The Deseronto Archives was established in November 1997. In September 2016 it was transferred to Belleville to form part of the Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County. This new facility offers purpose-built storage with climate control to help keep Deseronto’s archives in excellent condition for a long time to come.
This website contains two main types of content:
1) news items on the activities of the Deseronto Archives
2) posts about First World War in Deseronto, including details on the Deseronto and Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory men who served
If you have materials relating to Deseronto that you think would be of interest to others, please consider donating them to the Community Archives so that they can be preserved into the future. Or you might prefer to loan materials to the Archives for digitization, so that they can be shared with others through the Archives’ collection of photographs on the Flickr website. Items can be left with staff at Deseronto Public Library for onward transfer to the Community Archives.
Deseronto Archives 
May 23, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Hi:
I’m Daniel Clarence McVicker’s son. I am trying to trace Anne and Jim McVicker, daughter and son of James McVicker, postmaster and fire chief of Deseronto in the mid 1900s, haven’t seen them in years and their trails are cold.
Can you help me or point me in the right direction?
Thank you,
Paul McVicker
May 24, 2011 at 8:35 am
Hello Paul
I don’t have any contact details for Anne and Jim, but with any luck they will see your message here and get in touch with you.
Amanda
February 10, 2016 at 5:57 pm
Hi Paul. My wife’s father is Jim mcvicker.he still lives in belleville.his daughter, Tracy, your cousin, can be reached at 416 839 8143
February 17, 2017 at 5:22 pm
Paul,
My maternal grandfather is Richard Patrick McVicker.
I have James Hartigan McVicker(1909-1974) married to Jessie Elizabeth Hines(1914-????). I have one child listed – James – no birth date.
If you gather any additional information, I would appreciate receiving same.
Thanks,
Patrick Goodmurphy
January 3, 2013 at 10:34 pm
try getting in touch with Marilyn Sweet of Mill st , I believe she would be a coustn
January 12, 2013 at 7:50 pm
Hello Amanda, I am trying to find my family lineage with regards to my Deseronto Mohawk descendants. Do you know how I would go about finding this information?
January 16, 2013 at 2:45 pm
Hi Tiffany
It’s always best to start with the relatives you know about and work your way back in time through official records to find out about their ancestors. A lot of the records you need to consult are now online through the Ancestry service, which is free to access in libraries in Ontario. Or you can send me the details and I am happy to see what I can find out for you.
Amanda
March 24, 2015 at 1:31 pm
I have an ancestor named Gilbert Ostrom that was born in Marmora. He has never put his parents name on any documentation. It looks like the father’s name was Leonard on his birth certificate but it was crossed out and I do not know why. Family stories on several lines are that his mother was Tyendinaga Mohawk. I was wondering if there are marriage records from Christ Church there in Deseronto that might have a surname of Ostrom married to a Mohawk woman. It would mean the world to me to find these ancestors and I am not sure how to proceed. I have written to the Tyendinaga Mohawks but have not heard back at this time.
March 24, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Hello Darlene – no, unfortunately we don’t hold any church records. Do you have a date of birth for Gilbert?
March 24, 2015 at 4:37 pm
Yes I do. He was born about 1865.
March 24, 2015 at 4:55 pm
Have you been able to get his death registration? In later years they named both parents. If he had any siblings, it’s always worth checking their marriage registrations to see if they name the parents. Otherwise, sorry, there isn’t much else I can suggest. Good luck!
July 20, 2015 at 10:11 am
Hi Amanda, I am trying to find information about my grand mother who was listed as being born in Tyendinga. Her name was Sarah Frazer and was born about 1838. She married Frank Shatraw and had a daughter Amelia. Who was my great grandmother. So much information on my family is lost and would love to learn more to pass to my children. Thank you
July 22, 2015 at 3:21 pm
Hello Linda
I’ve had a look, but at that date, as you know, records are fairly sparse. The only thing I can suggest is to look at the Tyendinaga parish records, which go back to 1831 for baptisms (http://my.tbaytel.net/bmartin/anglican.htm). Perhaps Sarah might be listed in those. They are held by the Anglican Diocesan Archives in Kingston (archives@ontario.anglican.ca).
