The Winterbottom Connection

Generation 1

M Squire Winterbottom

Born 1852 in Moss Grove, Lancashire, England

Died 1928 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

Married

Emma Fowler

Born 1855 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England

Their Children:

• John Samuel Winterbottom

Born June 1, 1875 in Globinmord, Oldham, England

Died June 27, 1943 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON

Married Alice Whitehead – Born December 16, 1875 in England – Died January 26, 1958 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., Ontario, Canada

Their Children:

o      Edith Winterbottom

Born July 1900 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

Married November 15, 1923, to Robert Leach, Born 1896 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

o      Squire Winterbottom

Born July 1902 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

• James Winterbottom

Born 1878 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

Married to Margaret Ellen Howarth – Born 1880 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

Their Children:

o      James Winterbottom

Born about 1900 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

o      Thomas Winterbottom

Born March 1901 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

o      Emily Winterbottom

Born about 1903 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

o      Hannah Winterbottom

Born about 1909 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

o      Edith Winterbottom

Born about 1910 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

• Mary Anne Winterbottom

Born September 1881 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

• Walter Winterbottom

Born October 1883 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

Died September 17, 1951 in Peterborough Co., ON CAN

• Charlotte Winter Bottom

Born 1896 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

Generation 2

Walter Winterbottom

Born October 1883 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

Died September 17, 1951 in Peterborough Co., ON CAN

Married

Emma Clayton

Born abt 1888 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

Died October 1, 1974 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN

Immigrated – May 21, 1924, Quebec, Canada,

 

Their Children:

 

• Alice Winterbottom

Born November 17, 1912 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

Died March 4, 1997 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN

   

• Harry Winterbottom

Born November 7, 1914 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

Died August 22, 1977 in Peterborough Co., ON CAN

Married Gladys Cocking  born Oct 15, 1923 and died Feb 18,  1996

• Thelma Winterbottom

Born Sept 5, 1918 in Oldham, England

Married John (Jack) Simmons

Generation 3

Alice Winterbottom

David, Alice, Thelma & Harry

Born November 17, 1912 in Oldham, Lancashire, England

Died March 1995 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN

Buried in Highland Park Cemetery, Peterborough, ON

Married

David Best

Born March 22, 1909 in Glasgow, Scotland

Died 1978 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN

Buried in Highland Park Cemetery, Peterborough, ON

Their Children:

• Walter David Best

Back: Walter Winterbottom
& Alice Winterbottom
Front: Walter & Ron Best

Born November 29 1933 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN

• Ronald Best

Born March 29, 1936 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN.  Married Ardyth Halcrow

Their Children:  Rhonda Best, Joanne Best, Brenda Best

• Alec Best

Born February 18, 1947 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN.  Married Gloria Tuck

Their Children:  Allison Best

Generation 4

Walter David Best (CGE welder, small business owner in Lakefield ON & pastor) of Peterborough, ON, born November 29, 1936.

AND

Eleanor Beulah Lloyd (homemaker) of Young’s Point, Smith Township, Peterborough Co., ON born on April 21, 1935, married Walter David Best of Peterborough, ON, in Peterborough ON April 15, 1954. 

Their Children:

·      Christine Muriel Best born March 1, 1955 in Peterborough, ON married Raymond George Foster (born October 13, 1949) of Peterborough on July 17, 1982 in Smith Township, Peterborough Co., ON.  They have two Children Jared Raymond Foster born May 19, 1987 and Anna Eleanor Foster born November 28, 1990.

·      Stephen Walter Best born May 3, 1957 in Peterborough, ON married Cynthia Anne Jay of Peterborough, ON on October 11, 1980 in Smith Township, Peterborough Co., ON.

Generation 5

Stephen Walter Best, BA (Trent University) born May 3, 1957 married his childhood sweetheart from Edminson Heights Bible Chapel (Peterborough, ON) Cynthia (Cindy) Anne Jay of Otonabee Township, Peterborough Co., ON on October 11, 1980. 

AND

Cindy Anne Jay, Registered Nurse (Fleming College), born on April 16, 1957 in Peterborough, ON is the daughter of Fredrick Henry Jay (born February 6, 1934 and died September 14, 2005) of Peterborough, ON and Mary Sybil Hunter (birth name – Kennedy) (born March 12, 1934) of Peterborough, ON.

