Manitoulin

Forty-nine years ago this month, on August 18, 1970, my family experienced a terrible tragedy.  

My great-grandfather, his son Bernie, and Bernie's two sons went on a fishing trip to Manitoulin, Ontario, Canada from Michigan.  They were caught in a fast-moving storm and their boat capsized.  After a horrific night spent in frigid waters, only two of the four survived.  

My great-grandfather and his 12 year-old grandson (also named Bernie) drowned.  Despite the fatigue and anguish, my mom's uncle Bernie did not give up.  He was able to save his youngest son, Johnny who was 10 at the time.  Yet how awful to lose his father and older son.

It was a miracle that any of them survived.  I can't imagine the pain and heartache of the whole family in the months and years to come.  My grandpa lost his dad and his nephew in one night.  My mom lost her grandpa and her cousin in one night.

We will never forget the tragedy at Manitoulin.

Family member name: Bernard Boyle
Lifetime: 1889 - 1970
Tree branch: Boyle
Relation: My great-grandfather (my mom's dad's dad)


Family member name: Bernard William Boyle
Lifetime: 1930 - 2008
Tree branch: Boyle
Relation: My great-uncle (my mom's dad's brother)

One town. Two namesakes.

I had the privilege to visit the town of Standish,  Maine.  I wanted to go there because it was named after my 10x great-grandfather, Myles Standish.  What I didn't realize is that before it was named Standish, it was named for another one of my family members.

Family member name: Myles Standish
Tree branch: Smith
Lifetime: 1584-1656
Relation: My 10x great-grandfather (my dad's mom's dad's mom's mom's mom's mom's mom's dad's mom's dad's dad)

At  the Maine Historical Society in Portland, I was doing research on the Pearson branch of my family tree who lived in Maine.  A cousin of my 5x great grandfather, William Pearson, was Moses Pearson.  

Moses Pearson was a company commander in the first battle of Louisbourg, in King George's War, in Canada.  Upon his return, he petitioned the State of Massachusetts (because Maine was not a state yet) for a land grant for himself and his company.  One hundred twenty land grants were issued to him and another company commander named Humphrey Hobbs.

The land grants became a community, and here is how this little town's name evolved over 35 years.

1750 - Pearson Hobbs Town
1759 - Pearsontown
1785 - Standish

Hobbs died shortly after the land grants were awarded and Pearson never did end up living in Pearsontown.  So the residents renamed the town after a famous American, Myles Standish, of Mayflower fame.  It's pretty cool that this cute little town was named after two of my ancestors, Pearson and Standish.

More info: Town of Standish website

At the Standish Historical Society.  Standish, Maine, 2016.

Doing family tree research at the Maine Historical Society.  Portland, Maine, 2016.