"You live only as long as the last person who remembers you."

Born and raised in Prescott, Ontario, I am interested in genealogy and family lines. I am tracing the family trees of my parents' families, the Gobeil and Ward families. The Gobeil family was among the first to settle in Canada in the mid-1600s.

The Gobeil family, a name that has died out in France, holds a significant place in North American history. All Gobeils in this continent trace their roots to the first settler, Jean Gobeil. He arrived with his family in Ilse D'Orleans near Québec City circa 1650, when Canada was still in its infancy. His son, Barthelemy, was the sole surviving male to begin a family here, marking the beginning of a legacy that continues today.

Exploring the Ward family's roots in England/Scotland is a journey close to my heart. My maternal grandmother, Marion Jackson-Ward, was a descendant of United Empire Loyalist Edward Jackson. Born in Ireland, he was a brave member of the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. His service continued in the War of 1812, where he played a crucial role as a spy. He eventually settled in this area after a daring escape from Saratoga, NY.

I would be pleased to assist anyone seeking information in the area. Retired, I have mapped the headstones in the Blue Church Cemetery. As part of this, I am creating and/or updating memorials using Find-a-Grave. I have consulted for the Blue Church Cemetery Board, am a member of the Grenville Historical Society here in Prescott, and write a column about the souls buried in Blue Church Cemetery for the South Grenville Beacon newspaper.