Hello Tom From Municipal Records in Ontario History and Guide by Fraser Dunford. Toronto : Ontario Genealogical Society, 2005 p. 148 - Meaford St. Vincent Grey County Formerly Peggys Landing, then Stephensons Landing 1845 name changed to Meaford 1874 town 2001 amalgamated into Meaford Municipality On the web site http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wjmartin/wm-c_50.htm There is no George Chesterman listed - I will leave it to you to check variant spellings. These are Wesleyan Methodist baptisms that have been recorded. Meaford had a disastrous fire in 1883 which wiped out much of the pioneer town, including one of two Methodist churches and its parsonage (Wesleyan Methodist). The records would likely have been destroyed at that time. The other Methodist church Methodist Episcopal Church erected a building in 1883. With the information I have had hand, I do not know if they were in the area before this time. Janet Iles -----Original Message----- From: Tom Beatson [mailto:tombeatson@cox.net] Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 11:25 PM To: CAN-ONT-GREY-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [Grey Co.] 1858 Birthplace Meaford The web site of Town of Meaford says that Meaford was founded in 1874. However, in 1882, in Almonte, Lanark County, Ontario, the marriage record of my great grandparents shows that my great grandfather, George Chesterman, was born in Meaford. The best estimate of the date of birth is 15 Aug 1858. George's parents were David James Chesterman and Martha Sandys, both born in England. The 1861 England census shows that David, Martha, and George had returned to England before that census, and George's birthplace was recorded as Canada. They were also in England for the 1871 census, but returned to Ontario before the 1881 census in Lanark County. David's occupation in 1861 was "Grocer", in 1871 it was "Wherehousman", and in 1881 it was "Clerk". The 1881 census recorded their religion as "Methodist Canada". Family records indicate that David was a Methodist minister, although there is no mention of this in the 1893 Perth Courier newspaper report of David's death. Although I am looking for some way to verify George's birthplace as Meaford, I have included the above detail about his father, David, in hopes that it might provide a clue as to where to look. I realize that civil registration did not start until at least 1867. Are there any records or books about what was happening in Meaford in 1858? Is there any information about individuals who were sent to the Grey County area from England, particularly around 1858? Tom Beatson Phoenix, Arizona USA ============================== New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for your ancestors at the same time. Share your tree with family and friends. Learn more: http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sourceid=14599&ta rgetid=5429