Sidetracks

Sidetracks Local researcher uncovering the stories behind places, families, and forgotten details. Explore my work at sidetracks.ca.

I share what I find through writing, art, seminars, and community storytelling.

Henry is going to Minden! Presenting on May 5th at 7pm with the Haliburton Highlands Genealogy Group. Hope to see you th...
04/25/2026

Henry is going to Minden! Presenting on May 5th at 7pm with the Haliburton Highlands Genealogy Group. Hope to see you there!

Henry made his public debut on Saturday! 😄 The first EVER Abstracts to Deeds - Ontario Land Records - seminar at Norland...
04/15/2026

Henry made his public debut on Saturday! 😄 The first EVER Abstracts to Deeds - Ontario Land Records - seminar at Norland School Community Hall, and what a day it was!

A wonderful turnout - even a nine-month-old future genealogist in the room who didn't complain once about the deed terminology. 😁

Congrats to Barb Peel - the lucky winner of a framed sketch of the Norland School. Another was donated to the Norland School Hall Volunteer Management Committee — and yes, Henry somehow ended up in the photo 🥰

Thank you to everyone who attended and shared such terrific feedback. More seminars are in the works!

Follow along at sidetracks.ca

Everything is ready for Saturday! It's almost here! "Abstracts to Deeds and Everything Between" at the Norland School Ha...
04/08/2026

Everything is ready for Saturday! It's almost here! "Abstracts to Deeds and Everything Between" at the Norland School Hall - starts at 2pm.

Two signed and framed sketches of Norland School Hall are done and ready to go. One is a gift for the Norland School Hall Library - to hang on the wall as a little piece of local history. The other is the door prize draw! There will be a Sign-In Sheet where you can leave your contact info for future seminars and events - the draw will be from that list.

Companion Booklets are printed, stacked, and ready - $12 each, available on the day. I printed 20, so first come, first served! If you haven't registered yet, there's still time. Email me at [email protected]

Come spend a few hours learning how Ontario land records can rock your family history research — and maybe go home with one of my signed, framed sketches!

Details again:
Norland School Hall - same building as the Norland Library
Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 2pm!

Meet Henry! Henry is a typical settler, farming in Laxton Township in the 1800's... and he has no idea he's going to hel...
04/02/2026

Meet Henry!

Henry is a typical settler, farming in Laxton Township in the 1800's... and he has no idea he's going to help you find your ancestor or learn the history of your property.

Saturday, April 11th at 2pm, I'll be introducing Henry properly at the Norland School Community Hall (same building as the library) and using his story to walk you through the land records.

Abstracts to Deeds is a FREE seminar, and it doesn't matter if you've never heard the words "dower release" or "letters patent" in your life. Henry's going to help it all make sense.

Please drop a comment below if you're coming so I know how many booklets to bring! 😁

Saturday, April 11th at 2pm - Norland School Community Hall - Yep! Free

If you would like to take home a Companion Booklet- they are $12 ..and help with the story and, later on, as you tackle the records at home.

G'day all! 👋I've been busy working on a new project and I'm so excited to share it — this is my first time presenting th...
03/10/2026

G'day all! 👋

I've been busy working on a new project and I'm so excited to share it — this is my first time presenting this seminar and I really hope you'll come!

If your family put down roots in Ontario, chances are they left a trail in the land records — and you might not quite know how to read them. So! Let's do a:

FREE SEMINAR — SATURDAY, April 11 · 2:00 PM sharp
Norland School Hall Community Centre, 3448 Monck Road, Norland

Ontario Land Records: From Deeds to Abstracts — and Everything in Between

We'll spend a couple of hours deciphering real documents together — deeds, mortgages, patents, wills — and I'll show you exactly what to look for, what the gaps mean, and how to find the people hiding in the margins. AND! I will introduce you to Augustus, the Land Surveyor, and other characters like him as we go along.

No charge for the seminar. A companion booklet to help you in your research will be available at the door for $12.00.

Bring your pencil and let's dig in! 😄

I’m honoured to have been commissioned by The Olde Kirk/ Kirkfield & District Historical Society to research and write a...
03/02/2026

I’m honoured to have been commissioned by The Olde Kirk/ Kirkfield & District Historical Society to research and write a new local history project - Stories Behind the Glass. The project is based on the dedications etched in each stained glass window in the Olde Kirk.

The past year has been a deep dive into the following and more:

• First World War military records
• Immigration files
• Handwritten wartime diaries
• Church archives and family histories

The book will include the traditional meanings behind the stained glass imagery, written by Cheryl-Anne Paquette — adding another layer of depth to the project.

On Sunday, March 15th at 2pm, selected stories and research discoveries will be shared during The Olde Kirk’s Annual General Meeting.

The stained glass windows tell their own stories in colour and light, but they also quietly carry the lives of those named within. This project is about people, about families, and a community that remembers.

Please join us!

02/10/2026

Lots of comments on one of my posts last week! Thanks everyone for your support! 🎉

Address

3411 Monck Road
Coboconk, ON
K0M2L0

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