Archive Record
Images
Additional Images [58]
Metadata
Accession # |
A2017.140 |
Title |
Behrns family, Harriston, family history documents, photos, ca.1870-2017. |
Date |
ca.1870 - 2017 |
Description |
Behrns family, Harriston, family history documents, photographs, ca.1870-2017. William Behrns (1866-1949) was born in Huron County, the youngest of 11 in the family of Frederick Behrns and his wife Caroline Behrns (nee Gadke) who emigrated from Germany in the early 1850s. William was living in Harriston when, in 1895, he married Maretia / Myretta Doubledee (1875-1970). She was usually known as Retta, sometimes spelled Rhetta. William was a brick layer and stone mason, and in the 1921 census, he is listed as "Contractor." Some of his work can be seen in the two homes he built in Harriston, on Thomas St., and Elora St. North. Their daughter Laura Myrtle Behrns was born 23 October 1898. She attended both Public and High School in Harriston, and then attended Stratford Normal School, 1925-1926. Here she received certificates in "First Aid to the Injured" "Home Nursing" "Physical Training" and "Elementary Physical Culture" in addition to her First Class Teaching Certificate. At Macdonald Institute in Guelph (now part of the University) she completed the two-year Normal Course in Home Economics, and in 1928 received her certificate of qualification as a Teacher of Household Science. From 1929 to 1946 Laura taught Domestic Science and Physical Training at the School for the Blind in Brantford, and after a two-year break, from 1948 to 1953 she taught Home Economics at Wingham High School. In retirement, she was active in the Harriston Branch of the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Harriston United Church, to whom she donated her 1964 Chevy car at age 96. She died the following year, 5 March 1995. SERIES 1: TEXTUAL MATERIALS, 1898-2017. Subseries 1: Textual materials, 1898-2017. File 1: Canadian Order of Foresters, certificate that William Douglas was duly admitted as a member of Court Teviotdale, No. 238, 25 February 1898. [The Douglas family was related by marriage to the Behrns family] [ AC 42 ] File 2: Canadian Order of Foresters, certificate that Moses J. Douglas was duly admitted as a member of Court Teviotdale, No.238, 17 May 1902. Colour lithograph on paper; has been heavily cropped, likely to fit in a small frame. [ AC 42 ] File 3: Canadian Order of Foresters. certificate that William Behrns was duly admitted as a member of Court Harriston, No.34, 30 March 1905. [ AC 42 ] File 4: Will and probate of Caroline Behrns, Village of Mildmay, Township of Carrick / Howick, County of Huron, 1906-1907. File 5: William Behrns and Retta Behrns, documents, 1907-1949. - Item 1 William Behrns, sample of his signature, undated. - Item 2 Design with name Myretta M. Doubledee, undated. - Item 3: Deed, Clifford Cemetery Plot 299, issued to William Behrns, 18 April 1907. - Item 4: Retta Maude Behrns, will and probate, 29 January 1971. - Item 5: William Behrns will and probate, 14 April 1971. - Item 6: William Behrns, Book of Remembrance, April 1949. - Item 7: Cards of condolence, April 1949. - Item 8: Cards of condolence accompanying flowers, April 1949. - Item 9: William Behrns, obituary, 19 April 1949 File 6: Behrns (and other) obituaries, 1936-2015. - Item 1: Mrs. Samuel Behrns, born in Erin, Mount Vernon Washington, 1936. - Item 2: Mrs. Louise Behrns, born in Howick, Clifford, 1961. - Item 3: David Morrison, Egremont Township, husband of Eleanor Behrns, 20 November 1972. - Item 4: Harvey Behrns, Harriston, formerly of Clifford, 3 October 1979. - Item 5: Norman Behrns of