tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71721511240885823292012-01-25T06:54:37.577-08:00Sharing information on the Bemisters of Carbonear, a family from Corfe Mullen, Dorset, England which first settled in Newfoundland in 1803. Today the descendants are widely distributed throughout Canada and the United States.Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.comBlogger411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-43305913866382641772011-03-26T07:01:00.000-07:002011-03-28T08:28:23.482-07:00

Joseph William Nichols, FSA - played a key role in developing the visual arts in Newfoundland.An English trained artist known at "Professor Nichols" or J.W. Nichols, he emigrated to St. John's from his home in Leeds, Yorkshire to become Art Master at the Methodist College. He left that position to create and run the St. John's School of Art which was known for:Classes daily in oil, watercolour,

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-20278836022800769652011-02-05T06:07:00.000-08:002011-02-05T07:40:39.595-08:00

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-53619604352796182232010-08-11T07:43:00.000-07:002010-08-11T11:24:26.442-07:00

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-44132315313683724692010-08-04T12:41:00.000-07:002010-08-04T12:46:10.539-07:00

Bemisters from across North America are headed home - to an ancestral home being Carbonear, Newfoundland. Keep posted here for updates on Bemister 2010. By the way this blog post is being written in the airport lounge in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island - as we await our flight to St. John's. Looking forward to seeing everyone.CheersIan Scott

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-47204720971150412492010-08-04T06:12:00.000-07:002010-08-04T06:13:11.703-07:00

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Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-70749207578687095242010-07-28T10:38:00.000-07:002010-07-28T10:45:42.711-07:00

Come Ye One and All !to the2010 Bemister Family Reunionto be heldAugust 6th to 8th, 2010atThe Royal Canadian LegionCarbonearNewfoundland & Labrador, CanadaIn celebration of the 263rd Birthday of John Bemister of Corfe Mullen! • Meet distant cousins from all over North America and UK • Explore Bemister genealogy and family history • Experience traditional Newfoundland hospitality •

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-52563901808431530752010-07-28T10:25:00.000-07:002010-07-28T10:29:47.788-07:00

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-79758041514662061512010-07-28T10:16:00.000-07:002010-07-28T10:25:05.079-07:00

It was a real surprise to discover pictures that were previously unknown which have recently surfaced. These include very early images of Bemister relatives as well as letters.Of the letters:The first is from W W Bemister [dated 21 Aug. 1855] to his daughter Maria Shepherd. It's very brittle and is of the type where the full sheet of paper was folded up and addressed on the outside -- no envelope

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-26984392122697133022010-05-10T06:57:00.000-07:002010-05-10T07:32:45.319-07:00

The Bemister Gallery is our effort to share the visual heritage of the Bemisters of Carbonear with friends and family but we need your pictures - to make it happen.Due to the fact that families become widely distributed and portraits and other pictures were not easy to copy at one time - we sometime end up without ever seeing a picture of our own ancestors. It thus become a special treat to

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-89607662847413891552010-04-23T17:36:00.000-07:002010-04-23T17:41:52.557-07:00

It will be a grand time - if prior reunions are any indication. So pack your camera, and your dancing shoes because a Bemister reunion is a memory making event.The registration materials are out in the mail and also on this blog. They are spread out over a few posting so look at the side bar on the left for the last few to get all the details.And if by chance you have arrived here - with no prior

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-26223116748628854962010-04-19T12:53:00.000-07:002010-04-23T16:07:32.746-07:00

2010 Family Reunion Registration Form(Please return to the address above electronically or by regular post)I would like to attend the 2010 Bemister Family Reunion in Carbonear, NL from August 6th to 8th 2010 and will be accompanied by family members listed on this sheet (or attached if necessary).NAME -----------------------------------TELEPHONE ---------------------------- FEE ----------

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-14553860639446873222010-04-19T12:17:00.000-07:002010-04-19T12:52:09.102-07:00

2010 Family Reunion – Proposed Program of Activities Most activities are scheduled to start at the Royal Canadian Legion Carbonear, Newfoundland & Labrador Friday, August 6, 2010 10:00 am Registration opens Committee organizing venue, setting up posters, decorations Walking tours available for first arrivals 12:00 noon Registration continues Lunch meeting for the organizing committee

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-78900851446918907992010-04-19T12:12:00.000-07:002010-04-19T12:13:59.771-07:00

