Brooks House Oshawa, located at the corner of Simcoe Street South and Baseline Road, about 1900. Oshawa Museum
My search for my elusive great-great grandfather Jacob Brooks led me not to him, but instead to the Oshawa branch of the Brooks family. Here's the story of Michael Brooks:
gillianraebrooks.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-...
Trolley Car 22 around 1904. Baldwin Collection of Canadiana, Toronto Public Library
Streetcars have always been a great way for Torontonians to navigate the city, long before the Eglinton Crosstown and the classic Red Rockets. Here's the story of Arthur Davis Moorecroft, Conductor.
gillianraebrooks.blogspot.com/2026/02/arth...
#ttc #moorecroftfamilytoronto
Nice to see my dad and uncle listed on the Hartman Jones school memorial and the Moorecroft boys on the Leslie Street school memorial. Lots of info provided on the site about the schools in question. The Second World War memorials at many schools were illuminated by A J Casson #remembranceweek
My grandfather-in-law Fred served with the 48th Highlanders. He was severely injured in 1917, losing a leg and several fingers. I've written about him here: gillianraebrooks.blogspot.com/2017/11/a-so... and here: gillianraebrooks.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#RemembranceWeek #Lestweforget
Four Moorecroft boys served in the First World War, three came home. Arthur was killed in France. Herman returned home affected by his service as a Sapper. Percy suffered from trench fever dying in the Hamilton Sanatorium. Their story is here::
gillianraebrooks.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-...
Crochet poppies
Panel describing the history of the Cenotaph
The Toronto Cenotaph
Stained glass window
Visited Old City Hall today, open for #RemembranceWeek commemoration. Appreciated seeing some of the beautiful poppies created by the Legion 101 Poppy Project and learning about the history of the Toronto Cenotaph which turns 100 this year. #lestweforget
Picture showing shelter
Back of first picture
Picture of back yard of home
Back of second picture
Surrey was heavily bombed during the war. My family's home didn't suffer a direct hit though the area endured high explosives during the Blitz in 1940 and V1s earlier in 1944. The comments on the back of these photos give us an idea of what the British went through.
#remembranceweek
Russ Brooks in uniform with young cousins
During his time in England my father visited relatives in Mitcham, Surrey This was likely the only time he met this side of the family in person. These pictures were taken at 46 Fountain Road in October 1944 and show my dad with his young cousins as well as his great aunt and uncle.
My father's portrait upon enlistment
My father's medals
Newspaper interview clipping
My father's family
My father Sergeant Gordon Russell Brooks served in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps from 1943 to 1946. He was extremely proud of his service . I wrote about him in my blog a few years ago:
gillianraebrooks.blogspot.com/2016/11/in-h...
#remembranceweek
My grandfather Corporal William T. Brooks served in the Canadian Army Service Corps from 1916-1919. He was awarded this certificate from his home town of Scarborough. I shared his artifacts with the Great War Attic project in 2018. gillianraebrooks.blogspot.com/2016/11/in-h...
#remembranceweek
Ad for H-H Inhalator
Vintage H H Inhalator
Testing the Inhalator
East York Fire Department staff
We attended the Scarborough Fire Hall #1 anniversary event today. This H H Inhalator was brand new when it was tested on my grandfather by the East York Fire Department in this 1945 photo. The pictures appeared in an article in the Evening Telegram.
When I looked through some Kingston newspapers I found some interesting things about my grandma Gertie's family. Here's my latest blog post:
gillianraebrooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-...
Victory Bond ad from the First World War showing a solider in a field of poppies
Tonight at 7:30 pm! There's still time to register for our October branch meeting. Come hear Drew Von Hasselbach tell the story of The Dead from Down the Street, with opening act OISE Library's Special Collections. Register for your Zoom link here:
torontofamilyhistory.org/event/dead-f...
Coke can from 1992 World Series
Kept this from the first time around! Go Jays!
My father's Guildcraft Loom
Excited that my article about my dad's loom has been included in the latest Guildwood Village News and Views!
www.guildwood.ca/_files/ugd/ffb3ba_1454552d624444dc824f326ff395bd1e.pdf
Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies in Canadian Records, with distinction
It's official after the virtual graduation yesterday! Took me 10 years but I've completed my PLCGS in Canadian Records
with the International Institute of Genealogical Studies.
Taking a break then coming back for more!
Red beret and arm band for the 15th battalion
1938 Canadian Corps Reunion pin
These items belonged to my husband's grandfather. He received them when he attended the Canadan Corps Reunion held in Toronto during the 1938 Civic holiday weekend. Read my blog post and find out about the Reunion here:
gillianraebrooks.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#torontohistory
Here's the story of my father's loom and the connection to the Guild of All Arts in Scarborough:
gillianraebrooks.blogspot.com/2025/07/my-f...
#guildwood #familyhistory
United Empire Loyalist certificate
Claim by Archibald Thomson for property lost when he left New York State
Happy Loyalist Day! My ancestors gave up everything to leave the US and come here and dammit I'm not going back!
Beautiful day for our yearly visit to #winterstations. Sundae was the only dog brave enough to take a dip in the lake.
The lake was angry this morning and so am I #fucktrump
Almost done! #genealogy #IIGS
Missed Remembrance Day but happy to recently see this touching memorial to my grandfather W.T. Brooks and the other Scarborough World War One veterans from his church.