Who are you the past whispered? I wasn't sure. Born in Montreal to French - Irish parents and moved to America at age 4, I wasn't able to connect with my roots. The past whispered again and I began my search. The search for my elusive great-grandparents took me to County Cavan, Ireland, northern France and Belgium. The Past Whispers...
Monday, October 22, 2018
Monday, March 27, 2017
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Oh Canada! 150 Years of Confederation
January 1, 1947
Under Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, the Canadian Citizenship Act becomes law. Now all residents can have Canadian citizenship, whether they were born in Canada or elsewhere.
To learn more:
Library and Archives Canada
- Watch Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King becoming the 1st Canadian citizen during the 1st citizenship ceremony in January 3, 1947.
- Consult citizenship and naturalization records
- Listen to the podcast “Yousuf Karsh: Pursuing Greatness”
- Read “A Real Companion and Friend: The Diary of William Lyon Mackenzie King”
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
courtesy Library & Archives canada
©2017 Linda Sullivan – Simpson
The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved
Saturday, June 25, 2016
St. Lawrence River, QB Steamer MONTREAL Disaster, June 1857
Quebec, June 27
The steamer Montreal, touring between Montreal and Quebec, left this port at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon having on board near 500 passengers, of whom a majority were Scotch and other emigrants who had recently arrived from Europe.
Nothing unusual occurred after leaving the wharf until the Montreal rounded a point off Cape Roegue, about ten or fifteen miles above this city, when the wood work near the furnace was discovered on fire. Almost the very moment the smoke was discovered, the flames burst forth causing the utmost consternation among the crowded passengers. Every effort was made to arrest the flames. The boat was stopped so as to lessen the draft, but finding it impossible to save her, Capt. RUDOLPH ordered her to be run towards the shore. The wildest confusion and despair pervaded throughout the ship, and many of the passengers threw themselves overboard and were in most cases drowned.
Fortunately the steamer Napoleon, also bound for Montreal, was but a few miles in advance of the burning boat.
As soon as the fire was discovered she put back with all speed and succeeded in rescuing from the burning wreck, 125 passengers. Capt. RODOLPH and the passengers of the Montreal, were amongst those who threw themselves into the river, they being excellent swimmers succeeded in reaching the steamer Alliance and were saved. It is quite possible that others may have saved themselves by swimming, but, as the steamer was becoming unmanageable, some, no doubt, found a watery grave.
Sixteen of those saved died within a short time after reaching the deck of the Napoleon. It is believed the total loss of life by this terrible disaster will not fall short of 300 to 400. The steamer Alliance arrived here this P.M. with 45 dead bodies and another boat is known to have recovered 60.
Names of the lost not yet known excepting MR. PHILLIPS, of the firm of Noreruss & Phillips, Three Rivers.
The Montreal had on board 258 emigrants, recently arrived from Glasgow, together with several German families, raftsmen, and several American passengers.
Names of Saved:
ALEX CALDWELL, 18 months old.
GEORGE MUIR.
JAMES MUIR.
JAMES GILCHRIST, about 4 years old.
AGNES JOHNSON.
PETER McCAUL.
RICHARD DEVLIN.
BRIDGET DEVLIN.
Ladies' Maid of the Montreal.
MME. PREVOST, Maid of the Montreal.
JAMES McDERMIT, boot boy of the Montreal.
CATHERINE McCARTHY.
KATE and JESSIE LAURIE, about 6 years old.
CATHERINE CLARK and daughter.
MARGARET McALLISTER and three children.
MARY M'LEAN and son.
MRS. McKENZIE.
MRS. MARGARET DIXON.
MRS. MARY BLOOMFIELD.
DAVID WILSON and one boy.
JOHN HUNTER.
WILLIAM DOUGLASS, 14 years old.
JOHN CAMPBELL and MARIA CAMPBELL.
JAMES and JEANNETTE LAURIE.
JANE WYLIE.
WILLIAM CARROL.
THOMAS GILCHRIST.
MRS. MARY PETTIGREW.
ARCHIBALD McALLISTER.
CHARLES CAMERON.
ALEXANDER COLVILLE.
JOHN HAIG.
ALEXANDER McALLISTER.
WILLIAM NICHOLSON.
ALEXANDER KNOX.
HUGH STEWART.
WILLIAM BLACK.
JAMES MALCOLMSON.
ALEXANDER WATSON.
THOMAS P. WALKER and wife.
Servants of J. GREENSHIELDS.
Names of Persons Supposed to be Lost:
MR. and MRS. CALDWELL.
MR. and MRS. LAURIE.
Four children of DAVID GILCHRIST.
MR. CLARKE and one child.
MR. J. McKENZIE.
B. E. WALLACE.
A son and niece of MRS. MARGARET DICKSON, who is saved.
Two children of MRS. MARGARET BLOOMFIELD, who is saved.
MRS. DAVID WILSON and five children, husband saved.
MR. DOUGLASS, father of WILLIAM, who is saved.
