Update: The Cornwall Roots website was shut down in early 2018.
Catherine McKay, relict of Alex. Mullin, died on Sunday, Jan. 7, having reached the allotted span of three score and ten. — Obituary, January 1900, unknown newspaper.
If you think you have looked at every online resource and still haven’t been able to find information about your ancestors — especially if they lived in Eastern Ontario, western Quebec or Massena, New York — you should take a look at the website, Cornwall Roots.
Although the website has been around for several years, it was new to me until a friend told me about it last weekend.
‘Cornwall Obituaries,’ January 1900. Source: Cornwall Roots, http://www.cornwallroots.info.
Obituaries
Cornwall Roots contains images of more than 31,000 obituary notices that were published in Cornwall newspapers from 1900 to 2008 and photos of almost 60,000 headstones in 123 cemeteries in 11 counties in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. (I could only find 93 cemeteries.)
There is also a list of more than 20,000 obits that were published in Massena, New York, without images.
The Cornwall obituaries appear to be photocopies made many years ago. Lucky researchers may even find a photo that appeared in the obit. A number of United Empire Loyalists settled in the Cornwall area, so you are likely to recognize some Loyalist names among the deceased.
Headstones
For the most part, the photos of headstones are sharp and easy to read. I do wish, however, in the case of hard-to-read inscriptions, someone had not photoshopped the inscribed text over the actual photo. Yes, it is helpful, but I would also like to see the original image.
No ‘About’ section
Unfortunately, the website provides no background information and no context about the obituary collection. There is also no contact info. An About section would be useful to explain where these photocopies of obituaries originated and perhaps indicate the name of the newspaper(s).
Gift horse
Still, one shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Cornwall Roots is not a fancy site, but if it delivers what you need, who cares? Start your search on Cornwall Roots here.
Thanks to Ms. O’Leery for telling me about this website.
Great tip, thank you! I can’t wait to check it out.
Thanks Gail for this website. I found my great grandfather’s obit and a week later another one with additional facts. The title for the first was”Rev I P Bruneau Dead.”