Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre Bruce County Archives ROBERT DIGBY BELCHER FONDS Prepared by Deb Sturdevant Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre Reading Room and Archives
TABLE OF CONTENTS FONDS DESCRIPTION... 3 SERIES DESCRIPTIONS and FILE LISTS... 6 Series 1 Numbered genealogy research files and records... 6 Series 2 Belcher genealogy research records... 9 Series 3 Belcher-related families genealogy research records... 11 Series 4 Belcher family personal records... 13 Series 5 Genealogy correspondence... 15 Series 6 Genealogy reference materials... 16 Series 7 Southampton research records... 17 Series 8 Photographs... 18 Series 9 Fine art... 20 Series 10 The John Belcher Family: A Canadian Family History book... 21 Series 11 Belcher family genealogy computer disks... 22 2
FONDS DESCRIPTION Title Robert Digby Belcher fonds Dates [photocopied 197-? 2003 (originally created 1800 2003)] Extent: 123 cm of textual records. 1.8 GB of textual records 112 photographs. 5.5 GB of photographs 11 post cards. 0.5 GB of post cards Administrative History/Biographical Sketch Robert Digby Belcher was born on March 22, 1951 in Virden, Manitoba and was raised in Brandon, Manitoba. Robert moved to London, Ontario in 1967, and later to Toronto, Ontario. By 2002, he was residing in Perkinsfield, Ontario. He worked as a professional musician, photographer and artist. He was active in the Baha i Faith. Over the course of several decades, Robert conducted genealogy research related to his ancestors, being the descendants of John Belcher, born 1775, culminating the creation of a family history booklet. Robert Belcher was the great-great-grandson of Elizabeth Furey (nee: Grafton) and John Belcher (1800-1882), who moved in 1854 from Toronto Township to Southampton in Bruce County, Ontario where he worked as a blacksmith, bell-maker and businessman. Robert Belcher was the great-grandson of Augusta Lucinda Barnes (1843-1905) and Col. Alexander Emerson Belcher (1844-1926). A.E. Belcher was a soldier, businessman, politician and public servant. He served in the Fenian Raids and eventually attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He engaged in banking and commercial activities, being a commercial traveler, one of the founders of the Commercial Travellers' Association, and a private banker through Belcher & Co. Bankers in Southampton, Ontario. He was elected as councilor for the Village of Southampton for two years in 1864. He served as Reeve of Southampton from 1894-1896 and 1898, and as Mayor from 1905-1908. He was also active in Conservative politics in Bruce County. He also wrote poetry and was active in fraternal organizations. Robert Belcher was the grandson of Eva Ann Danard (1876-1910) and Emerson McKenzie Digby Belcher (1877-1931). Emerson was born in Brantford, Ontario and later worked in Southampton, Ontario at Knechtel Furniture Factory as a cabinet maker and furniture finisher. 3
Robert Belcher was the son of Doris Edna (Kritzer) Belcher (1907-1988) and Thomas Digby Belcher (1909-2001). Thomas Digby was raised in Kemble, Ontario by his uncle and aunt, Louis and Ada Danard, who adopted him after his mother s death in 1910. In 1934, Thomas Digby moved to Manitoba where he practiced as a chiropractor. Scope and Content This fonds consists chiefly of records created and collected by Robert Digby Belcher, in paper and digital form, during the course of his Belcher family genealogy research, which included research concerning the Grafton, Danard, Barnes, and Downing families. Such records include notes, family trees/charts, reference resources, correspondence, newspaper clippings, reproduced maps, reproduced vital statistic and land records, A.E. Belcher poetry, Southampton postcards and records reflecting Southampton history. Family photographs, in paper and digital form, including photographs of the