Listowel, formerly of Howick Township, 25 July 1985. - Item 6: William Henry Behrns, Wroxeter, 28 February 1988. - Item 7: Anne Muriel (McPherson) Behrns, Harriston, 4 May 1990. - Item 8: Donald Henry Werner, Clifford, 11 December 2000. - Item 9: Wilma Christina (Seip) Werner, Clifford, 28 November 2005. - Item 10: Larry William Seip, Walkerton, 23 September 2008. - Item 11: Kelly Behrns, 19 September 2010. - Item 12: Russell Behrns, 24 November 2010. - Item 13: Lee Behrns, London, 04 April 2011. - Item 14: Elwood Douglas, Harriston, brother-in-law of Marion Behrns, 26 March 2014. - Item 15: Allan Jacob Seip, Walkerton, 11 June 2014. - Item 16: Derril Hallman, Howick Township, husband of Esther Behrns, 27 April 2015. File 7: Canadian Order of Foresters, certificate that Brother Elwood L. Douglas is a member of the Court Harriston, No.34, 7 March 1957. File 8: Behrns genealogy, 2017. Handwritten notes and computer generated family trees; includes letters regarding family history addressed to Marjorie Douglas. Latest date 2017. File 9: Photocopies made in researching this donation, 2017. Subseries 2: Laura Behrns, 1898-1995. File 1: Laura Behrns, certificates, 1898-1947. - Item 1: Certificate of Birth, 23 October 1898. - Item 2: admission to Collegiate Institute, High School or Continuation School, 20 July 1912. - Item 3-6: Middle and Upper School Examination results, 1923-1925. - Item 7: Letter of Certification, attendance at Stratford Normal School, 1925-1926. - Item 8-9: St. John Ambulance Assn. certificate in "First Aid to the Injured" and "Home Nursing," March and June 1926. - Item 10: Certificate of Qualification / Physical Training, 28 April 1926. - Item 11: Macdonald Institute, Diploma, Normal Class, 22 June 1928. - Item 12: Upper School Examination results, June 1929. - Item 13: Teaching Certificate, Permanent First Class, 8 July 1930. - Item 14: Teaching Certificate, Elementary Physical Culture, 17 September 1930. - Item 15: Macdonald Institute, Teaching Certificate, Household Science, 11 December 1930. - Item 16: Letter of certification, Special Course "B," 12 August 1932. - Item 17: Toronto Conservatory of Music, Grade VIII singing, 28 February 1939. - Item 18: Letter of certification, "Refresher Course in Home Economics," July 1947. - Item 19: Summary, in hand of Laura Behrns, of her years at Public School (1906-1911), High School (1911-1914), Normal School (1925-1926) and Mac[donald] Institute (1926-1928). File 2: Yearbook published by the students of the Ontario Agricultural College and Macdonald Institute, Volume XIII [13], 1927, 118 pages. The page opposite page 118 has autographs and addresses. Found inside, ribbon with text: "Golden Anniversary Alumni." [Laura Behrns graduated the following year, 1928] File 3: Laura Behrns, teaching career, 1929-1953. - Item, 1: Summary of work experience prepared by the Teachers' Superannuation Commission, Province of Ontario, showing she taught at the School for the Blind, Brantford, 1929-1946; and at Wingham High School, 1948-1953. - Item 2: Mme. Chaing Kai-shek, booklet and newspaper clipping from Brantford Expositor, 13 March 1943. - Item 3: Ontario Department of Education, letter of thanks regarding her years at the Ontario School for the Blind, Brantford, 23 June 1947 - Item 4: Letter of certification that Laura M. Behrns was a member of staff at Wingham District High School, 1947-1953, 22 November 1957. - Item 5: Printed materials from the Ontario Teachers' Pension Board, ca.1996. - file 4: Laura Behrns, Christmas cards, ca.1940-ca.1990. File 5: Laura Behrns, correspondence, 1956-1992. - Item 1: Address book. - Item 2: Evans Echoes, 8-page booklet, January 1956. - Item 3: The White House Albany Room [London, England], menu for Guelph University tour, 2 September 1977. [see ph 50567] - Item 4: Membership card, Century Club, University of Guelph, [undated]. - Item 5: Envelope [empty] addressed to Miss Laura Behrns, Publicity Chairman, Harriston Branch, Canadian Cancer Society, Harriston, Ontario, 8 March 1978. - Item 6: Letter from Grant & Deverell, Barristers & Solicitors, regarding easement rights, and requiring her signature, 19 April 1985. - Item 7: Letter from Murray Cox, Warden of Wellington County, congratulating her on her upcoming 90th birthday, 14 October 1988. - Item 8: Letter from "Reita and all," Edmonton, Alberta, with family news, 1 December 1991. - Item 9: Letter from Keith Dickson, Warden of Wellington County, congratulating her on her upcoming 94th birthday, 1 October 1992. File 6: Laura Behrns and Retta Behrns, expenditures, 1958-1971. - Item 1-6: United Church Annuity Gift Agreements (6), signed with Retta Behrns, 1947-1965. - Item 7-8: United Church Annuity Gift Agreements (2), signed with Laura Behrns, 1 December 1958 and 12 May 1960. - Item 9: Harriston Motors, 2-page estimates re new 1964 Chevy, ca.1964. - Item 10: United Church of Canada, letter and statement of annuity income, 17 February 1971. File 7: Laura Behrns, death, 1995. - Item 1: Victoria Order of Nurses, statement of amount due, 17 March 1995. - Item 2: Letter from Hardy-Lee Funeral Home Ltd., Harriston, enclosing "Proof of Death Certification," 8 March 1995. - Item 3: Newspaper obituaries, 1995. - Item 4: Cards of condolence and In Memoriam cards, 1995. - Item 5: Grant, Deverell, Lemaich & Barclay, Will, and Notice of Executor's Application ..." 17 March 1995. - Item 6: Gray's Auction Service Inc., Harriston, detail of consignment sale, 6 May 1995. - Item 7: Harriston Monument Works Ltd., invoice (paid) for inscription date for Laura Behrns, [added] in the Harriston Cemetery, 18 May 1995. - Item 8: Audiocassette recording of the memorial service held at Harriston United Church, the Reverend Neil Young officiating. [ AVC 11 ] SERIES 2: PHOTOGRAPHS, ca.1870-2016. Where span dates are used following a photographer's name, they are taken from Glen C. Phillips two directories "The Ontario Photographers List." Subseries 1: Behrns family photos, ca.1870-2002. - ph 50507: Sepia carte-de-visite. Portrait of Sam Behrns. Photographer unknown, ca.1870. - ph 50508: Sepia cabinet card. Portrait of woman, unidentified. Photographer: C.A. Lee, Listowel, 1882-1900. - ph 50509: Sepia cabinet card. Man, standing, woman seated, child seated on table. Identified, very faintly on reverse, as Jean Wightman, Uncle Ben [and] Aunt Mary (Behrns) Wightman. Photo: George Rawe, Walkerton, 1889-1896. - ph 50510: Sepia cabinet card. Full-length portrait of Mary Wightman. Photo: George Rawe, Walkerton, 1889-1896. - ph 50511: B&w print. Portrait of Grandmother Behrns. With note she was born Dorotar Halana Christina Gadke. Her will is signed Caroline Behrns. Photo: M.S. Copeland, Harriston, 1897-1900. - ph 50512: Sepia print. Two women, one standing, one seated. Identified as daughters of Aunt Mary Wightman (nee Behrns) - Jean Wightman and Ethel Tucker (nee Wightman). Photo: Fraser, Toronto. 