Exciting News and Happenings!

What a month! I have kind of backed off on working on the picnic and genealogy fair - end-of-year stuff for teaching. I did make it to the Grand River Branch UELAC meeting last Saturday. They will be there with bells on (i.e., 'lots of  visitors and they will have a kiosk set up). I'm really happy the branch and members will be attending. Thank you, all!
I got a phone call this morning from my cousin, Wanda Backus-Kelly. She said my hometown, Port Rowan, was a-buzz with anticipation. The Port Rowan Good News ran a human interest story on the event and she was getting numerous calls. Great news EXCEPT that some were asking how to get a registration form. I tried the link to the left (under Contact Us!) and it works fine from various locations. I'm not sure why people are having difficulty - can someone let me know?
As well, I included my phone number and Wanda's contact information to halp alleviate concerns. Don't worry - you can register the day of the event as well!

My First Challenge

Dear Readers,
Today, I issue a challenge to all to prove how they are related to the settlers and Loyalists of the Long Point Settlement (Norfolk County). So, to kick off all the fun, here are my three connections:


Ancestor #1: Rev. Jabez Collver (1731-1818) m. Anna Smith (1740-1813
                             John Collver (1768-1834) m. Miriam Culver* (1772-1852)
                               Hiram E. Collver (1814-1897) m. Sarah Ann Stokes (1821-1889)
                                 Amanda Moneral Collver (1864-1937) m. Albert Deming (1861-1927)
                                   Orpha Dott Deming (1896-1939) m. Wm. Francis Shelly (1892-1975)
                                     Harry Walter Shelly (1924-1997) m. Lucinda Ada Smith (1926-)
                                       Richard Alan Shelly (1951-2006) m. Stella Ruth Dedrick (1952-)
                                         Myself!
     * Miriam Culver was the daughter of Loyalist Timothy Culver (1734-?) and one of four couples in the 
          Collver/Culver Double Quartet.


Ancestor #2: Lucas Dedrick (1760-1808) m. Lucretia Parsons (1770-?)
                             James Dedrick (1795-1851) m. Elizabeth Edwards (1798-1886)
                               Thomas Henry Dedrick (1830-1912) m. Rachel Ann Pearson (1839-1922)
                                 Ernest Elgin Dedrick (1881-1962) m. Clara Isobel Cope (1884-1970)
                                   Lawrence Pearson Dedrick (1922-) m. Grace Stella Mudford (1925-)
                                     Stella Ruth Dedrick (1952-) m. Richard Alan Shelly (1951-2006)
                                       Myself!


Ancestor #3:  William Cope (1757-1813) m. Frances Sands (1757-1847)
                              Thomas Cope, Sr. (1835-1913) m. Catherine Manuel (1794-1889)
                                Thomas Cope, Jr. (1862-1946) m. Alfredda Amelia Cline (1861-1941)
                                  Clara Isobel Cope (1884-1970) m. Elgin Ernest Dedrick (1881-1962)
                                    *** See Ancestor #2 ***


Well, those are my first 3 ancestors. I have a few more (Anthony Manuel, Simon Mabee, etc.) but thought I would keep it to Loyalists this time. So here is the challenge:

Post your ancestry proof by emailing me at:

founding families@shellyfamilytree.com        

Good luck all! If you are a family member of mine and need to see how you are related to Long Point settlers and Loyalists, email me.