York Sunbury Historical Society November Program

The Program Committee is pleased to announce the following presentation for the York Sunbury Historical Society. Presentations take place at 7:30pm in the basement of Old Government House (51 Woodstock Road). A reception follows the presentation and are free and open to the public.

Speaker: Greg Fekner
Topic: Equipment that Canadians, specifically New Brunswickers, used during the First World War.
Date: 19 November 2015

Greg Fekner is originally from Ontario and obtained his Honours B.A. in history from Wilfred Laurier University.  His focus was   on Military History but found that he excelled especially in the area of Canadian Military History.  While in Ontario, Greg became an avid recreational historian and took part in several recreations ranging from the American Civil War to the Second World War. He worked with a prominent high school teacher from Tillsonburg to deliver educational programs to students of all ages. Greg is presently the Executive Director at the New Brunswick Military History Museum in Oromocto and remains heavily involved with the educational side of the museum industry.

York Sunbury Historical Society April Program

Government House on Woodstock Road

The Program Committee is pleased to announce the following presentation for the York-Sunbury Historical Society. Join us in the basement of Government House (51 Woodstock Road) starting at 7:30pm. All presentations are free and open to the public, with a reception following each one.

Speaker: Brent Wilson, Gregg Centre
Date: April 16th, 2015
Topic: Into Battle: New Brunswickers and the Second Battle of Ypres

In April 1915, about 500 New Brunswickers entered into large-scale battle for the first time when the Germans attacked the 1st Canadian Division at Ypres. By the time the Canadians were withdrawn a week later, they had suffered almost 6,000 casualties. This talk will look at how these New Brunswickers experienced the battle and examine the effects the fighting had back home. Among these local soldiers was Driver Abner Belyea, who was an early member of the York-Sunbury Historical Society.

York Sunbury Historical Society Announces 2014 Martha J. Harvey Award Recipients

Martha J. Harvey was the founder of the York Sunbury Historical Society

Fredericton, NB— December 8, 2014: Each year, the York Sunbury Historical Society (YSHS) seeks nominations from its members for the Martha J. Harvey Awards of Distinction to be awarded at the annual society Christmas luncheon.  The annual award honour outstanding contribution to the field of history in New Brunswick and long and meritorious service to the YSHS.

This year, an award will be presented to Melynda Jarratt for her research and publication on New Brunswick’s history, and her work to preserve built heritage.  Melynda is an expert on Canada’s War Brides history, publishing three books and curating an exhibit at the York Sunbury Museum (Fredericton Region Museum) on the topic.  She serves on the advisory committee for the New Brunswick Scottish Portal and was among the founders for the Association Maison Doucet Hennessy House Association Inc. to maintain, restore and preserve the Doucet Hennessy House located in Bathurst.

The second award will be presented to Elizabeth Earl for her many years of dedicated volunteer work on the YSHS Board of Directors and with several of the society and museum committees, often as chair.  During her thirty years in the Society, she served twelve years on the Board including four years as president.  Presently, she is the Chair of the Exhibitions Committee and serves on the Program Committee.

Formed in 1932, the York Sunbury Historical Society collects, preserves and interprets historical data, records and objects relating to the history of the province of New Brunswick, and in particular that of York and Sunbury Counties.  Last year, the society presented awards to Vincent Erickson and Donald Roberts.

York Sunbury Historical Society October Program

Government House on Woodstock Road

The Program Committee is pleased to announce the following presentation for the York-Sunbury Historical Society.  Presentations take place at 7:30pm in the basement of Government House (51 Woodstock Road). A reception follows each presentation and are free and open to the public.

Speaker: Grant Aylesworth
Topic:  The creation and uses of 3D photo models of cemetery monuments
Date:  October 16, 2014

Authors/Creators:
Grant Aylesworth, PhD, RPA*
Squareforks Consulting Inc.
President, New Brunswick Archaeological Society

Brent Suttie, MA, RPA
Archaeological Services, New Brunswick Tourism, Heritage and Culture
Past-President, New Brunswick Archaeological Society

Abstract:
An average quality digital camera and free software can be used to create 3D digital models of cemetery monuments. In turn, these models can be used to enhance legibility of aged and weatherworn monuments and digitally preserve them.  Since the condition of monuments usually deteriorates over time rather than improving, creating a digital photographic record for preservation helps to mitigate the loss of monuments to erosion, accidents and vandalism.  Digital photography and modelling is non-invasive and eliminates damage that can be caused by rubbing and other traditional methods used to enhance legibility.  Genealogists and others can easily assist in the creation of digital archives by simply taking more photos of monuments at any cemeteries visited.

