Wilno, Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada
Settled in 1859 - First Polish Settlement in Canada
December 29, 2002:
The History of Wilno Web Site has some interesting facts about Canada's oldest
Polish settlement. In the early days, the pioneers attended church at Brudenell.
The web site also has the story of the Crosses which are common at cross-roads
in the Wilno area. These crosses are also common in the townships to the east of
Ottawa - especially in the Plantagenet area. Here's a picture of one located just
west of the village of Riceville, Ontario. My wife, Grace Williamson, is a native
of the Riceville area. She has a very complete family tree of her ancestors (some
from Glengarry Township) - surnames Reid, Cutt / Cutts/ / Coote and many others.
January 20, 2003:
I had noticed in your website these ancestors on my wifes side john whelan m,
to anna laska, polish from wilno. I have a muriel whelan daughter of john whelan
b-aprox-1890 she was married to a eddie cybulski both brothers married to two
sisters Round Lake, Ont. Question? is this family related to the famous infamous
patrick whelan who was hung 1868-ottawa.The Laska family lived around Wilno and
the Whelan's lived on a farm near Round Lake Ont. Any information that would be
extra above what I have on this family would be appreciated.
Merry x-mas
Bernie In Pembroke
____________________________
Hi Bernie:
Thanks for your e-mail regarding John Whelan and Anna Laska.
Hopefully, Steven Pusiak will get in touch with you. He's a descendant of James
Patrick Whalen who was hung for the murder of Darcy McGee.
About a year ago I received an e-mail from a lady in Poland who thought that
she had relatives in the Wilno area. Unfortunately my system crashed a while
back and I can't find her e-mail now. I remember passing it along to the Renfrew
County genealogy group.
I'd like to find out more about the Polish settlement around Wilno and
Barry's Bay. Do you know if they came together from Poland? Did they come from
the same area in Poland. I have a feeling that they were like the Irish immigrants
(my ancestors) who came to Canada to get a better life for their families. Can you
tell me anything about this? I'd like to start a new page on my web site
for Polish immigrants.
A lot of them came and settled in our neighbourhood in Ottawa, but that was later,
after WWII. We all went to the same Catholic church and teen dances at the C.Y.O.
Those were the days.
If it's OK with you, I'll add your e-mail from yesterday to the web site. By the
way, has the big church been rebuilt after the fire? What is the name of that
church?
Thanks again, and Merry Christmas!
... Al Lewis
Ottawa
___________________________________________
Hi Al, Thanks for getting back to me i only have a little information on the
Laska's. I believe they did lived in the wilno and round lake area, my wife clare
cybulski's aunt was muriel whelan and rita whelan rita is still alive and lives
in peterborough,I believe that john whelan father of rita's is buried in round lake,
The church that you mentioned that burnt the one at wilno burnt in the 1930's and
was later rebuilt on wilno hill,the old church was called st. stanislaus. Al type in wilno
ontario in your computer and you will come up with some interesting polish stuff,as
well there is a lady in ottawa Shirley Mask Connelley who does mostly polish history
and books as well. I have some of her books let me know what you may be looking for
and I will try and help.
Take Care and have a Healthy x-mas
... Bernie
August 27, 2003:
Hello
Was looking into more names in Bytown or Bust and just noticed you have a
page for Wilno!!
My Mom's Mother was a Glofcheskie spelling differs for may people but I
had just started this line a few week's ago and maybe someone will notice any
names I have had some success through a Burant family file but still in research
mode for it. I came across a Jan and Martha Glowczewski in a Ship's List
for Ellis Island New York in 1907. The Children's names where Alexander,
Aloisius, Antoni, Antonina, Franz, Jan and Lear. From what I have found from
a few people there was an Alexander , Aloisios, Anthony, John, Leo and Mother's name was Julia.
Very Similar names and Antonina was the correct age. Some of the family had
to change their last name in order to find work so maybe someone has an idea
of who these people where Paigh (Paugh) Lake just up from Barry's Bay is where the Family
had settled finally . Another note for this Ellis Island was where they were en Route to
Wilno there was a Joahnn Peplinksie in Bracket's. I have not seen any record's in
regard's to Johann Peplinksi and Glofcheskie Family other than what was on the Manifest.
Wonder if they where cousin's ??
Let me know what you think.
____________________________________
Thanks Al
I have a snap shot of the Ellis Island Record on my computer also.
it is very informative. I was in contact with a Peplinskie that comes to my
work sometimes and he is going to take a peak at his family tree but it never
hurt's to post this . you had a Wilno heritage site posted in Bytown or bust
they have a forum also you can add comment's to. I haven't had a reply to it yet.
I also have the Family book for Burchat my Mom was a Burchat from Barry's Bay all
of her Ancestor's are buried in Wilno just up the Burchat Street. The Church Burnt
down but the families are starting to add Tomb Stone's to the Grave Markers.
