Collections
The Heritage Centre is home to many historical artifacts, documents, and photographs that have been donated over the years. We are currently in the process of reorganizing and creating new exhibits.
For more information on some of the items in the collection, check out the historical society's weekly blog. It also discusses interesting people, places, events, etc. that relate to the history of Chesterville and District.
For more information on some of the items in the collection, check out the historical society's weekly blog. It also discusses interesting people, places, events, etc. that relate to the history of Chesterville and District.
Resources
Since its creation in 1984, the Chesterville and District Historical Society has amassed a large reference library. See a partial list below. Information about a particular subject can be obtained by submitting a research inquiry. These materials cannot be borrowed or loaned, but visitors are welcome to use them while on site.
1862 Map of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott, and Russell Counties
One of the many interesting items at the Historical Society is an 1862 map of the counties of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott, and Russell, which had originally been surveyed by H. P. Walling and published by D. P. Putnam. Measuring nearly six feet square, it is certainly eye-catching. When the map was donated by the late Glenn MacGregor (former president of CDHS) in 1989, it was badly deteriorated. In order to preserve such an important piece, it was treated by the Canadian Conservation Institute, Department of Communications, Ottawa, between July 1989 and February 1991. Afterwards, it was installed at the Heritage Centre, where it remains today.
An online version can be viewed through the Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Centre at the Boston Public Library: https://collections.leventhalmap.org/search/commonwealth:4m90fh557
Newspapers
Microfilm copies of the Chesterville Record from 1894 to 1975 are stored at the Heritage Centre.
Many editions of the Chesterville Record and Winchester Press, as well as other newspapers from Dundas County, can be searched online through the Dundas County Archives. The database can be accessed here: https://archive.sdgcounties.ca/
Cemetery Transcriptions
The Heritage Centre houses a large collection of local cemetery transcriptions, which can be purchased by contacting the Historical Society.
Available cemeteries:
Area Histories:
There have been many books written about Chesterville and District, along with the surrounding areas. See below a partial list of the materials stored at the Heritage Centre:
Genealogical Publications
There are a number of genealogical publications housed at the Heritage Centre. See a partial list below:
1862 Map of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott, and Russell Counties
One of the many interesting items at the Historical Society is an 1862 map of the counties of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott, and Russell, which had originally been surveyed by H. P. Walling and published by D. P. Putnam. Measuring nearly six feet square, it is certainly eye-catching. When the map was donated by the late Glenn MacGregor (former president of CDHS) in 1989, it was badly deteriorated. In order to preserve such an important piece, it was treated by the Canadian Conservation Institute, Department of Communications, Ottawa, between July 1989 and February 1991. Afterwards, it was installed at the Heritage Centre, where it remains today.
An online version can be viewed through the Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Centre at the Boston Public Library: https://collections.leventhalmap.org/search/commonwealth:4m90fh557
Newspapers
Microfilm copies of the Chesterville Record from 1894 to 1975 are stored at the Heritage Centre.
Many editions of the Chesterville Record and Winchester Press, as well as other newspapers from Dundas County, can be searched online through the Dundas County Archives. The database can be accessed here: https://archive.sdgcounties.ca/
Cemetery Transcriptions
The Heritage Centre houses a large collection of local cemetery transcriptions, which can be purchased by contacting the Historical Society.
Available cemeteries:
- All Saints Anglican Cemetery, Greely
- Bouck's Hill Cemetery, Bouck's Hill
- Brown's Cemetery, Winchester
- Chesterville Community/Hummel Cemetery, Chesterville
- Colquhoun United Cemetery, Colquhoun
- Elma United Church Cemetery, Elma
- Finch Community Cemetery, Finch
- Fleming Family Cemetery, Finch
- Frazer Burial Grounds, Goldfield
- Goldfield Community Cemetery, Goldfield
- Grantley United Church Cemetery, Grantley
- John Coyne Pioneer Cemetery, Connaught
- Johnston Pioneer Cemetery, Gloucester
- Johnston Corners Cemetery, Gloucester
- Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville
- Metcalfe Union Cemetery, Metcalfe
- Morewood United Cemetery, Morewood
- Morewood Presbyterian Cemetery, Morewood
- New Union Cemetery, Williamsburg
- Our Lady Visitation, Gloucester
- Prescott Road Union Cemetery, Osgoode
- Reid's Mills, Cemetery, Reid's Mills
- Smyth Family Cemetery, Dundela
- Springhill Cemetery, Vernon
- St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Finch
- St. Catherine's Cemetery, Metcalfe
- St. Luke's Cemetery, Finch
- St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Chesterville - Dunbar Rd. (New)
- St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Chesterville - Limerick Rd. (Old)
- St. Therese D'Avila, Marionville
- Sutherland Cemetery, Finch
- Vancamp Cemetery, Vancamp
Area Histories:
There have been many books written about Chesterville and District, along with the surrounding areas. See below a partial list of the materials stored at the Heritage Centre:
- The Time That Was: A History of Chesterville and District by The Heritage Committee of the Women's Institute
- A History of Chesterville and District 1977-1987: A Supplement to The Time That Was by The Heritage Committee of the Women's Institute
- Winchester, Ontario: 1888-1988 by The Centennial Book Committee of the Village of Winchester, Ontario
- The Story of Dundas: Being the History of Dundas County from 1784 to 1904 by J. Smyth Carter
- History of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry by John Graham Harkness, K. C.
- Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry 1945-1978 by Clive and Frances Marin
- Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry 1975-2007 by Clive and Frances Marin
- Lunenburgh or the Old Eastern District by Jacob Farrand Pringle
Genealogical Publications
There are a number of genealogical publications housed at the Heritage Centre. See a partial list below:
- Beach in Canada by M. W. Beach
- Descendants of Christian Barkley U.E.L. by Lynne Cook and Klaas Vander Baaren
- Descendants of John Cook U.E.L. by Lynne Cook and KlaasVander Baaren
- Descendants of John W. Casselman 1808-1889 by Lynne Cook and Clarence Cross
- Descendants of Mathias Barkley by Klaas Vander Baaren
- Descendants of Peter Barkley U.E.L. by Klaas Vander Baaren and Lynne Cook
- Descendants of Peter Ira McIntosh 1774-1867 by Iva Whittaker and Lynne Cook
- Descendants of William and Adam Casselman by Clarence Cross
- The Bechstadt Family by Lynne Cook and James D. Becksted II
- The Crossing by Clarence Cross
- The Irish Cooks of Matilda Township by Lynne Cook
- The Ouderkirk Family Genealogy Volumes I & II by H. John Ouderkirk and Raymond D. Ouderkirk
Other Resources
Genealogy
Land and Property
Loyalist History
Local, Provincial, and National Archives
Local:
Provincial:
National:
Other Local Historical Societies, Museums, and Historic Sites
Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry:
Outside of S, D, and G:
- Vital Statistics Collection (Birth, Marriage, and Death) (Library and Archives Canada) (website)
- Find A Grave (Cemetery Database) (website)
- Canadian Headstones (Cemetery Database) (website)
- Canadian Census Collection (Library and Archives Canada) (website)
- Automated Genealogy (Canadian Censuses) (website)
- WWI Military Personnel Files (Library and Archives Canada) (website)
Land and Property
- Map of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry, with Lots and Concessions (PDF)
- ONLand: Ontario Land Registry by Service Ontario (website)
Loyalist History
- St. Lawrence Branch of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada (website)
- United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada (website)
- Land Petitions of Upper Canada, 1763 - 1865 (Library and Archives Canada) (website)
- Information about Loyalists (Library and Archives Canada) (website)
Local, Provincial, and National Archives
Local:
- Dundas County Archives, Iroquois (website)
- Loyalist Resource Centre, Iroquois (in the Dundas County Archives) (website)
- Glengarry Archives, Williamstown (in the Sir John Johnson Manor House) (website)
- Glengarry County Archives, Alexandria (website)
- Grenville County Archives, Prescott (website)
- North Grenville Archives, Kemptville (website)
Provincial:
- Archives of Ontario, Toronto (website)
National:
- Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (website)
Other Local Historical Societies, Museums, and Historic Sites
Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry:
- Historical Society of South Dundas (website)
- Carman House Museum, Iroquois (website)
- Upper Canada Village, Morrisburg (website)
- Friends of Crysler's Farm Battlefield (website)
- Battle of Crysler's Farm National Historic Site (website) and Visitor Centre, Morrisburg (website)
- Lost Villages Historical Society and Museum, Long Sault (website)
- Cornwall Community Museum, Cornwall (website)
- Historic SDG Jail, Cornwall (website)
- Martintown Grist Mill, Martintown (website)
- Sir John Johnson Manor House, Williamstown (website)
- Glengarry, Nor'Westers and Loyalist Museum, Williamstown (website)
- Ruins of St. Raphael's Roman Catholic Church National Historic Site, Williamstown (website)
- The Bishop's House, Williamstown (website)
- Glengarry Pioneer Museum, Dunvegan (website)
Outside of S, D, and G:
- Osgoode Township Historical Society and Museum, Vernon (website)
- Russell Historical Society and Keith M. Boyd Museum, Russell (website)
- Grenville County Historical Society (website)
- North Grenville Historical Society (website)
- Homewood Museum, between Prescott and Maitland (website)
- Battle of the Windmill National Historic Site, Prescott (website)
- Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, Smiths Falls (website)