Guest Book

2/6/2013

Thanks for visiting my site! Please click on "Comment" below and leave a reply to let me know where you're visiting from and how you found this site. Thank you,

Peter Botham

16 Comments

Tim Botham

2/6/2013 03:42:48 pm

Great website Dad! Thanks for sharing. I'm in Vancouver, Canada, of course,

Barry Price

2/7/2013 10:52:50 am

Hi Peter I remember you from Smithers schooldays. My older brother John Price probably was closer in age. He is now retired in Vernon BC. There is a 100 yr Jubilee celebration in Smithers this summer. Cheers

Lorelei Byman (nee Eakin)

3/19/2013 08:34:48 am

I am thoroughly enjoying your site. I came upon it accidentally while trying to find some archived articles from Interior News _ 1909 in regards to a trapping story that involved a relative of mine. Also just recently found a picture of my grandfather Samuel Eakin with Jimmy Morgan - at the end of trapping season with all their furs. So the stories you wrote bring to light the stories my grandpa may have been able to tell me, had he lived longer. Enjoying reading about the journey to Ootsa Lake and what it was like ...as I do not know any of that history on my family's trip over.

Peter Botham

3/22/2013 08:05:10 am

Hi Lorelei,
Thank you very much for your kind reaction to my website. I really appreciate your taking the time to write a note.  I noted with interest the names that you mentioned: Your grandfather Samuel Eakin, and Jimmy Morgan. I have quite a few photos which I didn't include with the text. Most are of the Ootsa residents themselves.
My dad wrote the names of the pictured folks on some of them, but probably on only about a third. Many have no names.  
From what you've said it seems you're probably not interested in members of the Morgan family - I do have two or three of those - but I don't have any Eakin's (that I know of).  
When did your grandfather and his family live in the area? My dad was only there for about 4 years - 1930 to 33 – when they were there may not have overlapped with each other.  If they did overlap I might have your grandfather’s photo. But the only way that I would be able to identify him would be if you send me his photo. Then I might find him in one in the other photos I have.
Were there any other names in which you were interested. I can send you photos of others if we can identify them.
If it's possible, I wouldn't mind having the photo you have of your grandfather with his furs.
I'm looking forward to your reply 
Peter Botham
p.s. I tried directing my reply to your email address but my message was refused. That's why I've chosen to write my note here.

Jean Clark Giesbrecht

5/16/2013 06:06:10 am

Just 'google' Ootsa lake every so often to see what comes up- your site is so interesting- my mother was Marion Morgan-sister of Jimmy Morgan- my father was Jim Clark who lived at Wistaria in the old Harrison house- I recognize some of the photos you added. I wrote a book "Heritage Lost, a peoples history of Ootsa Lake -1905-1955." Happy to find more history!
Jean Clark Giesbrecht, Williams Lake, BC

Susan nee Morgan

3/15/2019 09:31:05 am

Hello Jean, this looks like it was posted about 6 years ago. I just found your name on my Ancestry.com, and realize that your grandfather James Morgan (1875 -1944) was the brother of my grandfather who stayed in Ontario. Lulu Morgan was my father's cousin.

Dirk Mendel link

3/1/2014 02:27:25 pm

What a great web site with all the wonderful old photos! I live in Smithers and our Genealogical Society published a book in 2013 called "Chronicles of Smithers: Our 100th Aniversary". Many people you mention are also in our book. Nice to have that connection. I have also read the book "In the Wake of a War Canoe" by william Henry Collison. Thanks for sharing!!

Linda Kawinsky (Collison)

4/7/2014 02:52:56 am

Really enjoyed reading your site Peter. Good work. Just letting you know we have moved mom into an Assisted Living Facility in Terrace called McConnell Estates. She seems to be happy there. Every day is s new day, as she cannot remember yester. It was a big load off my shoulders. Take care and keep up the good work

Tricia White (Frank)

4/9/2014 01:44:50 pm

Dirk Mendel suggested I might enjoy the articles and photos on your website - indeed I have! I particularly enjoyed the photos of the old McInnes ranch and found it rather interesting that someone would go there for their honeymoon! The oldest McInnes daughter, Vera, was my aunt as she was married to my father's brother. As a child I recall meeting the McInnes brothers when the ranch was sold and Archie and Jessie McInnes along with "Uncle Neil" moved to Terrace. I passed your website along to Vera's sons (my cousins) as I thought along with the other stories they would also enjoy the photos and the story about the honeymoon at their grandparents' ranch. I also recognized the Collison name in your stories - Linda Kawinsky (Collison) is a long time friend from our school days in Terrace. Thank you for sharing your family's story - well done!.

Shannon Leary link

9/25/2015 08:59:38 pm

Just read it on Facebook. Came to the end and read my grandmas name Buddy Leary. My dad, her son Ian Leary.

Sheila Clarkston link

9/27/2015 12:45:34 pm

Thanks for writing such a wonderful family history. I am enjoying each section. My father's (Ray Clarkston) family settled in the Walcott area around 1920 and some family still lives in the Smithers-Houston area. For many years I lived in Hazelton so love all the photos and stories of early days there.

Barry Wilson

2/12/2016 11:31:37 pm

Very much appreciate your information. I collect BC history and live in the Southside area off grid self sustaining near Tatalrose. I have most local books. What I am trying to find for the last 10 years is any original maps before the flooding and its like a black void for some reason. Any info or insight into this I would love. we all know it was well surveyed by Frank Swanell etc. There has to be maps of this showing pre flood

Barry Price

2/13/2016 10:10:04 am

I think that there is a Geological Survey of Canada Memoir for the Nechako area with geology pre-flooding. There should also be pre-flooding topographic maps (UBC Map Library?)

Katie Fuller

7/4/2017 02:44:55 pm

I grew up in Cork in 1940's and remember some children at my school, St. Peters National School that lived at Buckingham House. In fact I believe that a Cousin of mine Ray Coombs lived there for a short while.
Thank you for the article, it was fascinating.
Katie.

John Huby

12/13/2017 12:06:01 pm

13 December, 2017 West Kelowna, BC
I am John Huby. I have lived in Canada since 1974, and in BC since 1997.

My father was John William Melville Huby born 15 November 1906. Melville Huby died in England in January 1990.
Melville Huby and Charles Botham were friends and school-fellows in Worksop. Then they were partners, coming to Ootsa Lake together and sharing the early time together.
I have previously communicated many details about this to your own father, plus much additional related information.
I note that you have modified your earlier version of this web-site, and much of the original emphasis has been changed.

John Veale

6/10/2020 02:06:15 pm

By way of ID, I am the son of the late Rev. & Mrs. R G Veale who pastored the Pentecostal church in Old Hazleton from 1950 - 55. I was back to Hazelton in 1961 and visited with Al and Mary Benson. My wife and I returned on our 50th wedding anniversary in 2010. Oh, and I flew back to Hazelton (private homebuilt aircraft) in 1987, touring the area and landing at Smithers. Wonderful to rekindle memories in those visits, and being able to chat with a few people from my past....Alice Marshall.....Rupert Olson etc. It was interesting to read in this report, a little of the time my Dad took over the church in the old town. I corresponded with Peter and his sister some years ago, though I understand they are both gone now. Hazelton will always hold many a great memory for me.

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