Summary of a presentation by Irma Burton at a Scotch Settlement Historical Society Meeting at the Auld Kirk on July 29, 1995. She discusses Hughes and Gibbs family histories. See the Related Descriptions below for audio.

Description : Following four years of volunteer work by a team of members of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association, Governor Simcoe Slept Here - The Legacy of West Gwillimbury was launched on December 15th. In October, 2001 over forty people responded to the initial invitation to meet and discuss the possibility of writing a history of West Gwillimbury and they choose to call themselves WEGWHIST - West Gwillimbury History. The book was written by a team of 15 Bradford West Gwillimbury residents. Governor Simcoe Slept Here tells the story of the two waves of pioneer settlers to West Gwillimbury - the Scottish, Irish and English, who settled on the highlands during the 1820 - 1830 period and the European settlers who arrived a century later to the Holland Marsh. Churches, schools and hamlets are documented in the two volumes, along a CD which includes "The Many Faces of West Gwillimbury" as photographed by Franz Aschwanden, a listing of the Marsh Land Owners in 1949 and a Genealogical Index of the Families.

When the WEGWHIST Team launched Governor Simcoe Slept Here last December, we underestimated your response. Hindsight, which always has 20/20 vision, indicates that we should have printed more copies, but by the same token, we didn't anticipate that many of you were going to buy 4 or 5 copies. All 1,023 copies have found a home, and many of you asked if we are going to do a reprint. We have considered this request, and we have decided to do a reprint that will be available about Aug. 15, 2006. Some factual errors have been brought to our attention, so we are preparing a correction addendum that will be included with the reprint, and will be available to all who have already purchased a book. Pre-publication sales of the reprint will begin July 1st. The pre-publication price will be $65, the post-publication price $75.

Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury is now sold out! The Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Assoc. has sold all 1,000 copies of the first printing.

Description : In the recently published book, "Governor Simcoe Slept Here: A legacy of West Gwillimbury," there is an error on page 792. Part way down the first paragraph, the text should read: "Beatrice was born September 25, 1910, and died November 17, 1992. Evelyn was born March 14, 1917, and married Bob Stafford on August 17, 1940. They had two children, Jean and Don. Evelyn died April 6, 1991." Apologies to Marion West, who submitted this story, and to the West family for the typing error that occurred when transferring the story to the computer.

Description : The first printing of Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury, the 2-volume book put together by the WEGWHIST project of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association, is completely sold out. Anyone who would be interested in purchasing a copy of a 2nd edition is asked to contact Bill Marks. The History Association is looking at reprinting the books, if there is sufficient interest.

Description : More information is needed for the History of West Gwillimbury! Did your family reside in the Township of West Gwillimbury prior to 1960? A member of WEGWHIST - the West Gwillimbury History project - will be pleased to meet with you for a chat, and to take notes. If you have any old photographs, please dig them out. The Project will copy the photos and return them immediately.

Description : The West Gwillimbury History project (WEGWHIST for short) is gathering information and interest, pursuing the many aspects of Who, What, Where, When and How of the historic Township. The story begins about the time that the Township was surveyed in 1819, 183 years ago. The record-keeping of those days was not too detailed, but it is surprising the records that are available, and the story that they tell. All are welcome to come to the meeting and hear about WEGWHIST. A number of items need to be researched, such as old mills, post offices, meeting halls and fraternal societies. Pen, paper and an inquisitive mind will qualify you as a researcher.

Description : The final galley is back, and WEGWHIST volunteers are busy correcting spelling errors and misprints in the History of West Gwillimbury. This will complete the writing phrase; there is a commitment from the publisher that the book will be out by early December. October 13, 2005, will mark the 4th anniversary of the first WEGWHIST meeting, which took place on the 2nd Thursday of October, 2001. The team will meet at 2 p.m. on the 13th in the Bradford Library, to go over marketing plans, ask for help in contacting all those who have indicated an interest in buying the book, and offer an opportunity to purchase a copy, pre-publication. A sincere Thank-you to the 30 businesses and 85-plus private individuals who contributed to the Patrons Program.

Description : October 13th marks the 4th anniversary of the 1st WEGWHIST (West Gwillimbury History Project) meeting. WEGWHIST is now in the final stages of producing a 2-volume history of West Gwillimbury Township that will be available by this December. At 2 p.m. on October 13th, come out to the Bradford Library, to mark the 4th anniversary, learn more about marketing plans, and purchase a copy, pre-publication. WEGWHIST will be asking for help in contacting all of those who have indicated an interest in buying the book.