Not sure When the Peplinskies arrived but from my Burchat line I believe the
Dobeck Dubuc Dobec family was there before Burchat. Burchat also had the name
misspelled you can find them as Burchardt, Burkett, Butchard, Burchard, Burket.
I almost feel bad sometimes because these people lose the meaning of the name
everytime it changes and is mispelled.
Cheryl Thomas
October 17, 2003:
Here is a Photo Graph of What is Left from St. Stanislaus Kostka Perish
Wilno Ontario. This is Located on the Old Church Road Beside Burchat Street.
It has many of the Original Settler's Buried in there for Wilno and Barry's Bay
Ontario Canada The Church was Blessed in 1876.
I may be wrong in reading these pages because there was another Church Blessed
in 1895 that Burned in 1936. It was Larger than the first one.
Reference to this from the Book called
Kashub/Polish Heritage Stories of Renfrew County
1. Wilno and area " Page 19 and 20 ".
The book can be purchased through the Wilno Heritage Society Web Page.
Cheryl
October 17, 2003:
Here is a Photo Graph of What is Left from St. Stanislaus Kostka Perish Wilno Ontario. This is Located on the Old Church Road Beside Burchat Street. It has many of the Original Settler's Buried in there for Wilno and Barry's Bay Ontario Canada The Church was Blessed in 1876
I may be wrong in reading these pages because there was another Church Blessed in 1895 that Burned in 1936. It was Larger than the first one.
Reference to this from the Book called
Kashub/Polish Heritage Stories of Renfrew County
1. Wilno and area " Page 19 and 20 ".
The book can be purchased through the Wilno Heritage Society Web Page.
... Cheryl
February 12, 2004:
Hello
Here is a write up out of the Eganville Leader for the original Burchat Homestead
being moved to it's new home.
Thought this would be nice to read up on.
Cheryl Thomas
September 8, 2004:
From what I have heard and read about the heritage of Wilno, I am really
surprised to not see of any pictures of the barns or farmhouse on the Norlock
property. From what I am aware, the Queen had given a large mass of land to
John Jacob Norlock back in the mid 1800's. Then was passed down to Andrew Norlock.
I understand that he had given approx. 25 acres to the church?
I know that I probably don't have all the information. Could you please enlighten
me with any further information that you may have? My husband is the third
generation Norlock in Wilno, and I would really like to learn more.
Debbie Norloc
_____________
Thanks to Cheryl Thomas for the following reply to Debbie:
Hello
I took a peak at the Book's My Mother had purchased very quickly and there is
one Book called Brudenell Reviisted that mention's the Norlock Narlock
Family in it a few times the Book was created by Shirley Mask Connolly.
I now you can purchase it through the Wilno Heritage Society.
I asked my Mother if she recalled the name and she does. She know's that the
Norlock's married Dobec Family in Poland but many Genreation's Back .
My Mother's Great Grand mother was a Dobec. In the book I have it has
Alexander Norlock baptized in Brudenelle July 12 1865 son of Jacob Norlock
and Marie Dobec. Page 141
There is another Book I have called Polish Pioneer Famillies in the Parish of Brudenell
to the year 1870 written by Shirley Mask Connolley that has a small family Tree
for Jacob Norlock and Marie Dobeck. They Married Feb 28 1848 Weille, Prussia. Page 76
BTW: Even the books I have I do not see any Pictures of the House or Barn's either ??
... Cheryl
_________________
Here's an 1865 baptism (in Latin) from Brudenell:
Item # 1 Page 27#52 Alexander Norlock
Mensis Julii 1865 12a Bapt. Alexandrum nat. 10a hujus ex Jacob Norlock et Maria Dobeck
ejus ux.
Sponsors: Casimirus Wretza et Catherina Pershick.
P. M. Cody, Parish Priest.
September 9, 2004:
Hello Al
I was reading one of my Book's Called the Saga of the Kashub People in Poland, Canada and the USA
written by Aloysius J. Rekowski to find something specific for you regarding
why they immigrated then but there is so much information in this book I don't
know where to start !
They do talk of the first marriages and baptism's and buriel's back then but it
is in 1863 there is a passege stating the names that appear for the earliest
Kashub settler's for the year 1867.
In Chapter two of this Book the reason's for immigration where
( Economic Factors "Poverty" and "Independance " ). Germanization
had set in long before this also.
This Book is also in the Wilno Heritage Society but it may be in the
Archives to look at.
Cheryl
May 6, 2006:
Hello Al
This was an Interesting Article it was written in the Barry's Bay newspaper, Barry's Bay This Week.
Thought this would be of interest regarding time line and reason for the migration
of Polish people out of there home land.
At the Wilno Museum they have placed large stones with plaques attached to them
commemorating some of the early Settlers . The Glofcheskie family will have been
here 100's year's so a stone will be added with two other families I do not have
the names of the other's though. The unveiling will take place May 6th 2006 during
the Polish Heritage Festival.
... Cheryl Thomas
E-mail Bernie, Cheryl Thomas, Debbie Norlock and Al Lewis
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