WEEK 7 – Outcast - George Ringer (Arsonist)

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This year, I’ve decided to participate in “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” Genealogical Challenge (#52Ancestors). This is a way of chronicling my ancestors and getting the information out of my filing cabinet and out to friends and family.

If you can add to the information or have your own stories, please feel free to add them in the comments. Who knows, perhaps you’ll help me break through a few of my brick walls.

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#52Ancestors in 52 Weeks

WEEK 7 – Outcast - George Ringer (Arsonist)

From the mid to the late 1880s Smith's Falls, Ontario was plagued by a series of mysterious fires, which would eventually result in the death and injury of two people and a prison sentence for two others.

On 05 Sept 1888, George Ringer and friend Albert James, both of Smith's Falls, were each sentenced to 14 years imprisonment at Kingston Penitentiary on charges of Arson.

Convicts at Work in the Yard of the Penitentiary at Kingston, 1873  Artist: Unknown. 

Source: National Archives of Canada.  Note: This illustration originally appeared in 

"Canadian Illustrated News," 5 July 1873.

Sketches of the Penitentiary at Kingston, 1875  Artist: Unknown. 

Source: National Archives of Canada. Note: This illustration originally appeared in 

"Canadian Illustrated News," 25 September 1875.

George Ringer was the nephew of my spouse' GG-Grandfather Richard Ringer.

Born in 1858, George was the sixth of eight children born to William Ringer and Hannah McAuley of Smith's Falls, Ontario.

Ringer worked as a machinist for Frost & Wood Co. Ltd., a local manufacturer of agricultural equipment and one of Smith's Falls’ largest employers. The exact motivation for Ringers crimes were never really determined. Some ventured to guess it might be for the thrills, others believed it to be in retaliation to those who may have wronged him. Only George knew the answer and he probably took it to his grave.

The Frost & Wood Buildings dominating downtown Smith Falls in 1880

Frost & Wood catalogue cover 1889

The mysterious fires that infested Smith's Falls were acknowledged to have been deliberately set. At first they occurred in barns and out lying buildings in the quieter less populated parts of town but by 1888 they were starting to occur in the heart of town, and at least one life was lost and another met with serious injury.

The town tried offering several rewards for information that might lead to the apprehension of those responsible, but nothing came of that idea, so the town council secretly called in Detective, William Greer from the newly established Office of the Provincial Constable.

(Note: The Office of the Provincial Constable would eventually become the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in 1909)

Greer arrived quietly arrived in town, blending in and working at Frost & Wood as a carpenter. In the course of his investigation, Greer struck up a relationship with several workers, including Albert James and George Ringer. Overtime Greer gained their trust at the local pub, loosening there lips with continuous rounds of ale. Eventually Ringer, invited Greer to join James and himself in one of their arson attempts. Greer arranged for a night watchman to be critically stationed nearby to witness the action. All were arrested during the attempt and taken before the town Magistrates.

Within a week Ringer and James had their trial in Perth, Ontario and where each were sentenced to 14 years imprisonment at Kingston Penitentiary, on the charges of setting fire to four (4) barns, a house and several other mysterious fires in and around town.

(Note: Strangely enough no reference was made to the death or injuries that supposedly occurred during these incidences.)

Epilogue

There is evidence that Ringer and James may have been released early from their 14 year sentence at Kingston Penitentiary. In 1895, a petition was raised for early release backed by the belief that much of the trial evidence was based on circumstantial evidence. Also George Ringer is on Smith’s Falls 1901 Census listing him as a machinist, so we know he was out of prison on 31 March 1901, the day the census was taken.

WEEK 6 – Social Media - Facebook Groups for Genealogical Research

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This year, I’ve decided to participate in “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” Genealogical Challenge (#52Ancestors). This is a way of chronicling my ancestors and getting the information out of my filing cabinet and out to friends and family.

If you can add to the information or have your own stories, please feel free to add them in the comments. Who knows, perhaps you’ll help me break through a few of my brick walls.

