Carleton, and then travelled to Fort Edmonton. It was here they spent their first winter. In the spring the party split; Cooney with several others travelled south, following the Bow River to Vermilion Pass. They then followed the Kootenay River to Tobacco Plains, and from there to Fort Colvile, and along the Kettle and Okanagan Rivers. They arrived in Kamloops near the end of 1858. Gold was still the quest, and news of rich diggings lured Cooney to Fort Yale. The Fraser River had been yielding fabulous fortunes; however, Hill's Bar, Emory and Spuzzum Creek were already swarming with victims of gold fever. It was at Lytton that Cooney spent his second winter. During the next year he spent his time placer mining on the Fraser, but with little success. In 1862 he joined the Cariboo gold rush and moved on to Quesnel Forks; it was here he made several digging attempts to the C.T. Cooney [copied from photo in B.C. Mining Camp, northeast, eventually ending up at Williams Creek, later named 1897, page 27]. Barkerville. Courtesy KMA Photograph Collection no. 2906 Unfortunately, his mining career continued unprofitable, so that in 1865 Cooney formed a packing company with the help of his many H.B.C. contacts. From this year until 1869 he operated a mule-train, travelling from Yale to Kamloops and to Barkerville. In 1865 Cooney first met Elizabeth Allard, born on March 22, 1846, the daughter of a noted Fort George fur trader, Joseph Allard. After a two-year courtship Elizabeth (Betsy) married Charles, and he took his young bride to Kamloops.
Part 2 - Settling at Tranquille Upon arrival at Kamloops in 1867 Charles and Betsy Cooney lived at first in the small "hotel" adjoining the H.B.C. Trading Post on its fourth site (Westend Auto Court, which has since been demolished). At this time Hamilton Moffatt was in charge of the Post, and Betsy became a great friend of his wife and young family. In the same year Cooney pre-empted land on the east side of Tranquille Creek, on the north shore of Kamloops Lake, and divided his time between packing and building a cabin on his
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Eventually, with the rapid growth of Kamloopsproperty. Later this was much enlarged to accommodate their constantly increasing family. His acreage also increased; by 1869 he had purchased two preemptions on the west side of Tranquille Creek, the Thomas Duxbury and Amable St. Germain claims. After the summer of 1869 Cooney gave up packing and devoted all his time to building a successful ranch. In order to do this, he knew vast range lands were required, so he applied for a ninety-nine-year lease on all lands between Tranquille and Copper Creek, almost all the north side of Kamloops Lake. Since the property was situated on the southern slopes it was seldom necessary to winter- feed livestock on this eleven-thousand-acre range. Another area at Lac be Bois constituted the summer cattle range; it extended over two thousand acres and was also under ninety- nine-year lease. With British Columbia's entry into Confederation with Canada on July 20, 1871, the news of a proposed railway reached Kamloops. Excitement mounted when on August 9 a survey party arrived in Kamloops. The planned C.P.R. provided Cooney with both an opportunity for increased trade and a position as a member of a well-paid survey team while he was establishing his ranch. Eventually, with the rapid growth of Kamloops, increased beef prices and a steady profit from the ranch; he was able to quit surveying and commit all of his energy to the development of his land. Over the ensuing years Cooney's ranch became one of the best in the area, for many years referred to as the "Show Place of BC Cattle, Horses and Fruits." The cattle were considered the mainstay, while potatoes and wheat were also sold. John Tait's accounts for the H.B.C. indicate that turnips, barley and oats were also used in the barter for manufactured goods, medicine and cloth. As early as 1886 the Cooney gardens and orchard were famous for their variety and quality: “As high as 50 tons of Duchess and Blue Pearmain apples in one year have been marketed from Mr. Cooney's ten-acre orchard. On numerous occasions Cooney secured first prizes in both the British Isles Horticultural Exhibition and the Canadian Apple Show in Vancouver. He also grew fine cherries, pears, plums and peaches; with some weighing as much as thirteen ounces when mature.” Cooney's livestock consisted mainly of thoroughbred Shorthorn and Hereford cattle. His range had the advantage of a southern slope in which an abundance of early bunchgrass fattened his cattle. As a result, he always shipped his grass-fed cattle weeks ahead of any other rancher in the area. Before shipping, the cattle were rounded up and branded, ear- marked and vaccinated; the diamond shaped brand on the right rump was well-known throughout the district. Besides cattle Cooney owned thoroughbred Clydesdale and Percheron horses; these were branded C on the left shoulder, As well as developing his property, Charles T. Cooney was involved in the Marconi Electronics Company, and at one time held a controlling interest in Kamloops Imperial Brewery. He also allowed visitors to the Tranquille Sanatorium patients to board at the family residence for a minimal charge. The visitors were always treated hospitably and were provided with a clean room and more than adequate meals. At an earlier period, the ranch
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house had been used as an overnight stopping place for paddlewheel steamer passengers, who also spoke highly of the Cooney hospitality.
