Author Archives: AncestryByAlicia

Exploring My Revolutionary War Ancestors

In this article, Alicia Bertrand, M.A., summarizes the lives of Revolutionary War soldiers in her family tree, including Edward Hicks Sr. and Jr, Lazarus and Simeon Puffer, Jacobus Peek, William Carl, Aaron Bagg, and David Miller. Both Patriot and Loyalist alike, these soldiers’ lives are interesting micro-histories of individuals in American and Canadian history that are mostly forgotten about in history.

Remembering Canada’s Military Heritage: Family Photos

The post honors family members who served Canada by sharing their photos, aiming to preserve their memory. The author invites anyone who recognizes a person in the images to reach out via email or comments. Many photos are unlabelled.

Ghost Stories, Murder, and Mayhem in Oshawa

This article details the haunted history of Oshawa, Ontario, sharing stories of paranormal encounters and historical crime. Alicia Bertrand invites submissions of spooky tales. The tales include ghostly encounters at the public library, a haunted market, and a museum with spirited apparitions. Legends of duels, tragic deaths, and macabre crimes are also retold.

The Gavel vs. Wrecking Ball: The History and Partial Demolition of the Peterborough Courthouse and Jail

By Alicia M. Bertrand, M.A. March 24, 2024 Peterborough’s courthouse has stood atop a hill overlooking parts of downtown Peterborough and casts a sense of authority over its citizens since 1842. The courthouse is one of the earliest courthouses constructed in Ontario. The threat of solitary life in a tiny jail cell of the PeterboroughContinue reading “The Gavel vs. Wrecking Ball: The History and Partial Demolition of the Peterborough Courthouse and Jail”

Featured on Murder Most Foul Podcast

November 28, 2023 By Alicia Bertrand, M.A. in collaboration with Jim Sulanowski If you remember the Ancestry by Alicia article “Rebecca Cornell’s Death: How Elder Abuse, Ghosts, Guilt, and Legal Testimonies Mattered in 1673”, you’ll recall details about the death of Rebecca Cornell and how her ghost led to the eventual hanging of her sonContinue reading “Featured on Murder Most Foul Podcast”

A Prince Edward County Cemetery Adventure

By Alicia Bertrand, M.A. August 25, 2023 On August 19, 2023, my dad, brother, fiancé and I travelled to several cities in Prince Edward County to search for my ancestors’ headstones. There were highlights and challenges that I’d like to share with readers so that if anyone wants to go on a similar journey, youContinue reading “A Prince Edward County Cemetery Adventure”

Why the Release of the 1931 Canada Census is Exciting, and Not Just for Genealogists

Why the Release of the 1931 Canada Census is Exciting, and Not Just for Genealogists By Alicia M. Bertrand After 92 years, the 1931 Canada Census (the Census) will be released to the public on Thursday, June 1, 2023. For genealogists, the release is exciting for research purposes and being able to unlock unknown informationContinue reading “Why the Release of the 1931 Canada Census is Exciting, and Not Just for Genealogists”

Getting Away with Murder: The Life of Charles W. Austin Jr.

By Alicia M. Bertrand, M.A. The following is a case study into the life of Charles William Austin Jr.[1] A boy who would be arrested, convicted, and acquitted along with his co-worker for the murder of their boss. Using newspaper accounts and government documentation, census, and death certificates, the murder case is explored. The lifeContinue reading “Getting Away with Murder: The Life of Charles W. Austin Jr.”

Genealogical Resources for Black Canadians

Updated February 2024Originally posted January 2023 By Alicia Bertrand, M.A. Whether your family has been in Canada for hundreds of years, or you’re a first-generation Canadian, Black Canadians have numerous barriers to compiling family research.[1] Barriers such as institutionalized racism, a lack of representation in government documentation, a lack of representation in the histories ofContinue reading “Genealogical Resources for Black Canadians”