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#52Ancestors in 52 Weeks

WEEK 6 – Social Media - Facebook Groups for Genealogical Research

Nowadays social media has become ingrained into our daily lives.  From a Genealogical viewpoint it's a cornucopia of information to be discovered and shared among peers.  It's not too surprising to learn that Genealogy has emerged as one of the world’s most popular hobbies and in terms of internet searches, it is ranked second behind (sadly enough) pornography.

Like other researchers, I rely on numerous genealogical sites (Ancestry, Family Search, My Heritage, Find my Past, etc.) to help me track down all kinds of information on my ever elusive ancestors.  Surprisingly one of my favourite site that I have come rely on for the best group interactions is the Facebook Groups, both private and public. They have proven to become a very popular way of bringing people with similar interests together to share their discoveries.

Let me share my experience with you.

My Grandmother, Marguerite Cockburn, Age 17 in 1917 Ottawa, ON, Canada

Growing up my grandmother, Marguerite Robertson (nee Cockburn) owned a huge dried-out starfish shell.  It had to be about 18 inches in diameter and at least 8 inches thick.  I remember as a child asking her what it was and why she kept it.  She told me that it had belonged to her G-Grandfather (John Elias Hammond) who was a lighthouse keeper, unfortunately that was all she knew of it.

“Descendants de Jean Elie Hamon (Hammond)” Facebook Group Banner

Years later as my passion for genealogy grew, I remembered my grannies’ words and started my hunt for “the lighthouse keeper”.  It was during this hunt that I discovered a private Facebook Group called “Descendantsde Jean Elie Hamon (Hammond)”.  They accepted my admission for membership and over the years they have regularly added to their data and information by gathering and sharing photos, media, articles and books all related to our Hamon (Hammond) ancestors.  On many occasions they have even been able to answer a few questions that I hadn’t even thought to ask.

 

The remains of the Southwest Point Lighthouse, Anticosti Island, Built in 1831, it is one
of Canada's oldest light stations built from materials found on site.

Île Bicquette Lightstation in 1895
Photograph courtesy Library and Archives Canada

As for John Elias Hammond, he had a very colourful life.  His father Jean Elié Hamon, emigrated from the Isle of Jersey in the Channel Island in the early 19th century to the Gaspé area of the Canadian Maritimes.  John would become the lighthouse keeper for the Southwest Point Lighthouse of Anticosti Island in 1831 and then eventually the keeper of Île Bicquette Lighthouse in 1847.  On December 15, 1850 John and his assistant keeper named Michell drowned in the line of duty.  Their bodies were never found...

...but that's a story for a future blog.

WEEK 5 – Oops - The Reports of my Death are Greatly Exaggerated...

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This year, I’ve decided to participate in “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” Genealogical Challenge (#52Ancestors). This is a way of chronicling my ancestors and getting the information out of my filing cabinet and out to friends and family.

If you can add to the information or have your own stories, please feel free to add them in the comments. Who knows, perhaps you’ll help me break through a few of my brick walls.

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#52Ancestors in 52 Weeks

WEEK 5 – Oops - The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated... (David Robertson, My Great Grandfather)

The 6th of March 1920 was a fair but cold Saturday in Ottawa, Canada.  When David Robertson (my great-grandfather) sat down to enjoy his breakfast and read his morning newspaper, he was understandably shocked to see his photograph prominently displayed, under a large banner declaring, "Died Suddenly".

Unfortunately, the morning newspapers of the Ottawa Citizen were not preserved. Only copies of the Evening Editions remain.

The Evening Edition included the following retraction:

WEEK 4 – Education - The Sacred Heart Convent, Grand Falls, N.B. Graduating Class of 1943-44

  52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This year, I’ve decided to participate in “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” Genealogical Challenge (#52Ancestors). This is a way of chronicling my ancestors and getting the information out of my filing cabinet and out to friends and family.

If you can add to the information or have your own stories, please feel free to add them in the comments. Who knows, perhaps you’ll help me break through a few of my brick walls.

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#52Ancestors in 52 Weeks

WEEK 4 – Education - The Sacred Heart Convent, Grand Falls, N.B. Graduating Class of 1943-44

My Mother, Dorothy Robertson (nee Quigley), was born and raised in the small town of Grand Falls, New Brunswick.

