Past Relations has a mascot. Actually there are TWO mascots! After listening to the many travel stories told to her by her students, Pat decided it might be fun to have a traveling genealogy mascot, one who could 'help record your research' by showing up in pictures, not to mention offering 'moral support'. You never know who else may be researching in the same physical areas, (this happens often within each class) so the pictures may also offer clues to others. Past and present students can 'reserve' the genealogy bear(s) and take one along as a witness (and recently reported 'good luck charm') on their travels - genealogy or otherwise. Take some photos of landmarks, graves, history, libraries, archives, books, relatives, yourself - whatever you want; wherever you may travel - near or far. I'll post them to this website and everyone can enjoy and maybe learn something new.
Due to the overwhelming popularity of Genie Bear 1, named Genie Baby, a second mascot was chosen (currently named Genie Bear). Neither bears' have names 'carved in stone', so if anyone can come up with more suitable names please send them along. Both bears have Canadian sweaters with the Maple Leaf prominently displayed. Genie Bear also wears a toque [you can't get more Canadian than that!] and is only slightly larger than Genie Baby. Both bears are very soft, totally 'squishable', and easily packed taking up very little room or weight.
Anyone interested in 'reserving' a Genie
Bear to take along on their holiday, research, excursion, or whatever, please
me 545 - 3357 or
email.
Please consider taking one of
these little guys with you. This will be another way of documenting your
research, sharing & preserving your history/research/travels and maybe either
helping someone else or learning something new that can help you. It's for students of
Past Relations and their families. Let's see how many
adventures the Genie Bears can have!
1. Lumsden, Saskatchewan: June 2004 - transcribing Lumsden Cemetery. Genie Bear is 'overseeing' the project. The transcribed results will soon be available, free of charge. Dianne R. - photo courtesy of Linda W.
2.
Kingston, Ontario - Belleville Cemetery,
situated on the shores of the Bay of Quinte;
Cataraqui Cemetery in Kingston (Sir John A. MacDonald's
grave
- cemetery is mostly Protestants); St. Mary's,
Kingston has the Irish monument [Gaelic on one side, English
on the other] (mostly
Catholic graves) June 2004 -
photos courtesy of Anna-Marie D. (descendant of John
Meagher) with Genie Baby
inscription
reads:
"THE TYPHUS EPIDEMIC 1847
Though typhus had been epidemic periodically in Canada since the 1650s, the
worst outbreak occurred in the summer of 1847. In that year some 90,000
emigrants embarked for Canada, most of them refugees from the potato famine then
ravishing Ireland. Nearly 16,000 of them died of typhus, either at sea or after
their arrival in Canada. Those stricken while passing through Kingston found
shelter in makeshift "immigrant sheds" erected near the waterfront. Despite the
efforts of local religious and charitable organizations, notably the Sisters of
the Religious Hospitillars of St. Joseph and the ladies of the Female Benevolent
Society, some 1,400 immigrants died. Buried near the present general hospital,
their remains were re-interred here in 1966." Archeological and Historic
Sites Board of Ontario
THE MEAGHER HOUSE (Anna-Marie's ancestor)
"John Meagher (1816 - 1878),
third son of Major James Meagher of Tipperary,
Ireland built this stone residence on Lot E Barrack, at Wellington Streets, in
1855. A produce agent and wine merchant, he was a partner with his
brothers, Jeremiah and James, M.D., in Meagher's Distillery of neighbouring
Napanee, 1862-63. Five of his 13 children were pioneer figure skaters and won
gold medals for performances throughout North America and Europe. John, Jr.
(1847-1909), and Joseph G.C. (1849-1911) moved to Montreal in 1873 and
established Meagher Brothers Distillery, which became Meagher's Distillery
Limited, Canada's largest producer of fine liqueurs, and marketers of other
spirits. From 1876 to 1982 the house was owned by Samuel Anglin (1843-1920) and
S. Anglin and Co., Kingston." Erected by Kingston Historical Society in
Co-operation with Meagher's Distillery Limited.
The rest of this page is reserved for your photos. The
Genie Bears are waiting for their next adventures!