This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --part0_917980410_boundary Content-ID: <0_917980410@inet_out.mail.aol.com.1> Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII --part0_917980410_boundary Content-ID: <0_917980410@inet_out.mail.ebtech.net.2> Content-type: message/rfc822 Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Content-disposition: inline Return-Path: <NOVA-SCOTIA-L-request@rootsweb.com> Received: from rly-zd03.mx.aol.com (rly-zd03.mail.aol.com [172.31.33.227]) by air-zd04.mail.aol.com (v56.24) with SMTP; Tue, 02 Feb 1999 12:59:13 -0500 Received: from bl-30.rootsweb.com (bl-30.rootsweb.com [207.113.245.30]) by rly-zd03.mx.aol.com (8.8.8/8.8.5/AOL-4.0.0) with ESMTP id MAA15363; Tue, 2 Feb 1999 12:58:57 -0500 (EST) Received: (from slist@localhost) by bl-30.rootsweb.com (8.8.5/8.8.5) id JAA26181; Tue, 2 Feb 1999 09:57:25 -0800 (PST) Resent-Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 09:57:25 -0800 (PST) Priority: Normal X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Priority: 3 Old-To: "NOVA-SCOTIA-L" <NOVA-SCOTIA-L@rootsweb.com>, "Nova Scotia" <nsroots@ednet.ns.ca> From: "Lois Lafond" <llafond@ebtech.net> Date: Mon, 01 Feb 99 11:52:40 PST Subject: [NOVA-SCOTIA-L] Gaelic Society of Toronto - Message-ID: <"6TN2IC.A.8TG.lxzt2"@bl-30.rootsweb.com> Resent-Message-ID: <"6TN2IC.B.8TG.lxzt2"@bl-30.rootsweb.com> Resent-From: NOVA-SCOTIA-L@rootsweb.com X-Mailing-List: <NOVA-SCOTIA-L@rootsweb.com> archive/latest/7434 X-Loop: NOVA-SCOTIA-L@rootsweb.com To: NOVA-SCOTIA-L@rootsweb.com Precedence: list Errors-To: NOVA-SCOTIA-L-request@rootsweb.com Resent-Sender: NOVA-SCOTIA-L-request@rootsweb.com Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable I'm not sure if this will help anyone, but there are quite a few names tha= t might be helpful. >From Eilean Cheap Breatann Vol 1 - 1944, p 17 by Roderick MacDonald The first Gaelic Society of Toronto was formed with the specific object of keeping alive a knowledge of the Gaelic language, and its membership was confined to Gaelic-speaking Highlanders resident in the city of Toronto. The means used for its purpose were Gaelic reading and converstaion. After a few years laudable effort the Society ceased to exist. In those days, the Gaelic speaking Highlanders, prominent in its affairs, were Hon. Alexander MacKenzie patron. Patrick McGregor, 1st Cheif. Patrick McGregor, Chief in the year 1880. He was a native of Perthshire Scotland. His son, Alexander MacGregor, K. C., Toronto, takes a lively interest in the welfare of the Society today. David Spence On the demise of Mr. MacGregor in 1882, his successor, as Chief, was David Spence - a native of the Island of Islay. This cultured gentleman occupie= d a position of responsibility in the Ontario Provincial Government. His son, John D. Spence, K. C. - recently retired from the Legal Department of the Canadian Pacific Railway - had been amember of the Society for a long number of years in acknowledgement of the fidelity to tradition exemplifie= d by his worthy father. Re-Organization In 1886, steps were taken to organize a Gaelic Society on a broader basis, and the second Gaelic Society of Toronto was formerly inaugerated at the beginning of 1887, since which time it has been in active existence. In 1902 it was incorporated as the Gaelic Society of Canada with a still more extended field of operations. Reverts to Original Name In 1939 the Society reverted to the original name of Gaelic Society of Toronto, as it was felt that this name is the more appropriate one in view of the fact that, in recent years, Gaelic Societies have been founded in other cities throughout Canada. Col. Alexander Fraser In the reconstituted Society in 1887, the late Col. Alexander Fraser, native of Kiltarlity, Archivist of the Province of Ontario, was the Secretary. In 1894 he was elected to the office of Chief. In the affairs of the Society Col. Fraser was the sincere friend and councillor and true Highland gentleman whose interest in all things pertaining to the welfare of the ancient language, literature and traditions of the Scottish Highlanders had been maintained through his career. In his regretable demise in the year 1936 the Society suffered a distinct loss. Hugh Ray The oldest living Past Chief is Hugh Ray, who has reached the age of 89 years. He rarely misses attendance of meetings of the Society. He is a native of Eldon Township, Victoria County. In his young days, he , in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company, was