52 ancestors in 52 weeks

Well like all good procrastinators, I came late to the party. But, I hope to start now and over the next few weeks, catch up with the crowd. The idea to stoke the fires of family history writing, is from Amy Johnson Crow's 52 ancestors in 52 weeks. Each week a new topic will be put forth and the followers are to share by writing or blogging or posting comments about it, possibly on Facebook.

Amy is very good at suggestions for capturing family stories and how to proceed in many aspects of our hobby. This year her mission is to get us to record memories in different ways. Hopefully each topic will lead not only to another topic, but possibly to multiple stories on that topic over time.

Family Photographs

The first actual writing was in Week 2 and the topic was Family Photograph. I have many to choose from - more than some folks and fewer than others. It was difficult to choose so I decided on two related pictures that could be described fairly briefly. I'll get better at this as I go - at least that is the expectation.

Two pictures of the same store. The one on the left from left to right: Harry Donovan, Thomas Leonard Burns, Thomas J Burns. The photo above is Harry Donovan at another time, showing more of the front of the store.


Growing up in Brockville, my Dad, Robert Leonard (Bob) Burns, loved visiting his Grandfather's store on King St in Brockville. His Grandpa, Thomas J. Burns, was a butcher, then a Customs Officer, and after he retired, opened a second butcher shop and grocery store very close to where the first had been.

The reason for opening a second store, was to provide employment for his son Edward. Tom feared that Edward would not find other employment as he was a bit of a loser. Edward was widowed, and had a young daughter to support. He served briefly in WWII but after discharge he was rather footloose.

Meanwhile, Tom Jr. had a good career with the government in Ottawa and was providing well for his young and growing family. He had no plans to follow in Tom Sr's footsteps. However, things don't always work out as planned and the family bond was very strong.

Edward remarried in 1924 and died suddenly a month later. Thomas Sr did not wish to continue alone and asked his son Tom if he'd move back to Brockville and work with him. Feeling that strong family bond, and with wonderful memories of his hometown, he resigned from his good-paying job and moved the family to Brockville.

This store was the site of many a good turn. Tom Sr would never turn away anyone looking for something to eat. He allowed his customers to buy on credit. Many never paid their bills. It also seems to have been the local story-telling centre. Tom's brother William, known as Will, had gone blind, apparently after having been kicked by a horse or literally falling off a wagon. [I will check that out.] He learned his way from home to the store and spent most days holding court with all who dropped by. Most of his stories were tall tales, made up in the moment. Some are really amusing.

Tom Sr, passed away in 1933. For a few years his son tried to carry on the business, but eventually it failed. He returned to Ottawa in 1936 and once settled in a new job, brought the family back there to live. Tom Jr passed away in 1941.