She attended Sacred Heart Convent for her primary and secondary education, graduating with the class of 1943-44.

The following photo presents the graduating class of 1943-44:

(Top Row) Geraldine PLOURDE,  Sylvie TURCOTTE, Marie-Ange GODBOUT,  Dorothy QUIGLEY (My Mother), Blandine LÉVESQUE, Leroy KAVANAUGH, Colleen MULHERIN, 

(Middle Row) Arlene MAZEROLLE, Rita BAKER,  Pauline GAGNON, Joan McMANUS, 

(Bottom Row) Hectorine LÉVESQUE, McDonald KELLY, Billy ROACH and Zita McMANUS.

The Sacred Heart Convent, Grand Falls, N.B. Graduating Class of 1943-44

WEEK 3 – Out of Place - The Chicago Marriage of William Robertson & Harriet Queen

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This year, I’ve decided to participate in “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” Genealogical Challenge (#52Ancestors). This is a way of chronicling my ancestors and getting the information out of my filing cabinet and out to friends and family.

If you can add to the information or have your own stories, please feel free to add them in the comments. Who knows, perhaps you’ll help me break through a few of my brick walls.

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#52Ancestors in 52 Weeks

WEEK 3 – Out of Place - The Chicago Marriage of William Robertson & Harriet Queen

For 45 years I could not find anything that showed my 2nd Great-grandparents married.

William Robertson, himself was a bit of a mystery.

The first time I found documentation on him was the 1852 Census of Canada East, Canada West, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia for Grenville County, Canada West Ontario, Canada conducted on 12 January 1852. He was listed as single and a clerk. It also said he was born in Canada East (Quebec).

The next instance of his existence was recorded on 14 January 1861 for the 1861 Census of Canada, almost nine (9) years to the day of the first Census. He is listed as being 28 years old, Married, living in Spencerville, Edwardsburgh, Grenville County, Canada West.

Hard as I tried, I could not locate any Marriage documents for William and his bride Harriet QUEEN.

On top of that I have not been able to discover any birth documentation on their first born, Andrew Robertson. Various documents indicate he was born around May 1858 or 1859.

Now we fast-forward, to the fall of 2021. I was conducting a general search on Google for "William Robertson and Harriet Queen" and I got a hit on from a Chicago, Illinois Newspaper Site.

I found a clipping from the Chicago Tribune, 08 July 1858, which read:

MARRIED

On the 6th inst. by Rev. H. L. Hammond. Mr. WM. ROBERTSON and Miss HARRIET QUEEN, both of Spencerville, C.W.

Chicago Tribune clipping, 08 July 1858 Marriage of William Robertson & Harriet Queen

Wow!  At last I found it. Unfortunately that was all I was going to find. It seems that all other records for that time period in Chicago were destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Mrs. O'Leary's cow was really messing with my research.

On top of that, this discovery opened up several more questions:

1. If they were married in July 1858 and Andrew was born in May, was the baby with them?
2. Was Andrew born in Chicago?
3. Why travel to Chicago to wed? It's over 1200 km (on todays roads/rails). Were there not better, closer destinations in Canada to get married?
4. Did either of them have family in Chicago? I haven't discovered any as of yet.

But alas, that is the nature of Genealogy. The stick and the carrot is always there and on occasion we get the carrot, but more often that not, we sometime just get a longer stick.

The Search Continues...

WEEK 2 – Favourite Photo(s) Dorothy Loftus (Vaudeville Showgirl)

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This year, I’ve decided to participate in “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” Genealogical Challenge (#52Ancestors). This is a way of chronicling my ancestors and getting the information out of my filing cabinet and out to friends and family.

If you can add to the information or have your own stories, please feel free to add them in the comments. Who knows, perhaps you’ll help me break through a few of my brick walls.

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#52Ancestors in 52 Weeks

WEEK 2 – Favourite Photo(s) Dorothy Loftus (Vaudeville Showgirl)

Many of us can usually find a celebrity hanging in our family tree. No Doubt, Dorothy Loftus had been bitten by the showbiz bug at an early age and dreamed of fame and fortune. Though she never would become a household name, these photos of her limited career as a showgirl in New York's Vaudeville have forever captured her short time in the "Big Show".