Their Children:

·      Nathanael Stephen Best (Trent University & Fleming College) born December 24, 1982 in Peterborough, ON married Patricia (Patty) Joy Freeman (Trent & Queens University) of Elmira, ON, on August 4, 2007 in Peterborough, ON.

·      Joshua David Best (Ontario College of Art & Design University) born October 24, 1984 in Peterborough, ON married April Dawn White (York University) of Grand Rapids, MI on May 5, 2005 in Grand Rapids, MI.

·      Lucas Walter Best (Fleming College) born November 26, 1986 in Peterborough, ON married Sarah Michelle Heise (Georgian Bay College & York University) of Owen Sound, ON, on September 22, 2012.

·      Jameson Ern Best (Seneca-York College) born August 5, 1988 in Peterborough, ON.

Frederick & The Middle

I began this blog out of the greatest respect of those who have gone before me, and out of a sincere desire to pass on their memories to my children and theirs.  None of us are here through our own design.  We simply need to look around to realize that people lived and died, stayed and traversed, and loved and loathed for unbeknown reasons, which resulted in us being where we are today.

Many times I have sat under the stars and gazed at the large sky, all too aware of the many connections of lives and incidents outside our control that order our world.  Yet in this vastness, we are simply and also profoundly the link which connects the past, to that what is to come.  We are in the middle of something that is fluid with those coming and with those going.  We all transitioning.  Yet it’s that awareness that makes me want my children to know and appreciate their heritage.

More than ever I am aware of the middle and of how fluid it really is.  With sadness I watch my father Walter slip away into absentmindedness and uncertainty as Alzheimers Disease erodes his identity.  At times there are glimpses of him, yet for the most part it’s memories of a good man who wanted more than his body would allow.

On the other hand I celebrate the great joy of becoming a grandfather to Frederick John Best born just days ago.  He is untainted potential, naïve hope, and unqualified love wrapped up like a burrito belonging to our son Joshua and his wife April.  He may be tall, he could have red hair, or he might be a fireman … who knows?  There’s just so much to look forward to and everyone is so happy.

In a few weeks my father and our patriarch will meet his great grandson for the first time.  Likely neither of them will remember the occasion.  Smiling faces and laughter, and the odd remark of where Frederick gets his good looks will be enjoyed.  However it will be those of us who are passing through the middle that will connect the Walters and the Fredericks.  It is our job to tell these stories, and someday it will be Frederick’s.

Davie Best

My Grandpa Davie was a funny man and my Grandma Alice was a intimidating soul. They were very much opposites and made every effort to make that known to others. He the Scottish tease and she the British stiff upper lip.

Seeing them once a week or once every other week really didn't lend to knowing them in the way I knew my grandma Lloyd (Mum), yet I was intrigued by them just the same. While the both of them had immigrated to Canada at a young age, they both continued to carry the distinctions of the old country. The accents, phrases, and foods were just some of the obvious things that I found unusual as a boy. I can remember many times kindly laughing at jokes, when I never really understood a word that was said.

My first memories of visiting my Best grandparents are when they lived a the Peterborough Armoury. It was a formidable building that stood in the city centre, surrounded by rod iron fencing, with turrets on each corner.  My grandpa was the janitor and had probably got the job through the Canadian Legion because he was a WWII vet.

Upon arriving at the Armoury we would approach the grand wooden gates that were tightly shut, and give a solid rap. It was a faint sound in view of the ominous doors. From a boys point of view they were gates that led to the mystery and might of the Hastings and Prince Edward County Regiment.  A regiment distinguished for having earned the largest number of battle honours during the Second World War.  Soon we would hear the clanging of metal as my grandpa slid the many dead bolts from one side to the other.  A man size door fitted within the grand wooden gates would swing open, with a beckoning from a wee Scottish man to come in.  I would have to be lifted over the sill of the door just to get inside.

We would follow my grandpa to their apartment in the upper southeast turret.  The wooden stairs turned their way upward with creaks and groans.  I was always careful to never look into the eyes of the mounted moose head that hung imposingly on the landing halfway up the stairs.  That moose head always freaked me out.  I was never so glad than to reach the top and find ourselves safe and secure in their dingy, smelly old apartment. Once inside I would muse myself with a metal castle and soldiers that awaited me in the corner of their living room.

