I have found my husband's grandfather Robert Virtue as postmaster at Viola Dale in the Marquette District from 1898 to 1901. I happened to mention to somebody originally from Manitoba recently the particular year 1898 and she said it was quite a common year for families to move in from Ontario as he did for it was the year when homesteads were offered (perhaps for the first time - I don't really know. Is she correct? Was this an area where a lot of homesteading was done for I'm sure the position of postmaster was very minor in such a region at that time. I have no details on him at all other than he was born about 1863 in Enniskillen, Ont., married an Elizabeth Strong and their first child was born at Enniskillen in 1887. Soon after that they must have moved to Orillia or roundabout there in Simcoe County for some of the family were born there and then they moved on to Manitoba where presumably the youngest children were born. Robert did not live to an old age for his wife was eventually to move to Alberta for a job opportunity and re-marry likely in the 1930's. Part of the family seem to be around the Carmen, Miami, Plum Coullee area which is not in the same district as Marquette. Can anybody help me? Leah Joys

Hi Leah I have finally sent you the Manitoba map that I promised. You probably have this website but I just found it. www.westmanitoba.com Click on McConnell for Viola Dale information. Good luck in your search Lynda