Sorry not to be able to help more.
March 28, 2016 at 12:04 pm
Hi Linda my name is Rhonda Exum Chase and my gggrandmother is also Sarah Fraser husband Frank Shirtraw born 1838 on this res in Canada ,I am trying the best I can to find out any info on them If you have anymore please share I would greatly apreciate it…..My Mothers grandmother is Amelia..she said she smoked a pipe and wore a blanket Sarah I mean.Lets chat..
May 3, 2016 at 1:08 pm
Hi Rhonda I would love to chat ! I have been searching forever for information about sarah and frank. Amelia was my two great grandmother Anna Mae was my great grandmother remember her well . Email me Lhansson60@aol.com would love to hear from you
May 4, 2016 at 7:17 am
Is your mother sister or niece to Anna Mae ? Wondering your mothers name and how we are related
July 23, 2015 at 10:13 am
Thank you Amanda I will try there. Linda
July 23, 2015 at 12:04 pm
Hi Amanda, what I found from my research Was there was a Samuel Fraser who married Elizabeth Hill. I found one daughter Mary who was born in 1836 and was baptisted at Mohawk Chapel Brantford Ontario. I was told my grandmother sarah was born in 1838. This could be my family. Thanks
July 23, 2015 at 12:38 pm
Elizabeths father was Seth Kanenkaregowa Hill Chief of Bear clan in 1790. Maybe you could find any information on this. Thanks again Linda
July 23, 2015 at 1:01 pm
Hi Linda
Our archives doesn’t have much information on the early Mohawk settlers in the area – you could try contacting the Research unit of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, if you haven’t already done that: http://www.mbq-tmt.org/administration-and-services/nation-building/research–lands.
September 14, 2015 at 11:53 pm
Dear Amanada,
Thank you for taking the time to provide so much information. My Grandmother was Maude Hill and I understand she was a Mohawk born on the Tyendinaga Reserve. I think I may have found her listed on a genealogy page: (http://www.genealogy.com/forum/general/topics/ai/20938/)
“Maude Hill” is listed as:
HILL Maude Female Daughter Single Sep 8 1893 7y Ont Mohawk Other-Br. C of E Mohawk
I think 1893 would be the correct birth date since she died at age 73 or 74 when I was 13. I wonder if you have any other records of her.
Thank you very much,
Deborah Johnstone
September 21, 2015 at 9:45 am
Hello Deborah
We don’t have any records relating to Maud in our collection. It appears from family tree information on Ancestry that she was the daughter of Isaac Hill and Elizabeth Maracle. You might like to contact the Kanhiote Library to see if they have any more details: http://kanhiote.ca/contact.html
August 10, 2021 at 1:50 pm
Hello Amanda and Deborah,
Deborah – My great grandfather is Daniel Isaac Hill, on the link you posted your grandmother and my great grandfather are brother and sister!
HILL Daniel Male Son Single Oct 2 1888 12y Ont Mohawk Other-Br. C of E Mohawk
I have been researching for information about him, and have found many military records of the family. As well as a family photo with Maud as an infant :)
Amanda – Do you have any other records of their parents, or my great grandfather Daniel Isaac Hill? The parents are: Elizabeth Maracle and Isaac Joseph Hill? Anything would be appreciated!
HILL Isaac J. Male Head Married Jul 4 1843 57y Ont Mohawk Other-Br. C of E Farmer Mohawk
HILL Elizabeth Female Wife Married Nov 15 1865 35y Ont Mohawk Other-Br. C of E Mohawk
August 12, 2021 at 8:26 am
Hello Audrey
We don’t have records about these individuals in the archives here. The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte’s Research Unit may be able to help you, or the archives of churches with baptism, marriage and death registers.
Amanda
August 12, 2021 at 12:24 pm
Hello again Amanda, when I try to email amyb@mbq-tmt.org wihch is the emailed listed on the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte’s Research Unit (here at the bottom: http://mbq-tmt.org/community-services/research/). It comes back as undeliverable. Can you please let me know if there is a phone number or another email I can use?
Thank you!
