Dunnville District Heritage Association

Spring in Dunnville in the early 1900's.

Born in Canfield in 1873

I bet most people don’t realize that this building on Lock Street is one of Dunnville’s historic buildings. It was originally built as a Wesleyan Church in 1854 on the corner of Cedar and Alder Street. It was moved to its current location in 1886. Do you have any other details? We’d love to hear them!

Thank you Historic Haldimand and Betty Coldwell for a trip down the Dunnville's memory lane.

To Honour Black History Month There is a narrative on the County website done by Sylvia Weaver in February 2020, on the Canfield Black Settlers. I hope you all take the time to watch this. Scroll down the page to " February is Black History Month" .... In the picture under the title bottom right you will see next room with two little green arrows next to it please click there. Click in the center of the page where the two HH are in white. To forward the presentation click on the right of the screen after each explanation. Excellent information enjoy! https://www.haldimandcounty.ca/heritage-culture/

The Founding of Dunnville http://ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Haldimand01.html

I'm back from my latest solo expedition for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in the Hudson Bay Lowlands. It was quite the grueling adventure. Didn't see another human for 22 days. I'll be sharing pictures and video from the expedition in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

Help Us Capture This Unprecedented Era in Our History The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting every aspect of our lives in Dunnville. Help us create a record of this time for our archives. Write us a letter. Share your thoughts and feelings. Tell us how you and your family are keeping safe, coping with the increasing restrictions, keeping in touch with relatives and friends, or celebrating special occasions. Photos, videos, drawings, and news clippings welcome. ... Send to: Dunnville District Heritage Assn., 317 Chestnut Street, Dunnville, ON N1A 2H4 or email to [email protected]. Thank you!

History repeats itself an interesting read. https://www.canadashistory.ca//arts-culture-soc/killer-flu

Update: Added to this so it can be accessed easier. We just posted our Feb Newsletter "Heritage Notes" as an album in photos. We would love for all of you to see what happens within the Association and some of the interesting historical artifacts we have found or been gifted that pertain to Dunnville. If this is not the easiest way for you to view this please let us know and we can change the format. Happy reading about our town and area.

Here is more information from the Regional News Forum.ca about the Black Settlers project.

Waiting for more details. Will post when we find out.

Dunnville District Heritage Assoc. room will re-open to the public on Tuesday, February 4th. We will be open every Tuesday and Wednesday between the hours of 10:00 am and 1:00 pm and by appointment. Located upstairs at the Dunnville Public Library.

A distant cousin of mine posted this today. Anyone doing genealogy should get the same kick out of it I did and yes I am posting with her permission :) . For her.......you rock cuz! ***************************** Just wanting to give a huge shout out to all of my ancestors. Thank you for getting married 1, 2, or even 3 times. Thanks you all for having 13 children each. Thank you for deciding that you needed to... marry your wife's sister or your husband's brother. Thank you for letting other people raise your children with their last name. Thank you for raising other people's children and relocating them all over the country. Thank you for being a rebel and choosing to spell your name six different ways. Because of you, I was allowed to set at my desk all day today and tonight and just get lost. I have added people that I don't even know who they are or why they're there. But I look at all of your photos, and I hunt you down on Find A Grave! Even if you do not need to be in my tree you are there and I thank you! And finally, TO MY FATHER, I WILL FIND YOU, and you and our family WILL LOVE ME !!! See more

'Twas the night before Christmas When all through the house Not a creature was stirring, Not even my spouse.... The dining room table with clutter was spread With pedigree charts and with letters which said... "Too bad about the data for which you wrote; Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat." Stacks of old copies of wills and such Were proof that my work had become too much. Our children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. And I at my table was ready to drop From work on my album with photos to crop. Christmas was here, and such was my lot That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot. Had I not been busy with grandparents' wills, I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills, While others bought gifts to bring Christmas cheers, I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years. While I was thus musing about my sad plight, A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright. Away to the window I flew in a flash, Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash. When what with my wondering eyes should appear, But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer. Up to the house top the reindeer they flew, With a sleigh full of toys and 'ole Santa Claus, too. And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs. As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash, Down the cold chimney fell Santa--KER-RASH! "Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck, And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!) Spotting my face, good 'ole Santa could see I had no Christmas spirit you'd have to agree. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk). Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy: When I'd been too busy for even one toy. He spied my research on the table all spread "A genealogist!" He cried! (My face was all red!) "Tonight I've met many like you," Santa grinned, As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned. I gazed with amusement--the cover it read Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead. "I know what it's like as a genealogy bug." He said as he gave me a great Santa hug. "While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry, I do some research in the North Pole Library! A special treat I am thus able to bring, To genealogy folk who can't find a thing." "Now off you go to your bed for a rest, I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess." As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee, I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me. While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle, To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle. And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight, "Family history is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!" --Author Unknown

The room is officially closed through December and January but we still receive emails and can make arrangements for someone to be in the room if you have a request.

To anyone doing genealogy or studying history I know you can all relate!