families of Col. A.E. Belcher, Emerson Belcher, Brit Belcher, and Thomas Digby Belcher and the Danard family also form part of this fonds. Included in the fonds are original personal records collected by Robert Digby Belcher as part of his genealogical research, including: correspondence by A.E. Belcher to P.J. Scott, (1900, 1902), tax notices to E.D. Belcher (1911-1916, 1918), Traders Fire Insurance certificates (1910, 1911), draft will of Eva Ann Belcher (1907), Adoption/custody Agreement (1911), Dr. T.D. Belcher stationary, T.D. Belcher and Doris Kritzer vital statistic certificates, sheet music, and a The Empire portfolio. Physical condition Some photographs are torn and in poor condition. Immediate source of acquisition Estate of Robert Digby Belcher Restrictions on Access Some items in the Belcher family personal records, such as S.I.N. cards and death certificates, may be restricted. The Archivist will provide details upon inquiry. Arrangement All of the research documents were received by the Archives in labelled files in no discernable order. Some files were labelled with a number as well as a title. The numbered files were arranged in numerical order. All research files have maintained their original titles. 4
Finding aids Series-level descriptions and file lists are available online at http://www.brucemuseum.ca/archives-and-research/archives/findingaids/. An item list is available at the Bruce County Archives. Related material (within the archives) Collection about Alexander Emerson Belcher, consisting of an original scrapbook of newspaper clippings created by Alexander Emerson Belcher, information regarding the Belcher portrait owned by the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre and other reference materials collected by the Museum. Associated material (external to the archives) Alexander Emerson Belcher fonds F-18 (Archives of Ontario) Alexander Emerson Belcher fonds, R1993-0-8-E (Library and Archives Canada) Related groups of records within fonds The Numbered genealogy research files and records are related to the following two series: Belcher genealogy research records and Belcherrelated families genealogy research records, with some files containing similar information. Subject Access Points Belcher, Alexander Emerson, 1844-1926 Belcher, Thomas Digby, 1909-2001 Barnes, Augusta Lucinda, 1843-1905 Danard, Eva Ann, 1876-1910 Belcher, Emerson McKenzie Digby, 1877-1931 Belcher, Doris Edna, 1907-1988 5
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS and FILE LISTS Series 1 Numbered genealogy research files and records Dates 1912-2003, predominant [197-]-2003 Extent 27.5 cm of textual records 10 photographs Scope and Content This series consists of records created, collected and organized by Robert Digby Belcher into numbered and labeled files while researching Belcher genealogy. Such records include articles, copies of wills, maps and land records, family correspondence, genealogy reference guides, name indexes, newspaper clippings, newsletters, notes, pamphlets and reproduction photographs. File/Item List: File names and numbers are identical to those provided by Robert Digby Belcher. Title Dates Box/File 1A Stephen Barnes 1978-2003 B1 / S1.F1 1B Burwash family 2003 B1 / S1.F2 3 Belcher family charts 1996? 2002 B1 / S1.F3 6 Emerson Belcher 7 Col. Belcher portrait Southampton 8 Belcher Bank 9 Col. Belcher history chronological order 9A Belcher, Thomas Leonard & wife 10 Col. Belcher poems and articles 1912, [photocopied 19-- (originally created 1923-1930)] 6 B1 / S1.F4 1985-1988, 2003 B1 / S1.F5 [photocopied 19-- (originally created 189- - 1895)] [photocopied 19-- (originally created 1926 19--)] [photocopied 1979-2003 (originally created 1929-2003)] 1 original: 1916 [photocopied 19-- (originally created 1866 19--)] B1 / S.1.F6 B1 / S1.F7 B1 / S1.F8 B1 / S1.F9
