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Green Routes: Experiencing the Peter Robinson Emigration 1825

Rosemary McConkey has been spinning stories about the Irish in the Peterborough area for many years. As the bicentennial of the major Irish emigration of 1825 approaches, she shares her favourite stories in a book, Green Routes. The stories span some 200 years and showcase the impressive legacy of the Peter Robinson Settlers and their descendants from before, during and after their transatlantic voyage. These families developed a love for Canada over generations.

Green Routes looks at different experiences by the Robinson Settlers of 1825 and their descendants. Stories of the earliest Robinson settlers include that of schoolmaster Patrick Barragy and his brave efforts to persuade the government to support schools for new emigrants. McConkey also writes about the Robinson settlers of Douro Township who were truly thankful for the opportunities that came from emigration. Her fascination extends to descendants whose far-flung paths took them to destinations as far away as Indiana and points in the American mid-west, including Coach Frank W. Leahy of the University of Notre Dame football team.

These stories resonate with Peterborough experiences at other times. The area has a long history of migrations, short and long, coming in or going away. The First Nations, the Colony Settlers, later emigrations of Irish, British, and Italians, those from other parts of Canada, and more recently from diverse parts of Asia and Central America have come to Peterborough.

Green Routes looks at different experiences by the Robinson Settlers of 1825 and their descendants. In part, McConkey pays tribute to the resilience of the pioneers and their enduring values. She also invites others to join her in celebrating their continuing contributions to the life of Peterborough city and county.

Purchase for pick-up at TVA

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Trent Valley Archives

Trent Valley Archives

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4 weeks ago

Trent Valley Archives
With our 2023 tour season coming to a close, we're turning our attention to next year, and we want your help! We've developed a short 5 minute survey to get your input on what you thought about the tours you attended this year and what you'd like to see us offer next year. Didn't take a tour with us this year? No problem! We still want to hear from you about what might entice you to take a tour with us in the future.We'll be using the feedback we get from this survey to help us determine which tours we'll be offering next year, so we appreciate anyone who takes the time to share their opinions with us! The survey will remain open until this Sunday, November 19 at midnight. Click here to take the survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/696BDD8 ... See MoreSee Less
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4 weeks ago

Trent Valley Archives
We put together this album a few years ago with submissions from community members who sent in photographs and stories of their family members who served, primarily, in the First and Second World Wars.Because of COVID-19, many in-person Remembrance Day memorials will not be held this year. To ensure Remembrance Day and the brave men and women from this area who fought for our country are still commemorated, we've decided to launch a military heroes community photo album.This album will contain pictures and accompanying stories that you send to us about the people in your family who served in the military. They do not have to be from the Peterborough area, although we expect some of them will be!We will be accepting submissions from Wednesday October 28 to Tuesday November 10, and will be posting every submission we receive to this album. You can comment on our post about the project with your submission, message it to us, or email it to us at admin @ trentvalleyarchives .comAlthough what you submit to us is up to you, you may want to include the following information with your submission:- Name- Place of Residence (Peterborough, or otherwise)- Military Service Information (Regiment, etc.)- Brief Description of Their Activities During the War- Brief Description of Their Activities After the War ... See MoreSee Less
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4 weeks ago

Trent Valley Archives
Today is Remembrance Day. We're taking time out of our day today to honour all the people from the Peterborough area who fought for our freedom, and we hope you're doing the same. If there is someone in your family you're honouring today, leave a comment down below and share their story with us. Our archives building will also be closed today in observance of Remembrance Day. We'll reopen again on Tuesday at 10AM. ... See MoreSee Less
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