1901-1906. - ph 50513 - ph 50514: Two b&w copyprints [of ph 20110 and ph 20111], showing employees in front of the building with name William Davies Co. Ltd, Harriston. It was a pork packing company, dating from 1898. The women employees are dressed in white; Mary Ellen (Ella) Behrns (nee Dally) is identified, 4th from right, second row. Photographer unknown, ca.1910. - ph 50515: Sepia print. Portrait of Norman Wightman, son of Aunt Mary Wightman (nee Behrns). Photo: Hall's Gentry Studio, Dallas-Lawton, Little Rock, Idaho, USA, ca.1918. - ph 50516: B&w print. Studio portrait identified as Kenneth Tucker, son of Ethel Tucker (nee Wightman). Photographer: New Paramount Studios, Toronto, ca.1920. - ph 50517 - ph 50518: Two b&w prints. 4 women, unidentified, a masonry bridge in background; man, women and children with gardening implements and watering can. Photographer unknown, ca.1930. - ph 50519: B&w copyprint. Behrns girls - Eleanor, Marjorie, and Esther, seated "where the cenotaph now is." Photographer unknown, ca.1930. - ph 50520: B&w copyprint. Dad - Norman Behrns and his team. Photographer unknown, ca.1940. - ph 50521: B&w copyprint. L-r: Willie, Marjorie, Dad [Norman Behrns], Eleanor, Esther, Russell; in front: Alice and Anne. They are standing on a toboggan, in the snow. Photographer unknown, ca.1940. - ph 50522: B&w copyprint. Esther, Mama, Grandma Behrns, Marjorie, Alice and Anne. Alice and Anne are holding young animals. Photographer unknown, ca.1940. - ph 50523: B&w print. Wedding of Leroy Behrns to Marion Patterson. Photographer unknown, ca.1950. - ph 50524: Colour Kodak-Polaroid print. Mr. and Mrs. Louis Behrns and Mrs. Nelson. Photographer unknown, ca.1955. - ph 50525 - ph 50527: Three related colour prints identified as "Visit from Laura and Norman Wightman, and Ethel Tucker with them. Photographer unknown, August 1960. - ph 50528: Colour print. Four women, seated on front stoop, unidentified as Judy, Corrie's mother, Margaret (nee Behrns), Carolyn. Photographer unknown, ca.1960. - ph 50529 - ph 50530. Two related colour prints. Mrs. William (Retta) Behrns, standing next to her front porch, Elora Street North, Harriston; Photographer unknown, September 1970. - ph 50531: Colour print. Harold [and] Lena Klein, Dad and Muriel. Photographer unknown, 1972. - ph 50532: Colour print. The Harold Kleins and Molly. Photographer unknown, 1974. - ph 50533: Colour print. Home of William and Retta Behrns and their daughter Laura, Elora Street North, Harriston. Photographer unknown, ca.1990. - ph 50534: Colour print. Lloyd and Muriel Behrns. Photographer unknown, 8 July 1995. - ph 50535: Colour print. Unidentified [wedding?] couple in white, standing behind elderly couple, seated. Photographer unknown, ca.2000. - ph 50536: Colour print. Tombstone on Behrns farm, with name "Groin George."[?] Photographer unknown, ca.2000. - ph 50537: Colour print. Bride and groom, standing in front of cross and candles. On reverse "Karen." Photographer: Marcon Studio, Palmerston, ca.2000. - ph 50538: Colour print. Three men, two seated, one standing, holding a child. They are identified as Norman Behrns, seated right (August 1904 - 26 July 1985; his son, Russell, seated left (25 July 1932 - 24 November 2010); his son Lorne Behrns (b.1957) holding his son Andrew (b.November 1981) Andrew later has a son Brady (b. May 2016). Photographer unknown, ca.1981; reprinted October 2002. Subseries 2: Laura Behrns , 1898-1994. - ph 50539: B&w print. Laura at 3 months, seated in wicker chair. Photo: M.S. Copland, Harriston, 1898. [includes 2 copyprints] - ph 50540: B&w print Laura leaning against a fur, Photo: Copeland, Harriston, 1899. [includes 2 copyprints] - ph 50541: B&w print. Laura is one of two girls seated opposite one another, having tea; they are almost identically dressed. Photographer unknown, ca.1900. [includes 2 copyprints] - ph 50542: B&w print. Laura with her mother Retta and father William. Photo: Browne / H.A. Kelsey, Durham, ca.1903. - ph 50543: Album. One number has been assigned to this album of 84 b&w prints. There are no names, places or dates identified, but a handwritten note at the front explains "Miscellaneous snaps - some [Harriston] High School [1911-1914] and Normal School, Stratford [1925-1926]. Boarded with Stewarts [in] Stratford / six of us at Stewarts." Also scenes on the farm; automobiles; picnics; snow-shoeing; in costumes; at the beach; on the OAC campus[?]