MRS. DOUGLASS, and a sister of MR. DOUGLASS together with six children.
MRS. CAMPBELL, mother of JOHN and MARIA, and two sisters.
MR. and MRS. LAURIE, parents of JAMES and JEANNETTE, who are saved, and a girl.
MR. WYLIE, husband of MRS. JANE WYLIE, and three children.
MR. and MRS. McALLISTER, parents of ARCHIBALD, who is saved, and a child.
MR. NICHOLSON, father of WILLIAM, who is saved.
JAMES MAXWELL.
ANTOINE GAGNON.
MICHAEL BRENNAN, waiter.
JAMES SULLIVAN.
HUGH McLEAN, with two children.
CHARLES McKAY.
R. WILSON and two sons.
MARY WILSON.
HYPOLITE ASSELIN.
XAVIER HAMEL.
FRANCOIS CHARRON.
WILLIAM GRAHAM.
JAMES WATSON, son and daughter.
CLEOPHAS BOUDREAU.
MARIE LONE SQUARE.
JOHN GRANT, steward of the JOHN McKENZIE'S
JOHN McINTYRE.
MRS. COLIN SINCLAIR.
ANDREW ADAMS.
JOHN LACHLANE.
WILLIAM McLEOD.
MARGARET CORBETT.
JAMES McQUEEN, son and daughter.
CATHARINE McKENZIE.
MRS. MARY HUNTER and five children.
JAMES McEWING.
SERG. BROWN and wife.
EDWARD PERREAULT.
WILLIAM MARTIN.
MR. O'BRIEN, Toronto.
MRS. CHRISTIAN.
MRS. MAXWELL, wife of JAMES MAXWELL, saved, and three sisters.
MRS. McBETH, wife of ALEXANDER McBETH, saved, and a child.
MRS. WILSON, wife of ROBERT WILSON, saved, and one child.
JAMES COLQUHOUN, son of COLIN CAMPBELL, who is saved.
MRS. LACHIAN, wife of JOHN LACHLAN, who is saved, and five children.
MRS. McKENZIE, mother of CATHERINE McKENZIE, five sons and two daughters.
MR. CHRISTIAN, two boys and two girls.
A sister of ANDREW ADAMS who is saved.
Daily Milwaukee News Wisconsin 1857-06-28
Thursday, May 26, 2016
1832 Emigrants Handbook for arrivals at Québec
C. Buchanan, Chief Agent.
Emigrant Department, Québec, 1st June, 1832
Published by His Majesty’s Chief Agent for the superintendence of settlers and emigrants in Lower Canada – For the use of Emigrants (gratis)
Printed in Québec by Thomas Cary & Co. –
Freemason’s Hall, Buade Street, Québec – 1832
Information for emigrants
There is nothing of more importance to emigrants on arrival at Quebec, than correct information on the leading points, connected with their future pursuits. Many have suffered much by a want of caution, and by listening to the opinions of interested designing characters, who frequently offer their advice unsolicited, and who are met generally about wharves and landing places frequented by strangers. To guard emigrants from failing into such errors, they should immediately on arrival at Quebec, proceed to the
Office of the Chief Agents for Emigrants, in Sault-au-Matelot street in Quebec’s Lower Town.
Emigrants arriving at Quebec from the United Kingdom, and who are desirous of settling in Lower Canada, or of obtaining employment in Lower Canada, are informed that all necessary information for their guidance may be obtained (gratis) on application at this Office, between the hours of 10 and 3 o’clock daily, Sundays excepted.
The following directions are of importance to the emigrant arriving in Canada, and are addressed to him in the simplest language.
Previous to disembarkation, arrange your baggage in a small compass, the fewer packages the better, but have them well secured. Old dirty clothing, large boxes, and other useless articles, are not worth the carriage. If you have any provisions left, such as oatmeal, potatoes, etc, you can sell them at Quebec at a profit, and avoid the expense of transport, and you can purchase baker’s bread, butter, tea, sugar, and other necessaries more suited for your journey.
Persons intending to settle in Lower Canada, will find much valuable information regarding the laws and customs of the country by referring to a little work published by Joseph F. Perrault, Esquire, Prothonotary, of Lower Canada, entitled, "A Rural Code for the use of the old and new inhabitants of Lower Canada," which may be had of Messrs. T. Cary & Co. Printers, at Quebec, for nine pence.
Routes to the principal settlements in
Lower Canada
District of Québec
Townships of Portneuf – North side of the River St. Lawrence and in the district and vicinity of Quebec, are the settlements of Beauport, Stoneham, Tewsbury, Valcartier and Jacques Cartier, Deschambault, and the settlement of Portneuf. Inhabitants, principally Irish.
Township of St. Nicholas – From the Market-slip, in the Lower Town of Quebec, ferry-boats go daily as the tide suits, to St. Nicholas, 12 miles up the river on the south side, where Craig’s Road begins.
