August meeting - learning about the Harrimans

It is already the last day of August so before a new month begins, I will report on the August meeting.

First, we were delighted that many members were able to gather on the evening prior to our regular meeting day, to welcome Paul and Sheila Banko to Owen Sound. It was an opportunity for them to meet members of the Grey County Historical Society in an informal setting. The food was good too.

photo by Peter Chepil of Sheila and Paul Banko

A good crowd gathered at the Grey Roots theatre for our August meeting. Staff from Grey Roots brought us up to date on two digitization projects - the Women's Institutes' Tweedsmuir Histories and the diaries of Mary Williams Trout. Both of these are available online to view in the Grey Roots Virtual Exhibitions.

Paul Banko, although originally born in Canada, now resides in Fairhope Alabama. His illustrated talk introduced us to the Harriman family and Paul's extensive research. Leonard Harriman immigrated from England to the United States and was there by 1643. It was the 5th generation of this family, Nathaniel Harriman who came to settle in Derby Township as one of the early pioneer families. He is remembered for the "Rockford Castle" where it is is reported he would nap in his coffin. The Harriman family also connect with the Benner families of the area with the marriage of Eugene Augustus Harriman to Mina Benner.

If you are interested in learning more about the Harriman line visit the Harriman webpage.

Our September meeting will be on September 16, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority, Hanover.