Part 3 - The Cooney Family Charles T. Cooney and his family were able to take part in the unique experience of watching and being an important factor in the development of Kamloops. R. E. Gosnell in his History stated: "Having lived in Kamloops for so many years C.T. Cooney has been a witness to the entire development of the country, whether industrially, commercially, or socially, and it can be said that he has taken no inconsiderable part in that great work of transforming a new country into an abode of civilization." Throughout the available references and comments on the genial family life of the Cooneys abound. Charles, Betsy, and their ten children were highly regarded in the whole Kamloops district. Charles was seen as a happy, cheerful father who respected and disciplined his children in a fair manner. Kamloops Mining Review, published in 1897, stated that Cooney was "a successful old-timer whose prodigious labor in his younger days, industry, and integrity of character; make him a respected and admired man of the community." On May 17, 1917 at the age of 85 Charles T. Cooney died from pneumonia. He left behind four sons - Thomas, John, Edward, and Eugene (Manny); and six daughters - Catherine, Mary, Agnes, Henrietta (Hattie), Constance, and Georgina. Most of the old-time miners and ranchers attended the funeral, and all spoke of him as a true friend and well-liked member of the community. The Inland Sentinel's obituary stated; "A complete history of the life of the late Charles Cooney would be a history of the development of the interior of British Columbia, for there were few phases of the history of this great district with which he was not in some way connected. His widow Betsy survived to the age of 96, dying in July 1942. She was probably the most well-beloved lady in the community as well as among her large family. Shortly after Charles Cooney's death the provincial government began a campaign to absorb the Cooney family's estate into the Tranquille Sanatorium, established in 1907 on the William Fortune ranch, and is now called Tranquille Farm Fresh. This was not what Cooney had wished, as indicated by his last will and testament, which expressed the hope that the Cooney ranch would remain in the family for all time. The only son still at home, Manny, the youngest, became owner-manager of the ranch with his mother, and refused to sell the ranch for the forty thousand dollars offered by the government. His 12 Kamloops Family History Society Website Kamloops Family History Society Family Footsteps Spring 2019 Vol. 35 No. 1
father had previously refused an offer of a hundred thousand dollars, so that it could remain in the family. Unfortunately, in 1922 Manny was forced to sell because of financial and political pressures. According to his daughter: "It may seem odd that just a few short years after Charles Cooney's death the ranch had to be sold. However, the provincial government made it almost impossible for Manny Cooney to operate the ranch by reclassifying the land value from $40,000 to $100,000, increasing land taxes, and by other political maneuvers. The Kamloops. Sentinel’s article at this time under the heading "Cooney Ranch Acquired" reported the sale as being the joyous rejoining of the Fortune ranch to form the new Sanitorium estate. But instead it shattered the hopes and dreams of a pioneer family that had helped build British Columbia from a sparsely inhabited area into a viable province. Charles T. Cooney was an industrious, hardworking man, who had mastered many useful trades and had tamed this productive land. With his hopes and dreams he helped build Kamloops and BC. It is an ironic pity that a man who worked so hard to build a legacy for his family should lose it all to the government of the province he had helped to create. KMA Historical Article N68 by Don Larose
Charles Cooney of Tranquille
The following are excerpts from 'Charles Cooney of Tranquille' written by Mary Balf The Kamloops Museum and Archives in addition to its historical exhibits and educational programs, is also home to the city's archives, including a special collection, the Mary Balf Archives, focused around the works of Mary Balf, a prolific local historian, including a wide array of documents from the early fur trade journals onwards. “He leaves behind him no enemies, but a host of friends both old and young, for he was endowed with all the loveable characteristics of a true son of Ireland. Generosity, affability, hospitality, and sympathy were inborn with him.” These words were written in the obituary notice of C. T. Cooney, and were not journalistic effusion for the occasion, but a sincere statement of fact. The many records available all show him as a reliable and kindly man, the finest type of pioneer. In February 1882 Cooney showed his courage and his kindness. The ice was just getting thin on Kamloops Lake and the mail sleigh, driven by J. B. Leighton went through the ice, however he saved the mail. Cooney saw the accident, and went out to help the cutter just behind, with Stephen Tingley and Abram Volkenburgh. All however fell through the ice and Cooney and an Indian at great risk eventually pulled the men to safety, although the horses and cutter were lost. Various ears and fingers were frozen, but the warm Cooney hospitality prevented serious effects. In 1886 the Cooneys built a second home on Lorne St. so that the children could more easily attend the newly opened school. At this time Mary Cooney was usually at the top of the senior class, closely followed by Agnes and John, while Ed and Hattie did well in the junior class.
