Subjects

The Sinking of The "Mary Ward"

Located in the Craigleith Provincial Park is the plaque, The Sinking of The "Mary Ward." Erected by the Ontario Heritage Foundation. This plaque states: "on the night of November 24, 1872, the steamer, "Mary Ward" ran around on MIlligan's Reef, two kilometres offshore. Recently purchased by five Owen Sound men, the vessel was making the trip from Sarnia to her new home port of Collingwood with twenty-seven aboard, including a Canadian Pacific Railway survey party, when the accident occurred. The first lifeboat safely reached shore, then a fierce gale sprang up, delaying rescue operations. After a perilous journey, the second lifeboat succeeded in landing but the third capsized and all eight aboard drowned. A group of local fisherman, led by Frank Moberly and Captain George Collins, later rescued those remaining on the wreck and they were subsequently recognized by the Canadian government for their heroic actions."

Robert Buchanan

Robert Buchanan tells us about his great grandmother, Mary Buchanan (Mrs. Walter Buchanan). Farmer, poet and women's rights leader Mrs. Buchanan was a determined hard worker who shared her practices and creativity through her actions and writing. Mrs. Buchanan's book "Country Breeze from Breezy Brae" is available for seeing at the Craigleith Heritage Depot. 

Postcard to Willard Rorke

Back of a postcard. The postcard was addressed to Willard Rorke at his Thornbury address. The postcard was sent by Norma in 1930. The postcard represents evidence of Willard Rorke living in the Thornbury area. 

Letter: Messrs. Lloyds of London - W. Rorke - Part 2

W. Rorke

Letter from Messrs. Lloyds of London to W. Rorke. This letter depicts the reply to Rorke's original request about his great grandfather’s jounrey from Ireland to Canada in 1818

Letter: Messrs. Lloyds of London - W. Rorke - Part 1

Letter to Messrs. Lloyds of London from W. Rorke. The letter depicts Rorke's search for information in regards to his great grandfather’s voyage from Ireland to Canada and the corresponding shipwreck

A Letter to Willard and Margaret Rorke - Part 1

This is a letter to Willard and Margaret Rorke. This image displays the first page of a two-page letter.

A Letter to Willard and Margaret Rorke - Part 2

This is a letter to Willard and Margaret Rorke. This image displays the back of page one.

A Letter to Willard and Margaret Rorke - Part 3

This is a letter to Willard and Margaret Rorke. This image displays the final page of the two-page letter.

Letter from Willard to his Mother 7-10-34 - Part 1

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald East Indies Station. Willard wrote a three page letter to his mother describing his time away from home.

Letter from Willard to his Mother 7-10-34 - Part 2

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote a three page letter to his mother describing his time away from home. Back side of page 1.

Letter from Willard to his Mother 7-10-34 - Part 3

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote a three page letter to his mother describing his time away from home. Page 2

Letter from Willard to his Mother 7-10-34 - Part 4

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote a three page letter to his mother describing his time away from home. Back of page 2

Letter from Willard to his Mother 7-10-34 - Part 5

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote a three page letter to his mother describing his time away from home. Page 3

Letter from Willard to his Mother 7-10-34 - Part 6

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote a three page letter to his mother describing his time away from home. Back of page 3

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 1

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Page 1

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 2

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Back of page 1

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 3

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Page 2 

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 4

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Back of page 2 

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 5

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Page 3

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 6

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Back of page 3

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 7

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Page 4

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 8

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Back of page 4

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 9

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Page 5

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 10

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Back of page 5

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 11

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Page 6

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 12

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Back of page 6

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 13

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Page 7

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 14

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Back of page 7

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 15

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Page 8

Letter from Willard to his Mother 15-10-34 - Part 16

Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Back of page 8

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 1

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Page 1

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 2

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Back of page 1

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 3

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Page 2

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 4

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Back of page 2

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 5

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Page 3

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 6

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Back of page 3

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 7

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Page 4

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 8

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Back of page 4

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 9

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Page 5

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 10

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Back of page 5

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 11

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Page 6

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 12

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Back of page 6

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 13

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Page 7

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 14

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Back of page 7

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 15

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Page 8 

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 5-1-35 - Part 16

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Back of page 8 

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 9-9-35 - Part 1

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an two page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written September 9, 1935. Page 1

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 9-9-35 - Part 2

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an two page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written Septmeber 9, 1935. Back of page 1

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 9-9-35 - Part 3

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an two page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written September 9, 1935. Page 2

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 9-9-35 - Part 4

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an two page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written September 9, 1935. Back of page 2. 

Envelope Containing a Letter from Willard to his Mother - 9-9-35 - Part 5

This is the envelope that housed a letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote a two-page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written September 9, 1935.

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 3-1-36 - Part 1

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the Union club Aden Arabia. Willard wrote a two page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 3, 1936. Page 1

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 3-1-36 - Part 2

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the Union club Aden Arabia. Willard wrote a two page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 3, 1936. This is the back of page 1

Letter from Willard to his Mother - 3-1-36 - Part 3

Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the Union club Aden Arabia. Willard wrote a two page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 3, 1936. Page 2

A Laura Knight Letter - Part 1

This is a letter from Laura Knight to an unnamed cousin. The letter talks about the 1704 war and the change of the Rorke name. The letter was written on December 14, 1942. The letter is a photocopy of the original. There are 4 pages, this is page 1.

A Laura Knight Letter - Part 2

This image depicts a letter from Laura Knight to an unnamed cousin. The letter talks about the 1704 war and the change of the Rorke name. The letter was written in December 14, 1942. The letter is a photocopy of the original. There are 4 pages, this is page 2.

A Laura Knight Letter - Part 3

This is a letter from Laura Knight to an unnamed cousin. The letter talks about the 1704 war and the change of the Rorke name. The letter was written in December 14, 1942. The letter is a photocopy of the original. There are 4 pages, this is page 3.

A Laura Knight Letter - Part 4

This is a letter from Laura Knight to an unnamed cousin. The letter talks about the 1704 war and the change of the Rorke name. The letter was written in December 14, 1942. The letter is a photocopy of the original. There are 4 pages, this is page 4.

A Brief Ancestry - Written by Dr. Annie S. Rorke-Greenwood

This docment was compiled by Dr. Annie S. Rorke-Greenwood in August 1939. Dr. Rorke-Greenwood made a brief description of the ancestry of the Rorke family.