August 16, 2021 at 10:33 am
Hi Audrey – I believe the correct address is research@mbq-tmt.org.
September 1, 2016 at 6:10 pm
I am looking for some information on my grandfather thought too be born in deseronto Robert Gorege Tompkins born March 27 1927-1937 died January 9 1986.
September 2, 2016 at 11:52 am
Hi Crystal – I see there was a Tompkins family in Deseronto in 1921, headed by Nelson and Lucy Tompkins, who had four sons: John, Wellington, William and Rowland. John was married to Rosa (whose maiden name was Tisdale). Also living in Deseronto at that time was Robert Tompkins (John’s older brother), who was married to Alice (Briant) and who had two children at the time of the 1921 census. I’m not sure if that helps you at all…
Amanda
September 21, 2016 at 10:25 am
Hi,
I am looking for information on my great grandparents James and Catherine (Loft) Maracle. There’s very little information about them and I can’t seem to find any information earlier than them. They were both born in Tyendinaga, East Hastings, Ontario, Canada and were married in 1871. My grandfather (their son) was Leonard Maracle, born on May 7, 1906, in Deseronto.
I’d also like to know what clan they were a part of.
Thanks!
September 21, 2016 at 2:41 pm
Hello Leighanne – I think your best bet would be to contact Amy Cowie at the Research Department of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (amyc@mbq-tmt.org).
April 2, 2018 at 5:57 am
I am looking for any information on an Isaac and Jessie Hill my paternal great grand parents Also Simon and Jamima Hill new Miraeal. They would be my great great grandparents. I can only find most Information for my grandfather Jeremiah Sylvania Hill.
April 3, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Hi Ramona – it might be worth contacting the Research Unite of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte to see if they can help you: http://www.mbq-tmt.org/administration-and-services/nation-building/research–lands
April 5, 2018 at 11:04 am
Thank you very much. I will check. Sorry for the repeat post
April 5, 2018 at 11:03 am
I am looking for any information about my family. Simon and Jamima Hill(Maracle?)
Isaac and Jessie Hill. Also trying to find something on my grandmother Phoebe Hill (Crawford) who was married to Jeremiah Hill.
Thanks in advance for any help.
May 8, 2018 at 11:02 am
My name is Kevin Patrick McVicker, I am the son of Jim Mcvicker, grandson of James McVicker. Postmaster and fire chief of Deseronto. I do remember visiting my great uncle Clarence as a kid. DOC! I can be reached at toyota.sales@live.ca
October 24, 2019 at 2:13 pm
my name is Richard Sanford looking to find out Mary Maracle b 1865 married to Isaac Culbertson b 1862 had a child Mary Ellen Culbertson b March 28 1890 who was adopted by Peter Hill as Mary Maracle d in March 3 1894 and how is Peter Hill was related to her as she is my greatgrand mother
October 24, 2019 at 2:21 pm
Mary Culbertson
October 24, 2019 at 2:57 pm
Hi Richard
There is a family tree on Ancestry which suggests that Peter Hill was the child of Susan Culbertson (wife of John W. Hill), who was the aunt of Isaac Culbertson (her brother was John Culbertson 1801-1861). If that is correct, Peter would have been Isaac Culbertson’s cousin and first cousin once removed to Mary Ellen.
Amanda
October 25, 2019 at 1:51 pm
are we related by any chance as what you gave me was dead on
October 25, 2019 at 1:37 pm
thanx for the help as you just gave me a piece of information I didn’t know soon going back on ancestry.com. I have just applied for my Indian Status thanx for the new amendment to the Indian act as i’m going through my grandmother Mary Ellen Simpson b August 10 1918
October 25, 2019 at 2:02 pm
how is Cornelius and Isabel Maracle related to me as they raised my dad on the reserve. Joseph Gordon Benjamin Sanford His mother Mary Ellen Simpson. He went to the residential school in Shannonville. They had a trailer park then their son took it over called Terry’s Teepee
October 28, 2019 at 10:42 am
Sorry Richard, I can’t help you with that one!
January 28, 2020 at 4:13 pm
Hi Paul – are you the same Paul
McVicker that attended NDCI in
the mid 1950s?
