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