NOTES ON "CONNECTIONS"

On February 28, 2004 the history book Connections was presented to the public. This book that was looked for with great anticipation has evoked many emotions and comments from its readers. Like most books of its kind it is not without flaws and has a few errors but taken as a whole it has been greeted with favour. As one person said simply, "There is a lot of information in that book." The committee has received letters, e-mails and phone calls and we will share some of those comments. Comments received directly or just overheard have been very enthusiastic.

Ray Beck from BC wrote, "Connections, what a tear jerker! I guess I was more subconsciously Burriss than I thought." Other readers might easily substitute Devlin, LaVallee, Box Alder or Big Fork in that statement, as people recall and read about their place of origin. One man remarked on how much this book would have meant to the real old timers. Many people found it very emotional reading and more than one reported wiping away tears.

Jessie Birrell (Kamloops, BC wrote, "I really enjoyed the book—especially the first half as I always find the historical aspect interesting. I look at the boat (Keenora) when I visit Selkirk that used to take passengers from Kenora to Fort Frances. Somehow I never thought they would be dropping people off along the way!" Others said that liked they fact that we wrote so much about the people who settled our area in the earliest days of the municipality.

"We are enjoying the book so much," Mary (Chaval) Strachan (BC) said, "It brought back the time when we were so young and energetic, also very poor but happy." Kim (McKay) Boudreau (Texas) tells that she "still is reading and rereading Connections." Her sister Greta describes it as "a treasure" and "among the first things she would rescue if the house were on fire."

Elva (Kennett) Madison (Kenora) reported a "marvelous job of compiling and editing so much information. It is so attractively bound and the pictures are fantastic." Rachel (Barker) Bachofer of Kingston sent this message by e-mail; "It's a treasure of family histories and stories and the struggles our great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents went through and of the many others who shared these experiences. The pictures are priceless. We are so proud to possess a copy of " Connections."
Another wrote that she liked the title Connections for " when you read the book you find so many connections in the families. The book is beautiful and the pictures are of such good quality." Dick Anderson (Nova Scotia) sent the following message:" I hardly know anyone in the book and still find reading about these pioneers fascinating. History rarely records the lives of the invisible people, those that do not rise to high office, who just quietly make the world and society a better place. This book should be read by all who think their lives cannot make significant change."

Gerry Coulson (BC) wrote, "You have provided something of great value for all those who have lived in the LaVallee Municipality. All those great stories and pictures would have eventually been lost if this book had not been published." Gerry was among those whose immediate family history that was not in the book but has since sent information. The committee has found it quite amazing how much more material has come forward since the publication of Connections. This information is being compiled and recorded. Some day a companion volume to Connections may be a reality. One person wrote, "Do you have another book stewing on a back burner?"

As Gary Anderson (Kitchener, Ontario) expressed it, "I can't get over how nice the book is. I look at it every day and it is a fine keepsake." Helen Heller from San Francisco praised Connections as" fascinating, a labour of love, huge undertaking, great accomplishment and a priceless gift to the community."

Some people are buying the book for their young children to ensure they will have copies when they are older. If you have not secured a copy of the book or if you wonder what to buy that hard to buy for person on your list some of these heartfelt comments may make you decide in favour of this family history book. It is the latest account of the history of early settlement written about the Rainy River District. This book has made the history of our district more complete.

Books are available from the Devlin Municipal Office, the Fort Frances Museum and committee members. For more information call Freeda Carmody 486-3338.