For further information see these historical/genealogy sites
Ontario Genealogical Society www.ogs.on.ca
Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario www.mcso.org
Mennonite Archives of Ontario www.grebel.uwaterloo.ca/mao/
Ontario Heritage Trust www.heritagetrust.on.ca
19th Century Migration www.ist.uwaterloo.ca/~marj/genealogy/thevoyagehtml
Archives of Mennonite Church USA) www.mcusa-archives.org/Archive
Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society www.lmhs.org
Menno Simons Historical Library and Archives, www.emu.edu/library/histlib.html
Mennonite Heritage Center (Harleysville, PA) www.mhep.org/
Archives of Mennonite Church USA www.mcusa-archives.org/
195I THE SOCIETY BEGINNING
THE PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN FOLKLORE SOCIETY OF ONTARIO |
NAVIGATION BARS |
Our Purpose:
The purpose of the Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario is to research and
record the contribution of the early settler families from Pennsylvania who began arriving
in Upper Canada beginning in 1786. Many of these families were of the Mennonite
faith. These families, settled in three areas: The Twenty(Vineland/Jordan), Waterloo
and York Counties. To quote Dr. Arthur Graeff “It was given to one generation in
Canada to migrate and pioneer, another to build and expand, another to purify and
develop.” The present day generation is surveying the past and preserving it.
The purpose of the Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario is to research and
record the contribution of the early settler families from Pennsylvania who began arriving
in Upper Canada beginning in 1786. Many of these families were of the Mennonite
faith. These families, settled in three areas: The Twenty(Vineland/Jordan), Waterloo
and York Counties. To quote Dr. Arthur Graeff “It was given to one generation in
Canada to migrate and pioneer, another to build and expand, another to purify and
develop.” The present day generation is surveying the past and preserving it.
MEMBERSHIP:
We welcome new members. Our fees are $13.00 single and $20.00 per family. You do not
have to be a descendant of a Pennsylvania German settler to be a member. All members
receive a copy of the Spring and Fall Newsletters.
Publications and Membership's May be purchased at the annual Society and Chapter
Meetings.or the Society Secetery
We welcome new members. Our fees are $13.00 single and $20.00 per family. You do not
have to be a descendant of a Pennsylvania German settler to be a member. All members
receive a copy of the Spring and Fall Newsletters.
Publications and Membership's May be purchased at the annual Society and Chapter
Meetings.or the Society Secetery
Dr. G. Elmore Reaman, a descendant of pioneer John Reaman an early settler in
Vaughan Township became interested in his Pennsylvania German Heritage. .At a
meeting in York County he was introduced to Dr. Mabel Dunham, author of the Trail of
the Conestoga, and Dr. Arthur and Mabel Graeff of Philadelphia Pennsylvania who were
active members of the German Folklore Society in Pennsylvania.
After attending several Folklore meetings in Pennsylvania, Dr Reaman became
determined to develop an appreciation among his fellow Pennsylvania Germans in
Ontario for the contributions made by their ancestors to the development of this Province.
With this in mind on October 26, 1951, he founded the Pennsylvania German Folklore
Society of Ontario. Six years later he submitted an appraisal of the contributions these
people had made as pioneers in Upper Canada which was published under the title “The
Trail of the Black Walnut”. In the foreword he writes “this (book) is an effort to speak for
those who would not speak for themselves..
Vaughan Township became interested in his Pennsylvania German Heritage. .At a
meeting in York County he was introduced to Dr. Mabel Dunham, author of the Trail of
the Conestoga, and Dr. Arthur and Mabel Graeff of Philadelphia Pennsylvania who were
active members of the German Folklore Society in Pennsylvania.
After attending several Folklore meetings in Pennsylvania, Dr Reaman became
determined to develop an appreciation among his fellow Pennsylvania Germans in
Ontario for the contributions made by their ancestors to the development of this Province.
With this in mind on October 26, 1951, he founded the Pennsylvania German Folklore
Society of Ontario. Six years later he submitted an appraisal of the contributions these
people had made as pioneers in Upper Canada which was published under the title “The
Trail of the Black Walnut”. In the foreword he writes “this (book) is an effort to speak for
those who would not speak for themselves..
Dr. Reaman vividly portrays the unassuming manner of our modest Pennsylvania German
ancestors of sturdy moral character; their expertise in agriculture and the application of
sound business principles as they quietly laid the solid foundation for the prosperity that
distinguishes the localities they founded.
Dr. Reaman retired as President in 1961. He died in 1969.
ancestors of sturdy moral character; their expertise in agriculture and the application of
sound business principles as they quietly laid the solid foundation for the prosperity that
distinguishes the localities they founded.
Dr. Reaman retired as President in 1961. He died in 1969.