Townships of Frampton - South side of the River St. Lawrence – 36 miles from Quebec by Point Levy, a thriving settlement, inhabitants mostly Irish – Townships lying contiguous to the Kennebec Road, beyond Frampton, offer good prospect for settlement. The lands are principally private property. The Seignioury of St. Giles, 30 miles from Quebec, by St. Nicholas and the Craig’s Road, is favourably situated for emigrants, from its contiguity to the Capital, and is increasing rapidly, its population is principally Irish.
Township of New Argyle - Seigniory of St. Croix – The settlement of New Argyle, located 8 miles from Richardson’s Tavern, on the Craig’s Road, in St. Giles, and 38 miles from Quebec; the new road to the Township of Inverness, passes through this settlement. Inhabitants, principally Highlanders from the Island of Islay, and Irish. The lands in this part are of good quality.
Townships of Ulster – Yorkshire – Dublin – New Hamilton – The settlements of Ulster, Yorkshire, Dublin, and New Hamilton, commence four miles beyond New Argyle, and 42 miles from Quebec, and are situated in the flourishing Township of Inverness, through which a new road has been nearly finished to the borders of the Township of Halifax. The inhabitants of Inverness are from various parts of the United Kingdom. Those from England are principally from Yorkshire, those from Ireland, mostly from the Northern Counties, and those from Scotland, are chiefly Highlanders from the Island of Arran. Beyond Inverness lie the Townships of Halifax, Chester, and Tingwick; good lands for settlement; but at present there is no convenient road to them. The Township of Arthabaska joins Inverness, and is a desirable place for settlement.
Township of Leeds – The settlement of Leeds, through which Craig’s Road passes, lies to the left of Inverness. The region is located 50 miles from Quebec, and is increasing rapidly in population. Inhabitants, Scotch, Irish and English.
Township of New Ireland – The region of New Ireland, through which Craig’s Road also passes, lies beyond Leeds, 60 miles from Quebec and is increasing much in population. The inhabitants are principally Irish, and a number of English of the Wesleyan connexion, also about 25 American families from the United States.
Townships of Shipton & Dudswell – Craig’s road leads to Shipton and Dudswell, but is impassable for wheel carriage transport beyond Ireland.
Eastern Townships of Lower Canada
The route to the Townships - The present route to Trois Rivieres (Three Rivers), 90 miles above Quebec , by steam-boat, here cross the St. Lawrence to the south side and proceed to Sherbrooke, by Nicolet, La Baie, and Drummondville, or you may proceed to Sorel, 40 miles above Trois Rivieres on the south side of the St. Lawrence, and there disembark; the rate of passage from Quebec by the steam-boat, will be a trifle more than it is to Trois-Rivieres, but you will avoid the ferry. A good road leads from Sorel to Sherbrooke, by Yamaska and Drummondville. The distance from Quebec to Sherbrooke in a straight line by the new road to Inverness, when finished is 99 miles, and by Trois Rivieres or Sorel, the route obliged to be taken for transport, is 160 miles, of which 70 is land carriage.
Townships of Sherbrooke – Sherbrooke is the Capital of the Eastern Townships, and is surrounded by thriving settlements, particularly Stanstead, where industrious farming labourers or mechanics are much wanted, and are sure by good conduct to do well; as also, in the Townships of Stanbridge, Brome, Dunham, Potton and the Seigniory of St. Armand; the route to which is by St-Jean (St. John’s)
Townships of Chambly – Chambly is 40 miles from Sorel and 18 from Montreal. Labourers may get employment at the canal now making at Chambly, Chateauguay, Godmanchester and Sherington, from 25 to 40 miles from Montreal, south side of the St. Lawrence, are thriving situations.
North Shore of the St. Lawrence in Lower Canada
Townships of Trois Rivières – Three Rivers and its vicinity, 90 miles from Quebec, give employment to many emigrants. In the rear of Berthier, 130 miles above Quebec, are the Townships of Brandon, Kilkenny, Rawdon and Kildare.
Townships of New Glascow – Settlements in the Seigniory of Terrebonne, is about 30 miles from Montreal. Persons bound for the townships bordering on the Ottawa River, particularly Lochaber, Templeton, Hull, Grenville, Horton or other situations, on the Ottawa River, can proceed from Montreal, and Lachine, by the usual conveyances. There are many desirable situations for settlement belonging to private individuals. The names of the proprietors or the agents may be had on application at this office.
Please note - It is particularly recommended to emigrants to be exceedingly cautious in ascertaining the titles to such lands as they may settle on. Recommendation for lands to the respective Township Agents and Superintendents of settlement in Lower Canada, with routes will be furnished to emigrants (gratis)
A. C. Buchanan, Chief Agent – Emigrant Department , Quebec , 1st June, 1832
Selected Original Sources dealing with A.C. Buchanan
Robert John Grace – The Irish in Québec
"Third Report from the Select Committee on Emigration from the United Kingdom" – Evidence of A.C. Buchanan
A.C. Buchanan "Annual Report on Emigration for 1850"
"First Report from the Select Committee on Emigration of 1826 by A.C. Buchanan