11 Col. Belcher letters 12 Letters written by [Col.] A.E. Belcher 13 Col. Belcher scrapbook copied from museum Southampton, Ont. 14 Col. Belcher Who s Who 1911/1912 15 Articles on Col. Belcher and wives [photocopied 19-- (originally created 1867-2003)] 4 originals: 1900-1902 [reproductions photocopied [19--] (originally created 1886-1923)] [photocopied 198- (originally created 187- - 191-)] [photocopied 198- (originally created 1908-1927)] 7 B1 / S1.F10 B1 / S1.F11 B1 / S1.F12 B3 / S1.F12.I2 B1 / S.1.F13 [19--] B1 / S.1.F14 16A Bristol research material [19--] 2003 B1 / S1.F15 17 Miscellaneous Belcher items 1979-2003 (1 undated form possibly earlier) B1 / S1.F16 18 Brewer letters about Col. 1941 B1 / S1.F17 19 Brewer, George and family 1931, 1987-1988 B1 / S1.F18 20 Bruce County Museum 1985-2002 B1 / S1.F19 21 History of County of Bruce [transcribed 19--] B1 / S1.F20 23A Fred Cook / Cook genealogy info 1985, 1987, 1998, 2002 B1 / S1.F21 23C Gabriella and Bill DiFrancesco 1991 B1 / S1.F22 23D Kay Dukowski, Port Alberni B.C. & Drinkwater [photocopied 19-- (originally created 1978-1984)] B1 / S1.F23 24 Phone and address researchers 1987, 2002 B1 / S1.F24 25A Gage family [19--] B1 / S1.F25 25B Green family 1983-2003 B1 / S1.F26 28 Guide to searching military and militia records [19--] B1 / S1.F27 29 Index [198-?] [2002?] B1 / S1.F28 31 Land owned by Belchers [19--] - 2003 B1 / S1.F29 33 Petitions of Ann Belcher and John Belcher [photocopied 1979-1987 (originally created 1846-1987)] B1 / S.1.F30 36 Lennox Grafton letters 1983-2002 B1 / S.1.F31 37 Barnes to research 1985, 1996 B1 / S.1.F32 40 Maps of U.S.A. [photocopied 19--] B1 / S.1.F33 41 Maps of Southampton [Ont.] [photocopied 19-- (originally B1 / S.1.F34
42 Maps of Ontario counties 43 Maps of Ontario created 1857, 1880, 1890)] [photocopied 19-- (originally created 1857-1988)] B1 / S.1.F35 44 Newsletters 1987-1988 B1 / S.1.F36 45 Obituaries [photocopied 19-- (originally created 1860-1980)] B1 / S.1.F37 46 Ontario Genealogy Society 1986-1987 B1 / S.1.F38 48 Reference material [19--] - 2002 B1 / S.1.F39 49 Research addresses and 1976-2002 B1 / S.1.F40 directories 1958-1983 [reproductions 51 Southampton memorial originally created 1896, B1 / S.1.F41 booklet 1903, 1906] 53 U.E.L. 1984-1986, 2003 B1 / S.1.F42 54 Wills [and adoption/custody B1 / S.1.F43 1911-1988 order] 55 Photos of Belcher family [reproduced 19--] B1 / S.1.F44 56 Photos of Belcher home Southampton [19--] Arrangement note These files were arranged and labelled according to the numbers and names assigned to the files by Robert Belcher. There are numbers missing in the sequence of numbered files such files were not donated to the Archives. Availability of other formats Some of these records are available on CD-ROM in series 11 Belcher family genealogy computer disks. Finding aids An item list is available from the Archivist. B1 / S.1.F45 Related groups of records within fonds: The Photographs series contains another photograph of the Southampton Wellington/Spence St. home. More genealogy research files are arranged in the following two series: Belcher genealogy research records and Belcher-related families genealogy research records. 8
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS and FILE LISTS Series 2 Belcher genealogy research records Dates [photocopied 197-? - 2003 (originally created 1800-2003)] Extent 14.0 cm of textual records Scope and Content This series consists of records created and collected by Robert Digby Belcher while researching Belcher genealogy, which he organized into labeled, but unnumbered files. Such records include copies of articles, directory sections, newspaper clippings, reproduction photographs, name indexes, family tree charts, vital statistic research print-outs, notes, and copies of maps. File/Item List Title Dates Box/File Belchers in England [photocopied 1983], 2003 B1 / S2.F1 Belchers who served in WWI 2003 B1 / S2.F2 