My family's ancestors emigrated from the Lancashire and Yorkshire areas in England, Counties Armagh and Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, Counties Wicklow and Laois in The Republic of Ireland and Roxburgshire, Scotland. They came to Canada from c. 1820 to 1850 and settled in Halton County, Ontario, Canada, most of them in Esquesing Township.

I was born in Halton County and after short stretches living in other places, have resided in Halton for the past 38 years.

A few years ago, I became interested in my Irish ancestry and fascinated by the historical aspects of my ancestors' journeys. Standing in front of the headstone of a set of GR-GR-GR-Grandparents in County Armagh, Northern Ireland was a touching and powerful experience. It was possible only because my parents had taken pictures of their headstone in 1984 when the inscription was discernible. By 2007 it had worn to the point that it was very difficult to identify. Capturing inscriptions while they are still clear is crucial.

Several ancestors kept records that have assisted in locating headstones and making links. My family is happy to share this information hoping that it may make a difference for searchers in their quest to trace ancestors and facilitate connections amongst descendants.

My family's ancestors emigrated from the Lancashire and Yorkshire areas in England, Counties Armagh and Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, Counties Wicklow and Laois in The Republic of Ireland and Roxburgshire, Scotland. They came to Canada from c. 1820 to 1850 and settled in Halton County, Ontario, Canada, most of them in Esquesing Township.

I was born in Halton County and after short stretches living in other places, have resided in Halton for the past 38 years.

A few years ago, I became interested in my Irish ancestry and fascinated by the historical aspects of my ancestors' journeys. Standing in front of the headstone of a set of GR-GR-GR-Grandparents in County Armagh, Northern Ireland was a touching and powerful experience. It was possible only because my parents had taken pictures of their headstone in 1984 when the inscription was discernible. By 2007 it had worn to the point that it was very difficult to identify. Capturing inscriptions while they are still clear is crucial.

Several ancestors kept records that have assisted in locating headstones and making links. My family is happy to share this information hoping that it may make a difference for searchers in their quest to trace ancestors and facilitate connections amongst descendants.