. Photographer unknown. - ph 50544: B&w postcard. Laura and the Sorrel horse, Photographer unknown, ca.1920. - ph 50545 - ph 50546: Two related b&w prints. Laura with two children on a swing; Laura with 5 other girls. Photographer unknown, ca.1925. - ph 50547 - ph 50548: Two related b&w prints. Unidentified youngsters doing gymnastics, outdoors on mats. Photographer unknown, ca.1926. [Laura received her certificate to instruct in Physical Exercises from Stratford Normal School in 1926]. - ph 50549: B&w panoramic print. Field Day, Macdonald Hall, Guelph, Ont. Laura Behrns is the woman wearing headband and glasses, in middle row, eighteenth from the left. Photo by The O'Keeffes, 15 October 1926. Crack down right side of image. Blank on reverse. [ MC 71 ] - ph 50550: B&w studio portrait of Laura. Photographer unknown; framed by Lough's Drugs, Brantford, ca.1930. - ph 50551 - ph 50560: Ten b&w prints. Identified as "Killarney Mountain Trip with Margaret McGregor, [August] 1936." [Killarney Mountain Lodge is on the North shore of Georgian Bay, midway between Little Current and French River. Names appearing on reverse are: K. Shaw; Mrs. Cork (Ella)(Breezer)); Margaret Shaw; Mr. Windfield [Winfield?]; Mrs. Montgomery; Mrs. Cannington; Art Jackson; Jackie Gardiner; Helen Dejardine; David Cork; Georgie Green (G.G.); Pearl Laybourne; Marjorie Read; Mabel Gardhouse; Art Eedy (artist); Dorothy Williams; Helen McReady; Margaret Dejardine; Hamilton Miller (Ham); Jim Kinnear; Mr. Cork (Stuey[?]); Margaret Kinnear; Grace Hart (Harty); Eleanor Bier; Mrs. Montgomery (American); Kate McGregor; Margaret McGregor. Photographer unknown, 1936. - ph 50561: B&w print. Laura standing in front of a tree diameter, about 3 metres high. Identified as "Prince Rupert [BC], June 1940." Rubber stamp 'Jus Rite.' - ph 50562: B&w print. Laura packing the car. Photographer unknown, ca.1940. - ph 50563: B&w print. Large, four-storey brick institution, unidentified. Photographer unknown, ca.1940. - ph 50564: Sepia print. Laura (right) with her mother[?] (centre) and another girl her age (left). Photographer unknown, ca.1940. - ph 50565: B&w print. Laura (left) with her mother (right). There are palm trees in the background. Photographer unknown, ca.1950. - ph 50566: Colour print: From left, Laura Behrns and her mother, Retta Behrns. Photographer unknown, ca.1965. - ph 50567: Colour print: Laura on tour in British Isles. Photographer unknown, 1977. - ph 50568: Colour print. Laura in costume for Harriston Centennial. Photographer unknown, 1978. - ph 50569 - ph 50570: Two related colour prints; Laura; and Laura with Linda Douglas. Photographer unknown, ca.1980. - ph 50571: Colour print. Laura donates her 1964 Chevy to Harriston United Church 'Silent Auction'. Photographer unknown, February 1994. - ph 50572: Colour print: Laura in her room at Geri-Care, celebrating her 96th birthday. Photographer unknown, 23 October 1994. |
Creator \ Maker |
Behrns, Laura |
Creator \ Maker |
Douglas, Marjorie Canadian Order of Foresters Rawe, George Lee, C. A. Copeland, M. S. Hall's Gentry Studio New Paramount Studios Marcon Studio Copeland Browne Kelsey, H. A. O'Keeffes |
Item Name |
