Ten Eyck Farm, Dunham, Quebec, Canada

Eleven years ago this month, my husband and I went on a research trip to Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada for four days. Traveling to this area of Canada took less than seven hours, so it wasn't a very long trip. I was extremely well prepared, because I knew exactly where I wanted to go, had the addresses of those I wanted to meet,  and had mapped out the cemeteries.  It all came together.

The first stop was at the Missisquoi Historical Society in East Stanbridge, a goldmine of resources. I had communicated with the archivist, and knew the hours of operation, and their holdings. Later, I met with a cousin, who came quite a distance to meet me at my B and B. The owners were very accommodating to us...I'm thinking, although they spoke French and I only English.

Another thing my husband and I did was drive all over the county and that of Brome County looking at gravestones. Another cousin had just visited the area several months earlier and found a number of our shared ancestors, so I was extremely fortunate. She had given me a marked map and copies of her photos. In all, I located 22 direct ancestor graves! I had totally forgotten that, until I mentioned it recently to GeneaBlogger, Carol Bowen Stevens, and she thought it was amazing. After all these years, I think so too, I was very lucky.

The last wonderful aspect of the trip was, I went to the old Ten Eyck homestead.  I have no idea how old the house is, but the land has been in the family for well over 200 years.  My grandmother grew up in the house, and when I was young, we went there for a long visit, as my grandmother's brother's family now lived there. The brother was deceased, but his wife was kind to invite us in for a long chat about the family. One thing led to another, and I found out that the wife, was born in the city where I now live! You just never know what you are going to find out when you talk to somebody.

This trip still brings back sentimental thoughts. It was a perfect trip, perfect weather and perfect memories.

The photos below are three photos taken that day at the house. And the one below, was scanned from the book, Dunham 1867 - 1992 (Anniversary Book),  (Pub. Editions Louis Bilodeau and Fils Ltee, Sherbrook, Quebec 1992). 

Ten Eyck Farm, Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada