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  • Trace Your Roots at the Marilyn Adams Genealogy Research Centre 🌳👨‍👨‍👧‍👦
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Trace Your Roots at the Marilyn Adams Genealogy Research Centre 🌳👨‍👨‍👧‍👦

The call came from Missouri. A man with the last name Wilson told volunteers at the Marilyn Adams Genealogy Research Centre that he and his brother were likely the last of their family. They were looking into their ancestry and wanted to know if there was a chance that they might still have some relations in The County.

The sleuths at the Seventh Town Historical Society got to work.

ancestry research heritage

The Marilyn Adams Genealogical Research Centre can be found at 528 County Road 19 in Ameliasburgh, opposite the Ameliasburgh Heritage Village.

A name like Wilson is common. It’s also familiar to anyone driving the roads in The County – Wilson Road bisects the municipality, a route connecting Bloomfield to Hillier. Even visitors know it for its wineries, art studios and soon-to-be brewery and garden centre.

It turned out that the gentleman had plenty of extended family in The County – and a long and fascinating family history that centred around a grist mill on Lake on the Mountain.

He hopped into his van with his dog and drove all the way to the centre where a volunteer offered to drive him around The County – not something they do routinely! The man went from feeling alone in the world to feeling anchored in family.

“I think we overwhelmed him,” laughs Society president Diana Godbout. She pulls a thick file from her desk at the Marilyn Adams Genealogy Society building in Ameliasburgh. “This is what we know about his mother’s side – we just haven’t told him yet!”

The centre’s volunteers specialize in sleuthing out nameless photos and deciphering the sometimes difficult-to-read handwriting of years gone by.

The Marilyn Adams Genealogical Research Centre is a hidden gem in The County, often better known outside the municipality. It is a treasure-trove of resources for anyone looking to dig into the history of the area, research their family tree, better understand The County, investigate the history of neighbouring jurisdictions or search out the stories behind long-hidden documents, fading photography or other family relics.

“It’s addictive,” says volunteer Janet Comeau, explaining why volunteers help visitors track down answers to ancestry questions. “It’s like going down a rabbit hole.”

It can be an emotional endeavour – in the time I spent at the centre, volunteers tracked down my grandfather’s birth registration, sending me an image of my great-grandfather’s spidery writing, documenting his first son’s name, in a ledger dated October 1909, nearly five months after he was born.

It might be the only time I’ve seen my great-grandfather’s handwriting.

Seventh Town Historical Society president Diane Godbout (left) and volunteer Janet Comeau pose by a wall of photographs, including a black-and-white portrait of Marilyn Adams, in glasses.

The centre is named after Marilyn Adams, an only child born and raised in Rednersville, who spent most of her teaching career in Oshawa. She was an avid researcher, fascinated in exploring her own family’s history. She retired in 1989 but a year later, a doctor told her she had only a few months to live. She made the profound decision to leave her home and belongings to the Seventh Town Historical Society, which in turn established a centre for genealogy.

Today volunteers who carry on her legacy have helped hundreds of people trace their ancestry. They’ve also worked tirelessly to preserve countless irreplaceable documents, from tomes on the German Hessian settlers, to early road maps, to land registry cards gifted by the King to Loyalists chased from the United States.

Visitors to the centre can use the facility’s subscription to ancestry.ca, a massive savings for anyone encountering paywalls as they sift back through the branches of their family tree. They can also make use of volunteers who specialize in linking names to faces in photographs, using clues from style of dress to watermarks from the photographer to help puzzle out who is who.

ancestry heritage research

The centre’s resources include a reading and library room, collections of township documents, historical and genealogical documents, a names database, microfilm readers and library access to ancestry.ca. It is also home to one of the world’s most prestigious military collections, the Victoria Cross Archive, which was transferred from Britain in February 2011.

They’ve also used photographs to fill in gaps in family histories – one photo featuring three sons prompted researchers to discover evidence of a dysentery outbreak, one that killed the boys in the picture and many of their relatives.

“And that’s just from looking at a photograph,” Godbout says.

