During the course of doing family research some 30 years ago the author obtained a Report of the Proceedings of the Grand Black Chapter of Ireland held December, 1907 and June 1908. In it he found listed the name of a great uncle. Finding this information encouraged him to go further in his research. He learned his grandfather... after immigration to Canada from Ireland was also a Royal Black Knight. This book contains a description of the type of Sash that was worn by members of the Royal Black Institution as well as information about the operation and function of the Preceptories to which members belonged. It also includes a listing of 384 Preceptories in Canada as appeared in the 1960 Report of Proceedings of the Imperial Grand Black Chapter of the British Commonwealth, with their location and name of Preceptor and address. The book is a source of information for historians and genealogists.read more
BIOGRAPHY I am a retired lawyer as well as a genealogist, historian, and heritage volunteer who has authored 14 nonfiction books.
In 2021 my book "Canada's Ulster Scots" was reviewed in Familia, the journal of the Ulster Historical Foundation, and described as "This book would make a very presentable and informative ... gift for Canadians with Ulster relatives and for Ulster folk with Canadian relatives, both of which are legion."
Other popular books by me are "Loyalist History of Nova Scotia" (2020) and "The Royal Black Knights: In Canada" (2021).
My most recent book entitled "The First Church - Old Holy Trinity in Middleton, Nova Scotia" (2023), is about a Nova Scotia heritage property constructed in 1789.
Articles and stories by me have also been published by Celtic Life International, The Loyalist Gazette, The Nova Scotia Genealogist, Historic Nova Scotia, the Ulster - Scots Community Network, and Atlantic Loyalist Connections.
I have volunteered for several community and heritage associations. In 2016 I was presented with a Certificate for Volunteer Service by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and in 2022 I was honoured to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
