On Monday February 18th, we celebrate Family Day. Schools will remain closed from the weekend, most people get the day off work, and families of all definitions are encouraged to get together just for the sake of it.
Whether it's accepting donated items from the relatives of clergy members or finding Sacramental Records for soon-to-be-married couples, here at ARCAT we encounter the concept of family in a number of ways. One way in particular is through the multitude of genealogy requests we receive. Genealogy is the study of family history and requires the searcher to trace a family's lineage through oral histories, historical records, and other records that shed light on a person's ancestry.
Sacramental Records such as marriage certificates prove to be a rich resource for genealogists, along with birth and death certificates from government archives. However, mandatory government-implemented vital records registration only traces its roots back to the 19th century. In Canada, the Census and Statistics Act was first passed in 1847, providing for a decennial census and the registration of births and deaths. Legislation enforcing the registration of these life events with civil authorities was passed by various provinces between 1864-1905.
For vital records that pre-date mandatory vital records registration, where might a genealogist search for proof of lineage? The answer for many genealogists is the Family Bible.
Prior to the 20th century, the Family Bible was a staple in households and acted as the official place for a family's vital records. These books were often given as gifts to married couples or passed down through generations, allowing members to record their marriage, births of children, family deaths, and other vital family events. These sections for family history were found either at the back of the bible or in between the first and second testament.
Enjoy three family bibles from our collection:
1. The Holy Bible (Family Bible), published in Philadelphia by John E. Potter and Company.
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| The Holy Bible (Family Bible). Philadelphia: John E. Potter and Company. (Appropriation of Archbishop James F. Wood of Philadelphia). 1883 or earlier RB.30 Special Collections: Rare Books |
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| Page for Marriage Certificate RB.30 Special Collections: Rare Books |
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| Pages for births RB.30 Special Collections: Rare Books |
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| Pages for deaths and marriages RB.30 Special Collections: Rare Books |
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| Pages for family portraits RB.30 Special Collections: Rare Books |
Bonus genealogical resource! Note Adam is listed first as 'created'.
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| Genealogy of the Patriarchs RB.30 Special Collections: Rare Books |
2. The Holy Bible Translated from the Latin Vulgate, published in New York by D & J Sadlier.
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| The Holy Bible Translated from the Latin Vulgate. New York: D & J Sadlier. (Appropriation of Right Reverend Dr. Hughes, Bishop of New York). Mid-19th Century RB.60 Special Collections: Rare Books |
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| Pages for family records - annotations by previous owner RB.60 Special Collections: Rare Books |
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| Names and news clipping recorded under 'Deaths' "MACMILLAN. - On January 24th., at Tarbolton, Co. of Carleton, Ont., at the age of 101 years, Mary MacMillan, relict of the late John MacMillan, of Glengarry, for many years and elder of the Scots Church Lochiel. Mrs. MacMillan was a native of Lochaber, Scotland. She immigrated with her husband to Canada in 1791, at the age of 22 years. Of her 15 children, 8 survive her; the eldest being 80 years of age. She leaves 138 grand, and 185 great grandchildren. Mrs. MacMillan was aunt to the late Mr. McDonald, of the Montreal Transcript." RB.60 Special Collections: Rare Books |
15 children, 138 grandchildren and 185 great-grandchildren. Can you imagine?!
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| "Died at Alexandria on the 31st of September after a lingering and painful illness. Catherine McDonald, a native of Glasgow, Scotland but a resident of Glengarry since 1815. Deceased was a sister of the late Donald McDonald (Proprietor Montreal Transcript) widely known in this city." RB.60 Special Collections: Rare Books |
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| List of names RB.60 Special Collections: Rare Books |
Bonus leaf from the family tree...
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| Pressed leaf found within the pages RB.60 Special Collections: Rare Books |
3. The Devotional Family Bible with Practical and Experimental Reflections on Each Verse of the Old and New Testament, and Rich Marginal References, published in London & New York by George Virtue.
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| The Devotional Family Bible with Practical and Experimental Reflections on Each Verse of the Old and New Testament, and Rich Marginal References. London & New York: George Virtue. 2 volume set. ca. 1880 RB.66a&b Special Collections: Rare Books |
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| Page for family record - marriages RB.66a&b Special Collections: Rare Books |
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| Pages for births and deaths RB66a&b Special Collections: Rare Books |
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| Page for births - close up on illustrations RB.66a&b Special Collections: Rare Books |
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| Page for miscellaneous - close up of illustrations RB.66a&b Special Collections: Rare Books |
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