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 recently was given a family pocket watch that belonged to my grandmother. It has A. L. Jackson, St. Catherines, Ont. on the dial. I would like to find out any information I can on the person and/or company that made this watch.
It does not run and needs a second hand. I would like to find out if they are still in business and if they are get it repaired.
The wife and I live in Beamsville. Every time we pass through Port Dalhousie we have to drive past the gorgeous dwelling at 20 and 22 Bayview Drive in Port Dalhousie. Can you tell me anything about the history of the house? It has to be one of the nicest places in Dalhousie.
Hi, I’m looking for information about John McFarland of Niagara on the Lake. What were the names of his 5 sons? Where can I find some kind of genealogy? thx, J. McFarland, Saskatchewan
In Addition to SUZY’S situation, my father found a broken glass jar that had been unearthed by a paving company in the welland and york area. He pieced it together enough to see it said ‘Greed Woods City Drug Store St. Catharines.’ we were just wondering if anyone had context or knowledge about this business.
I am looking for any information about the Campbell/Ward family of St. Catherines. Margaret Campbell (born 1805-d. 1889 in Hamilton) married Charles Ward (a saddler) on March 21, 1824 at St. George’s Church in St. Catherines. I show that in 1834, Charles Ward was naturalized. He is listed as a saddler, living in St. Davids (nearby St. Catherines). I assume from this information that he was most likely a U.S. citizen who moved to Canada. I know absolutely nothing about Margaret or HIS family. I was told that her ancestors were from Argyll, Scotland, but I find that she was born 1805 in Canada. I cannot find ANY census records on him when he was living. The 1851 and 61 census turn up nothing; in 1871, his wife is listed as a widow. I do know that his daughter (my direct descendant), Sarah Jane Ward married in St. Catherines (along with her sister, Mary Ann) in 1856 at her father, Charles’ home. I have to assume that Charles died in St. Catherines sometime between 1857 and 1868, because he isn’t listed in the death indexes available.
I believe saddlery and harness making may have been a family trade passed to his children. Their children (for certain) are as follows:
Sarah Jane (born about 1834, St. Catherines. Married William Henry Newell in 1856 in St. Catherines)
Mary Ann (born 1838, St. Catherines — married James Douglas, jeweler and mayor of St. Catherines)
EF or FE (born about 1827, St. Catherines) **a saddler
Possible children:
George Campbell Ward (born about 1825, St. Catherines – d. 6 Feb. 1886 in Halton Co, Ontario) *** a saddler, most likely their child
Thomas J. Ward (born about 1828, St. Catherines) **a saddler
Charles F. Ward (born 1826, St. Catherines) ** a saddler
I do believe all of these children were theirs. I really have no information other than what is listed. I want to know more about Charles Ward, his business, his death or any records available about this family. They were “early settlers” of St. Catherines, but I can’t seem to find any information online about them. Because I live in Kansas City, MO, it’s not exactly convenient to do extensive research! Anyone who can help me find out more about Charles and his wife’s family/ their story would be amazing!! I feel like there should be something on this family, since he for certain lived in the area from 1824 until his death at least 30+ years later.
I hope to hear something about this!
I recently ran across a most interesting piece of public art tucked away in downtown St. Catharines. It is a deco bas relief of a very masculine figure. It is attached to the rear entrance of the federal government building behind the north west corner of the Farmer’s Market. Does anyone have any information on this art work? I am particularly curious about the artist and the history behind the piece.
Thanks.
Barry Burns
NOTL
Here is an obituary that I just found on line for Helen Waimel Robertson, who did the sculpture to which you referred in your question. I don’t believe that the specific piece of sculpture you asked about is mentioned in the obit, but I know that it was she who did that piece (on the back of the Federal Building in St. Catharines, facing on the Market Square.) I have further information on her, not readily at hand, but if you want to get in touch with me at gannond2002@hotmail.com I can share it with you.