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They had four sons, Thomas of Savona, John who was a barber in Kamloops and later went to the U.S.A, Edward of Black Pines and later of Armstrong, and Eugene (Mannie) of Kamloops. Daughters Katherine, the eldest daughter, married James B. Manson and after his death became Mrs. A.E. Way. Mary married Jon Norfolk in 1896, and later became Mrs. Scott. Agnes married C. J. Robinson in the same year; they lived in Seattle. Hattie became Mrs. Jack Spearin in 1899. The younger girls Constance and Georgina, married W. Cole and J. Sullivan in 1906 and 1907 respectively. From KMA Historical Article 16 by Mary Balf My Favorite Ancestor Winners
Our Favorite Ancestor contest netted us two more excellent articles. We are going to continue with the contest, with easier relaxed rules and requirements. This time around the judges, Margaret MacDonald and Connie Walker, picked E.M. Touet by Lynn Webster a new member, as the first-place winner and second place winner goes to Marg Rodgers, with her submission of her 2nd Great Uncle Alfred Perry, which will appear in the fall issue of Family Footsteps. Thanks for your submissions. Doug Foreman
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Submitted by Al Yelland First Place Ancestor Winner
Meet my Ancestor - E. M. Touet1 When I was 4 years old my mother sat me down and told me that I had been adopted and that I should never EVER speak about this to anyone. I have always been extremely curious from a very young age and so one day when I was 14 years old and alone in the house I took the opportunity to go through all the important papers which were kept in my parent's bureau drawers (second from the top) and... I found my adoption papers! Woo Hoo! It was just one short page - but it held information that was to become absolutely vital to me! I quickly memorized the name that was given to me at birth "Linda Darlene Touet", and all the rest of the information on the page - then quickly put everything back perfectly. This was 1961.2 So... TOUET was my birth-mother's last name! This knowledge was to become pivotal in a search for my roots. My Search: Fast-forward to August 1st, 1985. My husband, Bob, and I were living in Surrey, B.C. We both very much enjoyed square dancing and had travelled to a square dance festival that was being held in Penticton. As all the venues were to be outdoors, we were very disappointed to wake up to torrential RAIN. No one could dance! However, my husband saved the day and soon had started me on the road to a life-changing event. He suggested that we spend that day at the city library to research my birth-surname in all the Canadian telephone books on the year that I was born (1947) as well as in the current year.
1 Wherever possible I will give the full names of those whom have passed away. For those whom are living (in 2019) I shall give initials. 2 In 1990 when we moved my elderly adopted mother from Vernon to Kamloops - my adoption papers had totally vanished. My window of opportunity had closed. 15 Kamloops Family History Society Website Kamloops Family History Society Family Footsteps Spring 2019 Vol. 35 No. 1
We found only four Touet names that fit these criteria and I faithfully copied down their addresses and phone numbers. They were: 1. Phillip Touet in Victoria, BC 2. Al Touet in Chetwynd, BC 3. Cliff Touet in Saskatoon, SK 4. R. Touet in Edmonton, AB Now I had to decide just what I would do with that information... All my life I had yearned to find my birth-family - and now if I was careful, I had that chance! I sent a very carefully worded letter out to each person stating that I was doing research on my family tree and thought that they might possibly be related to me in some way. In no time at all I had a phone call from a very curious Cliff Touet. Things moved along very fast from there. Before I knew it, I was speaking on the phone to E.M. Touet, my very own birth-mother - and the rest is history! Within the week she had taken the train all the way from Saskatoon, SK to Surrey, BC to meet me in person. I had many important questions for her, and she answered me honestly. The Circumstances of My Birth: E.M. had moved to Winnipeg in 1945 when she was 17 years old to work as a nursing aide in Deer Lodge Hospital in Winnipeg. (This was at that time a convalescent hospital for solders, but it is now a long-term care facility.) She stayed in a dormitory close by with the other nursing aides. E.M. met my birth-father, John William Fred (“Jack") Johnson Jr. at the hospital where he worked as an orderly.3 His mother, Sarah Ann Johnson (ne Crawshaw) also worked there as a house-keeper. His father, John William Johnson Sr. was a city policeman (or perhaps a fireman). During the Fall of 1946, my birth-mother made a trip to visit her maternal Grandmother, Nellie Elizabeth Van Horn, in St. Paul, USA. Then she and Jack headed to Vancouver where they lived together for several months. On March 5th, 1947 l was born in Grace Hospital, Vancouver, B.C. Jack was 28 when I was born and E.M. was 19. He came to see me in the E.M. Touet at age 19 hospital but refused to admit that he was my father or sign any papers. E.M. then made the decision to have me adopted out - as "this was just not done" in those days. However, first she stipulated that l should not be given to a Catholic family for my adoption.4
3 He had previously spent time in the Airforce. 4 An interesting note here is that when E. M. married a Roman Catholic man 2 years later - she, herself converted to Catholicism. 16 Kamloops Family History Society Website Kamloops Family History Society Family Footsteps Spring 2019 Vol. 35 No. 1
She stayed at The Maywood Home for Unwed Mothers until the Anglican family that would adopt me came and took me off to Vernon when I was 10 days old. My adopted family named me "Lynn Patricia Gray".
My 4th birthday! I feel SO grown up with my very own bouquet in a fancy doily and my ballet shoes on! Mom made this dress out of a new invention – nylon! It was so fancy, with lace all over it (I still have it!) I really wish that I didn’t have to wear this wool sweater
under my lovely new dress – but Mommy says that I need to because I had just gotten over a bad fever.