Belcher 1871 Census [19--] - 2003 B1 / S2.F3 Belcher family tree graphs and lists Belcher cemetery and marriage records Belcher internet search items to check Alexander Belcher [1809-1875] Benjamin Belcher #1 and family [19--] - 2003 B1 / S2.F4 2002-2003 B1 / S2.F5 2003 B1 / S2.F6 [photocopied 19--] B1 / S2.F7 2002 B1 / S2.F8 Edgerton Charles Belcher 2003 B1 / S2.F9 John Belcher #1 John Belcher #2 (1800-1833) [photocopied 19 (originally created 1800-1815)] [photocopied 19-- (originally created 1846)], 2002, 2003 B1 / S2.F10 B1 / S2.F11 Joshua Grafton Belcher 2003 B1 / S2.F12 9
Mary Belcher 2003 B1 / S2.F13 Mike Belcher, Captain 19--? B1 / S2.F14 Walter Eric Belcher William Shaw Belcher Belcher/Green Perkins Bull Papers Belcher miscellaneous [Belcher miscellaneous - Genealogy index cards] City directories photocopied 2003 (originally created 1914) [photocopied 19-- - 200- (originally created 1843-1900)] [photocopied 19-- (originally created 193-?)] [photocopied 198- - 2003 (originally created 1897-2003] [19--] [200-?] [photocopied 2003 (originally created 1876-1909)] B1 / S2.F15 B1 / S2.F16 B1 / S2.F17 B3 / 22.F18 B3 / 22.F18.I11 B1 / S2.F18 Arrangement note As no original order was evident, these files were arranged by the archivist alphabetically by name. Finding aids An item list is available from the Archivist. Related groups of records within fonds: Series 1, Numbered genealogy research records contains information / records on topics similar to, or the same as, those contained within this series. Title note The files were labelled with the names assigned to the files by Robert Belcher. 10
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS and FILE LISTS Series 3 Belcher-related families genealogy research records Dates 1978-2003 Extent 6.5 cm of textual records Scope and Content This series consists of records created and collected by Robert Digby Belcher while researching Belcher genealogy, which he organized into labeled, unnumbered files. Such records include copies of articles, directory sections, newspaper clippings, reproduction photographs, name indexes and family tree charts, vital statistic research print-outs, notes, and copies of maps. File/Item List Title Dates Box/File Augusta Lucinda Barnes [19-- - 200-] B2 / S3.F1 Barnes family 1986-2003 B2 / S3.F2 Burness [and Mary Jane Fury] 2003 B2 / S3.F3 Danard family [photocopied 19-- - 2003] B2 / S3.F4 Downing family [photocopied 19-- - 2003] B2 / S3.F5 Grafton family notes, charts and articles Grafton Family Connection 1941, [19-- - 2003] B2 / S3.F6 1986 B2 / S3.F7 Grafton family Bible [photocopied 19--] B2 / S3.F8 Kritzer family 1978-1996 B2 / S3.F9 Shook 2002 B2 / S3.F10 Vollett, Mary and James 2003 B2 / S3.F11 Arrangement note These files were labelled with the names assigned to the files by Robert Belcher. They were arranged by the archivist alphabetically by name. 11
Finding aids An item list is available from the Archivist. Related groups of records within fonds Series 1, Numbered genealogy research records contains information / records on topics similar to, or the same as, those contained within this series. 12
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS and FILE LISTS Series 4 Belcher family personal records Dates 1901-1988 Extent 6.0 cm of textual records 4 postcards 1 portfolio Scope and Content This series consists of original records collected by Robert Belcher in the course of his genealogy research regarding the Belcher family. These records include correspondence by A.E. Belcher to P.J. Scott, (1900, 1902), tax notices to E.D. Belcher (1911-1916, 1918), Traders Fire Insurance certificates (1910, 1911), draft will of Eva Ann Belcher (1907), Adoption/custody Agreement (1911), Dr. T.D. Belcher stationary, T.D. Belcher and Doris Kritzer vital statistic certificates, sheet music, and a The Empire portfolio. File/Item List Title Dates Box/File Belcher family letters Miscellaneous Belcher personal records Digby (Dr. T.D.) Belcher records Doris Edna (Krtizer) Belcher memorial guestbook [photocopied 19--? (originally created 1852-1894)] B2 / S4.F1 1901-1974 B2 / S4.F2 1940? - 1988 B2 / S4.F3 1988 B2 / S4.F4 Sheet music [19--] B3 / S4.F5 Restrictions on Access S.I.N. cards and death certificates may be restricted. The archivist will provide further details. Finding aids An item list is available from the Archivist. Supplied Title note 13
