History Helps Volume Six, Number 1, December 2005
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• Greetings
• Christmas in the late Nineteenth Century
• B. C. Studies On-line Auction
• Immigrating to British Columbia
• Canadian Cemetery Signs
• Subscription, Privacy Policy

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas in the Late Nineteenth Century

“DELTA NOTES”

“ Delta Lodge No. 12, A. O. U. W., have decided to give an Xmas [sic] tree to the children of the Delta, and have taken a novel census of all the children, who number 200 in all -- 90 girls and 85 boys from the ages of 1 to 14 years, and 25 babies under 1 year. The date is fixed for Christmas Eve. Invitations will be sent to all families residing in the Delta, and every child attending will receive a suitable present from the tree, besides nuts, oranges and candies. A good time for the youngsters is expected. The objects of the order will be given in a short address by the Grand Master, Gus Leiser, of Victoria.”

Source: The Daily Columbian, 03 December 1892, page one.

Followed by a report of the event:

“DELTA NOTES”:

“ The A.O.U.W. Christmas tree is pronounced a great success. The proceedings opened at 2 o’clock in the Town Hall, on Saturday, the 24th. The hall was literally packed, standing room being hardly available. At the opening, the children sang a Christmas carol, which was followed by addresses from Mr. Alex. Gilchrist and the Rev. T. S. Glassford. Miss Parmiter gave a well-chosen recitation. Then the curtain was drawn up and a burst of applause came from the children as they saw the two beautiful trees laden with presents and lit up with candles.

Santa Claus arrived just then, amidst much knocking at the door and jingling of bells. He spoke a few words to the children, wishing them a good time, and impressing on them that he only came once a year. Then he proceeded to distribute the presents to the children, assisted by the officers and members of the order. Over 200 presents were given out, not a child on the Delta being overlooked. Oranges and candies were given to each child, and then the gathering broke up about 4:30 p.m., and returned home after a good time.”

Source: The Daily Columbian, 29 December 1892, page three.

Immigrating to British Columbia

Note: The mathematical calculations in this item seem wildly optimistic.

“ADVICE TO EMIGRANTS

Intending emigrants who think of engaging in fruit farming in British Columbia will be glad of some of the suggestions which Mr. Eustace H. Smith is giving in the Scottish Leader.

He advises the new-comer who thinks of taking a fruit farm to enter a market garden or nursery in Great Britain as a common hand for, say, a year. He can then start with his fare paid and £ 50 in his pocket and do well.

When he reaches British Columbia, he will be able to earn £ 7 a month and his board on some farms, while gaining experience of the way orchards are reared on the Pacific coast.

But where shall the new-comer go? There are the Fraser valley and the Okanagan, each with its own advantages to choose from. The Fraser valley has some good orchards, and many more are being started; but, says Mr. Smith, ‘We cannot help thinking that this district is better adapted for general farming with, say, an orchard of apples attached.’ The fruit of the Okanagan is, on the whole, superior, and he therefore recommends that the Okanagan valley be tried first.

Take whatever offer of work turns up, says Mr. Smith, although it may be chopping wood, mending roads, or cooking -- a man must be prepared to turn his hand to anything in the west, and the great success is always to take what turns up first, and keep one’s eyes open for something better.

Then let him bank his money, and don’t be in a hurry to buy land; wait for a year’s experience, and in the meantime put by as much of his wages as possible. He should at the end of one year have £ 130, and if he can find a really good partner, he would do well, bringing the joint capital up to £ 300. They can then lay out their capital somewhat in this fashion:

Twenty-acre lot at £ 6 per acre; first instalment;
balance in 2 years at 6 per cent .......................£ 60
Fencing .........................................................  10
Frame house ..................................................  15
Pair of small horses ......................................... 12
Implements .................................................... 10
Feeding and provisions for 1 year ....................... 40
Sundries ........................................................    3
Trees, plants, etc.............................................  50
[Total].......................................................... £200

Thus the young fruit farmer is carried to the end of the first year, and ‘if fruit farming is going to be a success in British Columbia, our emigrant is in a fair way to prove it.’”

Source: [Vancouver] Daily World, 22 November 1893, page two.

Canadian Cemetery Signs

Here is a website that completely baffled me -- photographs of the entrances to cemeteries. Perhaps someone could explain the purpose to me (even if that is a naive question)?

If you haven’t come across it yet, you can find it at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~cemsigns/index.htm.

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Gwen Szychter, M.A.

P.S. Here's a favour you can do for me: If you liked this newsletter and found it helpful or just interesting, please pass it on to a friend or colleague. Thank you.

Newspaper Obituary Database coming to

History of Delta, British Columbia On-line

Delta History On-Line

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