March 26, 2020 at 3:48 pm
Hi,my great grandfather name is Isaac Hill born June 15 1823 death july 26 1920
Parents could be Margaret lenah maracle
And William Hill.searching for back up information.born in bay of quinte.
March 30, 2020 at 9:27 am
Hi Shelly – death registrations usually name both parents in 1920. Have you been able to find his death record? It should be available on Ancestry or Family Search.
April 5, 2020 at 2:50 pm
I have not found more information about isaac hill.
April 28, 2020 at 7:32 pm
Looking for parents of isaac hill born 1823 – 1920.born bay of quinte.information for the other isaac hill.
April 29, 2020 at 11:19 pm
Why info are you looking for because if he’s the same person he was my great-great no no no I apologize he was my great-grandfather
May 1, 2020 at 10:13 pm
Isaac hill is my great grandfather married to mary powlis of six nations.Doing my family tree.
June 8, 2020 at 9:44 pm
Hello
I’m looking for information on Ethel Pearl Green (born June 25 1889 – Died 1944ish) and Isaiah Green (born June 1 1884) They were married Jan 9 1908.
And Everett Green who is said to be there son.
If you have anything I would greatly appreciate hearing back from you.
Thanks
Nicholas Guthrie
August 29, 2020 at 3:16 pm
I am looking for a man named (last)Cornell deceased had a son Lonny or Lonnie from the Tyendinaga reserve. I am trying to find out his first name, possibly died in late 60’s early 70’s
Please call me 613 879-8608 or can text anonymous is fine don’t need to know who you are.
September 4, 2020 at 9:11 pm
I am looking for marriage documentation between John J H Reid and Agnes Markle married abt. 1823. I believe she is the oldest daughter of Gilbert Markle and Elizabeth Sager.
November 5, 2020 at 12:27 am
My name is Douglas smith ive traced my ancestors on my dads side to band number 2844 my great great grandmother was Sally (sarah) Green she was native another relative on my dads side is Mary Sanford another grandparent who is of native ancestry. my grand father was Joseph Gore and my father was janes edward gore. I would like to find any info if i can on my ancestors if anyone can help thanks.
January 30, 2021 at 4:50 pm
In several death registrations for Tyendinaga Band members that I have come across in my research they refer to “Upper Church Cemetery”. Are they referring to Christ Church or All Saints? Is it a reference to one being deemed “higher Anglican” than the other? Is this in reference to geography? Or altitude? All wisdom/insights will be greatly appreciated!
Blessings,
Rev Sue Cowan
Georgetown, ON
February 3, 2021 at 3:24 pm
My guess would be that it is geographically distinguishing between the two churches, but the topographical maps show them to be pretty much at the same elevation, so that doesn’t help! You do go up a hill to get to Christ Church, though…
June 11, 2021 at 11:11 am
Hello, I have such fond memories of Deseronto as a child. (1970 (ish)I grew up in Toronto to Italian parents and my dad became friends with Kelly who I believe was a chief in Deseronto but I do not know for how long. He was married to Eileen and had a house right on the Bay of Quinte. We used to spend our at their house in the summer but I do not know much more about him. I believe he re-located to Alberta but any information about him would be appreciated. I He was such a beautiful man…great memories!!
July 6, 2021 at 2:52 pm
Hi my I live across the street from the nalors theater in Deseronto. I can find no history on my home, I was told the Naylors posblebly owned my home back then.
July 7, 2021 at 9:31 am
Hello Huibert
The Deseronto lot plan shows the property opposite Naylor’s Theatre as lot B11 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/deserontoarchives/3792784244/). The 1900 assessment roll for Deseronto (https://discover.cabhc.ca/deseronto-assessment) shows three people on that property: Woodcock Marshall, a merchant, William Simmons and Benjamin Smith (tenants and both labourers). There are other assessment rolls online at https://discover.cabhc.ca/assessment-rolls to check earlier dates – and there is also a voter’s list at https://discover.cabhc.ca/voters-list-of-the-town-of-deseronto-for-the-year-1914 to take a look at.