My Visit to the Wellington Archives

In October 2021 I finally visited (with my daughter) the Wellington County Museum and Archives, a trip that I was obliged to postpone for two years due to the COVID pandemic and the resultant restrictions on public activities in Ontario. On this trip, we also visited the Drayton, Ontario cemetery where ancestor William Foreman (1820-1900) is buried.

Photo taken on drive through Wellington county, Ontario (October 2021)

The beautiful drive to 0536 Wellington Rd 18, Fergus, Ontario from my daughter's Toronto apartment took close to two hours which made me wonder about the Foreman family and the conditions they must have endured traveling in the early 1800s when they chose to settle on the 11th Concession Lot 6, Township of Peel, Wellington County ( not to be confused with Peel, the County).

Reviewing Wellington County Maps at the Wellington County Museum and Archives (Oct 2021)

This report of my trip to the Wellington county archives,museums, libraries and cemeteries is in three parts:

1. The research you must do BEFORE you visit any archive or cemetery
2. The research you do while you are at the archive and/or cemetery.
3. The research you do to follow up after you’re home.

On This Day: Frederick Dixon Foreman Was Born In 1880

I thought a lot about my husband's great grandfather Frederick Dixon Foreman (1880-1951) this month. F.D. Foreman was born on this day the 20th of October 1880 in Wellington, Ontario the first-born son of blacksmith William H. Foreman and his wife Martha (Moore).

The Foreman Family: Great-grandfather Fredrick Dixon, great-grandmother Hannah (Hegna), and four of their six children. Left Geraldine, Lola, Shirley and Don (Grandfather Donald Jennings Foreman) (Photo Source: With permission from Susan Morris granddaughter of Geraldine Foreman (1908-1974))

Also in the month of October 2021, I visited the Wellington County Museum and Archives to research my husband's 3rd great grandfather William Foreman (1820-1900) and to visit his final resting place in Drayton, Ontario's Victoria Cemetery. I will report on my findings in a separate blog post ( I am awaiting permissions to post photos).

Wellington County Museum and Archives, in Fergus, Ontario, Canada.  RR#1 Fergus, ON N1M 2W3 0536 County Road 18 (GFDL/CC-by-SA 3.0)

The Olympics: "Faster, Higher, Stronger"

Congratulations to Canada’s Andre De Grasse who won GOLD yesterday in the Men’s 200m with a time of 19.62 seconds making him the first Canadian to win gold in the 200m since Percy Williams in 1928!!

 

Joseph Foreman at the 1956 Olympics.

 

Most Foreman descendants are unaware that Joseph Foreman (1933-1999) also competed in the Olympics in the 200m race in 1956!

Blessings: Distant Cousins Find This Blog!

When I started this blog in 2014 , I did so because I wanted to share the photos and stories of the ancestors with my family. With my blog, I could give a little bit at a time. A picture here, a story there, in the hope that someone out there would enjoy and appreciate what I was sharing.

I never knew at the time that one day I would be writing about what my blog has given back to me!

Through the "Blogger Contact Form", this past summer I met three distant cousins for the very first time:

1. June 2019: A distant 2nd cousin from our Foreman family tree contacted me
2. July 2019: A distant 5th cousin from our Colorado Moynahan family tree contacted me
3. August 2019: A distant 4th cousin from our Tilbury Moynahan family tree contacted me

The Blogger Contact Form

William Foreman (1820-1900)

My husband's 3rd great-grandfather William Foreman (1820-1900) was born in England in 1820 

and emigrated to Ontario where he acquired 100 acres of land in Wellington County 

and lived as a farmer until the day he died.  

William and Martha Foreman's Family

Source: Private Collection of Paul (Greg) Keffer
William H. Foreman (far left) next to daughter Beatrice
and wife Martha (Moore) Foreman in the middle with dark hair.

At the end of October, I accidentally discovered my husband’s 2nd great uncle (Oscar Harold Foreman 1893-1921) was a lieutenant and veterinary surgeon in the First World War.

