As I step onto the grounds of St. James Anglican Church in Wilmot Township, for the first time I am aware I am among greatness. Standing in the shadow of the steeple and looking out over the churchyard, it’s easy to feel the pull of the past. The weathered markers lining the grass aren't just carved slabs of marble and granite; they are the final chapters of real lives, written by hand, preserved in stone, and anchored right here in our local soil. As we embark on our brand-n

As you pass through the gates, familiar regional surnames begin to emerge from the marble and granite faces. The churchyard holds the resting places of prominent local dynasties including the Puddicombe, Brown, Tye, Squires, Mitchell, and Barber families. These were the early homesteaders, tradesmen, and civic figures who felled massive hardwoods, tilled the fresh soil, raised timber-frame barns, and established the social fabric of the settlement. Tucked among the rows are t

hen the stones cannot speak, we turn to the ink. Some of these names survive in the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of South Easthope, County of Perth, Canada West in the Records of Death, where the entries begin in 1846. It is a plain, steady kind of record‑keeping of dates, ages, a minister’s name, sometimes a short description of illness. But in a chapter about what does not stand, those lines become their own kind of monument. The quiet proof that a life was see

The Holy Trinity series will invite you to join as the community comes together in raising the first church, building the current, and the changes along the way. It will explore the restoration of century old stones, discuss the techniques used to restore and document a cemetery and provide insight to the importance of maintaining these artifact as long as possible. In addition, I will also dive into the personal lives and stories of the neighbours, friends and family interre

John had a good idea what it was going to take, when he first stepped onto Lot 15, it was not a farm. It was a wilderness so thick that daylight barely touched the ground. “I commenced to improve on my land (it being then a perfect wilderness, travelled only by the Indian) late fall of 1834. The snow was on the trees then I recollect well, for, on beginning to chop down some trees to build my small ‘shanty’ with the snow at the stroke of the axe would be falling down upon me.

Within the quiet expanse of East Ward Park lie hundreds of stories—tales of triumph and sorrow, buried but far from forgotten. This is one

Francis was just 23 when he joined the war effort, leaving behind the familiar fields and the loving embrace of his family for the distant,

​Stanley’s journey with the Perth Regiment began when he was just 19, and by 21, he was overseas, part of the grueling Italian Campaign.

​These monuments weren't carved from stone. Instead, they were cast in sections of pure zinc, which were then bolted together

John Sebring, an American who arrived in the area in 1834, is credited with founding the community. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to...

Preserving family history goes far beyond dates and names on a genealogical chart. It's about capturing the essence of who we are

We visit art galleries to see the work of past masters, and museums to connect with our history. Cemeteries offer the same opportunity

Take a moment to look at your own family tree. Who are the people in those branches? What stories do they hold? Now is the perfect time

D2 vs. Wet and Forget. Which is best?

Each cemetery is a unique archive, offering a tangible link to the pioneers, farmers, artisans, and families who built this region.

Should we include the perpetual care of our headstone in our wills, explicitly assigning this responsibility to our family members?

​The Harrington Cemetery is a profound testament to the early settlers of this area. As you walk among the stones, you are walking through..

Appreciate the subtle differences, the historical context, and maybe even chuckle a little at the thought of our ancestors trying to one-up

This Labor Day, my mom and I decided to make the pilgrimage. Our mission? A little soul-searching, a lot of memory-making, and a good scrubb

​Back in the early 20th century, marble was a popular choice for headstones, and for good reason! It’s a naturally beautiful stone, with