John Burtniak Postcard Collection

326 images (b&w and col.) mounted on 54 poster boards ; 64 x 36 cm or smaller. 4 compact disc

John Smith, M.P fonds, 1930, 1949-1950, 1954, 1957-1962, n.d.

John Smith (1894-1977), son of Daniel Smith and Annie Douglas was a native of Scotland, immigrating to Canada in 1913. He first worked as a coach builder, then as a carpenter, finally developing his own contracting business. During WWI he served overseas with the 10th Battery, RCA as a sergeant. In 1924 Smith married Jean Wood, and together they had a daughter Irene (Hugh Langley). Smith first entered politics in 1940 serving as an alderman for the next 11 years. In 1954 he was elected mayor of the city of St. Catharines, and was twice returned to office by acclamation, serving until 1957 when he successfully ran as the Progressive Conservative candidate representing Lincoln County in the federal election. He won the election by a 10 000 vote majority. He served his constituents in Ottawa until he was defeated in the 1962 election. After leaving politics Mr. Smith was active in his community. He spearheaded the establishment of the St. Catharines Museum, and then was appointed its first director in 1966, serving in that capacity until 1972. He was an active member of the board of governors of the St. Catharines General Hospital and a life member and former president of the Lincoln County Humane Society. In 1971 he was voted Citizen of the Year for the city of St. Catharines. John Smith died on February 8, 1977 and was buried at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. Source: The St. Catharines Standard, February 9, 1977, page 1

John W. Fisher Fonds, 1937-1961, 1964-1989, 1993, n.d.

Norah and Fred Fisher welcomed John Fisher into the world on November 29, 1912, not knowing what an influential role he would play in shaping Canada's history. John Fisher grew up as the middle child of five brothers and sisters in Frosty Hollow, New Brunswick, close to today’s town of Sackville. Sackville’s main industry was the Enterprise Foundry which the Fisher family owned and operated; however, Fisher had no plans of going into the family business. He was more inspired by his maternal grandfather, Dr. Cecil Wiggins, who lived with the family after retiring from the Anglican ministry. Wiggins encouraged all his grandchildren to be well read and to take part in discussions on current events. There were often visitors in the Fisher household taking part in discussions about politics, religion, and daily life. Fisher forced himself to take part in these conversations to help overcome his shyness in social settings. These conversations did help with his shyness and also in forming many opinions and observations about Canada. It put Fisher on the road to becoming Mr. Canada and delivering the many eloquent speeches for which he was known. Fisher did not venture far from home to complete his first degree. In 1934 he graduated from Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB with an Arts degree. The same year Fisher enrolled in Dalhousie’s law school. During his time at Dalhousie, Fisher discovered radio through Hugh Mills. Mills or “Uncle Mel” was on CHNS, Halifax’s only radio station at the time. Fisher began by making appearences on the radio drama show. By 1941 he had begun writing and broadcasting his own works and joined the staff as an announcer and continuity writer. In 1936 the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation was formed, the first National radio station. Fisher joined the CBC shortly after it’s beginning and remained with them, as well as the Halifax Herald newspaper, even after his law school graduation in 1937. By 1943 Fisher’s talks became a part of the CBC’s programming for a group of maritime radio stations. Fisher once described his talks as follows “my talks weren’t meant to be objective. . . they were meant to be favourable. They were ‘pride builders’” He began his famed John Fisher Reports at CBC Toronto when he transfered there shortly after the war. This program brought emmence pride to the fellow Canadians he spoke about leading to approximately 3500 requests per year to speak at banquets and meeting throughout Canada and the United States. Fisher was a well travelled indivdual who would draw on personal experiences to connect with his audience. His stories were told in simple, straight forward language for anyone to enjoy. He became a smooth, dynamic and passionate speaker who sold Canada to Canadians. He became a renowned journalist, folk historian, writer and broadcaster. Fisher was able to reach a vast array of people through his radio work and build Canadian pride, but he did not stop there. Other ways Fisher has contributed to Canada and the Canadian people include: Honoured by five Canadian Universities. 1956, became the Director of the Canadian Tourist Association. 1961, was appointed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Canada. 1963, Commissioner of the Centennial Commission (the Federal Agency Responsible for Canada’s 100th birthday) 1968, received the Service Medal , a coveted Order of Canada. President of John Fisher Enterprises Ltd., private consultant work, specializing in Centennial planning, broadcasts, lectures and promotion. John Fisher continued recording radio broadcasts even after his diagnosis with cancer. He would record 3 or 4 at a time so he was free to travel across Canada, the U.S., Europe and Mexico in search of treatments. Fisher passed away from the disease on February 15, 1981 and he is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.