Meeting the Family: Our initial meeting between E.M. and I went very well, and we decided to remain close to each other and our families. When she got back home to Saskatchewan in 1985, she had an important decision to make: How would she tell her large family - with whom she could do no wrong? She bravely got them all together and told them about me. Her husband, (who was not my birthfather) had passed away prior to this in 1980. He had known about me but had advised her to forget about that part of her life. Soon I had met a total of 64 new relatives:
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My two half-sisters and four half- brothers and all of their spouses were at first astonished - then excited - and finally delighted to be able to get to know their new sister. We have since gotten together many times at family gatherings, weddings, and reunions and have had many other quality times. Several years ago, E.M., my two sisters and I had a month together in Eastern Canada. We rented a car and toured Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. A couple of years after that the four of us met in White Rock for a week. Lastly, we all spent a week travelling together on Vancouver Island. My cousins have become good friends, also. One of the best things for me was to
actually meet my 81-year-old maternal grandmother, Ruth Elizabeth Touet, who was absolutely wonderful. I will always treasure the conversation we had when she told me that "if she had only known about me, she would surely have adopted me herself." We had 5 years together before she passed away in 1990. Sadly, my grandfather, Earl Milton Touet, had died many years before this. My birthmother’s two sisters and five brothers were kindly and welcoming. Two of my uncles were also extremely interested in family history and were happy to share with me what they had compiled so far. This was a dream come true for me - as I really was finding my roots! E.M. is now (2019) 92 years old and lives in Saskatoon. Despite some health issues she remains bright and perky. We exchange letters, try to see each other often, and regularly talk on the phone.
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Family
1. myself - Lynn Patricia Webster b: March 5, 1947 Vancouver, BC 2. E.M. Touet b: May 10, 1927 Waka, SK 3. John William Fred (‘Jack’) Johnson b: 1919 near Moose Jaw, SK d: 2003 Winnipeg 4. Ruth Elizabeth Van Horn b: Nov. 29, 1904 d: Nov. 1, 1990 Saskatoon, SK 5. Earl Milton Touet b: June 17, 1900 St. Paul MN d: July 10, 1961 Saskatchewan 6. Sarah Ann Crawshaw b: October 1888 in Dewsbury, UK d: Jan. 26, 1962 Winnipeg, MB 7. John William Johnson Sr. b: 1892 d: May 1953 8. Nellie Ophellia Knights b: Mar. 27, 1882 d: Oct. 15, 1958 19 Kamloops Family History Society Website Kamloops Family History Society Family Footsteps Spring 2019 Vol. 35 No. 1
9. Leroy Charles Van Horn b: May 30, 1881 d: Nov. 11, 1950 10. Clara Jane Holtby b: March 1, 1871 Rawdon, QC d: Aug 26, 1929- Domremy, SK 11. Frank Touet b: June 19, 1874 Minnesota d: Nov. 5, 1923 in Saskatchewan 12. Eliza Gale b: Yorkshire, UK 13. Thomas Crawshaw b: Jan. 31, 1834 in Balby, Yorkshire UK d: March 21 in Yorkshire, UK 14. ------15...... Johnson 16. HeIen Mary Ely b: Sept. 23, 1851 d: Sept 10, 1929 17. William Henry Knights b: Jan. 1, 1849 d: Mt. Holly, VT - Died before 1930 18. Amanda Roxanna Hallows b: Jan. 6, 1852 in Wisconsin D: Feb. 16, 1936 ~ Rock, WI 19. Charles William Van Horn b: Aug. 11, 1851 in Wisconsin d: Oct. 2, 1918, Rock, WI 20. Mary Copping b: Dec. 22, 1845 in Rawdon, QC d: Sept. 21, 1920 in Armstrong, BC 21. WiIliam Thomas Holtby b: Jan. 26, 1840 in Rawdon, QC d: Oct. 4, 1917 in Armstrong BC 22. Mary Ann Sorsoleil b: May 1840 Jersey Isle d: Oct 23, 1904 Wisconsin USA. 23. Edward Touet: Nov. 22, 1829 St. Mary, Jersey Isle d: April 15, 1894 Stillwater, MN
Photo of Clara Jane Holtby (Touet) taken February 9, 1886. My Great Grandparents, Frank and Clara Touet were offered a job as postmasters in a small town in Saskatchewan which would be named after them. Addendum: It remains for me to discover family members on my birth-father's side of the family. Recently - thanks to the help of my dear husband, Bob, Ancestry.ca, a DNA search, "Find A Grave index," Winnipeg Free Press newspaper obituaries, old telephone books, some great ideas from members of The Kamloops Family History Society, and much assistance from my newly found birth-father's cousin, G.M., l feel that l am now getting SO close! 20 Kamloops Family History Society Website Kamloops Family History Society Family Footsteps Spring 2019 Vol. 35 No. 1
"John William Fred (‘Jack’) Johnson" was born in Saskatchewan on February 26, 1919 and died in Winnipeg on August 10th, 2003. This year on February 26th, 2019 he would have been 100 years old! From his obituary in The Winnipeg Free Press I now know that I have 3 half-brothers and 1 half-sister: Robert, Eileen Pheil, Nick, and Harvey. And so, my own personal "Brick Wall" is: How exactly do l find THEM? Lynn Patricia Webster 250-372-0729 [email protected]
I hope that you have enjoyed reading about my interesting family!
