Virtual Books
The Sarnia War Remembrance Project
by Tom Slater
The Sarnia War Remembrance Project is a comprehensive record of the contributions and sacrifices Sarnia and area citizens made during times of war. The project, an entirely volunteer endeavour by its author Tom Slater, was initiated in 2012 when Slater discovered that no formal record existed of Sarnia's fallen soldiers. After years of research, revisions and updates, this third and final edition was completed in 2020. The City of Sarnia, Bluewater Power Group of Companies, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #62, and the Sarnia Historical Society provided financial support to print copies of the two-volume set that have been donated throughout the Sarnia-Lambton community. Slater's hope is that the courage, fortitude and sacrifices of the veterans, the fallen and their families will be forever commemorated and remembered.
The Township of Warwick: A Story Through Time
by the Warwick Township History Committee
The Township of Warwick: A Story Through Time weaves together the stories and images from past and present residents to share the history of Township, including several “crossroad” communities that are now just memories.
View The Township of Warwick: A Story Through Time
The book, The Township of Warwick: A Story Through Time, is also available as an online exhibit.
The 149th Canadian Expeditionary Force Lambton's Own
by Allan Miller
This project is a compilation of the few surviving files of the 149th Canadian Expeditionary Force named and badged as the Lambton’s Own, newspaper articles, soldier letters and the service records of the men attested. It provides an overview of the battalion’s existence during its formation, training, embarkation, arrival of 435 men from the 1067 men attested at Bramshott Camp in England, the draft of 200 men to the 161st battalion with the remaining amalgamated into the 25th, later the 4th reserve battalion and subsequent provision of drafts and men to other units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and the Imperial Fighting Forces, land, sea and air during the First World War.
This book is for research purposes only. Author retains copyright to material.
Streets of Sarnia Project: What's in a (Street) Name?
by Randy Evans and Tom St. Amand
The Streets of Sarnia Project, a volunteer project by local researchers Tom St. Amand and Randy Evans, provides explanations for all but a handful of Sarnia’s 700 street names.
Joseph Russell Little: Saddlebag Preacher
by Mary Janes
Joseph Little came to Township from Ireland in 1833 to manage the estate of a large landowner. Stories were told about him giving away his boots, or food, or whatever he happened to have. His name and stories about his generosity kept recurring—not just in , but throughout Lambton County. It was soon clear that he was known far beyond leaving a lasting legacy among the pioneers, first in Lambton County, and later in other parts of eastern Canada.
Jones Family Diaries
by Henry John Jones Sr., Julia Maria Jones, and Henry John Jones Jr.
The Jones Family diaries collection at the Lambton County Archives contains diaries from three different Joneses: Two diaries from Henry John Jones Sr., the master-mind and driving force behind Maxwell; a single diary from Julia Maria Jones, Henry John Sr.'s daughter; and a whopping thirty-four diaries from Henry John Jones Jr., Julia's brother. The journals provide information about Henry John Jones and insight into what life would have been like in the 1800s. The collection is occasionally mundane, often informative, and sometimes even funny.
Gurd Autograph Book
By Multiple Contributors
Autograph books are a charming way to understand social interactions of the past. These books contain the signatures and drawings from friends, family, colleagues, and classmates. Sometimes we even see short poems, sincere sentiments and other mementos. They remained popular well into the 19th century when they were gradually replaced by yearbooks.
This autograph book was uncovered in an envelope stating that it is from “Grandma Gurd”. Almost every page is filled with a signature and drawings. Contained within are multiple pages signed by members of the Bucke, Nisbet, Cameron, and Vidal families, among many others.