Hi Folks,Attached is the second notice for our grand celebration in Carbonear, NL from August 6 to 8, 2010 - Our 2010 Reunion is less than a half year away! We hope you will forward this notice and its attachments to as many of your Bemister relatives as possible - ASAP!We got great coverage on our last mailing and we think we will reach over 1000 families this time. Now we are still sending

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-2251884852045916412010-04-19T12:08:00.000-07:002010-04-19T12:12:13.203-07:00

We are still finding new Bemisters, both the quick and the dead. The live ones seem to be delighted to be found - like the descendants of Mary Shepherd and James Howell Shepherd, not to mention Willard Bemister Wiltse who was the grandson of Bart and Emma Bemister's brother Lad.As for the ancestors, well, I guess they are happy too. The latest is more new info on Edward Bemister's unfortunate

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-91647082657482332052010-03-15T08:18:00.000-07:002010-03-16T09:39:15.999-07:00

Just discovered this article from The Daily Echo, in Bournemouth, Dorset which tells of our 2004 visit as part of the Bemister family reunion in England to the churchyard grave at St Hubert's Church where my Bemister ancestors are buried - GGGG grandparents John Bemister (1747-1832) and Mary (Willis) Bemister (1749-1838).A very special site, we also held a small memorial service within St

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-72944338123628183492010-03-15T07:58:00.000-07:002010-03-15T08:00:18.527-07:00

Since we first began this Bemister voyage of discovery in the spring of 1997, we have had picnics, dinners, lunches, reunions and fun from coast to coast in Canada – and a wonderful 1995 reunion on the old sod at the home of John and Mary Bemister in Corfe Mullen, Dorset. More than 500 Bemisters have gotten involved for activities in Carbonear, Vancouver, Toronto area (twice), St John’s and

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-44964523955451618792010-03-15T07:55:00.000-07:002010-03-15T07:57:56.675-07:00

You can easily fly into St. John’s International airport by major airlines and from there it will take just over an hour to drive to Carbonear. West Jet and Air Canada have been running seat sales with discount fares right up to the period of our reunion. Currently you can fly return from Toronto for under $500. For our American cousins it may be worth making a connection through Vancouver or

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-85303034777532151892010-03-15T07:53:00.000-07:002010-03-15T07:55:07.793-07:00

Our program of activities will be fleshed out in more detail closer to the event. But following on the pattern of past events and your feedback we have produced a tentative agenda which is on the attached sheet. When your send in your registration form it would be helpful if you would also let us know what your preferences are from the list supplied for tours, workshops and other activities ,

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-34733858438837898662010-03-15T07:51:00.000-07:002010-03-15T07:53:19.884-07:00

2010 Bemister Family ReunionREGISTRATION Now is the time to reserve your berth on the Brigantine Bemister, time to let us know you will be taking part in this grand celebration of the 263rd birthday of John Bemister of Corfe Mullen, time to commit to take part in a celebration of our whole family – all eight generations! A registration form is attached and you should fill it out and submit

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-41641834423707659212010-03-15T07:46:00.000-07:002010-03-15T07:50:24.547-07:00

2010 Bemister Family ReunionAugust 6th to 8th, 2010 Carbonear, Newfoundland & Labrador, CanadaWe are now within six months of our exciting 2010 Reunion to be held at the Royal Canadian Legion, in Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada from August 6 to 8, 2010. Carbonear became the ancestral home of the present day Bemisters after William and Edward left Corfe Mullen, Dorset in 1803 and

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-82981965721937862132009-12-11T12:23:00.000-08:002009-12-11T12:36:03.339-08:00

Planning for the Bemister Reunion 2010 is coming along well. Recently committee chair, Cameron Hopkins of Prince George, BC announced the membership of the planning committee. They include individuals from across the continent:Leslie Forward -- Carbonear, NLBert Parsons -- Carbonear, NLJoe Noel -- Carbonear, NLSandra Rowe -- St. John’s, NLMildred Tucker -- St. John’s

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-6267691541119718512009-12-10T06:04:00.000-08:002009-12-10T06:08:51.984-08:00

Thanks to the efforts of Steve Bemister --there is now a Bemister descendants group on Facebook.Called Bemister's Reunite, it is a great way of staying in touch with relatives.Check it out Bemister's Reunite !!