52 Ancestors No.4: Foreman Homestead Records (Alberta)

This is the fourth of 52 blog posts for the 2015 edition of the 52 Ancestors challenge. I have been blogging my family history for the #52Ancestors challenge since it began in 2014.

#52Ancestors asks bloggers to "have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor.”


This week's blog post is about Alberta Homestead Records of the Foreman family. In particular William H. Foreman and Frederick Dixon Foreman.

Foreman Homesteads: Section 36 Township 39 Range 5 Meridian W5

I have done genealogical research in the provinces of Nova Scotia, Ontario and the states of Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania and New York.

The Foreman research is taking me to province of Alberta and the state of Wisconsin.

I was happy to locate land records in Alberta for both Frederick Dixon Foreman and William H. Foreman by using the search engine at the Library and Archives Canada: Land Grants of Western Canada 1870-1930 (above).

Frederick Dixon Foreman

Homestead Records

Reel 2959

Reel 2750

Fred D. Foreman Homestead Record
Reel 2959 (page 2601/2902)

Fred D. Foreman Homestead Record

William H Foreman

Homestead Records

Reel 2967

William H. Foreman Homestead Record
Reel 2967

From this record we can see that William H. Foreman was a squatter (in tent) beginning in September 1906 staying on the land most months (starting in April 1906, 1907 and February 1908). He was a farmer (Leslieville, Alberta)

William H. Foreman Homestead Record
Reel 2967

From this record we learn that when William H. Foreman is away from his land, that he resides with his son Frederick Dixon Foreman who lives on NW-36-39-5-W5.

We also learn that he, his wife and 6 children resided with him on the property and in 1910 we get an idea of what that looked like: a log home (17' x 21'), a stable and cattle (11) and horses (2) and 15 acres of crops.

This is potentially the evidence I need to prove the relationship with this man (William H. Foreman) who I was fortunate to learn about from another genealogist.

The pictures below are of William H. Foreman and I believe that he is Frederick Dixon Foreman's father.

William H. Foreman (far left) next to daughter Beatrice
and wife Martha (Moore) Foreman in the middle with dark hair.

William H. Foreman

There is more research required to establish this direct link to William H. Foreman, but I feel we are very close indeed.

Links:

Alberta Homestead Records Online
Alberta Genealogical Resources
Alberta Gazeteers and Directories
The little village that grew : a history of North Red Deer
The Park Country : a history of Red Deer and district

52 Ancestors No.3: Thomas and Elizabeth Conlon

This is the third of 52 blog posts for the 2015 edition of the 52 Ancestors challenge. I have been blogging my family history for the #52Ancestors challenge since it began in 2014.

#52Ancestors asks bloggers to "have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor.”

This week's blog post is about Thomas and Elizabeth (Greer) Conlon who are the parents of my husband's paternal grandmother Margaret Veronica (Conlon) Foreman (spouse of Donald Jennings Foreman).

Donald Jennings and Margaret (Rita) (Conlon) Foreman in 1912

I was excited to have a number of breakthroughs on this family tree with thanks to two descendants who shared obituaries, photographs and anecdotal information that led to more breakthroughs!

That's the fun part about genealogy. One thing inevitably leads to another.

The first great gift was the obituary for Rita (Conlon) Foreman that was sent to me by a Conlon descendant.

The Sunday Star
11 October 1981

Where Were 

Thomas Conlon and Elizabeth Greer Born?

The second lead came in the form of a death certificate for Rita's brother Thomas (born in 1870 Ireland - April 26, 1928 York, Ontario). The details in the death registration answered the question about where Thomas Conlon and Elizabeth Greer were born?

