Category Archives: Collections

Selection of books and photos

Featured collection: Marjorie Van Damme

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Marjorie Van Damme’s quest for family history information was far reaching and extended well beyond our region to the UK, Ireland, Scotland, United States, and the Netherlands –resulting in an extensive collection of books on Loyalists, Quakers, Canadian history, immigration and more.

In addition to these, Marjorie has authored and compiled extensive research on a number of well-established County families that form the branches of her family tree:

  • The Pioneer Maxwells of Hastings County, Ontario, Canada
  • Mordens of the Bay of Quinte (includes Parliaments, Williams, Bowman families)
  • The Swayne Family in Canada
  • Ahnentafel of Marjorie Swayne Van Damme
  • Williams, John Sr. U.E.
  • Mohawk Valley Families
  • and research on the Cotter and Creeper families.

Beginning your own family history research might seem daunting, but having access to rich collections like this can be an enormous help in fleshing out your own tree.

To see this and other collections of Loyalist family research, drop by or book an appointment (see the Quick Links on the right) to see this and other collections in our research library.

Hillier map

The history behind the history: A virtual exhibit

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Edith D. Taylor Ashton’s book on the history of Dorland’s Creek and its mills is not only an exhaustively researched and comprehensive look into Hillier’s early days but also presents a wider glimpse of the early days of Prince Edward County.

Follow in the footsteps of a historical author and gain an understanding of the breadth of research needed to accurately convey the stories of the past. This exhibit aims to showcase the resources referenced in the making of this book.

View the exhibit

Interested in the book? Copies may be purchased from our bookstore.

Array of vintage photographs

Featured: Brickman Family Collection

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The Brickman Family Collection provides some interesting insights into the activities of the Brickman family and in particular Audra Brickman, who was a very active community member and volunteer. The collection is also notable for the dozens of beautiful photographs it included. Sadly, we estimate that over 60% of the photos are unidentified. Anyone with a good (visual) knowledge of the Brickmans and affiliated families is welcome to visit and help us put names to these forgotten faces.

Other items in the collection include:

  • Records of various social and community organizations
  • Wartime memorabilia (War bond canvassing materials, emergency war committee meeting minutes)
  • Letters home from WWII airman Joe Foley, who was posted overseas
  • Letters to Audra Brickman from many correspondants.
  • Business papers – covering the Brickman’s agricultural, canning and other endeavors.

The collection also includes items related to a number of well-known County families: Adams, Bonter, Foley, and Sherry, just to name a few.