Helen ROBERTSON
Date of Birth:
Unknown
Date of Death:
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2002
Funeral Home:
Morgan Funeral Homes
5917 Main Street
Niagara Falls, Ontario, CANADA
L2G 5Z7
Obituary:
ROBERTSON, Helen Waimel, A.O.C.A. – on Wednesday, May 22nd, at the Greater Niagara General Hospital, daughter of the late George and Alide Waimel, wife of the late A. Blake Robertson, predeceased by her daughter , Linda Staebler, sister to Endla Loney of Kitchener , and the late Hants and Olaf Waimel, sister-in-law to the late Vera Haist. Stepmother of John and his wife Yvonne Robertson, the late Jane Snyder Beckett and her husband Ray, Judy and her late husband Ted White, Lon and his wife Margaret Robertson and Margaret and her husband Ray Nagy. Also survived by her nieces and nephews Gioja Loney, Michael Loney, Sherry Curnew, Gayle Waimel, Endla Anderson, Victor Waimel, Anita Bateman, and 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Helen, a renowned sculptor, was born in Tartu, Estonia in 1917 and emigrated to Canada in 1926. At the age of 13, Helen won a scholarship to the Ontario College of Art where she graduated form the four year program in three years and was awarded the Governor Generals Gold Medal. Helen was a member of the Sculptors Society of Canada and made a considerable contribution to the sculptor scene in Canada. Her commissions included: Crest for the Niagara Falls City Hall; twelve Canada Coats of Arms and all ten Provincial Coats of Arms; Shields of Arms for Ontario Law Courts for various cities; architectural and ornamental sculpture for Workmans Compensation Rehabilitation Centre; sculpture for Cobourg Municipal Building; Stations for the Cross for St. Kevins Roman Catholic Church, Welland; work for St. Denis School, St. Catharines; large mural, 30 x 10 feet for Ryerson Institute of Technology, Toronto; Goddess suspended over pool in the Colonnade, Toronto. She also created many donated works of art and has numerous pieces in private collections. Many of her artistic works will be preserved at Rodman Hall in St. Catharines, the Niagara Parks Commission Greenhouse, and in the Kitchener/Waterloo area. A publication in the Niagara Falls Public Library describes in more detail the extent of Helens work.
The family invites friends to the MORSE & SON CHAPEL (Family Centre) 5917 Main Street, Niagara Falls (905) 356-3550, on Saturday May 25th at 1 p.m. As an expression of sympathy, those who wish may make a memorial donation to a charity of their choice.
I am trying to find information on Eileen Mary( or Mary Eileen) Cronkwright (nee Anderson) 1928- May1966. Lived in Merritton in 1956. Married to Kenneth Andrew Cronkwright (1926-1986), had 2 boys prior to their separation sometime before 1956. She had a brother Wilfred. Mother was Mary Scott ( 1907-1981) Father was Wilfred Anderson Sr ( d.1978)
My questions are, how did she die?( she was only 37) Where is she burried? Is there an obit anywhere? Did she have any children after 1956? Would there be any way to find out information on the 2 boys ( Brian and Allan)? What relationship did she have with a Robert Galway?
Any information would be extremely appreciated.
Thank you
Carol Merryweather
With regard to the Cronkwright’s, I may have some firsthand information from some surviving Cronkwright’s. I will look into it and post here again in a few days.
Andrea
I am trying to locate a photograph of the Singer Sewing Machine Store in St. Catharines, during the late 1950s, early 60s. Any help so much appreciated.
Dear members of the Historical Society,
My husband and I are renovating an old house on Gale Crescent, in St. Catharines. After doing demolition work, we found several artifacts dating from the 1800’s, we believe.
Recently, we found a thick concrete floor under our furnace room, that slopes down to a rectangular hole at the bottom of which is an old valve. Our contractor advises us that this hole will need to be filled in with concrete.
Before we do this, we were wondering if inspecting or photographing this old valve would be of interest to any of your members, for dating or localisation purposes. We believe our house was built on an old mill site.
Thank-you for your attention.
I have a similar situation as Stephen Akehurst did almost a year ago. While cleaning out a property, we found a gasoline blowtorch with ETF stamped on it. I have pictures of the torch and can provide if it makes it easier. We’re just trying to put a year on when this thing was made, and hopefully a value.