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-26685967437629884022009-12-10T05:52:00.000-08:002009-12-10T06:03:59.235-08:00

Now just 8 months away - the 2010 Bemister Family Reunion looks like it will be the largest gathering yet. It is being held, August 6th to 8th, 2010, at the Royal Canadian Legion in Carbonear, Newfoundland & Labrador.The event will be in celebration of the 263rd birthday of John Bemister of Lambsgreen Farm, Corfe Mullen, Dorset, England - the founder, along with his wife Mary Willis of the

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-50044247499041659722009-08-14T09:40:00.000-07:002009-08-14T09:43:21.674-07:00

To be held August 6th to 8th, 2010at The Royal Canadian LegionCarbonear, Newfoundland, CanadaIn celebration of the 263rd Birthday of John Bemister of Corfe Mullen! • Meet distant cousins from all over North America and UK • Explore Bemister genealogy and family history • Experience traditional Newfoundland hospitality • Enjoy guided bus tours of Carbonear and nearby communities • Take

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-58931716587537702622009-08-06T07:23:00.000-07:002009-08-06T07:27:13.947-07:00

In exactly one year from this week, family will gather in Carbonear as the Bemisters of Carbonear hold a reunion in the community that connects all descendants of the two pioneer brothers (William Willis Bemister and his younger brother Edward) who moved there in the early 1800's.The Steering Committee have been working on plans which are well underway, and will be distributed within weeks.We

Cameron Hopkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04544943363597019512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-42155313912351283172009-03-20T07:24:00.001-07:002009-03-20T07:42:14.659-07:00

Anyone involved with Bemister of Carbonear research and events will know Cameron Hopkins as he has been a driving force behind the organizing of family events across North America, and the UK over the last decade.I had the opportunity to attend the first major event organized in Toronto in 1998 - which was totally by accident as I was in town on business and had decided to stay over for the

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-61680916970989441272009-03-20T07:13:00.000-07:002009-03-20T07:24:25.769-07:00

With mobility these days, web based email has become increasingly helpful.As well, easy to remember addresses come in handy - thus a new address is now in place to assist with reunion planning for the Bemisters of Carbonear Family Reunion 2010. And what more appropriate address than bemister2010@gmail.com, as a point of contact. All mail sent to the address will go directly to Cameron Hopkins,

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-72061366383453038252009-03-15T17:38:00.001-07:002009-03-20T06:22:11.832-07:00

William Willis Bemister (1789-1863)Planning is well underway for the Bemisters of Carbonear 2010 Family Reunion, to ensure that it will be a grand opportunity to discover family roots and meet family members from across the North American continent. Bemisters of Carbonear because of a pair of brothers by the name of Bemister who headed out from Corfe Mullen in Dorset, England. Like many

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-89786315612233520952008-12-07T07:50:00.000-08:002009-03-15T18:32:40.638-07:00

Ideas for post reunion activities are being solicitedDraft - open for suggestionsSunday - Aug 8, 2010 - late afternoon4:30 pm Meet at Brigus or CupidsSee museum or Hawthorne Cottage, Tunnel etcHave dinner here at pre- arranged restaurantMonday, - Aug 9, 2010 - St. John’s9:00 am Need bus transportmeet at convenient spot where there is parkingBus to Cape SpearThen to Ferryland via Petty

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-31452231124170033882008-12-07T06:22:00.000-08:002009-03-15T18:32:58.541-07:00

Pre Reunion ActivityDraft - open for suggestionsIt is suggested that we provide opportunities for sight seeing with a Bemister flavour before and after the reunion - on a pay as you go basis. We could consider some sort of pre-registration so folks would have name tags and buttons for easy identification. Possibilities are given below. It is especially important for St. John’s committee

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-67160050305300441222008-12-07T06:17:00.000-08:002009-03-15T18:33:16.809-07:00

2010 Bemister Family Reunion - Carbonear, NewfoundlandDraft - open for suggestionsGame Plan - First Draft -Schedule of events for the Carbonear Reunion.Our objectives are:∙ to celebrate the history and heritage of the Bemister family rooted in Carbonear and Freshwater, Newfoundland expressed through the lives of the ancestor as reflected in stories, artifacts, grave stones and historical

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-23033715143053314402008-03-20T08:06:00.000-07:002009-03-20T09:24:24.830-07:00

