My Canadian roots run deep. I am proud to say my family has been here a long time. How did we get here? Here is a brief overview:
My Paternal Line
The Lake line of my family arrived in Canada on 26 May 1926, with the arrival of my great-grandfather, Herbert Lake and six of his children. He was followed two months later by his wife, Fanny (Crawford), and two more of their children, including my grandfather. After a brief stay in Toronto, the family settled in London, Ontario. More information about my Lake family can be found on my website, Lake Family of Lincolnshire.
My Ryckman family has been on Canadian soil since the end of the American Revolutionary War, when my ancestor John Ryckman came to Upper Canada and settled in Barton Township, Gore District, Upper Canada. His wife, Juna Waart (Eunice Ward) likely came to Upper Canada before her husband, John. More about John can be found here.
John and Juna's son, Albert, also came to Upper Canada. He received a land grant as a son of an United Empire Loyalist. He lived a good part of his life in Barton Township, but settled on Lot 4, Broken Front Concession C, in London Township in the early 1820's. He died in April 1850, and is buried in the Gore/Trafalger Cemetery in London.
Albert Ryckman's first wife was Hannah Van Etten, daughter of Jacobus Van Etten and Annatje Pangburn. She was in Upper Canada by 1794 when her first son was born. Hannah died 20 March 1821.
Albert and Hannah's son William was married to Kearce Elizabeth Wirik. I know nothing about the Wirick line.
Their son, Harmon, was married to Icavilla Simons. She was the daughter of Johnathon Simons and Margaret Miller. Johnathan Simons came to Upper Canada sometime before 1851, and settled in Charlotteville Township, Norfolk County. I don't know when Miller line came to Canada.
Harmon & Icavilla's son,William Eugene Ryckman was married to Elizabeth Saphronia Rayson, daughter of Thomas & Joanna Rayson. Elizabeth was born 4 July 1850 in Niagara Falls. Thomas (possible name, Justice) may have been Scottish. More research is needed on this line of the family.
Edward Irwin arrived in Canada before 1850. He was originally from Ireland. Since I don't know where in Ireland he was from I don't have much information about him. He married Margaret Anne Tisdale after his arrival in Canada. Anne came to Canada possibly with her parents. Much more research needs to be done on her line. Once married, Edward and Anne settled in London Township, Upper Canada. He was known for his terrible temper and she for her kindness in helping new families get settled.
Andrew Benjamin Audes Gardiner, son of Thomas Gardener & Mary Audes, was born 30 November 1817 Whitby, Yorkshire, England. He was a tailor, rumored to be in service to Queen Victoria. Andrew's wife was Sarah Sylvia Sleightholm, daughter of John Sleightholm and Jane Readman. Andrew and Sarah came to Elginfield, Biddulph Township, Upper Canada before 1850. He was Elginfield's only tailor.
My Maternal Line
Joseph Brinley George arrived in Canada on 19 August 1923. He was from Wales. The first part of his life is documented here. More details about Brin will be in future posts.
Robert Bailey Evans and his wife, Edith Whitehouse and their daughters, Edie and Dorothy May arrived in Canada 25 May 1905. First they settled in Acton, Ontario. Then, they moved to Toronto about 1915.
Each one of my above mentioned ancestors deserves a post of their own in order to tell their story properly. So, with that in mind, you know my blogging roots are sinking deep, and LOOKING4ANCESTORS will be here for a long time yet.
This post was written for the 1st Edition of the Canadian Genealogy Carnival.
Showing posts with label Van Etten. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Van Etten. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Loyalist Spirit
The 51st edition of the Carnival of Genealogy is hosted by Thomas MacEntee of Destination: Austin Family. The topic is Independent Spirit in celebration of the 4th of July - Independence Day. However, July 1st is Canada Day and I'm celebrating by telling you about my independent, Loyalist ancestor, John Ryckman.
In the year 1775 people living in the Thirteen Colonies had to make a choice: fight for the Patriots and an independent nation, or fight for the Tories and England. Each side had their reasons. (See Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution) The Patriots were sick and tired of England telling them what to do and they thought the best way was to raise arms and fight for their independence. Those who supported England and King George III, wanted representation in government for the Thirteen Colonies. However, they did not see the need to go to war. Some of those people were my ancestors.
