This is best read with Eudora 4.3. Apologies for not knowing the History of CANADA. I could blame it on the bat, but ignorance of the facts has led me to wild speculations and theories. The following notes will undoubtedly affect my research, and possibly yours, into the SHARP migrations. Ontario, Canada, HISTORY of from http://www.familysearch.org/sg/Ontario.html The following important events affected political boundaries, record keeping, and family movements. 1784 After the American Revolution large numbers of Loyalists arrived in newly-surveyed townships along the St. Lawrence River in upper Quebec. 1788 Present southern Ontario was divided into four districts: Hesse, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, and Nassau. 1791 The old Province of Quebec was discontinued and divided into two separate colonies, Lower Canada (now Quebec) and Upper Canada (now Ontario). 1792 The first parliament began. The four original district names were changed: Hesse to Western, Lunenburg to Eastern, Mecklenburg to Midland, Nassau to Home. 1800 Districts were adjusted to include counties established for the purpose of levying militia and as voting precincts and land registration units. Other municipal functions such as probate registration remained with the districts. 1812 At the time war broke out with the United States, two-thirds of the population were non-Loyalists who had been attracted by the offer of free land. 1815 Many immigrants arrived from Scotland. A large number settled in Lanark County. 1820-1850 Many immigrants arrived from Great Britain and Ireland. About 66,000 British immigrants arrived in 1833, some through the port of New York by way of the Eric Canal. In 1847, famine in Ireland caused thousands of immigrants to come. Theodore SHARP, b. 1837, Waterford, Ontario, CANADA Theodore Monroe SHARP, B. 1868,Waterford, Ontario, CANADA An adjustment of thinking based on history provides the following alternative migration sources: 1. 1784 - USA to Quebec, < possible, but unlikely 2. 1812 - Anywhere in CANADA, < possible, but unlikely 3 1815 - Lanark County, Ontario, < possible,but unlikely 4. 1847 - Ireland via New York via Eric (Erie) Canal, < unlikely 5. 1820 -1850 - England. < most likely I am tending to favor the bolded alternatives. My priorities are first-to-last, as follows: . Why? 1. They tended to be English-related. 2. They were not land holder of any significance. 3. They were not Scotish. 4. They were already in CANADA. 5. Their presence in 1837 most closely relates to the 1820-1850 English migrations to CANADA. 1841 The Act of Union established a single combined legislature for Lower Canada (to be called Canada East [Quebec]) and for Upper Canada (called Canada West [Ontario]). 1849 In Canada West (southern Ontario), the counties became functioning governmental units when the old districts were abolished. However, townships within counties remain the basic building block of local government in Ontario until after 1954. 1857 Ottawa became the capital of the Province of Canada. 1867 The Province of Ontario was formed from Canada West and joined the Confederation when the Dominion of Canada was created, uniting Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. 1912 Provincial boundaries were moved northward to Hudson Bay. 1954 The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto was created from the southern half of York County, Ontario. 1967 Many additional counties, townships, and other local governments began to be abolished in Ontario as various large "regional municipalities" and other metropolitan governments were created. The 1871 Census of Ontario is at the URL: http://www.archives.ca/index.html It shows (11) SHARPS (7 of ENGLISH) (2 of DUTCH) (and 2 of GERMAN) origin who were various kinds of Methodists. The ages range from 32 years to 71, i.e., births from 1801-1839. I believe these SHARPs could be my relations. Taking the youngest year of birth, 1801, and adding 20 years, yields, 1821. This would closely relate to the beginning of the English migrations of 1820. I believe this to be the best guess of their sources. Also, the location of migrants of English, German, and Dutch ethnicity might orient my thinking to East Anglia. [There was a marriage in 1866 into the family from a relation in East Anglia---a (likely converted Anglican to a) Wesleyan Methodist!] How am I doing? Any further guidance is welcome. So much for the bat! Thanks, Howard H o w a r d R a y L a w r e n c e Penn State url: http://www.personal.psu.edu/hrl/