Clinton News-Record, 1985-07-10, Page 86Ir'
is
rh,
A driving force behind much of the plhnnn
ing for the Goderich IownShip SeS-
quicentennial has been Alison Lobb.
For the past year Alison has devoted her
energies to the preparation of two history
books which extensively recount the • 150
years past of the municipality and the peo-
ple who have lived there:
One book has been completed. A second
volume which specifically deals with
families in the township is' in the final draft
stages. It will feature more than 300 dif-
ferent stories of families who settled in the
township more than a century ago, and
those who have made Goderich Township
their home in recent years.
"We'd like the whole township covered,
Everyone living here today," Alison en-
thuses.
Alison is more than enthusiastic about her
dedication to recording the past. To some,
her work may seem more like an obsession,
but for this thoughtful woman, the past is as
important as the present.
This career woman, mother and farm
wife has long been devoted to her search for
family ancestry. Alison was instrumental in
the formation of the Huron County Branch
of the Ontario Genealogical Society. She has
served as chairman of the group and cur-
rently is in charge of the cemetery records
and bulletin editor.
Alison's own interest in research of the
Lobb family began on a small scale in 1967,
with the preparation of a short account for a
centennial year publication for Goderich
Township.
"I thought it would take me an hour to
complete, but it mushroomed," she recall-
ed.
Alison discovered a new world behind the
names and dates of her husband's
ancestors. She noted, "It's history. It's
about the times and the social conditions."
Her search for family roots is now her
passion. Alison has traced 70 .different Lobb
families of no known connection. The Lobbs
were farmers or miners and came from the
Cornwall district of England. Alison can
Township Reeve Grant Stirling,
history book author Alison Lobb
with the first book.
also trace Lobbs to Russia, a family who
came from the Soviet Union who changed
their unpronounceable name to Lobb. Alison
can trace the Lobb history back as far as the
1600s.
1-5-0 Committee chairman Gerry Ginn and
present Huron County Warden Paul Steckle
Alison's hobby took on new meaning and
greater importance in 1970. The Lobb home
burned to the ground and all the work Alison
had done, all the pictures she had collected
were lost forever.
We've Been
Around A
Long Time
And over the years we have selected our
products to meet the special needs of
our customers.
•Imported Fragrances
*Cosmetics
•Health and Beauty Aids
•Giftware
•Cards and Gift Wrap
•Ostomy and Mastectomy Supplies
•Sick Room Supplies
IE�o�oe
14 SHOPPERS SQUARE
GODERICH 5247241
C Pharmac
' The tragedy taught Alison a bitter lesson
documenting historical facts. It fired a new
drive in her to complete her family history,
to Ptihilsh and circulate it.
She suggests to others who are resear
Ming tax iii* roofs, °You can't keep waiting
to get it finished. You'llnever finish."
Alison's interest in history took • on a
greater 'challenge two years' ago when she
and some 15 other people met to discussthe
prospects,. of publishing a history hook to
commemorate Goderich Township's 150th
anniversary. The finished product is an im-
pressive
mpressive document that presents a detailed
and lively account of the township's
heritage.
Alison edited the book, but she gratefully
acknowledges, "Everyone put a lot of
research into it."
These clays Alison can be usually found
working at the computer or talking on the
telephone, as she transcribes and prepares
the more than 300 entries andr dozens of
photographs for the second township history
book on families.
"I could work 12 hours a day, five days a
week and still not be caught up."
Alison's six children and husband Don
have surrendered. themselves to the fact
that historical work has taken first priority.
It's not unusual to see at least one Lobb child
patiently accompanying mother as she 4,
makes her rounds as history book editor.
But it's all part of everyday life at the
busy Lobb household. Telephones ringing,
people stopping by, company, hungry kids,
a busy farm, an active social life are alit part
and parcel.
Alison Lobb wears many hats. She's
superintendent at the Sunday School and,
president of the Friendship, Guild at the
Anglican Church in Clinton. She's past -
president of the Community Club and she
coaches T -Ball. For several months of the
year she teaches farmer's income tax and
bookkeeping at Centralia College.
Any one of Alison's interests could be full-
time occupation for someone else, but for
this energetic woman it's all part of her zest
for life, her interest in the future and her
devotion to the.past.
The zany staff of
Silhouette wishes you
a
Happy
150th
Anniversary
and looks forward to
another successful
150years in Goderich
Township
HAIR FASHION S
34 Newgate St., Goderich
524-4479 j