I could always recognize my grandparents home by the smell, no matter where they live.  It was the combined effort of cigarette smoke, stinky feat, beer and french fry grease.  Together they created an aroma that permeated your nostrils and clothes for days.  Now I understand why we had a bath every Saturday after visiting the Armoury.

My grandpa loved to talk about soccer in the UK and football in Canada.  I would often sit at his feet watching these games on the tv. Considering the smell of his socks it was probably the last place I should have been sitting.  He was the first I knew to own a colour tv which made those afternoons even more special. 


Grandma on the other didn't take kindly to watching football.  She thought it odd for grown men to wear tight pants, bend over and hold hands in huddles, and slap each other on the butt.  I think I have described it mildly compared to how she would have said it.

I was his only grandson so he somewhat doted on me.  When I got older I would wash his car or cut his grass and he would pay me handsomely (even though he was a Scot) along with some sweet or trinket he had in his pocket.  Grandma would make us lunch, and it was usually sandwiches and homemade chips.  The sandwiches were the best because they were usually something I never got at home.  Bologna or spam on white bread, and spin wheel sandwiches that had pickles in the middle alongside a Coke.  Lunch was never dull.

If you have seen the comic strip Andy Capp, you will have seen my grandpa. He was a short man, often wearing a Scottish tam with a cigarette hanging out of the side of his mouth, while walking with a distinct limp. He had been injured during the war when he crashed his jeep.  Pins were permanently placed in his knee never allowing him to bend it.  He never complained about it, and it seemed to win him favor in many places.

For five years and at every Adam Scott CVI home game, my grandpa Davie could be seen pacing the sidelines when I played football.  It was not hard to recognize his limp and drooping cigarette.  Every so often he would mutter a few words in his Scottish brogue that no one ever understood, yet I knew in his own sweet way he was urging me on.

Grandpa was proud to be a Scot and a Canadian.  While his roots were in the old country his family and his future were in the new.  I fondly remember nudging our way forward to the front of the sidewalk, to watch the Santa Claus' parade one cold afternoon.  Grandpa could never see the Santa from the back.

The parade was exciting, and you would think that Santa would be the most anticipated attraction, yet not for Grandpa.  I found that out when he began to whistle and sidestep to the sound of the oncoming bagpipes.  The kilts, pipes and drums took him to another place and he wanted all us to go there with him.  The drums gladly kept time, and the sound of marching boots on pavement thrilled the crowd.

Grandpa looked down and muttered at me, "Oohhh aye lad, do ya hear it? It's the pipes!  For a moment the old country had merged with the new, and Davie Best's grandson was there to enjoy it with him.  He was proud that we could have that moment together, it was the very best that he could give to the future Best.  While my grandpa had little to give forward, he in other ways had given everything he had so that his family might have a home in beautiful Peterborough County, and in this great country called Canada.

The Best Connection

Particular thanks to Gordon Pollock for his assistance and prior research.
Generation 1

James Best

Born 1776, Ireland

AND

Elisabeth Bond

Born 1781, Ireland – Death March 11, 1843, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Their Children:

• David Best

Born 1801, Ireland – Died July 22, 1867 on 21 Gibson Street, Calton, Glasgow, Scotland

• Elisabeth Best

Born 1816, Ireland

• Rosiana Bond Best

Born 1821, Ireland

• Sarah Best

Born 1823, Ireland – Died September 27, 1884, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Married Richard Scott

• Catherine Best

Born 1825, Ireland – Died March 28, 1885, Calton, Glasgow, Scotland

Married Robert Bryceland

Generation 2

David Best

Born 1801, Ireland – Died July 22, 1867 on 21 Gibson Street, Calton, Glasgow, Scotland

AND

Rosanne Cunningham

Birth 1801, Ireland – Death March 7, 1875, 28 Bell St., Glasgow Scotland

Her Parents:  Adam Cunningham and Rose King

Their Children:

• John Best

Born 1826 in Derry, Ireland

• James Best

Born 1828 in Derry, Ireland

Died March 30, 1901, Glasgow, Scotland

• Robert Best

Born 1832 in Derry, Ireland – Died January 26, 1883 in 239 Broad St, Glasgow, Scotland

