Personal tastes, I shouldn’t have to explain, vary. What’s fine with some, even most people, might be anathemic to another.
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In trying to compare the ‘On-To-Ottawa Trek’ by thousands of unemployed men in 1935 to the continuing occupation of Ottawa and the blockading of crucial border crossings by anti-vaxxing truckers and their supporters, this week’s Chronicle is based upon the “recollections” of onetime Lake Cowichan resident and Spanish Civil War veteran Ronald Liversedge.
Read MoreI’ll begin this week with a personal blast from the past, courtesy of reader Daryl Friesen: “Just want to say hello... I have read your book [Lost Bonanzas of Western Canada] a few times over the years. My copy was purchased in Masset when I was 12 years old.
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One could argue that the truckers’ protest in Ottawa is another case of deja vu. The precedent, for those of us who know even a smattering of Canadian history, is the 1935 On-to-Ottawa Trek of the unemployed in 1935.
Read MoreHere in B.C., specifically Victoria, we ditch Capt. James Cook, RN, one of, if not the greatest, navigators of all time, by smashing his statue and throwing it into the Inner Harbour.
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Years ago, when I was still writing the Chronicles in the Cowichan Valley Citizen, I received a complaint from a young woman who accused me of writing only about male pioneers.
Read MoreIn November it was reported that North Cowichan’s coat of arms was headed for retirement in the Chemainus Museum.
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Genealogists have a field day with Vital Statistics; they’re a treasure chest for family researchers and historians alike. But, of course, they really don’t tell you much beyond the barest of bones.
Read MoreDon’t think history repeats itself? Until the arrival of the E&N Railway in 1884 there was no Duncan. All shopping was done in Victoria, the goods arriving by weekly steamship at Maple and Cowichan Bays.
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I’ve often wondered why some people seem hyper-sensitive to their family histories; sometimes to the point of burning old papers, photos and other memorabilia that should have been passed on to future generations.
Read MoreI set my calendar by Joseph Mairs. Every January for, I’ve lost track now how many years, the second to last Sunday of the month is his memorial day in Ladysmith, this one on the 23rd.
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You may recognize the names of renowned Victoria architects Samuel Maclure and Francis Rattenbury who’s as well remembered for his having been murdered by his wife’s lover as he is for having designed the B.C. Parliament Buildings. But how about Thomas Hooper?
Read MoreAs some of you will have seen in the news, tributes are pouring in to the family of Jean Andre, who was internationally recognized for his magic in creating many stunning museum exhibits.
Read MoreWelcome to a new year—hopefully it’ll be a better one than 2021 was for many, I’m sure. It can be a challenge for me, sometimes, to find good news in all that’s going on around us, but it’s there if we look hard enough.
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“Sale of the Burrard’s Inlet mill—the sawmill owned by J.O. Smith was sold on Thursday by his creditor’s assignees. It was purchased by Mr. Moody for the sum of $6900.”
Read MoreI had to work Christmas Eve Day but got home just in time to listen to CBC Radio’s annual Frederick Forsyth Christmas saga, The Shepherd as I’ve done now for more years than I can remember—and as I shall continue to do so as long as I am able.
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In my recent caption for the coming Christmas Chronicle, I sort of joked that, thanks to email, hardly anyone mails Christmas cards any more, with or without an envelope.
Read MoreBecause the Leader published weekly, Christmas 1921 was four days old when readers received their newspaper; hence there was a single and short reference to the holiday just passed.
Read MoreHeads up! those of you who aren’t CBC Radio listeners: What must be one of the finest 20-minute Christmas radio documentaries ever, is again upon us.
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Christmas Day, 1858. For pioneer British Columbia journalist D.W. Higgins this was his most memorable Yuletide of all—the time Christmas dinner almost cost him his life.
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