Oxford Branch of Ontario Ancestors February Zoom Presentation: Black History Month

Logo from the OCBOGS

Hello Everyone,

please see this guest post from the Oxford County Branch of Ontario Ancestors.

Heather Rennalls will discuss the importance of Black History Month; the who, why and when Black History Month was designated both in the United States and here in Canada.  

This meeting will be a virtual Zoom meeting on Monday, February 13, 2023 at 7pm.

All are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is required.

To register for this event (or for inquiries), go to their website Oxford County Branch of Ontario Ancestors, and follow the links.

Presentation Tonight – Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 6:30pm: Doris Weir – Cold Springs Farm in Thamesford!

Mr. Harvey Beaty (photo provided by Doris Weir)

Hello Everyone,

Please join us on Wednesday, October 26 at 6:30pm to hear Doris Weir’s presentation on the Cold Spring’s Farm in Thamesford. The presentation will be held at the Woodstock Museum, NHS.

From Doris Weir:

“Mr. Harvey Beaty was a huge employer and contributor to the town of Thamesford and surrounding areas.  He started Cold Springs Farm in 1949 and up to his death in 1994 he created a business with over 100 farms, processing plants and was starting to build a mini town in Florida. 

When I received his memoirs I wanted to ensure everyone knew who he was and what he had done for Thamesford, Oxford County and many other areas in Ontario, Michigan and Florida so I digitized the memoirs and created a book for everyone to read and enjoy.

I will be talking about Mr. Beaty’s memoirs book, his upbringing, how he crippled himself (his word) and how he started in to the poultry and feedmill business and more.”

This presentation will take place at the Woodstock Museum, NHS. Doors open at 6:30pm and the meeting will start at 6:45pm. This is a free public meeting, all are welcome to attend.

Family History & Memory Book!

Book Cover image provided by the Oxford County Archives

Hello Everyone,
Please see this guest post from the Oxford County Archives about their latest publication.

The Oxford County Archives is spreading awareness about the importance of recording your family history with a new book to help genealogists get started at home:

The Family History and Memory Book is a fun and meaningful way anyone can record their personal or family history. The book contains typical genealogical and autobiographical questions about birth, education, marriage, occupations, death and residence locations. It also includes more personal questions like, “What is your favourite childhood memory?”, “Share some stories about your pets.”, “Which cultural traditions does your family observe?”, “What do you remember about your first vehicle?” and more, with over 40 questions total. The interactive book includes a family tree diagram, a recipe section, and blank pages for scrapbooking mementos.’

In collaboration with staff at the Woodingford Lodge sites in Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Woodstock, copies of the Family History and Memory Book are being donated by the Oxford County Archives and distributed to interested residents at the long-term care homes.

Copies of the new book are also available to the general public for $15, with an option to have the completed book scanned and preserved as a digital record

For more information or to purchase a copy of the Family History and Memory Book, contact the Oxford County Archives at archives@oxfordcounty.ca or by telephone at 519-539-9800 ext. 3070.

Oxford Branch of Ontario Ancestors October Meeting: A Tour of European War Memorials

Hello Everyone,

This guest post is from the Oxford Branch of Ontario Ancestors.

Please join them on Monday, October 17, 2022 at 7pm for their Virtual October meeting:
“A Tour of European War Memorials” presented by Dave MacLeod

Visit their website to register: Oxford County Branch of Ontario Ancestors

You will be sent a separate link to join the meeting.  Everyone, members and non-members alike, are welcome to attend.

Please contact them directly for additional information and upcoming events.

Upcoming Presentation Wednesday, October 26, 2022: Doris Weir – Cold Springs Farm in Thamesford!

Mr. Harvey Beaty (photo provided by Doris Weir)

Hello Everyone,

Please join us on Wednesday, October 26 at 6:30pm to hear Doris Weir’s presentation on the Cold Spring’s Farm in Thamesford. The presentation will be held at the Woodstock Museum, NHS.

From Doris Weir:

“Mr. Harvey Beaty was a huge employer and contributor to the town of Thamesford and surrounding areas.  He started Cold Springs Farm in 1949 and up to his death in 1994 he created a business with over 100 farms, processing plants and was starting to build a mini town in Florida. 

When I received his memoirs I wanted to ensure everyone knew who he was and what he had done for Thamesford, Oxford County and many other areas in Ontario, Michigan and Florida so I digitized the memoirs and created a book for everyone to read and enjoy.

I will be talking about Mr. Beaty’s memoirs book, his upbringing, how he crippled himself (his word) and how he started in to the poultry and feedmill business and more.”