Visitors do not have to have County heritage in order to find value in the building’s resources – in fact, they get requests from all over the world for help untangling ancestral mysteries.

ancestry heritage research

The centre is also the repository for the Hastings County land abstracts, patent books, and post-confederation legal instruments related to land transactions, up to and including the 1950s.

Godbout recounts unraveling the history behind an unusual grave marker at a nearby cemetery as one of her best finds. The bronze bust of a woman in a plunging neckline prompted several phone calls and emails from curious visitors – who was this woman and what had happened to deserve such a striking tribute?

Godbout traced the story back to a man in Belleville, who had carved the sculpture in tribute to a long-time friend. After his wife died, the friends became partners, only for the woman to be lost too soon.

The Marilyn Adams Genealogical Research Centre is open to the public Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the summer months and Tuesdays during the winter months. Visit their website for more information on hours, available support and resources.

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visitthecounty

Official tourism account. #PrinceEdwardCounty a rural community bursting with creative talent & natural stunners.

Prince Edward County 🍂🌾🍇🍻
🐝 Bees & Blooms 🌻⁠ ⁠ Slow down, stop and 🐝 Bees & Blooms 🌻⁠
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Slow down, stop and explore at an off-grid homestead with beekeeper Elis @curiousgoatgeneralstore. Deepen your connection with plants, pollinators, and your food, and make a balm to take home! The Bees and Blooms Adventure is kid-friendly and is perfect for private groups.! It features a snack of locally made bread and cheese, garden iced mint tea, and of course a honey tasting, or you can add on a field picnic for the full bees & "brunch" experience. ⁠
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If that sounds like a perfect outing for you, book your Bees & Blooms experience today or head to VisitPEC.ca/experience-the-county/ (links in bio) to explore other special County experiences designed to help you immerse yourself in our local art, agriculture, nature, and history.⁠
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Video by OneLook Productions.⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #ExperienceTheCounty #BeesandBlooms #CuriousGoatGeneralStore
🐶 PEC Pups 🐕⁠ ⁠ Visiting PEC with your p 🐶 PEC Pups 🐕⁠
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Visiting PEC with your pup? There are plenty of pet-friendly activities that will ensure your stay is enjoyable for two and four-legged family members alike. ⁠
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🍺 Enjoy some floofy pours with your floofy friend at one of The County's breweries, like @MatronFineBeer, pictured here. You'll actually find a pup-friendly patio at every brewery in the area. ⁠
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🍷 You can also expect patios at almost all of your favourite wineries to welcome pups, and even some indoor tasting rooms, but you'll be in great company at @ThreeDogWinery and @LongDogWines, of course. ⁠
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🐶 If you want to make sure your dog gets out some of their energy before you head out for your day, take them to @TheSniffery for a sniffari! The pup-focused experience allows your dog to have an enriching solo off-leash session in a fully-enclosed area where they can run and sniff out delicious homemade dog treats. ⁠
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🥎 If your dog loves to play fetch and is happy around other dogs, then head to the dog park in Delhi Park in Picton. This large, enclosed area is big enough to be able to separate from the "pack" and even has a smaller enclosed area for small dogs and puppies. ⁠
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🐕 Go for an on-leash walk through a @QuinteConservation area like Macaulay Mountain or Massassauga Point. ⁠
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For even more pup-friendly ideas, be sure to check out our updated Pup-friendly PEC blog post (link in bio). 👆⁠
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📷 by @rockyoutofthering (shared with permission #YesVisitPEC) ⁠
Image description: Rocky, a black and white sheepadoodle, sits on the bench of a white picnic table, the yellow exterior wall of Matron Fine Beer visible behind him. He wears a red and black buffalo check bandana around his neck and there are two pints of beer on the table next to him, presumably for his pawrents. ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
🎙 Take in a Show 🎭⁠ ⁠ When visiting The 🎙 Take in a Show 🎭⁠
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When visiting The County, we recommend taking the time to book activities in advance wherever possible. One of the easiest things to do book in advance is tickets to a show! Whether you're after music, theatre, or comedy there are plenty of incredible performers ready to entertain you. Here's just some of what you can look forward to this season: ⁠