LOGO
The PGFSO logo was created by Paul Burkholder, Markham, and depicts the early
migrations of our ancestors from Pennsylvania to Upper Canada in the late 1700’s and
early 1800’s. The Pennsylvania German woman and her child, on a horse, led by her
husband, with the Conestoga wagon and a cow and calf bringing up the rear, is typical of
the mode of travel over 800 kilometers, through forests, swamps, mountains and rivers.
The Logo was approved at the Society’s Annual Meeting, 1970
The PGFSO logo was created by Paul Burkholder, Markham, and depicts the early
migrations of our ancestors from Pennsylvania to Upper Canada in the late 1700’s and
early 1800’s. The Pennsylvania German woman and her child, on a horse, led by her
husband, with the Conestoga wagon and a cow and calf bringing up the rear, is typical of
the mode of travel over 800 kilometers, through forests, swamps, mountains and rivers.
The Logo was approved at the Society’s Annual Meeting, 1970
| The Home Page |
Second from left Dr.Arthur Graeff Dr. G. Elmore Reaman Dr. Norman H. High
New Note Cards
From a new painting prepared and donated by
Murray F. Pipher
A Conestoga Wagon drawn by four horses coming
to Upper Canada in the early 1800's.
Our Pennsylvania German ancestors began arriving in Ontario as early as 1786 in
Conestoga wagons as pictured here. It took four sturdy daft horses to draw these heavy
freight wagons loaded with all of the implements, tools, furniture, seeds and food
that the families needed to start their new homestead. There was no room in the wagons
for people so everyone walked including the teamster The families left Pennsylvania on
the six-week, 500 mile, journey at various times, often in late summer when the trails were
dry and solid and grass was plentiful for the animals. Some wagons arrived as late as the
third week in October as pictured here.The settlers knew that black walnut trees grew
where the soil was rich and deep so they were anxious to find land where the trees grew
tall and straight, like those in the background. A people of strong faith, with hard work and
perseverance they carved their homesteads from the wilderness of The Twenty
(Vineland/Jordan), Waterloo and York. They created the beginnings of our communities
and left their imprint on the economic and social life of Upper Canada.
Artist Murray Pipher Markham © Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario, 2008
The “note card” is available for purchase from each Chapter.Contact a Chapter officer or
attend at Chapter events.
Note Card with envelopes in sleeves– 5 in a package, $10.Can also be purchased
individually for $2.50
From a new painting prepared and donated by
Murray F. Pipher
A Conestoga Wagon drawn by four horses coming
to Upper Canada in the early 1800's.
Our Pennsylvania German ancestors began arriving in Ontario as early as 1786 in
Conestoga wagons as pictured here. It took four sturdy daft horses to draw these heavy
freight wagons loaded with all of the implements, tools, furniture, seeds and food
that the families needed to start their new homestead. There was no room in the wagons
for people so everyone walked including the teamster The families left Pennsylvania on
the six-week, 500 mile, journey at various times, often in late summer when the trails were
dry and solid and grass was plentiful for the animals. Some wagons arrived as late as the
third week in October as pictured here.The settlers knew that black walnut trees grew
where the soil was rich and deep so they were anxious to find land where the trees grew
tall and straight, like those in the background. A people of strong faith, with hard work and
perseverance they carved their homesteads from the wilderness of The Twenty
(Vineland/Jordan), Waterloo and York. They created the beginnings of our communities
and left their imprint on the economic and social life of Upper Canada.
Artist Murray Pipher Markham © Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario, 2008
The “note card” is available for purchase from each Chapter.Contact a Chapter officer or
attend at Chapter events.
Note Card with envelopes in sleeves– 5 in a package, $10.Can also be purchased
individually for $2.50
Further information on the Society including membership books and Videos and New
Cards may be obtained by contacting Lorne Smith at 10292 McCowam Rd.Markham ON
L3P 3J3 Or by Fax at 905 640 9394 Or Email Lorne Smith
Cards may be obtained by contacting Lorne Smith at 10292 McCowam Rd.Markham ON
L3P 3J3 Or by Fax at 905 640 9394 Or Email Lorne Smith
Provincial Executive, 2008-2009:
Past President Marlene Mattson mmattson@sympatico.ca
President Ralph Shantz rdshantz@golden.net
Vice President Elizabeth High highe@sympatico.ca
Secretary Vern Sherk vlsherk@kw.net.ca
/Treasurer Lorne Smith lorne.smith@sympatico.ca
Past President Marlene Mattson mmattson@sympatico.ca
President Ralph Shantz rdshantz@golden.net
Vice President Elizabeth High highe@sympatico.ca
Secretary Vern Sherk vlsherk@kw.net.ca
/Treasurer Lorne Smith lorne.smith@sympatico.ca
Twenty Chapter Waterloo Area Chapter York Chapter
2009 Mike Moyer Richard Schiedel Murray Smith
2010 Lawerence Moyer Dean Martin Shirley Stalford
2011 Jim Fretz Willis B Martin Briuce VanderBent
Directors
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