Lynn Patricia Webster
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Life of the Okanagan Falls United Church
The church started life in 1899 when it was built in the gold mining community of Fairview, BC (located just west of Oliver) by Reverend James Lang, a Presbyterian minister and many willing helpers. The exterior was white clapboard and inside, the ceiling and lower portions of the walls were a beautiful highly varnished pine board. By 1903, falling gold prices forced the closure of most of the mines and when the gold was gone, so were most of the residents. The buildings were just left empty and untended. In 1921, Reverend Harry Feir and his family came to Okanagan Falls to serve the newly formed Presbyterian Pastoral Charge of Oliver, Osoyoos and Okanagan Falls and services were held in various buildings in each community. After Church Union in 1925, it was called the United Church of Canada and by January 1929, the community of Okanagan Falls was in need of a better place to worship. Minutes of a public meeting of the townsfolk approved accepting the offer of the Presbyterian Church Building at Fairview. Plans were formed to move the building and land was purchased from the Province of BC’s Department of Lands for $50 plus $10 Crown Grant fee. Later in 1929, my grandfather, James R Christie, his nephew, Harley R Hatfield and a number of men from Okanagan Falls went to the old Fairview site to dismantle the church. They removed the doors and windows then boarded up the windows from the inside. Dynamite (may have been as many as four sticks of dynamite) was suspended from the ceiling inside, and then lit by Harley Hatfield, as he had blasting experience. The suspension of the dynamite ensured the force of the blast was more evenly distributed and minimized damage to the floors. The plan worked and the force of the blast loosened the hand-forged nails in the old-growth Douglas fir boards with minimal damage to the structure. The steeple didn’t survive but they were able to dismantle the rest of the building and transport it to Okanagan Falls where they rebuilt the church. 22 Kamloops Family History Society Website Kamloops Family History Society Family Footsteps Spring 2019 Vol. 35 No. 1
Since 1929, the church has provided a place of worship to the community of Okanagan Falls, including my ancestors, James and Helen Christie and their many descendants. Fast forward to 2002 when the Prpych Hills Winery was purchased by Evelyn and Chris Campbell. They decided to rebrand the winery and came across the story of the Okanagan Falls United Church building and wished to recognize the hard work and resourcefulness of community members in dismantling an abandoned church building 16 miles [about 25 km] away and reassembling it to benefit Okanagan Falls residents. The winery was renamed Blasted Church Winery and funky graphic labels created for their vintages to take advantage of the story. It was enough to get the wine noticed by folks near and far. They continue to produce wines of the same high quality and win awards for their ever-increasing selection. I took some bottles of Hatfield’s Fuse, a lovely blended white wine, to my family reunion in Amherst, Nova Scotia this summer. They loved both the wine and our family connection to Blasted Church Winery. Resources included family notes and stories, an article in the Penticton Herald Newspaper and the Blasted Church Website. Lesson learned about resources – keep better files and don’t throw anything away as I had good sources of information, but they have disappeared in the clutter of my office, so I am unable to properly give credit where it is due. Jan Hobbs KFHS Treasurer
Kamloops Spring Floods
Spring is a welcomed breath of fresh air after a long, frigid winter of closed windows and doors. The last chill of winter 'melting' away in the warmth of the spring sun. The melting… the melting can be the sharper blade of a double-edged sword. Warmer than normal temperatures, unusually high amounts of rain, combined with the not-quite-thawed ground, unable to absorb the rapid snow melt and extra precipitation, it is a dangerous mix. Over the years, Kamloops citizens have spent a fair share of days, trying to keep their heads above water. A few of those high-water moments are more memorable than others. Both John Stewart and Mary Balf, from the Kamloops Museum Archives have written excellent articles about our past Kamloops flood seasons and a reminder or two about a few things we should keep in mind when living on a flood plain. Tracy Johnston, Journal Committee
Editor’s Note: The following articles were written in the past and some terminology and language represent the ideas and thinking of the day.
The Great Flood of 1894 Kamloops is presently concerned, once again, with the danger of flooding, since snowpacks are abnormally high, and so is the water content, and the danger depends on the rate of thaw.
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Because of this concern, the Museum has been asked for details of 1894, the year when our river reached its highest recorded level. Since, of course, snowpacks were not then measured, and indeed very little information came to town from the headwaters, there was no real warning. The Inland Sentinel of May 25, 1894, mentioned minor mudslides west of Revelstoke, and that the Fraser was rising very fast - but there was no hint of serious concern, despite the fact that the weather was hot. But trouble then came quickly, although news reached Kamloops only intermittently, since telegraph lines were "very dilapidated" and soon altogether out of action, as was much of the C.P.R. line. By May 27 the railway bridge over the Nicola swayed when a train crossed and
Monument located on the South Thompson River between The Sandman Centre and Riverside Park – May 2019 was swept away shortly afterwards. On the same day the old paddle wheeler "Spallumcheen," berthed above the Shuswap Mill (now Riverside Park), floated on the rising flood and broke from her moorings. The small steamer “Queen” recently launched, managed to fasten a tow line, but the old boat was too heavy. They were able to anchor her below the electric light works, but she dragged her anchor and drifted below the Mission (now the pulp-mill) and broke up.