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🎶 If musicals are your thing, be sure to check out the much-anticipated @shatterboxtheatre production of @springawakeningpec. Spring Awakening is on from May 26 - 29 at Macaulay Heritage Park. ⁠
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🎤 If you're craving a concert, there are plenty to be had @theregenttheatre and @theeddiepec. From well-known acts to cool cover bands, you're bound to find something to fit your taste. ⁠
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😆 If laughter is your preferred medicine, take in the County Comedy Series @gillinghambrewing or follow @comedycountryfestival for news about their 2022 lineup and the return of #ComedyOnTheRiver. ⁠
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🎭 If you want a little bit of everything, be sure to check out @festivalplayers summer line-up, complete with comedy, theatre, dance, music, and performances by indigenous artists, there's a little something for everyone. ⁠
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To learn more about these events, book tickets in advance, and to discover even more happenings in PEC head to VisitPEC.ca/Events.⁠
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📷 Courtesy of Festival Players⁠
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Image description: A performer sits in the centre of a wooden, outdoor stage, blue lights shining down from above. Above the image in the lower right corner is a text overlay which reads "take in a show." ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
🐦 Spring Birding Festival 🐦⁠ ⁠ The annua 🐦 Spring Birding Festival 🐦⁠
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The annual Spring Birding Festival @peptbo is back and in person this year. With one weekend already under their belt, there's still much to look forward to including guided walks in Traverse Woods, webinars, banding demonstrations and more. Check out our event listing or visit peptbo.ca for more details. ⁠
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What is Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory?⁠
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PEPtBO is a volunteer-run charity committed to increasing the appreciation, knowledge, and understanding of birds by collecting data through spring and fall banding programs, a daily census, observation surveys, and research projects. It is located within the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area, one of the first sites in Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Protected Areas Network to protect habitat for migratory passerine birds (songbirds). It is part of the globally significant Prince Edward County South Shore Important Bird Area. ⁠
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📷 by @pauljwildlife⁠
Image description: A yellow warbler grips a small branch, beak open in song. The bird and branch are in focus while the background is blurred to make its bright yellow plumage that much more bright and impressive-looking.⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #PEPtBO #SpringBirdingFestival
🍓 Market Season 👩‍🌾⁠ ⁠ It's that ti 🍓 Market Season 👩‍🌾⁠
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It's that time of year again! Farmers' Market season kicks off this Saturday, May 14 with The @WellingtonFarmersMarket, Farmers' Market at The Eddie.
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Also this weekend, @PictonTownHallFarmersMarket gets started on Sunday with a fantastic selection of local growers and makers. The Picton Town Hall Farmers Market will take place every Sunday from 10am - 2pm through October 15th. It's the perfect first stop before a Sunday Stroll on Picton Main Street. ⁠
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Next weekend, you'll have even more markets to choose from! The new @WellingtonCommunityMarket hosts its first market at the new proprietors at Wellington United Church. This not-for-profit market will feature a wide variety of food and artisan products every Saturday from 9am - 1pm through Thanksgiving Weekend. ⁠
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Image credits & descriptions: ⁠
1 / The red barn at The Eddie surrounded by early spring flowers, the location of The Wellington Farmer's Market on May 14. Image courtesy of The Eddie Hotel & Farm.⁠
2 / The @paper.kitefarm market stall at Picton Town Hall. Image Courtesy of Picton Town Hall Farmers Market⁠
3 / Market in full swing at the Wellington United Church, the location of the new Wellington Community Market. Image by Johnny CY Lam. ⁠
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🌊 Book in Advance ⛱⁠ ⁠ Daily Vehicle Perm 🌊 Book in Advance ⛱⁠
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Daily Vehicle Permits are back at Sandbanks and North Beach @ontarioparks for 2022. If you visited last year you will be familiar with this process, but if you're visiting for the first time or need a refresher, read on. ⁠