Irish John Willson United Empire Loyalist Family Fonds

John Willson first came to Upper Canada along with his friend Nathaniel Pettit in the late 1700s. They both moved with their families from New Jersey where they had both been imprisioned for not siding with the rebels and maintaining Loyalist allegiences. Pettit arrived with his four daughters, leaving his son behind. Willson came with his wife and nine children. Willson received 1200 acres of land as well as 200 per child. He settled at the corner of Dorchester road and Thorold Stone Road, where he and his family did very well for themselves. Willson as well as his son Thomas ran ox-teams on the portage. His son John became the proprietor of the Exchange hotel at Niagara, and Charles operated at the Pavilion hotel at Falls View. Shortly after his arrival in Upper Canada John Willson changed his name to “Irish” John Willson, as there were 5 other “John Willsons” which appeared on the Loyalists lists. Irish John drowned in the Niagara River in 1798, and his family continued to thrive in Niagara after his death. His second son Thomas Willson, married Abigail Pettit, daughter of his Father’s friend Nathaniel. Thomas was awarded 250 acres of land as a Loyalist and 200 for Abigail, as she was the daughter of a loyalist. He became a blacksmith and also operated ox-teams along the portage. He was Assessor for Stamford Township for 1800, 1807, 1820 and 1829. During the years 1808, 1822, 1825, 1826 and 1831 he was a tax collector and overseer of Statute of Labour. Thomas and Abigail Willson had nine children together. Francis Bond Head Willson of Beaverdams (mentioned throughout the collection) was a great grandson of Thomas and Abigail. Thomas and his wife are both buried beside the Lundy’s Lane United Church. *for more information on the remaining Willson family please refer to box #1, folders 1-3. * Genealogical information from a paper prepared by Pearl Wilson and given before the Lundy’s Lane Historical Society, May 1945, by Hazel Culp Ferris. Box 1 Folder 1.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands John Martindale

Survey map and description of John Martindale's land created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is a written description of the land along with a drawing of the land. Noteable features include; property line between Martindale and Tenbroeck properties, original bed of 12 mile creek, tpw path diagram for the Welland canal on the wrong side of the diagram should be on the east side. The land was originally in the posession of William Ball when the original land survey was completed by G. Keefer in 1831. The land was also surveyed by Wm. Rykert. The description and sketch was not used in making the deed for the land. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map.

John R. Tenbroeck, 1828

Survey map and description of John R. Tenbroeck's land created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is a written description of the land along with a drawing of the land. Noteable features include; the canal, bank of 12 mile creek. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map. The land was surveyed by both Geo. Keefer and Wm. Rykert.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands John Hainer 1826

Survey map and description of John Hanier's land created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is a written description of the land. The drawing for the land can be found in William Hamilton Merritt's record and their land bordered one another. Noteable features include; line between Gould's and Hanier's land, line between Hanier's and Merritt's land, road, Hayward Distillery, draw bridge. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map. The survey was signed and submitted on August 23rd, 1826. The survey was updated August 26th, 1831. The land is 18 acres, 2 roads and 27 perches.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands John Clendennan 1827

