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!

An Exciting Night at South Walsingham Heritage Association

Last night, I was scheduled to present the Founding Families Fair & Picnic to the members of the South Walsingham Heritage Association. Headquartered in my hometown, Port Rowan, it was a delight to talk to fellow family historians about the event.
Paul and Marlene Smith were very welcoming. I spent about 25 minutes discussing with the members what my vision for the fair & picnic was. There were some very interesting questions that I would like to post (with answers of course):

1.  Can the general public attend? Absolutely! Even if you don't have a founding family ancestor, you are welcome to attend. Especially for those amateur genealogists out there, I think that Scott Gillies' presentation and the various kiosks set up around would be of great interest for visitors. You know, sometimes when you are so into marketing an event for a specific audience, you forget that there might be a whole 'nother bunch of people who might find what you are doing interesting!
2. When do I have to register? The day of the event or any time before. However, when you register early, it gives me more time to prepare a section for you - with banner and everything!
3. What about parking? Am I going to have to hike to the site? Yes and know. Early parking will be available near the large pavilion - between the mill and education centre and upper mill pond. As the day wears on, I expect that parking will move further and further away. That reminds me - I better set aside about 10 parking spots for handi-capable vehicle. Please note: There is a $13 entry fee into Backus Conservation Area. I am in talks with them to have if discounted, depending on numbers. Again - the more early registrations, the better!
4. Will you have computers available for registrants? Okay, this one puzzled me and broke my smarmy smile ;) I explained that, no, I wouldn't provide computers for everyone - the cost alone is prohibitive. As well, most avid genealogists have laptops or have printed their family trees. There's got to be some way you lug around all of your research to each archive, land registry office and cemetery! There will be, however, plugs for interested registrants. Another logistical point that will be solved if you register early. (An aside - I've never been asked this question before. REALLY?!)
5. Where will family sites be set up? It's an outdoor venue - you will be outside. There are spots available for kiosks and some requests. Again early registration = first come, first served.
6. Why are you not inviting any post-war families from the area? This year marks the bicentennial of the War of 1812. Since the War did not come to Norfolk County until 1813, there is nothing being planned for this year. I thought there was a definite need for an event this year and thought of those families who were here bright and early. Some major families came afterward - maybe someone will create an event for them. 

May Happenings

Really busy last couple weeks! Scott Gillies has officially agreed to by the keynote speaker. Robert Mutrie, author of The Long Point Settlers, is attending. I am off to the South Walsingham Historical Society meeting on Monday night to plug the event. Everything's really coming together!
If I haven't said already, the large pavilion and surrounding environs is booked for the event. The staff at Backus Heritage Conservation Area are great - they also tagged the small pavilion just in case. So rain or shine, the displays and visitors will stay dry!
I've finished inviting Facebook and Ancestry members. Now it's time to focus on traditional media. If you get the Port Rowan Good News, check out next month's issue.

I created a Twitter account, @FoundingFamsLPS, to keep you all up-to-date. Please follow!

It's Official!

Yep - it's official! Earlier this week, I received word that the event is now booked at the large pavilion at Backus Heritage Conservation Area. There is some more discussion needed on the finer details (including reducing the entry fee) but it is definitely a go!
As well, the reservation fee can now be paid at the door, so to say. Check out the new information on the registration form.

Looking for Osterhout-Brandow-Mabee-Manuel Descendants

Brenda Scott sent the following on January 22, 2012:

"Here is an outline of my mother side of my tree.  Guess what I am asking is, does this qualify for attendance and do you have any info that might help me in my research.
My mother was Ruby Pauline Osterhout, Her father was Chancey Osterhout born to Thomas Osterhout born to Samuel Osterhout who married Leah Brandow the daugher of Henry Brandow who was married to Elizabeth Manuel whose father was Anthony Manuel who married Margaret Mabie.
Looking for any info on these families.  Also, looking for help in seeing if any of my relatives were UEL's.Looking forward to hearing from you. Also, is there any connection here to your family tree?"

