Archives Lanark celebrates 10th anniversary Saturday October 20, 2012

Published on August 5th 2012

by Marilyn Snedden

Archives Lanark is a facility that provides a service to all people searching for their ancestors who came to Lanark County. It is situated in the former Drummond Township Offices at 1920 Concession 7,Drummond -near Drummond Center.,just off Highway 7. It is open every Friday & Saturday from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving from 10 am to 3 pm and in the winter alternate days. Check the website for details-www.globalgenealogy.com/archiveslanark.

It was opened in 2002 when the Lanark County Genealogical Society was searching for a home for the Land Records of Lanark County destined to be shredded by the Ontario Government as a cost saving measure. A group with the acronym APOLROD was formed provincially to find local historical groups who would store these records and make them available to the public. They included the Land Abstract books that show every transaction from the Crown until the 1980's and the actual documents from Confederation to 1955.-except for the plans and wills which were kept by the local Registry Offices.

Since the municipal amalgamations left some township offices empty, the Drummond Township office connected to their garage became the home for these records and a growing collection of family histories,school records and service club records. The Tweedsmuir Histories from the Women's Institute branches that have disbanded have a home there ,providing photos and farm histories,not found elsewhere.

Perhaps the best resource are the volunteers who assist visitors who come from all over North America to search their roots. It is quite common for someone to connect with a relative,either a volunteer on duty or someone they know.

The new Inmagic database searching program will prove to be a valuable asset as the collection grows beyond what the original volunteers can recall.

A major project underway for the past few years is the publication of the Rural Schools History by townships. Eleanor Henderson and a committee collected photos,lists of teachers and stories in 14 binders. Then volunteers each took a township to complete with the assistance of a graphics person,producing a limited edition hard copy book to be proud of. So far 5 have been produced with Drummond,Ramsay and Pakenham next in line. If you have material,please contact us at [613]267-2232 ,[613]256-3130 or [613]256-3756]

Celebrations for our 10^th Anniversary are planned for Saturday,October 20 ,2012 at the Ferguson Falls Hall where we'll have displays,music,refreshments and a chance to remember our heritage.