Married Agnes Meighan (Michan) on July 18, 1856

Born 1828 in Ireland – Died November 13, 1909 in Gorbals, Glasgow, Scotland

Their Children:

-     Sarah Best, 1857 – ? (married Neil Donnachie November 3, 1876)

-     Anna/Rosanna Best, 1859 – ? (married William Cairns November 1 1878) (married William Blackadder May 23 1899)

-     Robert Best, 1861 – ? (married Margaret Campbell October 28, 1887)

-     James Best, 1863 – ? ,

-     Francis Best, 1865 – ? (married Margaret Russell),

-     Alexander Best, 1867 – ?,

-     John Best, 1869 – ? (married Catherine Fairfull Williamson July 3, 1900)

• Cunningham Best

Born 1834 in Derry Ireland – Died 1865 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Married Mary Driver 1861, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Their Children: 

-       Mary Best 1865 – November 17, 1920, Partick, Lanarkshire, Scotland

• Ann Best

Born 1836 in George St., Glasgow, Barony, Scotland

[Annie & Lizzie were born outside the original (very small) municipal boundary of Glasgow; it had not yet begun to gobble up the surrounding districts in the 1830s. This happened in the late 1800s. Both girls were born in Barony, a large district that surrounded Glasgow on three sides, north of the Clyde, now all absorbed into the city.]

• Elizabeth Best

Born 1839 in Glasgow, Barony, Scotland – Died July 19, 1907 in Calton, Glasgow, Scotland

Generation 3

Elizabeth Best

Born 1839 in Lanarkshire, Scotland – Died July 19, 1907 in Moir St., Calton, Glasgow, Scotland

AND

No Spouse

Or fathers mentioned

Her Children:

• Anne Best

Born February 18, 1867 in Anderston, Glasgow, Scotland

• John Best

Born May 23, 1869 in Anderston, Glasgow, Scotland

• David Best

Born May 25, 1872 in Bell Street, Glasgow, Scotland – Died 1949 in Florence Street, Gorbals, Glasgow, Scotland

• Elizabeth (Lizzie) Best

Born 1884 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland – a Died December 20, 1909 in Moir St., Calton, Scotland

Generation 4

David Best

Born May 25, 1872 in Bell Street, Glasgow, Scotland – Died 1949 in Florence Street, Gorbals, Glasgow, Scotland

AND

Jessie Thomson

Born 1879, Blantyre, Scotland

Married 1899

Her Parents:  John Thomson 1827, Dumfriesshire, Scotland and Margaret Ina Allan

Their Children:

• Elizabeth Best

Born May 8,1900 in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland – Died 1983 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN

Married:  Bernard Monaghan (August 11, 1899 – 1967) on March 1920

Immigrated to Canada:  July 20, 1929 aboard the White Star Line’s Regina, arrived Montreal, Quebec.

Their Children: 

-       Jeanetta Monaghan, October 26, 1920

-       Helen Monaghan, December 24, 1923

-       Elizabeth Monaghan, April 11, 1926

-       Bernard Monaghan, December 28, 1930

-       Philip Monaghan, December 28, 1932

-       Patricia Monaghan, February 11, 1934

-       Roseanne Monaghan, January 31, 1941

-       Vincent Monaghan April 3, 1941.

• Thomas Best

Born 1900 in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland (Possibly Lizzie’s twin, who died at birth or shortly thereafter) – Died 1900 in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland

• John Best

Born 1901 in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland – Died 1968

Married:  Susan McGratton

Their Children: 

-       Davie Best (died at 7)

-       Annie Best (died at 4)

-       John Best

-       Thomas Best

-       Margaret Best.

• Thomasina Thomson Best

Born October 17, 1903 in Glasgow, Scotland – Died 1993 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN

Immigrated to Canada:  September 2 1929 aboard Canadian Pacific’s Montroyal, arrived Saint John, N.B.

Married:  John Rae (Jack) Pollock (November 10, 1909 – 1991) on October 13, 1930

Their children: 

-       John David Pollock, June 8, 1931 - April 15 1996, Peterborough

-       Robert Donald Pollock, November 24, 1932

-       Gordon Douglas Pollock, June 13, 1939.