1928 Death certificate for Thomas Conlon showing
Mother Elizabeth Greer was born in Scotland
Father Thoams Conlon was born in Ireland

We also know from this information that the family was living in Ireland around 1870 (when Thomas was born)

The third great breakthrough this weekend was the discovery of three wonderful photographs sent to me from a Foreman descendant of the Conlon family. Photographs really enhace a family history and are so important to the story of our ancestors. I am so thankful for these (the two below and the one above).

Thomas and Elizabeth (Greer) Conlon
Mother and father of Margaret Veronica (Conlon) Foreman

The Conlon Clan

From this very basic information (obituaries, death records, oral histories, photographs etc)  that were shared and located over the weekend (thanks to two Foreman and Conlon descendants) many more interesting leads will be followed and much more research lays ahead!

This is what makes genealogy so exciting!

Now why did Margaret Veronica (Conlon) Foreman fondly recall Hadrian's Wall in her childhood reminiscences?

Frederick Dixon Foreman and Anna Hegna

I received an email today with a photograph of the headstone for Frederick Dixon Foreman and Anna Hegna.

The York Cemetery staff assisted me in breaking through a genealogical "brick wall" by locating Frederick's burial place and his date of death.

York Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario

From the cemetery information, I was able to locate Frederick's obituary in the Toronto Star. It is interesting how if refers to his wife "Hannah" when the headstone reads "Anna". Throughout my research, I have found both spellings for her.

Obituaries are helpful to locate other relatives as well. In this example we learn more about Frederick's children Lola, Geraldine, Donald, Shirley and Patricia.

Obituary for Frederick Dixon Foreman (1951)

Obituary Anna (Hegna) Foreman (1965)

52 Ancestors No.2: Ole and Emma (Hanson) Hegna's Emigration from Norway

This is the second of 52 blog posts for the 52 Ancestors challenge ~ 2015 edition. The original idea for #52Ancestors is to "have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor.”

 Last week's blog post was about my husband's Norwegian (paternal) great grandmother Hannah (Hegna) Foreman (1885-1965). 

This week I will write about what I know so far about the Hegna family's emigration from Norway to the United States. We have three critical sources of information for emigration:

1. the 1900 Spokane Washington census, 
2. the 1870 Strong Prairie, Wisconsin Census and 
3. the 1920 Naturalization papers.

Hannah (Hegna) Foreman was born in Wisconsin on the 19th of July 1885, daughter of Norwegian emigrant Ole. O Hegna (emigrated from Norway between 1861-1862) and Emma C. (Hanson) (emigrated from Norway 1872)

1900 Census

We know when Ole and Emma emigrated because of questions 16, 17 and 18 on the 1900 census for Spokane Washington: 

1900 Spokane Washington census
Enumerated on the 19th of June, 1900

General Population Schedule Questions:

1. Number of dwelling home in order of visitation by enumerator (255)
2. Number of family in order of visitation by enumerator (258)
3. Name (Ola Hegna)
4. Relation to head of the family (Head)
5. Color or Race Enumerators were to mark "W" for White, "B" for Black, "Ch" for Chinese, "Jp" for Japanese, or "In" for American Indian. (W)
6. Sex (M)
7. Date of Birth (Nov. 1854)(Emma Apr 1852)
8. Age (45) (Emma 48)
9. Was the person single, married, widowed, or divorced? (M)
10. How many years has the person been married? (15)
11. For mothers, how many children has the person had? (Emma replied 6)
12. How many of those children are living? (Emma replied 6)
13. What was the person's place of birth? (Norway) (Emma replied Norway)
14. What was the person's father's place of birth? (Norway) (Emma replied Norway)
15. What was the person's mother's place of birth? (Norway) (Emma replied Norway)
16. What year did the person immigrate to the United States? (1861) (Emma replied 1873)
17. How many years has the person been in the United States? (39) (Emma replied 27)
18. Is the person naturalized? (This is either Na or No)
19. Occupation, trade, or profession (House Carpenter)
20. How many months has the person not been employed in the past year? (5)
21. How many months did the person attend school in the past year? 
22. Can the person read? 
23. Can the person write? 
24. Can the person speak English? 
25. Is the person's home owned or rented? (O)
26. If it is owned, is the person's home owned free or mortgaged? (F)
27. Does the person live in a farm or in a house? (H)
28. If a person lived on a farm, the enumerator was to write that farm's identification number on its corresponding agricultural questionnaire in this column 