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Meantime the lower Fraser steamers were busy rescuing some few settlers marooned near Chilliwack and carrying stranded C.P.R. passengers to the coast. Passengers were also delayed at North Bend, while the traffic through Kamloops in both directions was completely halted on May 29. Others near Revelstoke, made the best of an enforced stay by producing their own cheerful newspaper, the Clanwilliam Hustler. Richard Marpole, C.P.R. superintendent, supervised work east of Kamloops, clearing the line, as mud slides followed each other, with very depressing regularity. The Columbia, at Revelstoke, ran completely wild; the city wharves and shelter were inundated. The large span of the Illecillewaet bridge broke loose and swung downstream, anchored only by the pier; later the whole structure was washed away, as was the bridge at Golden. On June 3 trestles at Pennie’s (later Walhachin) washed out, and the train from the coast was saved only because Charles Pennie was able to flag it. A little later the embankment gave way two miles east of Kamloops, and engine and tender slid into the river. Railway service was completely stopped by June 7, for five days; passengers marooned in Kamloops were very philosophic about it, and the citizens were very welcoming, even promoting a baseball match. The Thompson's tributaries also suffered; bridges around Salmon Arm gave way, and many settlers had to leave their homes. The Nicola went on the rampage; stage driver, Robert Clark, on May 20, was unable to drive his team through to Spences Bridge but delivered the mail on horse-back. Next week even this transport was impossible. William Fortune found the Tranquille road quite impassable on May 29; instead he sailed to Kamloops, where water was rising an inch each hour. The Shuswap Mill (now Riverside Park) was already very wet. On June 2, the fine new steel bridge at Ashcroft was swept away; next day the wooden one at Savona floated downstream, carrying with it a rash Japanese angler, who somehow scrambled ashore after a hectic two miles. Alex Hardie and his team narrowly escaped as the bridge broke. On June 8, "Mr. A. Stevenson, road superintendent, by working night and day with his men, saved Lytton bridge. Planking was removed from the middle to prevent it being lifted off its piers, and the approaches were laden down with rocks." Next day the river started falling, but the fabric of the bridge must have weakened, for it too was lost The only bridge to survive was that at Kamloops serving the east side of the north Thompson, near the present Red Bridge. It was not subjected to the force of the north Thompson, and this perhaps saved it. Men were employed around the clock in guiding driftwood through the span, which had been swung open, and in piling rocks on the approaches, as at Lytton. Relatively little news came from the North Thompson, since communication was very difficult, but all agreed the water level was the highest ever known. Andrew Noble (at Noble Creek in present Westsyde), Alex McLean (at Black Pines), and Frank Rushton (on his "Isle of Gilead") all suffered considerable damage, and ore from the Homestake mine near Squam Bay was washed away while awaiting shipment near the mouth of Louis Creek.
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The situation was far worse in the North Kamloops area. George Loney, ferryman and farmer, had to move his family to town from their home, near the north end of the present Overlanders Bridge, and soon afterwards, the North River cut through at what is now Oak Hills. To quote the Inland Sentinel of June 8- "The North Thompson has cut a channel through the low strip of land at the foot of the hill, and now a good-sized river is flowing across this shorter route to the mainstream, leaving Mr. Loney's land an island." In 1894 the settlement was in its infancy, and no dykes had been built to control natural flood patterns. Now the most obvious moral is that occasional flood water does little damage to hayfields or park land but, is ruinous to occupants of flood plain housing - and to taxpayers who have to bail them out after predictable disaster strikes! The emergency of 1972 proved that use of misnomers like Hills or Ridge, with or without botanical inaccuracy, is not enough to ensure safety. It is ironic that the Museum exists to provide information about our past, and yet the Weather Officer is the only person who has ever researched the newspapers outlining the 1894 record flood. Not a single developer, civic planner, or even prospective homeowner, has ever bothered to check the record. Source KMA Articles N5 The Great Flood – Mary Balf – Spring 1974
Floods in Kamloops (1984) Though the river level has now begun to drop, there was some concern earlier that the Thompson River could flood this year. The river of course has overflowed its banks periodically for thousands of years. But this caused little concern until people began to build in endangered areas. Today much of Kamloops, particularly on the north shore, Westsyde and Mission Flats, is built on the flood plain. Even the industrial park on the Indian Reserve is built on old hay meadows watered by annual flooding. The fur traders began the dangerous practice of building on flood plains in Kamloops. In 1842, the Hudson's Bay Company built a new fort in what is now North Kamloops. Unfortunately, it was located on a site lower than the high water and occasionally it was flooded. At least once the residents had to use canoes to move about the fort. The last flooding was in 1860 only a couple of years before a new fort was constructed on higher ground on the south side of the river. 1870 was another high year and in 1876, the Hudson's Bay Company property on the north shore was badly flooded, damaging buildings, corrals and fields. In 1880, the Catholic missionary, Father Le Jeune, was amazed that the old high-water mark in the Fraser Canyon was far above his head. He was more amazed in June of 1882 when the water rose seven or eight feet over this 1876 mark. This, the highest river level known to that time, heavily damaged the Cariboo wagon road. The high water also hampered railway construction, then underway in the Fraser Canyon. In 1888 the road bridge at Savona was nearly destroyed by high water. The small village of Kamloops, which grew up along west Victoria Street, was little bothered by flood waters as the riverbank is fairly high there. However, the Shuswap Milling 26 Kamloops Family History Society Website Kamloops Family History Society Family Footsteps Spring 2019 Vol. 35 No. 1