Brief Bio:
Grant Aylesworth, PhD, RPA
Grant is President and Senior Consultant at Fredericton-based Squareforks Consulting Inc. He has held a number of professorships, most recently at Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB.  He holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin.  In addition to academic appointments, Grant has held positions with large engineering and environmental consulting firms before starting Squareforks. His areas of interest include heritage and culture, traditional knowledge, post-secondary education, and development work with Aboriginal and Indigenous communities and organizations.  His work has been the subject of media coverage by CBC, CTV and newspapers in major cities as well as national publications such as University Affairs and National Post.  He has worked on projects in Central America, the USA and Canada.  Grant has long been interested in applying new technology to heritage-related challenges and research.

Seeking Information about Samuel Yorke and Family of Sunbury County

The Fredericton Region Museum office is seeking assistance with a research enquiry received yesterday.

“Dear York Sunbury Historical Society,
I am researching my ancestors who settled in Sunbury, New Brunswick in the mid to late 1700’s.  My 4th Great Grandfather is James Yorke who married Lucy Nevers.  She was born in Feb 15, 1766 in Sunbury and is the first child of Samuel and Ann Nevers.  I am trying to find birth or baptism records, marriage records, land records, etc. for my 4th Great Grandmother and their children.  More specifically, their son Samuel Yorke who is my 3rd Great Grandfather.  Does your museum have any of these names in their archives?  If not, could you direct me to someone who could help me with my research?

Kindest regards,
Patricia”

Any help with Patricia’s questions would be greatly appreciated.  Please leave your answers in the comments below!

References found in the York Sunbury Historical Society MC300 Finding Aid
These records belong to the York Sunbury Historical Society and are stored in the Provincial Archives storage facility. Copies of records can be obtained by contacting the New Brunswick Provincial Archives.

References to “Nevers”
MC300 MS5 Burpee Family Papers #46, Letter from Samuel Nevers to Charles Burpee asking to have the lighthouse position occasioned by the death of James K. Hazen; Burton, February 16, 1878.

MC300 MS12 Benjamin Atherton Records #5, Invoice of goods sent to Benjamin Atherton via Jabez Nevers from Simonds & White; October 21, 1774.

No references to “Yorke” were found.

Learning About the Past from our Future!

Coming soon! The student edition of the Officers’ Quarters!

The YSHS Publishes Another Issue of the Officers’ Quarter!

Fredericton, New Brunswick (March 25, 2013) – The York Sunbury Historical Society Publication Committee is releasing their latest Officers’ Quarters at the beginning of April.

Edited by Alexandra Fox, with Fin Mackay-Boyce as her co-editor, this issue of the local history publication features articles written by students who have either worked, interned or volunteered at the Fredericton Region Museum during the past couple of years.  Ms. Fox is a St. Thomas University student and has worked at the Fredericton Region Museum for two summers.  She has previously edited the St. Thomas history student journal and has volunteered at the museum periodically during the off-season.

Each year, the museum is fortunate to receive several summer- student employment grants and internships as well as chosen by several students looking for volunteer opportunities. Without the hard work and dedication of students, many of our projects would not get completed. This edition of the Officers’ Quarters is intended to be a thank you to those students and the granting agencies that make it possible to hire them as well as provide an opportunity for contributors to have their work published.

The contributors are past summer students, former volunteers and interns. They attend either St. Thomas University or the University of New Brunswick and represent several departments from undergraduate, graduate and education. The articles explore personal experiences from working at the museum as well as research papers that examine artefacts and topics from New Brunswick’s past.

Copies of the Officers’ Quarters are available for purchase at the Fredericton Region Museum for $10 each.  Funds raised from the sale of the publication support the York Sunbury Historical Society research and publishing program.