On the same Census, Mary Hegna follows.Born in 1833 she is a 67 year old widow. She had 12 children of which 7 were living. Mary was born in Norway and her mother and father were as well. She emigrated in 1862 and had lived in the U.S. for 38 years, Her home was owned free.

1870 Census

The 1870 census shows us Ole. O. Hegna at 14 years of age with his family living in the Town of Strong Prairie Wisconsin with his family: Father Ole (born 1830, Norway); mother Maria (born 1831, Norway), sister Ellen (born 1859, Norway), sister Margaret (born 1861 at Sea - Atlantic Ocean), brother Jolef (born 1864 Wisconsin), sister Ingborg (born 1865 Wisconsin), and sister Rebecca (born 1869 Wisconsin). 

1920 Naturalization Papers

Petition for Naturalization Part I

Here we learn the following facts about Ole O. Hegna:

• His residence was 612 Scott St. Spokane, Washington
• Ole O. Hegna is working as a machinist helper
• He was born the 14th November 1854 Norway
• He emigrated to the U.S.A. through Canada around April 1, 1861
• His first port of arrival was Chicago, Illinois on the 4th of July 1861
• His vessel name was not remembered in 1920

Petition for Naturalization Part II

 Here we learn the following facts about Emma (Hanson) Hegna:

• Emma was born the 18th of April 1852 in Kongsberg, Norway
• There are five children:
• Hana born July 19, 1886 at Wisconsin; resides at Ontario Canada.
• Mabel born October 12, 1888  at Wisconsin; resides at Worley, Idaho
• Rena born August 19, 1889 at Wisconsin; resides at alberta, Canada
• Ella born May 1, 1894 at Wisconsin; resides at Wallace, Idaho
• Carl born May 21, 1897 at Wisconsin; resides at Tacoma, Washington

Affidavit (Part I) of Ole O. Hegna

Affidavit (Part II) of Ole O. Hegna

Here we learn the following facts about Ole O. Hegna:

• Ole. O Hegna's father was naturalized before Ole was of age
• Ole. O Hegna's father  held 40 acres of government land
• Ole. O Hegna's father died in 1879
• Ole. O Hegna voted since 1876
• Ole. O Hegna served on a jury
• Ole. O Hegna was a councilman (see 1902 news clipping below )

Hannah (Hegna) Foreman's father
Ole O. Hegna (1855-1935)

Hannah (Hegna) Foreman's father
Emma (Hanson) Hegna

Emma (Hanson) Hegna's obituary

For further research is a document believed to belong to my husbands great great great grandfather who applied for naturalization in 1877

52 Ancestors No.1: Hannah (Hegna) Foreman (1885-1965)

This is the first of 52 blog posts for the  52 Ancestors challenge ~ 2015 edition. The original idea was to  "Have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor.” 

This week's blog post is about my husband's Norwegian (paternal) great grandmother Hannah (Hegna) Foreman. It was a real challenge to track her records in two states (Wisconsin and Washington), two provinces (Alberta and Ontario) and multiple cities. And I still have not tracked down any photographs but I have only just begun.

This is what I have so far:

1885 Birth: Wisconsin

Hannah was born in Wisconsin on the 19th of July 1885, daughter of Norwegian emigrant Ola. O Hegna (emigrated from Norway 1862) and Emma C. (Hanson) (emigrated from Norway 1872)

Hannah had three sisters (Mable, Rena and Ella) and one brother (Carl). 

