I often hear questions that sound like “can I find it online?” or “can I find it on Ancestry?” when researchers ask for help and I remind them that not all archival descriptions are available online. I highly recommend to contact an Archivist when doing genealogical or historical research since Archivists are able to help find information and explain how records have been organized. By only searching one database or one finding aid you may miss resources that contain information related to your genealogy or historical research.

The records included below are an example of resources found in the Collection of Miscellany and in similar finding aids (available on our website) that are not indexed on Ancestry or Family Search. The Collection of Miscellany from the Lennox and Addington Historical Society provides clues into what life was like in Lennox and Addington in the 19th Century.

1.jpg

Figure 1 – Anonymous Ledger, 1813, Collection of Miscellany, Lennox and Addington Historical Society

According to the Collection of Miscellany finding aid, this ledger is from Willet Casey who opened the first carding mill in the Prince Edward County and Adolphustown area and dates from 1813 (Figure 1). Research suggests that the mill was moved to Casey’s Point in Adolphustown Township in the 1820’s.

“The ledger is particularly significant because of its early date; many of the earliest settlers are included as customers.” This ledger, which can be found in the Collection of Miscellany, is a great example of how searching every resource available at the Archives can lead to clues to track down your ancestors that aren’t available on Ancestry or Family Search.

For a detailed listing of names included in the ledger please contact the Archivist at archives@lennox-addington.on.ca

2.jpg

Figure 2 – Anonymous Ledger or Account Book, [Enterprise], 1857, Collection of Miscellany, Lennox and Addington Historical Society

Another record that is included in the Collection of Miscellany is the anonymous account book believed to be from a merchant in Enterprise from 1857 (Figure 2).

“The account book deals with the business of a dry goods or general merchandise store from March 1857 to 1858. A large number of the customers in the account book appear in County directories as living in Camden Township and Sheffield Township in the late 1850’s. Seven names have been positively identified as closely associated with the Town of Enterprise.”

This account book was extremely helpful for a researcher looking for information on their ancestor who lived in Camden Township in the late 1850’s who couldn’t find information using traditional online resources.

3.jpg

Figure 3 – Michael Asselstine Ledger, Odessa, 1866, Collection of Miscellany, Lennox and Addington Historical Society

The Michael Asselstine Ledger (Figure 3) from the Collection of Miscellany has been “identified as the ledger of the Asselstine Woolen Mill in Odessa that was relocated to the Upper Canada Village. The account book covers such activities as spinning, carding and manufacturing. Entries were recorded in the ledger from 1866 to 1885 and it seems to have been put aside as the main ledger till the 1880’s. The author of the ledger provided several listing of activities, listing of customers (including customers from Amherst Island), and a list of commodities.”

4a&b.jpg

Figure 4 – Maria Nelson Scrapbook (left) and detail of Maria Nelson Scrapbook (Right), [1813], Collection of Miscellany Scrapbook Index, Lennox and Addington Historical Society

The Maria Nelson Scrapbook (Figure 4) was a surprise discovery that I found while helping a researcher last month. The scrapbook is from the Lennox and Addington Historical Society Collection and contains newspaper clippings, diary entries and drawings from 1813 to 1879. Entries by Maria Nelson are dated from 1832 till 1852 and can be seen on the right hand side of the image. What is unique about this record are the drawings by [Maria] that continue throughout the scrapbook adding a personal touch to the historical record.

Other interesting records included in the Collection of Miscellany are a Lennox and Addington Militia Roll from 1865 (Figure 5), a poem written by T.H. from 1764 (Figure 6), and a poem about a visit to the Lake on the Mountain from 1873 for employees of Rathburn and Son (Figure 7). These records are from the Collection of Miscellany that provide a colourful insight into the history of Lennox and Addington County.

56&7.jpg

Figure 5 – Militia Roll of Lennox and Addington, 1865, filed by William H. Wilkinson (Clerk of the Peace), certified by William Detlor (County Clerk) and H.T. Forward (Justice of the Peace), Collection of Miscellany, Lennox and Addington Historical Society

Figure 6 - Poem written by T.H., “Verses wrote on the Top of Parnassus”, 1764, Collection of Miscellany, Lennox and Addington Historical Society

Figure 7 – “Souvenir of the Picnic, Trip to Lake on the Mountain”, August 4th, 1873, Collection of Miscellany, Lennox and Addington Historical Society

For more information about how to access finding aids or to view archival records please submit a research request!

 

https://www.lennox-addington.on.ca/museum-archives/finding-aids

https://www.lennoxaddington.on.ca/museum-archives/research-requests-and-fees