Survey map and description of John Clendennan's land created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is a written description of the land along with a drawing of the land. Noteable features include; line between lot no.17 in 6th and 7th concession, William Chisholm's land. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map. The deed for the land was dated June 1st, 1827. Click on 'stereoview' to see Map.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands John Soper, 1826

Survey map and description of John Soper's land created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is a written description of the land along with a drawing of the land. Noteable features include; line between lots, high water mark of canal, concession line. The land totals 1 acre. The survey was signed and submitted on August 23, 1826.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands John Brown, 1827

Survey map and description of John Brown's land created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is a written description of the land along with a drawing of the land. Noteable features include; Welland river, towpath, canal, lock, side line between Broan and Carl. The land totals 6 acres, 3 roads and 33 perches. The deed for the land is dated April 2, 1827. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands John Watson, 1831

Survey map and description of John Watson's land created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is a written description of the land along with a drawing of the land. The land totals 2 acres, 1 road, and 21 perches. The land was surveyed on September 5th, 1831.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands John Heslop's Estate

Survey map and description of John Heslop's Estate's land created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is a written description of the land along with a drawing of the land. Noteable features include; line between Heslop and Carrol's land. The land totals 11 acres, 2 roads and 36 perches. The survey contains the land on the West side of the resovoir as well as the land drowned by the resevoir. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands John Hellems, 1835

Survey map and description of John Hellem's land created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is a written description of the land along with a drawing of the land. Noteable features include; W. Crooks land, concession lines, basin, bridges, guard lock, reservoir, tow path, Lyons Creek. The survey was done on three seperate ocassions by George and Samuel Keefer for Hellems lot #26 in Crowland township. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil and red pen on the map.

Two Black Gentlemen Photographed by John Cooper, London/St. Thomas, Ont. [n.d.]

An undated cabinet card of two Black men photographed by John Cooper, who operated as a photographer in London, Ont. and St. Thomas, Ont. from 1857 - 1890. The reverse of the photograph features the photographer's stamp in coloured ink. This photograph was in the possession of Iris Sloman Bell, of St. Catharines. The Sloman - Bell family have relatives who include former Black slaves from the United States. John Cooper is listed as a photographer and daguerrean artist in 1857 - 1890 in London, Ont. and in 1874 in St. Thomas, Ont. Source: Phillips, Glen C. The Ontario photographers list (1851-1900). Sarnia: Iron Gate Publishing Co., 1990. "Cabinet card photographs were first introduced in 1866. They were initially employed for landscapes rather than portraitures. Cabinet cards replaced Carte de visite photographs as the popular mode of photography. Cabinet cards became the standard for photographic portraits in 1870. Cabinet cards experienced their peak in popularity in the 1880's. Cabinet cards were still being produced in the United States until the early 1900's and continued to be produced in Europe even longer. The best way to describe a cabinet card is that it is a thin photograph that is mounted on a card that measures 4 1/4″ by 6 1/2″. Cabinet cards frequently have artistic logos and information on the bottom or the reverse of the card which advertised the photographer or the photography studio's services." Source: http://cabinetcardgallery.wordpress.com/category/cabinet-card-history/

Small Cabinet Card of African American Man by John S. Thom, of Lucan, Ontario [n.d.]

A very small cabinet card type photograph of an unidentified man, possibly a relative of the Bell - Sloman family. A handwritten entry on the reverse of the photograph indicates it was taken by John S. Thom, of Lucan. No date is provided, however, John S. Thom is known to have been a photographer in Lucan from 1877-1882. This cabinet card was in the possession of Iris Sloman Bell, of St. Catharines. Relatives of the Sloman - Bell family include former African American slaves who settled in Canada.John S. Thom is listed as a photographer in Lucan, Ontario from 1877-1882. Aside from photography, he also operated a general store and sold notions. It appears he then moved to Sarnia, Ont. and is listed as a photographer there from 1882-1900. He is also recorded as being a Sarnia bicycle dealer. Source: Phillips, Glen C. The Ontario photographers list (1851-1900). Sarnia: Iron Gate Publishing Co., 1990.