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 
I am a descendent of the Norris family of St. Catharines who were originally from Kilfinan
Scotland. A NOrris cousin of mine in Chicago, Christopher Coy said you had some books I might want – Sincerely Lamented and Lately Lamented with obits of Norris family. Need to know cost and how to order. Thanks, Mary Ann Rosas nee Martin in K.C.Mo.
I am looking for any information on my gr gr grandfather who came to Dalhousie Township with the Lesmahagow Emigration Society from Scotland in 1820. His name was James Barrie Jr and his wife was Ann Martin. They settled Con 6, Lot 9W, dalhousie Twp, Lanark Co., Ontario Canada 21 Nov 1820. They arrived with 3 children and had 7 more children in Canada. Any information would be appreciated.
If he arrived in 1820 and was part of the Lesmahagow Emirgantion Society, he probably came on the brig Prompt, ldeparting Greenock Scotland anding at Quebec. Thats all I have for now.Hopefully more later if you are interested. Regards, Colin Affleck
I am interested i finding the grave site and any information on my late grandmother who was buried on August 23, 1928 in Fonthill Municipal Cemetary. Is this cemetary still open and could I visit it? How would I find where she is buried? I would also dearly love to find where my grandparents (Agnes and Percy James Edwards) and my late father (Albert William) lived. I think it was in either Welland or Fonthill. I believe they arrived around 1919. Any help would be greatly appreciated. John Edwards.
Agnes Emma Edwards passed away August 20, 1928, Fonthill, Ontario. Publication date Ausust 21, 1928, Page Number 2, Record Number 33047.
Notes: City and Vicinity Column, St. Catharines Standard, found in the St. Catharines Public Library:
Agnes died at 38 years of age, having resided in Fonthill 9 years. She is survived by 6 children, including an infant a few hours old. She is survived by her parents and a sister. Funeral to be held August 23, 1928, the Church of England, Fonthill, Archdeacon Perry of Welland to officiate.
Survivors Names: Percy (husband), Stanley,son, Albert,son, Agnes,daughter, Leonard,son, Edith,daughter.
I forgot to mention that http://www.pedlarfuneralhome.ca has an archived obituary for an Edwards who passed away February 8, 2010 in his 93rd year. There are some of the names that were in Agnes Emma Edwards. On the record of her death and her baby’s
the father of Agnes is William Whitlock from England. The writing of the name isn’t clear.
Dalhousie Yacht Club wii be having its 75th anniversary in 2012. The recently formed history committee would be interested in any images, text or stories concerning the club.
I am writing a history of the Lutman family of London, Ontario and would love to hear from anyone who has memories of Margaret E. Lutman (1888-1969) who taught English and History at St. Catharines Collegiate and Vocational Institute from 1923 to 1953. She lived at the Avalon Apartments on William Street and then from 1934 to 1953 at the Melrose Apartments at 3 Church Street with her housekeeper, Laura Bell. I would like to include these stories and reminiscences in my published history.
Looking for information on James Isaac Trumbull born 1833 in St. Catharines. He was the son of James Abner Trumbull and Elizabeth. Was wondering if there may be any connection between them and Dr. William Trumbull born abt. 1794 married 1819 in St. Catharines to Mary Lawrence Secord (daughter of Laura Secord) Any help most appreciated. Thanks.
sandra
Hello,
I am trying to find out the name of a working man’s hotel that operated in downtown St. Catherine’s in the 1920s until the mid-1930s. It was owned by an Englishman, Charles Yaxley. It was possibly south of St. Paul on the corner of King William across from the Welland Hotel. Any assistance is most appreciated.
Thanks,
Bernadette
Your question was forwarded to the Special Collections Department of the St. Catharines Public Library. According to the city directories, Charles Yaxley was the proprietor of the St. Catharines House on (68) James Street. Below are the entries from some of the directories:
1926
Yaxley, Chas, wks Sanitary Dairy, h 151 Pleasant av
1928
Yaxley, Chas (Catherine E), prop St Catharines House, h 36 James
1930
Yaxley, Chas (Catherine E), prop St Cath House, h 68 James
Yaxley, Chas, slsmn Sanitary Daire, James
1933
Yaxley, Chas (Catherine), prop St Catharines House, h 70 James
1934
Yaxley, Chas (Catherine), drvr Sanitary Dairy, h 151 Pleasant av
The St. Catharines House is listed at being at 68 James Street in 1930,1933, 1934
It is listed at being at 36 James in 1926 and 1928
Please let us know if you need anything else.
Sandra Enskat
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“The Harding Hotel, James at King,”
“Yesterday and Today,” January 24, 2009 – courtesy of Dennis Gannon
The building in the photo above left was called the Harding Hotel. It formerly stood on James Street, corner of King Street.
For much of the 19th century, going back at least as far as 1844, the property was connected with the Bradt family of Louth Township. An 1852 map of St. Catharines shows a tavern on that corner, on property then owned by David Bradt, while the property immediately to the north was owned by a W. Bradt. (Bradts continued to own that corner property until at least 1891.)
The footprint of the tavern building on that 1852 map pretty well matches the building we see in the old photo. Over the years, the tavern became a hotel, and over time bore a number of names – the Commercial Hotel in 1863, the St. Catharines House from 1865 until 1935, then the New Statler hotel for a decade or so, and finally the Harding House or Harding Hotel from 1949 until the building’s demise in 1987.
The photo above left shows the original 1852 tavern building at the corner, and next to it two smaller buildings that were added to the facility during the subsequent century and a half. The section at the far left bears a sign saying “Harding Coffee Shop.”
The old Harding Hotel was torn down in February 1987 and replaced the following year by the two storey office building that occupies that corner today (photo above right). Designed by the architectural firm of Macdonald, Zuberec and Kamada, the new building was originally called the Royal Trust City Centre, with Royal Trust moving its local branch over there from Queen Street.
Royal Trust long ago moved on from that location. For the past several years, the new building has housed on its first floor a convenience store as well as our beloved downtown Tim Hortons.
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Dennis Gannon is a member of the Historical Society of St. Catharines. He may be reached at gannond2002@yahoo.com
“YESTERDAY” PHOTO SOURCE:
“Special Collections Room, St. Catharines Public Library.”
Special Collections – St. Catharines Public Library
Hello,
I have ben doing some reading about St. Catharines and I read that it was once called Shippmans Corners. Is there any truth to that? If so, where can I find more information in that regard?
Thanks,
Vicki; Hello,
I have ben doing some reading about St. Catharines and I read that it was once called Shippmans Corners. Is there any truth to that? If so, where can I find more information in that regard?
Thanks,
Vicki;;
Hello,
I have ben doing some reading about St. Catharines and I read that it was once called Shippmans Corners. Is there any truth to that? If so, where can I find more information in that regard?
Thanks,
Vicki
I am trying to find what information i can about William Harper Willson born 8-3-1873 in St. Catherines , Lincoln co. Ont. Canada. He died in 1861 in Winnipeg. He married Ida Ella Lee from Omeeme, Ontario. Any information would be wonderful. I am trying to find his son, Gray Sherman Willson born in 1908. Marilyn