Village Squire, 1980-06, Page 6in 1961, and evolved from the Folklore Society in Waterloo. The
London branch was established in 1968, and meets on the second
Monday of every month from September to June. Some meetings
focus on a specific type of family research, perhaps emphasizing
a particular European country. Other meetings assume a
workshop approach, or there may be a sidettri..p to places like the
Detroit Public Library, which has an excellent genealogical
section.
The Society also undertakes various projects, some of which
currently include recording information from cemetery inscrip-
tions, extracting.vital information from old newspapers, and
copying and indexing the 1852 census for Middlesex County.
Another service is to assist adopted persons trying to find their
natural, or birth parents. One woman found her birth mother
through such clues as old employment records and a
grandfather's obituary that listed the name of an aunt. The
Society also can put people in touch with Parent Finders, a group
devoted exclusively to discovering the birth parents of adopted
persons.
Frequently people can trace their family history within
Canada, but need some assistance in making the connection back
to Europe or Britain. The Genealogical Society can help you here
also. Dan Brock, who has been president of the London chapter
for the past year, says that it is usually easier to obtain results
from Britain because there is no language problem and because
there have been less bombings over the years than in many parts
of Europe. In Ireland, however, the main archives was located in
the same building as the post office, which was badly bombed
during the revolution of the early 1900's. England has censuses
going back to 1839, and their church records frequently date
from the 1500's.
PARISH ROOTS
Your research in the British Isles will be easier if you know the
county and the parish which your family came from. The Society
can give you the addresses of reputable researchers in other
countries who will do the work for you if you are unable to make
the trip yourself. One of the Society members, Arnold
Nethercott, specializes in European genealogy.
The London Stake of the Mormon Church is another valuable
contact. The Mormons have devoted a great deal of time and
energy to genealogy because of their religious belief that one can
baptize past generations if they are one's relations. It is
therefore of prime importance to them to discover who is a part
of their ancestry. The Mormon Church has parish registers from
England on computer print outs and microfilm, as well as much
other historical material. Freqently the Genealogical Society and
the London Stake work closely together on research projects.
Members of the local branches are encouraged to join the
Ontario chapter, located in Toronto. For a $12 annual
membership fee you will receive a quarterly magazine called
Families, which contains interesting articles on research
techniques. and a column entitled "The Name Game" which
contains alphabetical listings of families interested in discover-
ing ancestors in common with others. Members of the Provincial
branch may advertise in the column twice a year without charge.
If you are interested in tracing your family tree. begin by
writing down everything you know. Look at any documents or
clippings that have been saved, and talk to other members of
your family. Sometimes an old letter can provide a clue; even a
postmark on an envelope may be helpful. If your area has a local
Historical Society or Archives, contact them, or ask someone
from your library or museum. You can reach the London chapter
of the Ontario Genealogical Society at P.O. Box 871, Station B,
London, Ont., N6A 4Z3.
If you begin a search for your family roots, you will
undoubtedly discover some new relations. but you will also gain
the added awareness of your own place within the present and
the past.
Stratford's
other theatre
Stratford Musical Theatre, by and for the locals
A piano echoes through the narrow
school corridor. Approaching an open set
of double doors, notes, like musical arrows
point ahead. Inside a small gymnasium, a
voice counts - "one, two, three, four. . . "
and a hand slaps sharp accompanying
beats on a piano top. Players in front. move
to the pounding lilt. The music stops, the
hand ceases - "OK, lett try it again."
The voice belongs to James Storms,
music teacher, church organist, choir
master, accomplished musician, but on this
particular evening, musical director for
Stratford's latest theatre addition, the
Stratford Musical Theatre.
PG. 4 VILLAGE SQUIRE/JUNE 1980
BY JIM NEER
The troupe, organized last December.
showcases the talents of its co-founders
Jim Finan and James Storms. Mr. Finan,
who directed Godspell, the company's first
production, is also a music teacher who
gained much of his acting background from
working with Hamilton Theatre Inc., and
the Queen's Summer Players from Queen's
University in Kingston.
In June, the Stratford Festival will begin
its 15th season, swamping the small city of
27,000 with thousands of tourists and
theatre enthusiasts. Also in June,
Stratford's Musical Theatre will be
opening its doors, except with a twist.
Instead of drawing spectators from across
the province, Stratford Musical Theatre
hopes to find them in their own backyard.
"Theatre for the people and by the
people of Stratford," said Mr. Finan.
explaining the troupe's community
outlook.
Since their first production last
February, the musical theatre has received
substantial acceptance by residents and
festival people alike. Mr. Finan said the
troupe could easily by labelled "little
theatre" and that . he explained, is the
image they are pushing for.
"Stratford residents are not used to