May 30th 2018 – Richmond’s Settlers: Who Were They and How to Find Them

presented by  Jim Stanzell
Ottawa Public Library – Richmond Branch
Wednesday May 30th 2018 @ 2:00 pm

We are pleased to have long-time Goulbourn Township Historical Society member Jim Stanzell share his expert knowledge about Richmond’s early settlers, their land grants, and the sources to uncover information about them. Mr. Stanzell has traced his own family connection to Richmond to his Great-Great-Grandfather Joseph Stanzel who fought in Napoleon’s army in Moscow (1812) and ultimately ended up settling in Ashton, in  Goulbourn Township.

Mr. Stanzell has conducted extensive research on Land Patent Holders in this region and it has been published by the Ontario Genealogical Society in its publication Land Patent Holders – Goulbourn Township and Village of Richmond (This publication is available in the GTHS research centre at the Library’s Stittsville Branch). A land patent is a record of the first transaction separating land ownership from the Crown to a person.

Jim also maintains a fascinating blog of his research at http://walkingwithjim.blogspot.ca/
Come and find out what resources are available for searching Richmond’s settlers at the Richmond Library (not a barrier-free facility). This is an official Richmond 200th Anniversary event.

May 26, 2018 – Soldiering On: Richmond Through the Decades

Goulbourn Museum – 1:30pm

P. Cavanagh discharge from 99th in 1818

considered the more loyal settlers for this new era of development. Richmond (named after the Duke of Richmond, who was the newly appointed Governor General of the Canadas) was established 1818 as a military settlement. Richmond was the centre for the administration of lands in the area. Military supervisor, Major Burke, placed mainly Irish soldiers of his 99th (formerly 100th) Regiment in Goulbourn. The military relinquished control of the village in 1922. As civilians increasingly populated the village many enterprises were established to support the growing population of Goulbourn Township.

Please join us Saturday May 26th 2018 at the Goulbourn Museum at 1:30pm.  As usual this presentation is free to the public. Join us for an enlightening afternoon. Parking and refreshments are free. Please “tell a neighbour, bring a friend”

April 28 2018 – Walking in the Footsteps of Philemon Wright – Richard Henderson

At the Ottawa Public Library – Stittsville Branch starting at 1:30pm

Join us for our April programme as Richard Henderson speaks to us about pioneer and businessman Philemon Wright.

Philemon Wright arrived from Woburn Massachusetts in 1800 and settled at the Chaudière Falls where he established the first permanent settlement at the present site of Gatineau (Hull).

Mill on the Ottawa River – painting by H. Du Vernet, 1823 (LAC C-608)

He initially intended to develop a farming community but found it was the timber trade that provided him the income to winter-over and build a settlement. He was an industrious business man, and 200 years ago, provided most of the provisions for the newly formed settlement of Richmond.

Our guest Richard Henderson is a 4th generation grandson of this illustrious settler. Richard is a career educator and author of a book “Walking in the Footsteps of Philemon Wright”. Come and enjoy an afternoon steeped in local pioneer history. This event is being held in the Ottawa Public Library – Stittsville Branch on Saturday April 28 2018 at 1:30pm. Parking and refreshments are free. Please tell a neighbour and bring a friend.

March 24 2018 – Sources for Researching Goulbourn Genealogy

GTHS PHOTO EXHIBIT

Stittsville Public Library February 1-28 2018 (library hours)

The Goulbourn Township Historical Society is delighted to join with the community of Richmond to celebrate its 200^th anniversary this year with a selection of historical photographs from the GTHS  Archival collection.

We have selected several historical images from our extensive photo collection for this presentation. Thanks to the Ottawa Public Library, the pictures are on display in the ArtsSpace of the Stittsville Branch during the month of February 2018.

GTHS relives the The Great Ice Storm – 20 years after

Saturday February 17 2018, 1:30 pm at the Stittsville Public Library

It was considered by many to be the “Storm of the Century” but it started off innocently at the beginning of January 1998 as a light freezing drizzle.The accumulation of freezing rain over several days created havoc and turmoil as a natural disaster that is still felt in many communities today. Goulbourn Township was under a state of emergency for 11 days (ending January 18 1998).  In the end it brought down over 100,000 kilometres of power lines and caused an estimated $2 billion of damages to eastern Ontario and southern Quebec.

Our entire community came to the rescue with community suppers, drop-in centres, shared accommodation and clean-up help. Come out and reminisce as we look back at this major disaster that affected Goulbourn township as the icy grip spread through eastern Ontario and southern Quebec. Do you have photos or stories to share? Bring them along.

This month’s event is being held at the Ottawa Public Library – Stittsville Branch  Saturday February 17 2018 at 1:30pm. Come along, and bring a friend to relive our heritage. Refreshments will also be available.