Dorothy Florence Gladys Loftus was my 1st Cousin twice removed. She was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on 22 February 1906 to Sydney Loftus and Emma Cockburn (My Great Grandfathers younger sister).

In the early 1920's Dorothy or Dottie, as she is referred on her photos, moved to New York City with her parents and two brothers.

If was here that she would became a Vaudeville Showgirl.

Dottie Loftus (2nd from the end) with the Rainbow Girls

I find these photos fascinating. Definitely risqué at the time, they also show a fun-loving, playful side of Dottie, in a very uncommon profession. Whatever your opinion of these photos, you have to agree, they are very unique.

Dottie in a Provocative Promo photo.

Dottie in another costume.

It is assumed that Dottie hung up her dancing bloomers when she married Edward Foot, an Insurance Clerk in September 1929.

WEEK 1 – I'd Like to Meet Barbe HALAY

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This year, I’ve decided to participate in “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” Genealogical Challenge (#52Ancestors). This is a way of chronicling my ancestors and getting the information out of my filing cabinet and out to friends and family.

If you can add to the information or have your own stories, please feel free to add them in the comments. Who knows, perhaps you’ll help me break through a few of my brick walls.

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#52Ancestors in 52 Weeks

The first challenge theme is "I'd Like to Meet...". While I would like to meet many my ancestors, there are a few that stand out. This one in particular.

WEEK 1 – I'd Like to Meet Barbe HALAY (1645-1695), my 9th Great Grandmother

Barbe Hallay was born 1645, in Chartres, Eure-et-Loir, Centre-Val de Loire, France, the child of Jean Baptiste Hallay and Mathurine Valet.

Barbe Hallay had immigrated as a young girl of about 20 years of age with her family around 1665.

She married Jean Carrier III on 04 November 1670, in Notre-Dame de Québec, Quebec City, Québec, Canada, New France.

They had at least 4 sons (Ignace Phillippe, Louis, Charles, Jean and two daughters, Marie Anne and Louise).

She died in 1696, in Saint-Joseph-de-la-Pointe-à-Lévy, Québec, at the age of 51, and was buried in Saint-Joseph-de-la-Pointe-à-Lévy.

What makes Barbe’s story so fascinating is that it has the rare distinction of being of Canada’s earliest reported 'demon possession caused by witchcraft' case.

Her story has recently been reintroduced thanks to Mairi Cowan, a history professor at the University of Toronto-Mississauga. Her Book “Possession of Barbe Hallay” provides a microhistory of New France in 1660’s and focus’ on Barbe Hallay unique story.

Book Description:

When strange signs appeared in the sky over Québec during the autumn of 1660, people began to worry about evil forces in their midst. They feared that witches and magicians had arrived in the colony, and a teenaged servant named Barbe Hallay started to act as if she were possessed. The community tried to make sense of what was happening, and why. Priests and nuns performed rituals to drive the demons away, while the bishop and the governor argued about how to investigate their suspicions of witchcraft. A local miller named Daniel Vuil, accused of using his knowledge of the dark arts to torment Hallay, was imprisoned and then executed. Stories of the demonic infestation circulated through the small settlement on the St Lawrence River for several years. In The Possession of Barbe Hallay Mairi Cowan revisits these stories to understand the everyday experiences and deep anxieties of people in New France. Her findings offer insight into beliefs about demonology and witchcraft, the limits of acceptable adolescent behaviour, the dissonance between a Catholic colony in theory and the church's wavering influence in practice, the contested authority accorded to women as healers, and the insecurities of the colonial project. As the people living through the events knew at the time, and as this study reveals, New France was in a precarious position. The Possession of Barbe Hallay is both a fascinating account of a case of demonic possession and an accessible introduction to social and religious history in early modern North America.

Related Links:

https://www.cbc.ca/.../quebec-demon-possession-witchcraft...

http://www.ericmailloux.com/.../Descendants/Barbe/Barbe.htm