TORONTO BRANCH - for United Empire Loyalists

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about the boxes, From Hands Now Striving to be Free, along with Chris Raible and Dr. John C. Carter.
Darryl brought with him twenty-four replicas along with three original boxes.
On behalf of Toronto Branch, members Mike Young UE and Linda Young UE participated in the Corn
Roast and Heritage Fair at Montgomery’s Inn. Mike’s red jacket always attracts attention!
Dorothy Duncan, author and UELAC Honorary Vice-President, spoke to us in October on the subject of
“Hoping for the Best: Preparing for the Worst: Everyday life in Upper Canada 1812-1814.” Dorothy has
recently published a book by the same name, focusing on society and relationships that developed after
the Revolution, through to the War of 1812.
In November we held a Genealogy Workshop led by expert genealogist, Jane E. MacNamara, entitled
"Are you getting all you can from your family documents?" Sometimes we see only the most obvious
information in a document like a census return, birth certificate, or land record and miss important clues
that can lead us to learn more about our families. This workshop started with an example of a Marriage
Register. With each new example, we were able to learn much more than the obvious. Jane is the author
of the upcoming book Inheritance in Ontario: Wills and other Records for Family Historians
(OGS/Dundurn, April 2013) and writes about genealogy at: http://wherethestorytakesme.ca/.
Toronto Branch was once again invited to participate in the annual Christmas Show and Sale at historic
Heintzman House, in Richmond Hill. Our thanks go to the branch members who volunteered to help with
the display that weekend: Diane Reid UE, John Warburton UE, Linda Young UE and Michael Young UE.
The Crown Grant property where Heintzman House now stands was originally awarded to Loyalist
Anthony Hollingshead UE, who built a two-room adobe brick farmhouse on the property. In 1817, the
property was sold to George Crookshank, the son of a Loyalist. Crookshank was a prominent member of
Upper Canada society and built a house befitting his station in life. The humble Hollingshead dwelling
was succeeded by a 13-room mansion which incorporates some of the original house. The house takes its
current name from its last private owners, the Heintzman family, who owned the house from 1930 to
1959. Today the house is owned by the town of Markham and managed by a board of directors.
Our December Christmas lunch at Black Creek Pioneer Village brought 2012 to a wonderful end. With
some new members, some about-to-be members, and some Governor Simcoe members, young and older
enjoyed the event.
By Linda Young UE, Membership Chair