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Daily Vehicle Permits must be booked in advance for day-use access to The County's Provincial Parks and can be booked up to 5-days in advance of your visit. Guests will be turned away at the gate if sold out, so we highly encourage you to take advantage of this service to avoid disappointment.⁠
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Fun Fact: Sandbanks was sold out approximately 60 days between mid-June and August. North Beach was sold out 30 days. ⁠
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If you are a season's pass holder you still need to book a Daily Vehicle Permit in advance, but this will be free of charge. For non-season's pass holders regular rates apply daily. They are available for booking at North Beach 5 days in advance of its opening on June 11. Daily Vehicle Permits are already available for booking at Sandbanks. ⁠
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Do: ⁠
✅ Book up to 5 days in advance online at reservations.ontarioparks.com ⁠
✅  Secure a permit for each vehicle that will be visiting the park. ⁠
✅ Reserve whether you plan on visiting the beach or walking the trails. ⁠
✅ Book a Daily Vehicle Permit even if you are a season's pass holder. ⁠
✅ Explore beyond the beach. Head to VisitPEC.ca for inspiration. ⁠
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Don't:⁠
❌ Visit the park without booking a Daily Vehicle Permit in advance, especially on weekends from mid-June through August. ⁠
❌ Choose to come to Sandbanks or North Beach for a spontaneous day trip. ⁠
❌ Get turned away. Book in advance. ⁠
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To reserve your Daily Vehicle permit head to reservations.ontarioparks.com and click Day Use. ⁠
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📷 Photo by Trevor Crowe⁠
Image description: Folks sit under a tree near the beach at Sandbanks at dusk. In the foreground low shrubs line a sandy path that leads toward the tree. Overlaided atop the image is an olive green rectangle and white font which reads "Book in Advance." ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #NorthBeachPP #PlanYourVisit
🚴‍♀️ Spring Sport 🏃‍♀️⁠ ⁠ If 🚴‍♀️ Spring Sport 🏃‍♀️⁠
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If you want to add a little fitness to your PEC visit, be sure to check out these two classic spring sporting events returning to The County for the first time since 2019. ⁠
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🚴‍♀️ 7th Annual Rotary Lilac Ride 🚴‍♂️⁠
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@PictonRotary's Annual “Lilac Ride” event in memory of Jim Barkman in support of local charities takes place on May 29 this year. With three distances to choose from, these courses take riders along some of The County’s most beautiful, lilac-lined cycling routes, including Big Island, Northport and Green Point. All routes will start and finish at the Picton Community Centre Rotary Hall.⁠
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Refreshments are provided at all route checkpoints and a delicious post-ride BBQ finishes the day.⁠
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🏃‍♀️ 10th Terroir Run 🍷⁠
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The Terroir Run is a weekend-long event taking place May 27-29. The  main event is on May 28th, a 10K fun run (costumes encouraged!) through PEC's wine country, followed by an epic lunch @theoldthird. Runners are invited to attend a pre-run 4-course tasting meal @parsonsbrewing and a post-run Sunday brunch @karloestates, followed by a trash-bash walk at Sandbanks. $5 from each meal goes to support local charity @rocpec.⁠
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Image Description: Lilacs in the vineyard in the spring rain. ⁠
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Photo by Terry Culbert.⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #TerroirRunPEC #LilacRide
🌟 Fresh Finds 🌟⁠ ⁠ Wondering what's new 🌟 Fresh Finds 🌟⁠
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Wondering what's new in the County this year? We've rounded up all of the newest eats, arts, shops, stays, markets, and more in our latest blog. Some old favourites are changing things up this year or have returned after a two-year hiatus, so we've listed those here too. ⁠
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Check out the link in our bio to discover the freshest finds in PEC and start planning your 2022 visit. ⁠
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Featuring: ⁠
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@theroyalhotelpicton⁠
@lusobites⁠
@creekside_cafe_pec⁠
@art.wagon_pec⁠
@thesniffery⁠
@thecuttingfactory⁠
@the_community_store⁠
@ahbohdhomestore⁠
@aniceinthecounty⁠
@stellascollectionpec⁠
@mirazule_pec⁠
@wellingtoncommunitymarket⁠
@amandasvineyards⁠
@stillus_craft_spirits ⁠
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and so much more!⁠
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📍 The Royal Hotel⁠
📷 by Samantha Porter⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
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