Sources: Newspaper
by F.E. McConvey
Published: 23 December 1987
A short time ago there appeared in a newspaper column, an extremely tasteless and tactless question concerning "In Memoriam's."
The reply contained a great deal of fancy footwork that completely side-stepped the question, but supplied one of the best examples of the not-so-old adage, "Bullroar baffles brains" that I have ever seen.
Seeing that they broached the subject, there is no sense in my letting this opportunity slide.
Many people cannot allow the death anniversary of a loved one to slip past unnoticed. Some visit the grave site and place flowers there or donate a stained-glass window to their church; while others insert a memoriam in the local paper. Even though I do not participate in these practices, I feel that they are neither "ghoulish" nor "an attempt to assuage some sort of guilt." Even if they were, what harm is done?
From a positive point of view, "In Memoriam's" are a treasure trove of information. Take time to examine some of the entries. Here are the data that can be gleaned:
1. Complete name
2. Date of Death
3. Cause of death, particularly if accidental.
4. Place of death.
5. Names and relationships of family members
6 Photographs.
From the Courier of Nov. 25, 1987 there are memoriam's for those who had died in 1954 and 1956. In my estimation, a person still lives until his name has completely vanished from the lips and memories of his friends and family. The "In Memoriam's" are one way of keeping these memories alive.
Social columns provide a wealth of information for the genealogist. They also serve the purpose of keeping people informed of the happenings. "Down Home."
For centuries our Maritime provinces have had little to export except brain power. This is one of the reasons why the larger provinces are so prosperous.
When I lived in Ontario I was so hungry for news from home that I watched each mail for my copy of the Courier. When it finally arrived, I gorged myself on its contents. The council reports and political stories were fine, but it wa the news about the people, that satisfied the hunger.
It was a sad day, both for genealogists and those living away from the area, when the regular social notes for St. Stephen and St .Andrews ceased to exist in the Courier. Fortunately, the columns from the smaller towns and rural communities have managed to survive.
Social columns can provide this information:
1. Names and family relationships
2. Places of residents
3. Births, death, weddings and anniversaries within family, occasional with dates.
4. Occupations
5. Sickness or medical problems
Study this example taken from a Courier:
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Mark Young on the birth of a son, Duston Kendyl, a brother for Devin and Brittany. Proud grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. David Rogerson and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Young.
Data supplied: Three generations of family names.
Year of birth for Dustin Kendyl
Name of his Siblings
Maiden surname of his mother.
Social notes provide the nutrients that keep newspaper circulation healthy and well, now and in the future. do not mistake them for cheap fillers that make the food stretch farther.
It goes without saying that birth and death notices; engagement and marriage announcements plus the "At Home" are valuable sources of genealogical information too.
Obituaries generally reveal more information about an individual that the death notice. Even though it is a very difficult time for the family, care must be taken to ensure that certain information is contained in an obituary. Life goes on someday, future generations will be sorting through reams of microfilm looking up material for the family tree. Do not disappoint them by writing an obituary that supplies little or no information.
The guidelines below give the absolute minimum of data that should be contained in an obituary:
1. Full Name and Nickname of deceased i. e. John (Jack) Doe
2. Date and Place of birth
3. Date and place of death
4. Religious affiliation
5. Pallbearers
6. Place of interment
7. Education
8. Occupation and place of business
9. Hobbies and interests
10. Membership in clubs and organizations.
11. Name and resident (or origins) of parents, including mother's maiden name, i.e. John and Jane (Person) Doe formerly of Scotch Ridge, NB.
12. Names and residences of siblings, including names of any married sister's spouse, i.e. Jane (Mrs. John Doe) of Baltimore, MD
13. Name of spouse, including maiden name and origin. i.e. Mary Jane (Doe) from Newcastle, NB.
14. Names and residences of children, including the name of any married daughter's spouse.
Ideally, an obituary would also contain the names of grandparents, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and a photograph of the deceased.
To end on a more joyful note, marriage write-ups also supply many details for the family researcher. Again, carefully plan the writing with an eye to the upcoming generations.
QUERIES
13. CHARLOTTE (GARNETT) McELWEE: of Lepreau. Married ALEXANDER McELWEE in Milltown, NB on April 4, 1880. Seek info on parents, siblings and children.
Note: In-Laws, Outlaws and Kinfolk articles have been published on this site with the permission of the St. Croix Courier. Special thanks goes to the Courier for allowing me to reprint my mother's articles.