The Parish Church of Wimborne Minster, Dorset has a enduring significance for the Bemister Family of Carbonear.It was on the 30th of May 1785, in the Minster - as it is locally known - that John Bemister married Mary Willis. John had been baptised there on the 13th of November, 1747.It would be two of the three sons that John & Mary raised at nearby Lambsgreen Farm - a location that is now a

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-38611040745385621592007-05-14T15:28:00.000-07:002009-03-15T18:37:10.526-07:00

A really interesting site is that of Everton House, now a very fine B & B, which Hon John Bemister had built in 1891 and passed on to his daughter Hannah m. to H. J. B. Woods. HJB and Hannah had 7 daughters two of whom were grandmothers of members of our St. John’s organizing committee! Everton House graciously hosted a meeting of our committee last summer and we had a delicious afternoon tea

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-44441001572549167712007-05-14T15:26:00.000-07:002009-03-15T18:34:18.598-07:00

We would like to ask for your help in building the family tree and telling the family story. We are attaching a family group record form, which you could use as a guide to recording information on your own immediate family. Please enter full names, given names, dates, places, etc. Photocopy to produce other forms as needed - one for each nuclear family. We will be updating our wall charts

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-28991883607119318192007-05-14T15:25:00.001-07:002009-03-15T18:33:53.441-07:00

We are planning to hold further reunions in Vancouver, BC in May 2008 and in Carbonear, Newfoundland in August 2010. The event in Vancouver will likely be a dinner similar to the one we held in 2003. We have an active organizing committee in Newfoundland doing preliminary work on a major weekend event to be held in St. John’s and Carbonear two years down the road. Do tell us if you are

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-53655587063753838482007-05-14T15:24:00.001-07:002007-05-14T15:47:32.706-07:00

This year we Bemisters of Carbonear are organizing an exciting family picnic and pot luck supper at a lovely rural location in southern Ontario – just a bit north east of Toronto. We hope you will join dozens of other members of your extended family and become acquainted with our proud family heritage rooted in the West Country, England and Freshwater and Carbonear, Newfoundland. Our Bemister

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-24216080732991932762007-05-14T15:22:00.000-07:002007-05-14T15:23:32.574-07:00

ONTARIO FAMILY PICNIC & POT LUCK SUPPERSunday, August 5, 2007GOODWOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE, GOODWOOD, ONTARIO3:00 pm to 8:00 pm 3:00 pm family fun children’s activities family history and genealogy show and tell family photos Newfoundland music Bemister travelling museum

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-79959137403261161412007-03-20T08:38:00.000-07:002009-03-20T09:19:28.365-07:00

In 2004 when the Bemisters of Carbonear held their reunion in the Poole area of Dorset, UK a very special gathering was held at the site of what researchers have concluded is most likely their ancestral home.Lambs Green Inn in Corfe Mullen is now a thriving country pub which was established in 1980's in a farmhouse - what was long known as Lambs Green Farm. Located on Lambs Green Lane and still

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-23558824721183065682006-12-19T09:40:00.000-08:002006-12-19T10:19:15.677-08:00

The website for Wimbourne Minster tells a bit of the history of this church which has served its community for over 1300 years. It remains an important site for descendants of John Bemister (1747-1832) and Mary Willis (1749-1838) as they were married there on 30 May 1785. Their sons (William Willis Bemister and brother Edward) established the Newfoundland Bemister family at Carbonear.Likewise the

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-91538858555944050582006-12-19T09:31:00.000-08:002006-12-21T11:52:34.534-08:00

The Rorke Family fonds, ca.1880 - 1970, includes 330 images of the Rorke, Bemister and Forward families of Carbonear. The Bemister and Forward families were connected to the Rorkes by marriage ties. These images paint a picture of life in Carbonear, Newfoundland from the 1880's to 1970's.Locating the first pictures I have ever seen of William Willis Bemister and his son Capt. Willis Bemister (who

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172151124088582329.post-47445855950384176942006-12-18T06:16:00.000-08:002006-12-18T06:21:37.700-08:00

Hi Folks,This blog is dedicated to the Bemister family name - maintaining contact among those who share Bemister ancestry and interest in family history research.Check out Bemister@HomePort for more informationSincerelyIan Scott

Ian Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453587341989310612noreply@blogger.com0