Members of Historical Society of St. Catharines may be available to assist with historical research requests within reason. In depth genealogical queries are better answered by a local genealogical group. If you have a question, please submit it to this page. Please ensure that your questions are very clearly stated, that you provide us with any supporting information possible and that you leave us with some contact information.
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The Historical Society of St. Catharines 
There is an object in Jaycee Gardens dated 1947, I’m including a link to a Google Streetview page below
It’s a short cement ramp labeled “1947”. It’s directly along the path from the Third Welland Canal, except … by that date, to our knowledge that canal had already been filled in. And my little bit of research a la Google says that the area had been used as a landfill in the 1960’s.
We are hoping that somebody can identify what this was, and what it would have been used for.
https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.1918421,-79.2655511,3a,46y,56.43h,68.77t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1srZf0AXc8CV6q9tGKpNpNdQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DrZf0AXc8CV6q9tGKpNpNdQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D22.561668%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en
Hi there. I heard that a young man went missing from Hodgkins Ave in Thorold South in the ’70s. I was wondering what his name is and if he was ever found?
As a kid I lived at 32 Geneva St. We had the scarriest basement. It seemed cold damp and dark with divided rooms. I was so frightened of our basement that for all the years we lived there I couldnt bring myself to walk through it. Did anything ever happen at this address. My father and stepmother once saw a floating woman in our livingroom.
Hi,
I am inquiring about a barbershop I used to go to as a child in St. Catharines. I do not remember the location since I was pretty young. My dad used to take me there in the mid 1990s. The barbershop was owned by an older gentleman and he was an RC plane enthusiast as the shop also displayed and sold RC planes.
Any information about what happened to the shop and owner would be appreciated.
Thanks.
The shop was on Scott Street between Niagara and Grantham on the south side of the road. The owner was an elderly German gentleman I believe, (based on his accent). He sold RC aircraft and other things like that, and also did passport photos. I can’t remember the name of the shop, but there is now a couple of new buildings on the site…one is an architectural firm I believe.
Mr Hans Bredl, 458 Scott St; he retired. He mentored untold numbers of “aviators”
Hi
Currently reasearching Sopwith Camels built here in Alloa, Scotland. I have serial numbers of presentation aircraft (bought by communities/individuals for the war). Once funds were raised, aircraft was bought & community was presented with a photo of the named plane. One of these Camels was C6714 “Queenstown (13th October 1812)”. Im guessing that this was maybe funded by the Niagara area or I notice that William Hamilton Merritt gave a donation of 2 aircraft to Britain & wondered if this was one? I believe his great grandfather was in the battle? There is another presentation camel C8384 St Catherines Ontario although not built by the Alloa factory. Was wondering if anyone had heard of these an if there was photos anywhere? If so would it be possible to enail me a copy? Happy to share any the info I have. Thanks Brian Weaver
I recently purchased a rocking horse/chair. From what we can make out, on the bottom it is stamped
McLaren & Co.
Importers
19 & 21 St Paul St.
St. Catherine’s Ont.
It also has the words costumes and orders but can’t make out the rest. From research we had done previously we found an article about a Robert McLaren. Trying to find out the history of the mercantile it was manufactured in.
Thank you.
Hi Gina, Robert McLaren is my wife’s great great gfather. McLaren & Company, Limited – in 1848 R. and J. Woodruff opened a general store on St. Paul Street. Robert McLaren joined the firm in 1865, and in 1883 he and his brother Alexander took over the store and renamed it McLaren and Company. Robert died in 1917 and in the mid 1920’s the store was taken over by the Canadian Department Store, a division of Eatons of Toronto. The three buildings of the dept. store (17, 19 and 21 St.Paul Street) were gutted by fire in 1936 and were demolished. A new store was built in 1937 and then demolished in 1978, the site now being occupied by the One St.Paul Street complex.
Regards, Simon
Looking for information on my Great Great Grandparents Reason Williams and his wife Mirinda Brady Williams who left Birgigia in about 1825 and settled in London Ontario Canada and St Catharines.
Hello,
My great great Aunt was Henrietta Hainer..descendent of One of founding settlers Jacob Hainer. I understand her home was once on the land that the gates to Ridley College now stand.
I have a photo of my mother at this house in 1918.. a lovely garden party.
Is there anyone in St Catherines i am related to?
Liz Gibbs
Calgary Alberta
Wondering where the famous the castle was located in st catharines. In the 1960s.
The Castle nightclub was at the corner of Lake and Wellington in Downtown St. Catharines.
Hello
I have noticed that an old foundation has been unearthed at 111-113 church street. The workers seemed to be taking there time to uncover the remains with great care. Since this time the construction has stopped. I was wondering if their finds had any historical value, or what might have been there? I thought at first it was the old legion building, after looking at an old map it was probably the building next door, closer to court street. Thank you!
I believe you are referring to the Monument that was moved from the Legion to out front of City Hall. I do not have the family name but the story is something along the lines of the movie Saving Private Ryan. The monument and poss remains were for one family that sacrificed everything & a mother who lost all of her boys for our freedom.