Love, Loss & Family: 2025 was a year of letting go of a lot of things loved.  Key people and pets in my life that have passed away, saying goodbye to organizations I was proud to be apart of, and then learning to say good bye all over again to some of my loved ones that may not be here for much longer in 2026.  Throughout this process I really experienced how overwhelming it can be; especially when the losses just kept coming.  Its a storm of emotions felt while congregating in front of a tissue box with no words to follow.  Although many of these stories were unravelling fast, I am happy that I can finally say that I am on the other side of grief.  I now feel more gratitude and realize the heatbreak I was feeling was simply because I experienced a whole lot of love in my life, and now feel ready to turn the page to a new chapter. Every loved person was a page in my life story, regardless of the length of time they were in it.  So how do I...

Photo by CJ Scott What is a handkerchief?  Not a common word said today or widely used since the creation of disposable handkerchief's in 1924 aka Kleenex (wiki). Besides the obvious use for handkerchief's, they were also typically given to another as a memento to remind the other of their love.  It was more commonly made by hand with added lace around the edges and details of flowers or emblems hand stitched into the cloth.   I  came across one in particular that was acquired after a close family member had recently passed away.  It struck me with curiosity as it was embellished with a familiar symbol of Ireland; Azure a harp (or stringed Argent).  This was a puzzling feature since the item belonged to a person with French descent.  In addition to the symbol, words in Irish Gaelic were also stitched into it.  The words were 'Fior Go Bas" which were later translated to mean "Faithful or True until death" (Google translate).   What a dram...

Researching family can be tricky.  There is always at least one ancestor that everybody tip toes around, or when asked about the conversation simply gets shut down because its either too painful to talk about or there is “shame” attached to it.  Shame is a powerful word, but it has been in my own personal experience that talking out loud about ‘things’ can give context and understanding of what happened which allows us to move forward.  So how do you research something no one wants to talk about?   A gentler approach when talking to your family may work by asking, “I am really interested in understanding what happened”, or “I understand its painful to talk about it, but when you are ready, I really want to understand and hear that story”, but even that may not work. What do you do when they are ready to share the story? There is a lot to be considered like how long ago did it take place?   Is the person telling you the story objectively?   Were they a w...

Image by ksblack99, creative commons Have you ever heard of the phrase, “a picture is worth a thousand words”?   This could also be said of headstones in a cemetery.   Each week when I walk through Windsor Grove one of Windsor’s oldest cemeteries, the stones speak to me, almost whispering and taunting me to hear their story.   Some are larger than life monuments reflecting families of wealth.   Some include symbolism highlighting their faith, culture, and organizations that they  were proud to be apart of.   Of all the beautiful monuments within this cemetery I seem to be drawn to the smaller, insignificant stones with little information on them.   They tease my curiosity with questions that need to be answered.   Why such a simple stone?   Did they not have enough money?   Where were they from?   Why did they die so young?   Where is the rest of their family?   The mind drifts off to many questions, but once the voices s...

O nce in a while I come across a social media post where someone shares a childhood memory.  Its heartwarming to know that with all of this technology around us people allow themselves to sit and think without needing entertainment.  Don't get me wrong, I think there are many positive things about technology however I wonder... Are people craving a change?   Its interesting to observe as well that everywhere I go I see references to vintage and retro.  Stores have opened up specifically to sell collectable clothing, furniture, glassware, and vinyl from the 50s to 70s.  Not unusual with each passing generation, but I am aware that these items certainly provoke feelings and memories and we buy into it because of that connection.  There's that word again...connection.  I love how 'items' create feelings, jog a memory or bring you back to a moment that you experienced.  Whether they are considered negative or positive they are still memories....

Since the pandemic I have really been trying to balance life, and at the same time practice mindfulness. I  always prided myself in making sure I was "ok" no matter what, but I see now that life pre-pandemic was too busy, and at times overwhelming trying to put enough time aside for people I cared about. It was amazing to me as well the impact of not having a physical connection with others.  Technology was helpful for a time to somewhat satisfy this craving, however seeing and hearing a person on a screen was just not enough.  It was the physical presence of another that really completed the connection, and when safer to do so a hug, fist tap or handshake really let me breathe again; everything came full circle.   It was amazing how people became creative and had lawn visits, drive by birthdays and graduations.  People had their patio chairs brought to the front of the house, curtains on homes were never closed, and yes people did put Christmas lights on t...

Barrie Examiner Sept 1916, photo by CJ Scott Private Emerson Watson Armstrong, 20th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Forces, born in Allandale, Ontario December 21, 1896 to William  Armstrong and Johanna Reynolds (Archives of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Series Registration of Births and Stillbirths 1869-1913, reel 134; Record Group: RG 80-2).     According to his military records acquired from Library and Archives Canada, he enlisted with the 20th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force in Toronto, Ontario November 29, 1914; just a few weeks prior to his 19th birthday.   War Diaries from LAC further confirm that the 20th battalion left in May 1915 on the SS Megantic , however the first letter received by his mother Johanna was dated October 4, 1914 with a note of "In Belgium" .  Based on the contents of the letter it could be as simple as him loosing all track of time and maybe wishing he was somewhere else.  Or was he living in a nightmare?...

Emerson Armstrong, Photo by CJ Scott Spring is definitely here in Canada.  Longer days, warmer temperatures, flowers popping up in the garden, windows opened to let the fresh air in, and some serious spring cleaning.   I don't know about you but when I start a thorough spring cleaning, I start tackling the bookshelves, and I seem to find myself going through family albums, and a pile of records that I have not yet been able to input into my research log.   This year the pile is larger than ever as I had to sort through my Mom's belongings in preparation for Long Term Care.  Its amazing to go through another family historian's pile of stuff! daunting but very necessary!   It was a year of bitter sweet findings in that I found some old photos of family that I had never seen before like this photo of my Dad as a young teenager, and I found several documents including a few certificates from the Royal Conservatory of Music for piano.  My Mom alwa...

When we see a successful person they almost seem larger than life.  We forget that they had parents, a childhood, and a story of how and why they became a success.  When we look a bit closer into their lives we find that these successful people have faced challenging circumstances, and have somehow come out of the ashes doing incredible things.  These stories excite me as they offer hope, and appreciation for those that were courageous enough to believe in something beyond themselves.   I remember talking to a family member about my Grandfather, who seemed reluctant in sharing some of his childhood experiences. I guess when we share a negative experience with others we are afraid of what people may think, but then I say, ok....but what did they do to overcome it?  I think that sometimes we loose site of the real story.  I mean, you have to tell the whole story to appreciate the outcome....right? John Wesley & Hattie May, Photo by: CJ Scott On Augus...

Irish Sea shoreline - Dublin 2018, Photo by: CJ Scott In 2018 I journeyed to Northern Ireland for an overdue adventure filled with uncertainty, excitement and connection with family I had never met.  The first day of my arrival I took some time to sit outside of my hotel and take in the scenery.  As I sat staring at the shoreline of the Irish Sea I started thinking how amazing it was to finally be here.  I also started wondering what my Nana, Lillian Breen, was thinking as she left these shores and came to Canada back in 1927.   She never spoke to me of where she came from, but I do remember there were times that she was sad because she missed her family.  It was not until I was asked to do a family tree school project that I asked her if she could answer some of my questions.  Although very grateful for the conversation I had more questions.  She came from Northern Ireland and lived in County Tyrone  having 11 siblings which she easily ...