Company's sawmill was built on the low ground that is now the west end of Riverside Park. It was flooded often and yearly became almost an island. The highest water in the recorded history of British Columbia was in June of 1894. As communications were still sporadic, there was little warning of the rapid rise in river levels throughout the province. The Columbia River was completely out of control, and the first word of trouble came from Revelstoke where mudslides hampered railway traffic. The CPR suffered the greatest damage from the 1894 flood. Bridges were carried away, embankments caved in and in many places the tracks were several feet under water. In Revelstoke the lower part of town was inundated, including the smelter. Railway and road bridges were destroyed or damaged all along the Thompson River. The road bridge at Savona was swept away as were the ones at Ashcroft and Spences Bridge. On May 27, the CPR bridge over the Nicola River swayed when a train crossed, only to be swept away an hour later. At Kamloops the water came very close to some back doors on the north side of west Victoria Street, and the paddle wheeler "Spallumcheen" was taken downstream and broken up by the flood waters. Trains were stranded at Kamloops from June 7 to 12 and the passengers were entertained with events like baseball games with the CPR staff. The only reason that the flood Floodwaters up to the old Sash and Door buildings. May 30 1948 of 1894 wasn't a truly massive Courtesy KMA Photograph Collection no. 2906 disaster was that the province was still sparsely settled. Most of the flooded areas were at that time still farm fields or bush. Each subsequent flood or high water was called the worst since 1894 but little damage was done. In 1936 though, much of the Indian Reserve, most of Mission Flats, and parts of farm fields in North Kamloops and Brocklehurst were under water. Though water levels were below the record set in 1894, the 1948 flood was the most destructive ever. The lower Fraser Valley was a disaster area after the dykes there were breached, and flood conditions existed throughout the rest of the province. On May 25, unusually high water caused the dam on Heffley Creek, at Devick Lake, to burst. A 30-foot-high wall of water rushed down the creek leaving destruction in its wake. A house was carried downstream and numerous other buildings were damaged. The road bridge over Heffley Creek was destroyed and the water cut two large chasms in the CNR line. Fortunately, people heard the water coming and were able to flee from its path. Naturally, fears were raised about the larger dam on Heffley Lake and a crew was rushed there to prevent its collapse as well.
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In the meantime, the Thompson River rose by two inches every hour by May 26th. North Kamloops was the area of greatest concern and 500 men and equipment rapidly built dykes around low lying areas. Massive flooding was prevented but McArthur Island was underwater as were areas along Mackenzie and Royal Avenues. Also flooded was the northwest point at the river junction where Overlander School is today, the Happyvale area and the entire section between the airport and Tranquille, what is now Oak Hills subdivision, was virtually part of the river. On the south shore, Mission Flats was flooded though the sawmill out there, escaped damage, and water covered almost the whole area below Lorne Street, from the west end of Riverside Park to Thirteenth Avenue. Many of the homes on River Street stood on islands that could only be reached by boat. As well, much of what is now the industrial park on the Indian Reserve became a large lake. The water crested by June 9 and by June 16, the river began to drop significantly. Cleanup around the province was an enormous and costly task. The legacy of 1948 was a large program of dyke building in threatened areas, including Kamloops, and of course, there remained the fear that it could happen again. The "again" could have happened in 1972. That year once again a heavy snowpack melted late during a warm June. The situation by then was both better than 1948 and potentially more serious. Many of the agricultural areas flooded in 1948 were built up with housing by 1972. However, those areas were now largely behind good dykes. By June 2 the river approached the 1948 level and small breaks developed in the new dykes in Brocklehurst, flooding some back yards. People were quick to volunteer to fill and place sandbags. Some of the bags shipped to Kamloops were left over from aid operations in other locations. A few of them, which bore the words “a gift from the people of the United States," caused some scratching of heads. The same day, at 4:00 p.m., the new dyke for the Oak Hills subdivision gave way. Fortunately, it happened during daylight hours, permitting people to run for higher ground with no loss of life. Within a few minutes the area was filled with water, damaging houses, trailers and other property. Though the victims eventually received some compensation, controversy raged over who was to blame for the disaster. Some people, with bitter senses of humour, began to refer to Oak Hills as "soak hills, “ a name still often used in jest. In spite of leaks and seepage, the dykes held elsewhere. The river crested on June 14 at a level of 1,132.5 feet above sea level. This was only a few feet short of the record of 1,135.3 feet set in 1894, and three feet above the flood level of 1948. There is no doubt that the river may reach dangerously high levels again, the only question is when. Source KMA Articles N275 Floods in Kamloops – John Stewart – June 21, 1984
