New Direction

I haven’t been updating this site in ages. I think that’s because I’m not sure what this website needs to be. Maybe you guys can help.

Simeon Perkins is definitely here to stay, since the info is difficult to access otherwise. But the census information seems a bit superfluous in 2020 given how easy it is now to look up this information on Ancestry and other sites. What do you think? The info I have posted is all based off of my grandmother’s former website that fell into obsolescence long ago, and I’m sure there’s something more we could do here. What would you like to see in this space? A user forum? Research tutorials? A more consistent blog? Recurring segments like breaking down brick walls for users who write in? Downloadable content?

Please send me some feedback, either in the comments below or privately at contact@nsgenealogy.ca.

The Full Diary of Simeon Perkins

I found an online source with the entire 5-volume set of the Perkins diary. The Champlain Society has shared their collection through the library at the University of Toronto. Now, I’m not going to lie; these diaries are huge! Trying to find something specific can be quite tedious, although there is a search function to help you out. However, if you are researching the history of Liverpool, NS, then this is invaluable. Please note that these have been transcribed and typed out, so it is not the original copy. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; Perkins’ handwriting can be very difficult to read if you aren’t used to 18th century script. Feel free to check them out through the links below:

Simeon Perkins

Volume I – 1766-1780 ~ Volume II – 1780-1789 ~ Volume III – 1790-1796

Volume IV – 1797-1803 ~ Volume V – 1804-1812

The Thomas Raddall Research Centre

I’d like to give a shoutout to the Thomas Raddall Research Centre in Liverpool, NS. My grandmother spent many long hours pouring over material there (see photo). It is associated with the Simeon Perkins Museum and is jam-packed with goodies for those who are doing historical or genealogical research in Queens County. Check it out if you are in the neighbourhood, or contact them with questions you may have about your ancestry in this area.

Muriel Davidson at the Thomas Raddall Research Centre

Muriel Davidson at the Thomas Raddall Research Centre

It’s Spring!

For many of us, the weather outside may still be cold and snowy. But spring has officially arrived! While you are in the mood for spring cleaning, do not forget your genealogy. Whether you are just getting started in your search, or you’ve been at it for awhile, you will accumulate loads of random papers and printouts. It can get out of hand very quickly, and it might become difficult to find that specific reference to John SMITH back in 1763 (and which John SMITH? Yikes!). Continue reading

Hello!

My grandmother is the late Muriel M Davidson. As a retiree, she devoted countless hours to helping people with their family trees. Since I was given her prized research notes when she passed away in 2008, I also took over her old website. It is important to note that changing anything on her website could cause numerous broken links on some very valuable resource sites; so many, in fact, that I thought it best to just leave it alone. Unfortunately, that site has since been hacked and taken down by the host. While I work at repairing the damage, I have decided that now would be a great time to start fresh with the launch of an entirely new site and a new look. And so, here we are.

I have been adding information from the old website. In the future, I may add more information from Muriel’s notes and new research. Everything will be updated and presented in a clearer format to make it easier to understand (no crazy tartan backgrounds behind text or cheesy graphics here!). Let me know if something is incorrect or if you have more information to add. Questions are also welcome.

Cheers,

Michelle