Well, Brenda, here are Robert Mutrie's writing on them:
"Brandow, Abraham (1775-) and his wife Grietje Becker lived at Westcamp, Ulster County, New York then settled in Walsingham Township about 1805.  Includes Abraham’s parents, grandparents and five generations of his descendants in Norfolk County and elsewhere."
"Mabee, Frederick* (c. 1740- c. 1794) and his wife Levinah Pelham lived in Rombout Precinct, Dutchess County, New York during colonial times. During the American Revolution, Frederick joined the British forces and after the war took his family in the 1783 exodus from New York to New Brunswick. In 1793, the family came to Upper Canada and settled at Turkey Point in Charlotteville Township. Includes Frederick’s parental family and six generations of descendants in Norfolk and elsewhere . The full biography of Frederick and Levinah Mabee was included in The Long Point Settlers Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2."
"Mabee, Silas* (1758), a brother of Frederick Mabee; grew up in Dutchess County, New York and joined Delancey’s Corps during the American Revolution. He went in the 1783 exodus from New York to Nova Scotia and a year later settled in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. Silas and his wife Phoebe LaPeca brought their family to Port Dover, Woodhouse Township in 1808. His sons settled in Middleton Township. Includes five generations of descendants. William Mabee, a nephew of Frederick and Silas lived at Belisle Bay, New Brunswick the in 1837 came with his wife Mary Downey to Walsingham Township and later settled in Windham Township. Includes children and grandchildren."
* Mabee Family Ancestry. A 219 page soft-covered book includes the colonial ancestors and cousins of Frederick Mabee and Simon Mabee by R. Robert Mutrie, 6000 New York Ancestors: A Compendium of Mabee Research. $21.
"Manuel, Anthony (c. 1745-1816) emigrated from Portugal to New York and married widow Margaret (Mabee) Griffin during the American Revolution. After the war, the couple settled in New Brunswick then in 1808 came to Charlotteville Township with their daughters who are continued in other Norfolk genealogies. Their son Anthony Jr. continued in New Brunswick and four generations of his descendants are included. One son of Anthony Jr., Frederick Manuel, settled in Windham Township."

She asks if I am related to her ancestors. Funny enough, No-Yes-Yes-Yes! For a complete view of my pedigree, I have an Ancestry.ca family tree that is not necessarily public but one may request to view it. I think I will make a basic pedigree tree to illustrate my connections to many of the Long Point settlers.

Descendance from Benjamin Beecraft to Howard Ray Lawrence

Robert Mutrie writes, "Bigcraft, Benjamin (c. 1758-) and his wife Elizabeth Westbrook lived in colonial New York. During the American Revolution, Benjamin came to Niagara and served in the Indian Department. He subsequently settled in Ancaster Township, Wentworth County. Their son James Bigcraft/Beecraft (1794-1853) lived in Oakland Township, Brant County, then in Charlotteville Township, Norfolk County. Includes two to three generations of descendants from James."

Here is Howard's second instance:
1 BENJAMIN Beacraft Beecraft b. 1762 d. 1800
   m. c.1786 ELIZABETH WESTBROOK b. 16Oct1768
        2 SARAH BECHRAFT BEACROFT Beecraft b. 1779 d. 07May1843
           m. 1783 or 1775 George Lawrence, Sr. b. 26Mar1757 d. 05Aug1848
                3 William E(dward?) Lawrence b. May1781 d. 09Sep1864
                   m. 01Apr1804 Mary Ann Cudney b. 1787 d. 1820
                   m. Mary Mitchell
                        4 William Francis Lawrence b. 18Jul1819 d. 18Mar1898
                           m. Elizabeth Ann (Langestraat) Longstreet b. 1823
                                5 Sylvester Lawrence b. 10 MAR1855 d. 21AUG1932
                                   m. 29MAR1893 Araminta Palmer b. 05Mar1871 d. 15Jan1950
                                   m. 21AUG1896 Elizabeth Leotta Whittington b. 29JUN1862 d. 15MAR1935
                                   m. 05 January1887 Rebecca Catharine (Katie) Beam b. 9Oct1860 d. 12Jul1888
                                        6 Ray Palmer Lawrence b. 26Mar1894 d. 25Feb1981
                                           m. 28Jun1930 Ina Mabel Sharp b. 06Feb1895 d. 25Feb1975
                                                7 Howard Ray Lawrence b. 21 MARCH 1936
                                                   m. 14Aug1970 Katharine Marie Mulvany b. 06Mar1938 d. 25Jun2002