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Images of the Past – Peterson Creek in Flood It is probable that most people in Kamloops are hardly aware of the existence of Peterson Creek other than as a park in the south end of the city. The small canyon created by it higher up is quite impressive as one drives over it on the new bridge, but the remainder of the creek flows more under the city than through it. Today its waters are very much under control, but not very long-ago Peterson Creek would annually threaten parts of the city with flash Floods. The creek is fed by Jacko and Edith Lakes and every spring, with the combined rapid melting of snow and the spring rains, the water flow can increase dramatically overnight. The problem in the past was also made worse by the nature of the creek bed. After falling sharply to the valley through the canyon, the water rushed into a shallow and gravelly bed as it passed through the city. During the spring freshets the creek routinely overflowed its banks. This of course presented no problem before residential areas were built up around it in the first two decades of this century. Most of the housing near the creek was built after 1910 Peterson Creek in Flood Courtesy KMA Photograph Collection no. 2428 and it is only after that date that we notice warnings and complaints about flooding. From 1911 onwards, the city sought to control the problem. But it was expensive, and the source of the water was beyond city jurisdiction. Beginning in 1912 the city almost yearly appealed to the provincial government to help control the run-off. Slowly, over the next thirty years, dams were built in the lakes and tributaries to the stream as well as Peterson Creek itself. Even before that however, the ranches bordering the creek south of Kamloops had built their own dams for irrigation. The structural strength of these dams caused the city engineering department some concern. In 1913, the city engineer gave a lengthy report to council in which he pointed out that these dams constituted a menace to the city should they ever give way during flood season. The council decided to appeal to the Province to rectify the situation and, over the succeeding years, the problem was gradually lessened. This did not eliminate floods, however. There was a bad flood in 1913 and another in 1915 though it is hard to say how much damage was done to property. During the next fifteen years the channel was deepened and much of the sides lined with concrete. This lessened the chances of water overflowing the banks and prevented the banks from caving in. 29 Kamloops Family History Society Website Kamloops Family History Society Family Footsteps Spring 2019 Vol. 35 No. 1
Between 1915 and 1930, there was no serious flooding, and the new arrivals living along the river, from Columbia Street to the river, were unaware of any danger. In 1930, it was feared that Peterson Creek would flood worse than at any time since 1913, and the city council debated the expense of sandbagging. Some aldermen said that the affected residents should pay as they were aware of the danger when they built there. Others said that this wasn't so and that the developers should be held responsible. As it happened, the water level was not as high as feared nor were the costs. Today the water flow of Peterson Creek is well, though not perfectly, under control. The water level can get very high in the spring but usually poses no threat to surrounding houses. However, there are still occasional problems. In 1972, the city expended a good deal of money and effort to build new trails, bridges, and gardens in the new Peterson Creek Park. The next spring a flash flood destroyed many of the trails and washed most of the flowers and shrubs downstream. Source KMA Articles N134 Peterson Creek in Flood – John Stewart – June 16, 1981
Upcoming Events
2019 June 6-9, BC Historical Federation, Courtenay/Comox/Cumberland BC Tours, sessions on Maritime, Japanese & Indigenous BC history 2019 June 21-23, Ontario Ancestors Conference, London ON Largest annual family history event in Canada. Ontario Ancestors is the new name of the Ontario Genealogical Society. 2019 October 19, Surrey Family History Centre, Surrey BC “Finding Your Roots” - a free 1-day event (pre-registration required) 2019 October 24-26, RootsTech London, UK The world’s largest family history conference, RootsTech is held every February in Salt Lake City. 2019 will be its first year also in London. 2020 April 17-19, Saskatchewan Genealogical Society, Prince Albert SK The theme is “2020 Vision: Seeking Ancestors Using DNA and Digital Tools.” 2020 June 12-14, Manitoba Genealogical Society, Winnipeg MB A genealogical conference to celebrate Manitoba’s 150th birthday. 2021 September 11-18, BC Genealogical Society cruise A 7-day Vancouver-Alaska roundtrip cruise in celebration of the BCGS’s 50th anniversary. Includes 3 days of genealogy education.
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Websites of interest & Online Resources
Links to hundreds of free sources of Canadian BMD records from The Ancestor Hunt, a blog by Kenneth R Marks Save money on your Ancestry World Deluxe subscription from Past Presence, a blog by Linda Yip which focuses on Chinese Canadian family history Family history research how-to videos the BYU Family History Library YouTube channel; over 400 videos on many topics, arranged in playlists What’s the difference between FindAGrave & BillionGraves? from BillionGraves.com blog How much does DNA change our life story? a DNA test reveals an unexpected result but not the one you might expect! (from The New York Times) Old postcards of Kamloops the website is called Images of Prairie Towns but includes BC 5 Steps to Improving your Family History Experience from Genealogy’s Star, a blog by James Tanner, a veteran prolific genealogical blogger Lastly, just for fun … you can find the lyrics here
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