The Ryckman, Van Slyke and Van Etten families had been in the Thirteen Colonies since the early 1600's. John Ryckman was born 14 December 1730 in Schenectady, New York. (Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New Amsterdam/New York, 1639). He was the son of Johannes Ryckman and Maria Van Slyke. There were many Ryckmans and Van Slykes who fought for the Patriots. John's son Albert married Hannah Van Etten. Her father, Jacob Van Etten fought in the Second Regiment of the Tryon County (New York) Militia. The War of Independence divided this family.
John Ryckman and his family fought for the British. Unfortunately, not much is known about John's military service. From a claim for losses made by his wife Juna (Eunice) and his son, Samuel, John lost everything he owned to the Patriots. It is believed John spent most of the war in Fishkill Gaol. When he was released he came to Upper Canada and settled in Barton Township, Wentworth County. He died there in 1794.
A letter written by Andrew Bradt, Lieutenant Colonel, 5th Lincoln Militia provides proof of what happened to John.
Mr. John Ryckman resided in the Town of Schenectady in the State of New York before as well as at the breaking out of the Rebellion in the Americas, that he joined the Royal Standard under General Burgoyne in the State of New York in America in the year 1777, that in consequence of his Steady Loyalty Suffered much by the Enemy his property being consumed with fire, he taken a prisoner and detained from some time, that he came in this Province with his family in the year 1794 and died nine months after he arrived; that the Captain Samuel Ryckman of the 2nd York Militia is the youngest son of the Late John Ryckman of Schenectady who has rendered his services lucrative during the Late War.
My Personal acquaintance with the family's Loyalty to His Majesty since the year 1786 up to this present day, induces an anxious hope of the Governments Consideration to said family.
Your Humbly
Andrew Bradt
Lieut. Col. 5th Lincoln Militia
(source: Marshall, Sharon. Reflections of Our Ryckman Past Vol. 1, m & s Marhsall Productions, Port Stanley, Ontario, page 10.)
I believe John Ryckman is my family's true independent spirit. He lost his home, family and friends to fight a losing war for what he believed in. I am Canadian because John Ryckman made a choice.
In the year 1775 people living in the Thirteen Colonies had to make a choice: fight for the Patriots and an independent nation, or fight for the Tories and England. Each side had their reasons. (See Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution) The Patriots were sick and tired of England telling them what to do and they thought the best way was to raise arms and fight for their independence. Those who supported England and King George III, wanted representation in government for the Thirteen Colonies. However, they did not see the need to go to war. Some of those people were my ancestors.
The Ryckman, Van Slyke and Van Etten families had been in the Thirteen Colonies since the early 1600's. John Ryckman was born 14 December 1730 in Schenectady, New York. (Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New Amsterdam/New York, 1639). He was the son of Johannes Ryckman and Maria Van Slyke. There were many Ryckmans and Van Slykes who fought for the Patriots. John's son Albert married Hannah Van Etten. Her father, Jacob Van Etten fought in the Second Regiment of the Tryon County (New York) Militia. The War of Independence divided this family.
John Ryckman and his family fought for the British. Unfortunately, not much is known about John's military service. From a claim for losses made by his wife Juna (Eunice) and his son, Samuel, John lost everything he owned to the Patriots. It is believed John spent most of the war in Fishkill Gaol. When he was released he came to Upper Canada and settled in Barton Township, Wentworth County. He died there in 1794.
A letter written by Andrew Bradt, Lieutenant Colonel, 5th Lincoln Militia provides proof of what happened to John.
Mr. John Ryckman resided in the Town of Schenectady in the State of New York before as well as at the breaking out of the Rebellion in the Americas, that he joined the Royal Standard under General Burgoyne in the State of New York in America in the year 1777, that in consequence of his Steady Loyalty Suffered much by the Enemy his property being consumed with fire, he taken a prisoner and detained from some time, that he came in this Province with his family in the year 1794 and died nine months after he arrived; that the Captain Samuel Ryckman of the 2nd York Militia is the youngest son of the Late John Ryckman of Schenectady who has rendered his services lucrative during the Late War.
My Personal acquaintance with the family's Loyalty to His Majesty since the year 1786 up to this present day, induces an anxious hope of the Governments Consideration to said family.
Your Humbly
Andrew Bradt
Lieut. Col. 5th Lincoln Militia
(source: Marshall, Sharon. Reflections of Our Ryckman Past Vol. 1, m & s Marhsall Productions, Port Stanley, Ontario, page 10.)
I believe John Ryckman is my family's true independent spirit. He lost his home, family and friends to fight a losing war for what he believed in. I am Canadian because John Ryckman made a choice.
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