About the Fredericton Region Museum: The York Sunbury Historical Society founded the Fredericton Region Museum in 1934.  In 1959, the museum found permanent headquarters in the Officers’ Quarters (571 Queen Street) in the heart of downtown Fredericton.  The society and museum remain a non-profit enterprise with a small paid staff and numerous volunteers.  Spring hours (April – June) are Tuesday to Saturday 1pm-4pm.

York Sunbury Historical Society March Program

Join us at Government House, Thursday March 20 @ 7:30pm for our monthly program.  Our speaker is Koral LaVorgna, who will be reading love letters of New Brunswick from times past and telling their stories.  These have been gleaned from the New Brunswick Provincial Archives and the York Sunbury Historical Society’s collection, and their stories reflect a completely different and interesting attitude than presently seems to exist.

This is from the week-long series she did for CBC radio in Saint John and Fredericton; and for a Daily Gleaner feature during the Valentine celebration period this year.

Ms. LaVorgna is a PHD candidate in history, lecturer at St. Thomas University, Executive Director of the Scottish Portal Project, past Fredericton Region Museum Manager, Curator, Researcher and Writer for the City of Fredericton Built Heritage History Projects, a Step-On Tour Bus History Travel Guide, with a broad and thorough knowledge of New Brunswick and Fredericton’s history.

A reception will follow the presentation.  Non-members are cordially invited.

Please note, there is a snow storm forecast with freezing rain for March 20th.  If Fredericton schools are closed on this date, then the program will be cancelled.

York Sunbury Historical Society February Program

Ashes and Rebirth: St. Mary’s Ferry/North Devon

1878 Map of St. Mary’s

Based on the Community Memories exhibition, Bob McNeil will tell the story of St. Mary’s Ferry/North Devon.  This community was first called St. Mary’s Ferry and in 1917, it became North Devon.  Finally, in 1945 it became part of Fredericton.  Through photos and stories of the time, this exhibit follows the beginnings of a community from 1831, through to its inclusion in the greater city of Fredericton in the mid-20th century.

Join us at Government House, Thursday February 20 @ 7:30 PM when curator Bob McNeil will tell us more about this community.

A reception will follow the presentation.  Non-members are cordially invited.

York Sunbury Historical Society January Program

Aroostook War of 1839 by Gary Campbell

A little-known episode in North America’s history, the Aroostook War of 1839 was an undeclared war with no actual fighting.  It had its roots in the 1793 Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolutionary War but left the border of Maine (then part of Massachusetts) and British North America unsettled.  Efforts to locate the border based on the treaty failed.  The area between the competing British and American claims became known as the Disputed Territory.  Fearing a negotiated border would negatively affect its claim for the disputed territory, Maine occupied the Aroostook River valley in early 1839.  British regulars, New Brunswick militia, and Maine militia were then deployed in the dead of winter, as the kindling was laid for a third major Anglo-American conflagration.  Eventually, cooler heads prevailed, although they did not deter a number of skirmishes between the Maine Land Agent posses and a loosely organized group of New Brunswick lumbermen.  A complex story of friction, greed, land grabs, and the Ashburton-Webster Treaty of 1842 eventually settled rivalry, this border dispute that nearly resulted in war.  If you want to learn more about this fascinating period in New Brunswick history, join us at Government House, Thursday January 16 @ 7:30 PM when author Gary Campbell will tell us more about this story.

A reception will follow the presentation.  Non-members are cordially invited.

Looking For Volunteer Writers for Local History Journal

Just released, the Fire edition of the Officers’ Quarters!

The York Sunbury Historical Society’s Publication Committee invites submissions of full and short papers reporting on the history of entertainment and entertainers in central New Brunswick.  The Publication Committee and Editor will review all papers and accepted papers will be published in the Officers’ Quarters.

The York Sunbury Historical Society is a volunteer organization and, at this time, does not offer monetary compensation for articles.

Articles must include sources and a good quality digital image or two to for illustration.  The submission deadline is February 1, 2014.

Contact the Fredericton Region Museum office for more information.

About our Publication: The Officers’ Quarters
Past Issues of the Officers’ Quarters