Audio Cassette Cabinet Card Carte-de-visite Certificate Copy Print Correspondence Genealogy Insurance Policy Letter Panoramic Print Policy Prints Will Yearbook |
Person \ Organization |
Behrns Bier, Eleanor Brantford Expositor Brantford School for the Blind Browne Canadian Cancer Society Canadian Order of Foresters Cannington (Mrs.) Chaing Kai-shek (Mme.) Clifford Cemetery Copland, M. S. Cork, David Cork, Ella (Mrs.) Court Harriston #34 Court Teviotdale No.238 Cox, Murray Dally, Mary Ellen (Ella) Dejardine, Helen Dejardine, Margaret Deverell, Lemaich and Barclay Dickson, Keith Doubledee, Maretia Doubledee, Myretta M. Douglas, Elwood Douglas, Linda Douglas, Marjorie Douglas, Moses James Douglas, William Eedy, Art Fraser Gadke, Caroline Gadke, Dorotar Halana Christina Gardhouse, Mabel Gardiner, Jackie George, Groin Geri-Care Harriston Grant and Deverell Gray's Auction Service Incorporated Green, Georgie (G.G.) Groin, George Hall's Gentry Studio Hallman, Derril Hardy-Lee Funeral Home Harriston Cemetery Harriston Cenotaph Harriston Centennial Harriston High School Harriston Monument Works Harriston Motors Harriston Pork Packing Company Limited Harriston Public School Harriston United Church Hart, Grace Jackson, Art Kelsey Studio Kelsey, H. A. Killarney Mountain Lodge Kinnear, Jim Kinnear, Margaret Klein, Harold Klein, Lena Laybourne, Pearl Lee Studio Lee, C. A. Leybourne Lough's Drugs MacDonald Institute Macdonald Institute Marcon Studio McGregor, Kate McGregor, Margaret McPherson, Anne Muriel McReady, Helen Miller, Hamilton Montgomery Morrison, David Nelson New Paramount Studios O'Keeffes Ontario Agricultural College Ontario Department of Education Ontario School For the Blind Ontario School For the Blind Ontario Teachers' Pension Board Ontario Teachers' Superannuation Commission Patterson, Marion Rawe, George Read, Marjorie (Mrs.) Seip, Allan Jacob Seip, Larry William Seip, Wilma Christina Shaw, K. Shaw, Margaret St. John Ambulance Association St. John's Ambulance Association Stewart Stratford Normal School Toronto Conservatory of Music Tucker, Ethel Tucker, Kenneth United Church of Canada University of Guelph University of Guelph Century Club Victorian Order of Nurses Werner, Donald Henry Werner, Wilma Christina Wightman, Ethel Wightman, Jean Wightman, Laura Wightman, Mary Wightman, Norman William Davies Company Limited Williams, Dorothy Winfield Wingham District High School Wingham High School Young, Neil (Rev.) |
Place |
Alberta British Columbia Carrick Twp. Clifford County of Wellington Durham Edmonton Egremont Elora Elora Street England Erin Georgian Bay Germany Guelph Harriston Howick Twp. Huron County Idaho Killarney Listowel Little Rock London Mildmay Mount Abbot Mount Vernon Prince Rupert Stratford Teviotdale Thomas Street Toronto Walkerton Washington Wroxeter |
Subject |
Christmas Education Fraternal organizations Genealogy Law Property Religion Sports Transportation |
Photo, Map # |
ph 50507 ph 50508 ph 50509 ph 50510 ph 50511 ph 50512 ph 50513 ph 50514 ph 50515 ph 50516 ph 50517 ph 50518 ph 50519 ph 50520 ph 50521 ph 50522 ph 50523 ph 50524 ph 50525 ph 50526 ph 50527 ph 50528 ph 50529 ph 50530 ph 50531 ph 50532 ph 50533 ph 50534 ph 50535 ph 50536 ph 50537 ph 50538 ph 50539 ph 50540 ph 50541 ph 50542 ph 50543 ph 50544 ph 50545 ph 50546 ph 50547 ph 50548 ph 50549 ph 50550 ph 50551 ph 50552 ph 50553 ph 50554 ph 50555 ph 50556 ph 50557 ph 50558 ph 50559 ph 50560 ph 50561 ph 50562 ph 50563 ph 50564 ph 50565 ph 50566 ph 50567 ph 50568 ph 50569 ph 50570 ph 50571 ph 50572 |
Year Range from |
1870 |
Year Range to |
2017 |
Accession # |
A2017.140 |
Containers |
MU 1391 STACKS AVC11 AC42 MC71 |