1900 Census: Spokane, Washington

In this census, we learn that Hannah's father Ola is a house carpenter. We can also determine from this census that the family moved from Wisconsin to Washington some time between the births of  Rena (1888 Wisconsin) and Oscar (1891 Washington).

"United States Census, 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11841-133750-79?cc=1325221 : accessed 7 January 2015), Washington > Spokane > ED 54 Fairfield, McCoy, and Rockford Precincts Rockford town > image 25 of 38; citing NARA microfilm publication T623, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.

1907 Marriage: Spokane, Washington

Hannah married Frederick Dixon Foreman on the 10th of April 1907 in Washington, U.S.A. when she was 21 years old. She was a dressmaker at the time. Frederick's occupation is listed as carpenter.

1907 Marriage Certificate

1911 Census: Calgary Alberta

Between 1907 and 1911, Frederick Dixon and Hannah (Hegna) Foreman made their way to Calgary Alberta. Daughters Lola (Nichola) and Geraldine and son Donald Jennings were born in Alberta. Frederick's occupation is listed as carpenter.

Year: 1911; Census Place: Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Page: 36; Family No: 252

1921 Census: Beamsville, Ontario

In 1921, the Foremans are found in Beamsville, Ontario and two more children have arrived: Shirley (born 1914 in Alberta) and Kenneth (born 1920 in Ontario). (Patricia will be born in 1922)

Hannah's language is listed as Norwegian and she is shown to have naturalized in 1907. 

(It is interesting to note that Frederick's income is recorded as $2000 which is notably high in comparison to other carpenters of the day?)

Year: 1921: Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 70;
Census Place: Beamsville (Village), Lincoln, Ontario;
Page Number: 17

Beamsville Ontario (circa 1910)
Toronto Public Library Special Collection

1940 Voters List - Newtonbrook

1945 Voters List - Eglinton, Toronto City

In 1945, Fred and Hannah were living with Patricia on Eglinton Avenue.

Hannah is a dressamaker and Frederick is a carpenter.

1949 Voters List - Florence Avenue, North York

In 1949 Frederick and Hannah are living with their daughter Patricia (Foreman) sutton and her husband. Fred is still working as a carpenter.

1965 Death: Toronto, Ontario

Norway Links

• Norway Genealogy

U.S.A. Links:

• Spokane Library Genealogy Resources
• Family Search: Spokane Washington
• Flickr Toronto Public Library Photo Collection

Ontario Links:

• Newtonbrook photos - Toronto Public Library
• Lincoln Public Library photos
• Niagara Green Belt Historic Houses

2015: 52 Ancestors: Week1 - Fresh Start

Thankfully Amy Crow has decided to host the 52 Ancestors - the 2015 edition again and this year's challenge will be the same as 2014 with a few new and interesting twists. This year, in addition to weekly postings of individual ancestors, there will be weekly themes

Week 1's theme is:

 Fresh Start — "Seems appropriate for the beginning of the year. What ancestor had a fresh start? What ancestor has been so confusing to research that you’d like to have a fresh start?"

I have had an exciting fresh start this week on my husband's family history (Surname: Foreman) thanks in large part to a simple search in the Toronto Stars Archives (for only $9.95 for one week).

I found an obituary for his grandfather Donald Jennings Foreman. (1911-1967)

This discovery gave me Donald Jenning's siblings and when I added that genealogical information to my ancestry.ca research I then found the Foreman family on the 1911 (Calgary, Alberta) and 1921 census (Beamsville, Ontario).

Donald Jenning's mothers name was a real brickwall and there she was on the censuses - Hannah! (Hannah Hegna a Norwegian ancestor). Her birthplace in the census was U.S.A. (later determined to be Spokane, Washington) and all of Hannah's siblings and Hannah's marriage certificate to Frederick Dixon Foreman (Donald's father) followed!

By morning, my ancestry.ca app looked like this:

A fresh start indeed! I am so excited to see what's in store in 2015.

All from one brickwall and one obituary!


Link:

• Toronto Stars Archives