• Jenny Best

Born 1906 in Glasgow, Scotland – Died 1907 in Glasgow, Scotland

• David Best

Born March 22, 1909 in Glasgow, Scotland – Died 1978 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN

Immigrated to Canada:  October 13, 1929 aboard SS Athenia, arrived Quebec, Quebec

• Annie Best

Born 1911 in Glasgow, Scotland – Died 1918 in Glasgow, Scotland (flu epidemic)

• Alec Best

Born 1913 in Glasgow, Scotland - Died 1918 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland (flu epidemic)

• Dougal Best

Born 1916 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland – Died 1918 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland

• Margaret Best

Born 1921 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland – Died in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN

Immigrated to Canada:  After 1968

Married:  Frank Gerald Fleming, (October 17, 1914 – 1968)

Their Children: 

-       Francis Fleming, August 29, 1940

-       David Fleming, June 3, 1943 – November 7, 1943

-       Eileen Fleming, March 4, 1946

-       Elizabeth (Betty) Monaghan Fleming, May 5, 1947.

Generation 5

David Best

Born March 22, 1909 in Glasgow, Scotland – Died 1978 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN

Buried in Highland Park Cemetery, Peterborough, ON

Married:  April 29, 1933

AND

Alice Winterbottom

Born November 17, 1912 in Oldham, Lancashire, England – Died March 1995 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN

Buried in Highland Park Cemetery, Peterborough, ON

Immigrated to Canada:  May 1924 aboard SS Montcalm,

Her Parents:  Walter Winterbottom (1884) and Emma (1888).

Their Children:

• Walter David Best

Born November 29 1933 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN

• Ronald Best

Born March 29, 1936 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN.  Married Ardyth Halcrow

Their Children:  Rhonda Best, Joanne Best, Brenda Best

• Alec Best

Born February 18, 1947 in Peterborough, Peterborough Co., ON CAN.  Married Gloria Tuck

Their Children:  Allison Best

Generation 6

Walter David Best (CGE welder, small business owner in Lakefield ON & pastor) of Peterborough, ON, born November 29, 1936.

AND

Eleanor Beulah Lloyd (homemaker) of Young’s Point, Smith Township, Peterborough Co., ON born on April 21, 1935, married Walter David Best of Peterborough, ON, in Peterborough ON April 15, 1954. 

Their Children:

·      Christine Muriel Best born March 1, 1955 in Peterborough, ON married Raymond George Foster (born October 13, 1949) of Peterborough on July 17, 1982 in Smith Township, Peterborough Co., ON.  They have two Children Jared Raymond Foster born May 19, 1987 and Anna Eleanor Foster born November 28, 1990.

·      Stephen Walter Best born May 3, 1957 in Peterborough, ON married Cynthia Anne Jay of Peterborough, ON on October 11, 1980 in Smith Township, Peterborough Co., ON.

Generation 6

Stephen Walter Best, BA (Trent University) born May 3, 1957 married his childhood sweetheart from Edminson Heights Bible Chapel (Peterborough, ON) Cynthia (Cindy) Anne Jay of Otonabee Township, Peterborough Co., ON on October 11, 1980. 

AND

Cindy Anne Jay, Registered Nurse (Fleming College), born on April 16, 1957 in Peterborough, ON is the daughter of Fredrick Henry Jay (born February 6, 1934 and died September 14, 2005) of Peterborough, ON and Mary Sybil Hunter (birth name – Kennedy) (born March 12, 1934) of Peterborough, ON.

Their Children:

·      Nathanael Stephen Best (Trent University & Fleming College) born December 24, 1982 in Peterborough, ON married Patricia (Patty) Joy Freeman (Trent & Queens University) of Elmira, ON, on August 4, 2007 in Peterborough, ON.

·      Joshua David Best (Ontario College of Art & Design University) born October 24, 1984 in Peterborough, ON married April Dawn White (York University) of Grand Rapids, MI on May 5, 2005 in Grand Rapids, MI.

·      Lucas Walter Best (Fleming College) born November 26, 1986 in Peterborough, ON.

·      Jameson Ern Best (Seneca-York College) born August 5, 1988 in Peterborough, ON.