in charge of their remotest tradin= g post at Barrie Lake, Quebec. There he traded with Ojibway Indians and cam= e to speak their language and also that of the Crees. He has a good grasp o= f the Gaelic as well as of the language of Canadian Indian. James Gilchrist. He was succeeded in the Chiefship by James Gilchrist, Barrister, Toronto - a native of Tara, Grey County. His parents emigrated to Canada from Port Ellen, Island of Islay. Roderick MacDonald Roderick MacDonald, the present Secretary, and the writer of this brief historical sketch, was the Chief succeeding James Gilchrist. Donald Fraser Donald Fraser, brother of Col. Alexander Fraser, occupied various executiv= e positions in the Society, and for a number of yeares, was assiduous in promoting its welfare. Thomas Ross Thomas Ross, a native of Ripley, Ontario, was Chief for a term. It is interesting to note that Mr. and Mrs. Ross celebrated their Diamond Anniversary during the last week of March, and on the occasion they were recipients of a message of congratulation from His Majesty, the King. In recent years the occupants of the office of Chief were GEORGE MURRAY, native of Kildonan, Sutherlandshipre. Mr. Murray has been the faithful official piper of the Society for the past fifty years. JOHN D. SPENCE, K. C., Toronto GEORGE SUTHERLAND, native of Lybster, Caithness. TOOY ALEXANDER STEWART, native of the County of Perth, whose forebears emigrated to Canada from Glenquaich, Scotland. Mr. Stewart has a good working knowledge of the Gaelic and is possed of the further accomplishmen= t in that he can perform creditably on the Piob-mhor. DR. HUGH ALEXANDER ROSS, native of the village of Millbank, Perth County. He also is a musician of prominence and can play stirring tunes on both thte Violin and Bagpipe. His father and mother are natives of Allness and Delny, respectively, in the County of Ross. PResent officers The present officers of the Society are Hon. Chieftain: ROY ALEXANDER STEWART, Toronto Chief: CAPT. (REV.) RONALD MACDONALD MACLEOD, a native of Uig, Isle of Skye. He was a Chaplain in the War of 1914. Hon. Patron: ROBERT FLEMING, a lowland Scot. He is a Past President of St= .Andrew's Society, Toronto. First Chieftain: GEORGE MACDONALD , native of Bernerary, Island of Lewis. Second Chieftain: IAIN MACINTOSH MACKAY, M.D. Secretary: RODERICK MACDONALD, native of Hosta, Island of North Uist. His brother, Roderick Charles, is a member of the British Columbia Legislature= .Ass't. Sec'y.: MARGARET MACKENZIE, her parents are natives of the County of Ross. Treas.: DONALD MACNEIL MUNRO, native of Woodstock district in the County of oxford. ANGUS LAMONT MACKINNON - A mamber having a long and faithful connection with the society is Angus Lamont MacKinnon, native of Edinbane, Isle of Skye. JOHN MACLEAN - The first Secretary - John MacLean of "An Comunn Gaidhealach," with headquarters in Glasgow, is a member of the society. REV. HUGH MATHESON - One of the Life Members of the Society is the Rev. Hugh Matheson, who until his retirement several years ago, was Librarian o= f Knox College, Toronto. At present he is residing in Toronto. Dr. Matheso= n is an authority on all matters pertaining to the Gaelic language, its literature and traditions. He contends the language was not given proper support by the leaders - Ministers, Schoolmaster - in the Highland communities in Canada. He points out that the ministers would sermonize their congregation in Gaelic and on returning to their domiciles would converse with their families in English. HIs sentiment in this connection is well expressed in his comment as follows: "An duine a chuireas a chull ri chuid fein, sin agadsa duine suarach." Translated: "The man who turns his back on his own inheritance is neglectful and contemptible." Both Dr. Matheson and John MacLean instructed classes in the study of Gaelic, - a subject in the intricate mechanics of which they are adept. BARD MACCOLL - The noted poet of Loch-Fyne -- Evan MacColl -- resided in Toronto after retiring from a position of responsibility in the City of Kingston. He identified himself with the Gaelic Society and was for a number of years the official Bard of the Society. =3D=3D=3D=3D NOVA-SCOTIA Mailing List =3D=3D=3D=3D ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Register your surname interests and browse the surname interests of other = Nova Scotia researchers at http://www.chignecto.net/nsnews --part0_917980410_boundary--