Lambton County Archives Blog

Census Excitement and Chagrin

This past week, I had the opportunity to complete my first Canadian Census! In previous years I either lived with my folks or in student residence, but as an independent, rent-paying Canadian, I received a census form for my very own apartment. Both my room-mate and finance were puzzled by my excitement, but as a historian who accesses early census records on a daily basis, it struck me as a right of passage to be finally completing a census form for myself.

Unfortunately, the ten questions did not...

Into the Belly of the Beast: Behind the Vault Doors

[IMAGE] Behind the Vault Doors

Visitors to the Lambton Room don't often get the opportunity to glimpse behind the vault doors. When they request records to conduct their research, one of our staff members diligently scurries into the back and fetches the necessary files. I want to use this blog post to give people a peek into the vault itself, and an idea of the special or unusual records that are available in its depths.

The Lambton Room's vault is equipped with special equipment to maintain constant...

Lambton's Favourite Irish Preacher: Uncle Joe Little

[IMAGE] Photograph from Lambton Room collection.

I had the opportunity to learn about one of Lambton County's most interesting and beloved preachers this week. Joseph Russell Little, popularly known as "Uncle Joe Little," roamed and preached in Warwick Township and beyond from 1833 to 1880. His eccentricities have become legendary in Lambton County, and time has mingled together truth and myth to create a fascinating portrait of a lovable preacher.

Little's adventures began April 10, 1833, when he...

Where Did Our Collection Come From?

The Lambton Room had an interesting beginning, and here I will provide you with a brief glimpse into the genesis of our collection.

The idea to begin a "history room" for the county began in 1974, when Mrs. Marion Ellwood (a librarian in Mandaumin ) committed her Tuesday and Thursday mornings to the organization of a "old pictures of buildings, streets and historic events" in a small room in Wyoming. The collection would receive a huge boon in 1975 with the purchase of the George Smith Collection....

Lambton County's Infamous Abduction: The John S. Labatt Kidnapping

[IMAGE] Sarnia Observer, August 15, 1934.

John S. Labatt has the unfortunate privilege of going down in history as Canada's first wealthy businessman to be held for ransom. His misadventure exploded into newspapers in August of 1934 after Labatt was snatched off the highway near his summer home on Lake Huron. Here, you will find a description of the kidnapping and trials that followed the event, as well as an exploration of the material related to the kidnapping that can be accessed at the Lambton...