Titles based on content of series and files 14
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS and FILE LISTS Series 5 Genealogy correspondence Dates 1979, 1987-1996, 2002-2003 Extent: 3.0 cm of textual records Scope and Content This series consists of correspondence sent or received by Robert Belcher while conducting genealogy research regarding the Belcher family. File/Item List Title Dates Box/File Genealogy correspondence 1979 Genealogy correspondence 1987-1996 Genealogy correspondence 2002-2003 1979 B2 / S5.F1 1987-1996 B2 / S5.F2 2002-2003 B2 / S5.F3 15
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS and FILE LISTS Series 6 Genealogy reference materials Dates 1984-1998 Extent 6.0 cm of textual records Scope and Content This series consists of genealogical reference materials, including materials about how to research companies and families. File/Item List Title Dates Box/File Company reference materials Family history reference materials Finding aids An item list is available from the Archivist. 1984 B2 / S6.F1 1984-1998 B2 / S6.F2 16
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS and FILE LISTS Series 7 Southampton research records Dates [19--] - 2002 Extent 1.0 cm of textual records 7 postcards 150 postcards (jpeg and tiff) Scope and Content This series consists of a souvenir edition of the Southampton Beacon newspaper, 7 post cards and a CD-Rom of digitized historic postcards. File/Item List Title Dates Box/File Southampton Beacon 1983 B2 / S7.F1 150 Southampton Historic Postcards Digitized 2002 B2 / S7.F2 Southampton Post Cards [19--] B2 / S7.F2 17
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS and FILE LISTS Series 8 Photographs Dates [185-?] [200?] Extent 102 photographs Scope and Content This series consists of photographs of the families of Col. A.E. Belcher, Emerson Belcher, Brit Belcher, Thomas Digby Belcher and the Danard family. File/Item List Belcher 1800s photographs Title Dates Box/File Col. A.E. Belcher & family photographs Col. A.E. Belcher & family photographs oversized Brit Belcher s family photographs Danard family photographs [Thomas] Digby Belcher family photographs Emerson Belcher & family photographs Miscellaneous and unidentified photographs [reproduction 19--] B2 / S8.F1 [185-?] - [1919?] B2 / S8.F2 [185-?] - [1919?] B3 / S8.F3 [193-?] - [1945?] B2 / S8.F4 [194-] - [200-?] B2 / S8.F5 1910, 1912, 1934 [199-?] B2 / S8.F6 [1898?] [1935?] B2 / S8.F7 [19--] 1971? B2 / S8.F8 Arrangement note Photographs were not received in any particular order by the Archives. They were arranged into files according to the digital files created by Robert Belcher on the CD Belcher History Photos which contains digitized versions of many of these photographs. 18
Finding aids An item list is available from the Archivist. Related groups of records within fonds Several of the computer disks in series 11 Belcher family genealogy computer disks contain digital copies of photographs found in this series, as well as additional digital photographs. 19
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS and FILE LISTS Series 9 Fine art Dates [19--] Extent 1.0 cm of textual records Scope and Content This series consists of 14 charcoal and pen sketches (28 x 22 cm) by an unidentified artist [Robert Belcher?]. Also included in the series are two paintings on canvas. On the back of one appears to be written Gussey Belcher 1885. File/Item List Title Dates Box/File Sketches [19--] B2 / S9.F1 Paintings 1885 & [18--?] Art Work 20
