(The Goulbourn Township Historical Society elected a new 2024-25 Executive at their Annual General Meeting held on January 20 at the Richmond Legion. Front row l-r: Lee Boltwood, Director; Mark Heckman, President; John Bottriell, Treasurer; Back row l-r: Hélène Rivest, Secretary; Allan McCarville, Director; Cathy Skinner, Director; and, Roger Young, Vice-President. Photo: provided)
Established in 1977, the Goulbourn Township Historical Society (GTHS) has been diligently collecting and sharing the heritage and family histories of the former Goulbourn Township that had encompassed the communities of Stittsville, Hazeldean, Richmond, Munster Hamlet, Ashton, Stanley’s Corners, Stapledon, Mansfield and the surrounding rural areas. Over the years, this volunteer-driven group has successfully kept our local history alive with its monthly speaker and presentation programs, quarterly newsletters, community involvement, school programs and other special events.
Through the Goulbourn Township History & Family Research Centre, located at the Stittsville Public Library, the organization shares with the public accessible diverse archives and research resources. History is shared through public engagement such as community participation in Stittsville’s Art in the Park, the annual Ottawa Heritage Day and the annual parade hosted by the Richmond Fair. Local and Canadian history is also promoted in partnership with local secondary school educators through the GTHS annual scholarship. The annual scholarship recognizes the achievement for a Grade 10 student in the study of Canadian history.
With a new Board of Directors and Executive, the GTHS is busily planning many exciting events and activities for the upcoming year for all to enjoy and learn about our local history. They look forward to sharing this past history and heritage with you.
For more information about the GTHS, visit their website at www.goulbournhistoricalsociety.org. You can follow the group on Facebook and should you have any inquiries or wish to volunteer send an email to President@goulbournhistoricalsociety.org or info@goulbournhistoricalsociety.org. For inquires regarding the Goulbourn Township History and Family Research Centre, send an email to History-Centre@goulbournhistoricalsociety.org.
Hi all,
Could you tell me where the Goulbourn Township History & Family Research Centre is located. I am interested in visiting to do research on the Deevy ( Deavy ) family… ( my moms ancesters ). As far as I know, Michael Deevy & Sarah Kinch immigrated from Ireland to the Goulbourn , Stittsville ( Nepean ) area. Somehow, some family members later ended up living in the Cumberland – Navan area.
Thank you …. much appreciated
Bill Woodruff
President
Cumberland Township Historical Society
Hi Bill – the records are kept at the Stittsville Library. There is also a new digital resource that can be accessed from the comfort of your home provided by the Goulbourn Museum – here is the link: https://goulbournmuseum.ca/collections-research/history-centre-2025/. The Museum also has digital access to their artefacts catalogue – here is that link: https://goulbournmuseum.ca/collections-research/artefact-catalogue/. Hope this helps you in your search. Also, I am related to the Deevy family from Fallowfield, Nepean as well.
Lesley, Thank you for the information. Michael Deevy + Sarah Kinch would be my 3x great grand parents if my family file is correct. I am in the process of finding the various cemeteries the family are buried in. Somewhere along the line, my grand dad, Geaorge Albert Deavy, son of Johnny Deavy, ended up living in our area, ( Navan-Cumberland ) the complete opposite end of the current city. No idea why, but it would be interesting to find out. For the record, my dads family are both from England, and ended up in Richmond, On, not far from the Stittsville area. Funny thing, after my Grand father Woodruff died, the remaining family moved to Cumberland, the east end also. I will for sure check out the link you sent me. It would be interesting to see how our Deevy-Deavy connections came about. you or your grouplet me know if I can be of assistance to you or your group.
Bill Woodruff
President, Cumberland Township Historical Society
Hi Bill – I am going to email you directly as I have the family tree information and details/photos of tombstones of some of the cemeteries where Deevy family members are buried.