Family & Local History Day - October 2, 2010

On Saturday, October 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. three major genealogical forces will be in Vankleek Hill. The Ontario Genealogical Society, the Quebec Family History Society, plus Ancestry.ca will have representatives on-hand to provide the secrets and clues to finding your family history.  

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Vankleek Hill – Whether you are a beginner or an expert, Family & Local History Day 2010 promises to bring you the professionals and the information you are looking for.

Local history buffs can take part in self-guided walking tours, cemetery tours, attend speakers plus have the bonus of four historic churches with their doors open: Trinity United Church, St. John and the Evangelist Anglican Church, Knox Presbyterian Church and Église St-Grégoire.  You can also dig into the Tweedsmuir History Books prepared by local Women’s Institutes which are rarely offered for public viewing.

Cemeteries are open-air archives for historians. Tour Greenwood and St-Grégoire; visit Cassburn and McLaughlin where resource people will guide you.

Want to know more about preserving family memories, or caring for heirloom furniture? Looking for Loyalist history?  Still trying to understand ‘gingerbread?’  And how about a few words in Gaelic – the lost language?  Interested in our agricultural or horticultural history?  It will all be available in Vankleek Hill.

Museums and historical sites will be open: Vankleek Hill Museum, Glengarry Pioneer Museum, Higginson Tower, l’Orignal Jail, St. John Masonic Lodge.  There will also be activities for all children at St-Grégoire church.  The Champlain Community Hall and the Vankleek Hill Curling Club are also venues for activities.

Are you more interested in the artistic side of history? We’ve got it uncovered. Come and enjoy a display of local quilts at Trinity United Church, or visit two galleries: Arbor Gallery with a group show, and Three Owls Gallery with the works of the late James Jephcott, president of the Montreal Lithograph Company.

There is no charge for participation in this event.  Some events will be used as fundraisers such as the Victorian Tea scheduled for Knox Church 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.;  and the rounds of Tea & Cookies at  St. John Anglican Church.

Sign-up now for your free family history display space. Book now for walking and cemetery tours.  Call 613-678-3327, or toll-free 1-877-678-3327.

Saturday, October 2

Throughout Vankleek Hill and the surrounding region, there will be free venues for families to display their family histories. There will be presentations on genealogy how-to; speakers on heritage and local history; walking tours; cemetery walks, quilt show, children's activities, a Victorian Tea and much more. You are welcome to use your event on this day as a fundraiser.

The Vankleek Hill Museum, Higginson Tower, l'Orignal Jail and the Glengarry Pioneer Museum in Dunvegan will be open. In Dunvegan,  the Glengarry Pioneer Museum will display its collection of Women's Institute Tweedsmuir histories, a rich source of early local history.

Want to know more about accessing and using Canadian Census material, or finding genealogy resources available in Ottawa? The Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society is sending Archivist Glenn Wright to explain using census information, and Ancestry employee Lesley Anderson with her details on useful genealogy resources in Ottawa. Please contact the Vankleek Hill Museum to indicate your interest in either of these two presentations: 613-678-2323 or  

Would you like to greet family and friends in Gaelic? Harold MacMillan will be at the Vankleek Hill  Museum to teach you how to do just that, and re-connect with this lost language.

Knox Presbyterian Church will host David G. Anderson who will speak about the United Empire Loyalists. Anderson resides in the historic Bethune-Thompson House in Williamstown. He is a rare book dealer and specializes in books reflecting Canada. Trinity United Church will present a quilt show. St. John's Anglican Church will host displays by the local Women's Institutes. There will be more information coming about light lunches available at the churches.

Architect J. Denis Seguin will present on local Victorian architecture. Furniture refinisher Bev Newton will give pointers on caring for these family heirlooms, and he will have examples available.  The Arbor Gallery is making plans with its artist community to represent Family &  Local History Day. Susan Jephcott, owner of Three Owls Gallery, will have a special display. 

Want some physical activity with your local history? The Vankleek Hill & District Historical Society will present two walking tours: the Derby Street circuit, and the Main Street circuit. Also, there will be a tour of the Greenwood and St. Grégoire cemeteries. More information is coming about the McLaughlin and Cassburn cemeteries. There will also be public skating time at the Champlain Arena in Vankleek Hill for all ages. 

More activities are encouraged. Please send your ideas to The Review for inclusion in the developing schedule for October 2nd. If your group or family would like to participate send your details to or call 1.877.678.3327 and include the date, time, charges (if any), and a contact phone number.

If you would like to display your family or organization's history, join us in Vankleek Hill at the Champlain Community Centre upstairs on Saturday, October 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take advantage of FREE SPACE by calling Louise at 1-877-678-3327 or send an email to

 

 

ENJOY LUNCH IN ONE OF OUR RESTAURANTS:

Lavoie's Restaurant, 38 Mill Street, Vankleek Hill 613-678-3238
(as you come in from Highway 417, turn right onto Mill Street:
Italian food, sandwiches, pizza, salads, and always luneheon specials and much more.

Nicko's Resto-Bar, 17 High Street, Vankleek Hill. 613-678-3132.
Salads, soups, pizza, hamburgers, great brochette specials, Italian food and much more!
Louise and Nick Gouskos extend a warm welcome to visitors!

Blueberry Hill Bistro, 16 High Street, Vankleek Hill. 613-678-2364.
Enjoy a variety of beers and an interesting menu in this cozy bar/eatery. Usually open at 5 p.m.

Mary's Country Kitchen, 22 Main Street, Vankleek Hill. 613-678-3984
Mario and Chantal Lascelles welcome you and you'll want to try everything at this tastefully-appointed restaurant. There are lots of prepared foods to take home with you. But you can enjoy wraps, luncheon specials and great salads here. Don't leave without trying some of their fantastic desserts. The Hummingbird Cake is terrific!

Waikato Pizza, 41 High Street, Vankleek Hill. 613-678-2111
Lots of varieties of pizza, of course! Thin crust or thick crust.
Also other items on the menu: wraps and shawarma, etc.

Limes Café, 85 Main Street, Vankleek Hill.
Mandy Jefferys has just opened Vankleek Hill's newest eatery. Enjoy the homey atmosphere and home-style cooking. Daily specials. Scotch eggs. Baked goods, pies, muffins, etc. Insist on a lemon square!

The Trillium Tea Room, 111 Main Street East, Vankleek Hill. 613-678-6892.
Sandra Fraser prides herself on consistency and customer service. An established tradition in Vankleek Hill, enjoy Sandra's many varieties of tea, light lunches and mouth-watering desserts, served with care just to your taste. Her home-made lemonade is legend, as is her community spirit - she has been a staunch supporter of her neighbour, the Vankleek Hill Museum.