Indexes

The Botany file is an index to the 1992 Kent Branch publication A History of the Community of Botany, transcribed by Nancy Cameron, indexed by Leslie Mancell, with computer direction from Leslie Mancell and John Claus, and with computer manipulation by Bill Claus.  It was originally published as a series in the Ridgetown Dominion in 1963 and 1964, and was written by Mrs. Wm. J. Dunlop nee, Katherine McBrayne (1866-1963).  It is described as a valuable insight into life and the struggle to survive in the early days of Kent County.  This publication includes a Surname and General Index, and is 108 pages in length.  This publication is available for purchase in digital format ($10) through our Marketplace.

The Bothwell file is an index created by Kent Branch OGS Volunteer Lynn Clark.  This is an index of 2,303 names included in the 2005 publication Life of a Boomtown: A Pictorial History of Bothwell by Marion Matt.  A copy of this book is available to view at the Kent Branch OGS Library in Chatham.

Through the dedication of our volunteers, John & Donna Reinhardus and Peggy O’Rourke, we have a full collection of death notices from the Chatham Daily News since 1981. Volumes 1-24 cover the years 1981-1998 and then each subsequent year is a standalone binder. The binders are available to view at the Kent Branch OGS Library in Chatham. Digital versions of the binders are available in the members only area of the website.

The Dresden Times 1888-1922 file is an index created by Kent Branch OGS volunteer Lynn Clark.  This is an index to the 2003 Kent Branch publication Extracts from the Dresden Times 1888-1922, originally transcribed by Helen Reaume, which has extracts from the Dresden newspaper of births, marriages and deaths for this time period.  This publication includes an index, and is 209 pages in length.  This publication is available for purchase in digital format ($20) through our Marketplace.

The Erieau Boys in Service file is an index created by Kent Branch OGS Volunteer Lynn Clark.  This is an index of 1,547 names included in the 2008 publication Open Letter to Erieau Boys in Service by Mollie Vidler, compiled and researched by Jeff Vidler.  Described as a “labour of love” and part of Erieau’s history, Mollie Vidler served as a village historian and authored letters in the Erieau News to members of the Armed Forces during WWII.  A copy of this book is available to view at the Kent Branch OGS Library in Chatham.

NOTE:  Dennings Funeral home has been purchased by Jamie and David Kendrick.  We are in discussion with the current owner about honouring the agreement that was in place with Dennings.  We will provide additional information when we know more.  In the meantime, if you have any questions about these records, contact us at [email protected].

The Denning’s Ltd. Records File is an index to the names of those people whose burials were handled through Denning’s of Chatham and their previous owners.  Originally the Needham Funeral Home, Murray Bowman purchased the business in 1967 and it was operated as the Murray Bowman Funeral Home.  Murray Bowman retired in 1997 and the funeral home was run by the Arbor Corporation until the Denning family took it over in Apr 2016.

This index includes references to almost 5,000 funeral home records from 1939 to 2014 held by Denning’s of Chatham.  The searchable index on-line includes the name of the deceased individual and the birth and death date.  Requests to view the original records can be made to Denning’s of Chatham.  The original funeral home records include a variety of information varying in content and quantity depending upon the time period and owner/operator.  They could include such items as:  exact name of deceased, dates and places of birth and death, names of family members (spouse, parents), informant, residence of deceased/informant, cause of death, funeral service details, place of disposition, etc.  Please note that contents vary widely.

Members of Kent Branch of The Ontario Genealogical Society — Judi Bouchard, Fran Barko and Linda Paterson — donated their time and skills to digitize the Chatham, Ontario collection for preservation purposes.  Fran Barko created the index which was edited by the other team members before inclusion in the Kent OGS Master Index file.

Placement of this index on the Kent OGS website is provided courtesy of Denning’s Ltd.  

The Navistar file is an index of names created by Kent Branch OGS volunteer Lynn Clark.  This is an index of names appearing in the book From International to Navistar Chatham, Ontario, a 204 page document (including employee pictures), published by Navistar International Corporation in 1987.  A copy of this book is available to view at the Kent Branch, OGS library in Chatham.

The History of PGH School of Nursing file is an index created by Kent Branch Volunteer Lynn Clark.  This is an index of 4,572 names included in the publication History of Public General Hospital School of Nursing Nurses’ Alumnae Association 1890 – 1983 Chatham, Ontario, by members of the History Book Committee, 1983.  A copy of this book is available to view at the Kent Branch OGS Library in Chatham.

The Pioneer Sketches of Kent and Elgin County file is an index of names appearing in the 1992 Kent Branch publication The Pioneer Sketches of Kent and Elgin County, transcribed by Nancy Cameron, indexed by Bill Claus, with computer direction from Leslie Mancell.  It was originally written between 1896 & 1899 by Henry Watson, a one-time owner/publisher of the Highgate Monitor.  During that period Henry Watson researched, wrote and published a number of sketches on pioneers and pioneer life in the area.  It has been described as an excellent glimpse into the past and life on the border between Kent & Elgin Counties.  This publication includes a Surname Index, along with an Index of Businessmen and Tradesmen, and is 88 pages in length.  This publication is available for purchase on-line in digital format ($7) through our Marketplace.

The Rails to the Heartland file is an index created by Kent Branch Volunteer Lynn Clark.  This is an index of 736 names included in the 1991 publication RAILS TO THE HEARTLAND: A Pictorial History of Kent`s Railways, by John Rhodes, and edited by Joan Rutledge.  A copy of this book is available to view at the Kent Branch OGS Library in Chatham.

Kent Branch has been publishing a newsletter since 1978. Over the years, many volunteers have helped to index over 50,000 names from the branch newsletter. Over the past several years, we have Peggy O’Rourke to thank for continuing this indexing effort. All past newsletters are available in our library as well as in the members only area of the website.

The Kent County High School Sports file is an index created by Kent Branch OGS Volunteer Lynn Clark.  This is an index of 7,436 names included in the 2015 publication The History of Kent County High School Sports by Larry Lahey.  A copy of this book is available to view at the Kent Branch OGS Library in Chatham.

The When Chatham Was Woods file is an index created by Kent Branch Volunteer Lynn Clark.  This is an index of 1,521 names included in the 1996 publication WHEN CHATHAM WAS WOODS: Reminiscences Of The Pioneers, by John Rhodes.  This book is a collection of first-hand accounts of the city and area’s history through its first one hundred years of existence, as told by the actual pioneers who lived through those times.  A copy of this book is available to view at the Kent Branch OGS Library in Chatham.