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS and FILE LISTS Series 10 The John Belcher Family: A Canadian Family History book Dates 1989-2003 Extent 3.5 cm of textual records 1 computer disk (67.8 MB of textual records) Scope and Content This series consists of various draft versions of the booklet created by Robert Belcher as a result of his genealogy research. The final title of the work appears to have been John Belcher: A Canadian Family History 1799-2003: A History of John Belcher and his Descendants. File/Item List Title Dates Box/File Belcher family history drafts Belcher family history draft 2003 Master disk 2003 1989-2002 B2 / S10.F1 2003 B2 / S10.F2 B2 / S. 10.F3 21
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS and FILE LISTS Series 11 Belcher family genealogy computer disks Dates [digitized 2002 2003] Extent 5510 MB of photographs (tiff, jpeg) 150 MB of sound recordings (wav) 1830MB of textual records (ged, html, pmd, doc) Scope and Content This series consists of computer disks containing electronic and/or digitized documents and photographs created or digitized by Robert Belcher in the course of his genealogy research and the creation of his family history booklet. Also included are files related to software such as GenoPro, picture publisher, Epson and Compaq. Disk List Proper Title Dates Box/File Kritzer Family Photos [digitized 2002] B3 / S11.F1 Data, My Pictures, New 1, New 5, RB Family, ch photos zip, smaller zip [digitized 2002] 22 B3 / S11.F1 Belcher Family Data [digitized 2002] B3 / S11.F1 History June 14 [digitized 2002] B3 / S11.F1 Finished History Project [digitized 2003] B3 / S11.F1 Genealogy digitized 2002] B3 / S11.F1 Genealogy files A-D digitized 2002] B3 / S11.F1 Gen Data E-K digitized 2002] B3 / S11.F1 Family History Data Files June 13, 2002 [digitized 2002] B3 / S11.F1 Belcher History Photos [digitized 2002] B3 / S11.F2 J Belcher A Canadian Family History Family history files oct 2002 [digitized 2002] [digitized 2002] B3 / S11.F2 B3 / S11.F2 Robert Belcher Presents: [digitized 2002] B3 / S11.F2
John Belcher A Canadian Family History 1799-2002 (3 copies) Finished History Project [digitized 2002] B3 / S11.F2 Belcher Genealogy files, Disk #1 Gernprogold and family history downloads Family History and Photo Programs Photos 2002 JB cove [ ] Fonts Genealogy files September 16,2 002 [digitized 2003] [digitized 2003] [digitized 2002] [digitized 2002] [digitized 2002] B3 / S11.F2 B3 / S11.F2 B3 / S11.F2 B3 / S11.F2 B3 / S11.F2 Gen July 2002 [digitized 2002] B3 / S11.F3 Genealogy backup data from disk D Edited History Backup file [digitized 2003] [digitized 2003] B3 B3 / S11.F3 / S11.F3 Barnes Family [digitized 2002] B3 / S11.F3 Genealogy Files Backup, Disk 1 A to C Genealogy Files Backup, Disk 2 C to Z Photos / stories history project Belcher Family History CD-ROM [digitized 2003] [digitized 2003] [digitized 2002] [digitized 2003] B3 / S11.F3 B3 / S11.F3 B3 / S11.F3 B3 / S11.F3 Family history jan 11 [digitized 2003] B3 / S11.F3 Robert Belcher Presents: John Belcher A Canadian Family History 1799-2002 (2 copies) Fam History March Edited by Terry [digitized 2002] [digitized 2003] B3 / S11.F3 B3 / S11.F3 Arrangement The disks arranged as File 1 were found loose among the materials donated. The disks arranged in file 2 were arranged by Robert Belcher (and remain) together in a black disk case. The disks arranged in file 3 were arranged by Robert Belcher (and remain) together in a burgundy CD organizer. Related groups of records 23
Some of the records and photographs digitized in this series can be found in hardcopy form in the other series arranged in this fonds. Supplied Title note Series title based on content of series. Disk titles are proper titles taken from computer disks. 24