THE BECK BULLETIN
DIGGING DEEPER INTO OUR ROOTS
The descendants of Vere Beck are now able to trace their roots back an additional six generations. You’ll remember that Vere’s mother was a Killick and thanks to some work by Clive Killick we can now follow our Killick line back to 1585.
 Jim and Barbara Beck (1.4.6.6.1.) met with Clive, who is the honourary secretary of the Killick Society, last summer while in Britain. Clive recently traced Jim’s ancestry back 11 generations to Thomas Killick, who was born in 1585 in Surrey. The interesting thing is that while this was prepared especially for Jim, it works for all descendants of Vere Beck.
Just follow your own line through the Beck Listings back to Vere and then pick up Clive’s material and follow it back to Thomas Killick. Using this method some of the youngest Becks, those from the 9th generation, can now trace their roots back a total of 15 generations. You can see Jim’s lineage here.
The Killick Society is very active in Britain and issues a newsletter twice a year. Copies of “The Killick” are available in North America and throughout the world by air mail.
It’s available in two different formats: the CD-ROM version costs £10.00 a year, while the paper version is £12.00. Any cheques should be drawable on a UK Bank and be made payable to Clive Killick.
The mailing address is:
Clive Killick, Hon Sec,
The Killick Society
7 Goodliffe Gardens, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 6FZ, England
HOCKEY UPDATE
The regular season for Junior Hockey ended in mid-March and the playoffs are in full swing now. It was an excellent season for our Beck cousins with Justin Bowers (1.4.6.5,10,1,2.) burning up the Maritime Junior A League.
 In 54 games Justin piled up 123 points for the Woodstock, N.B., Slammers. This was made up of 58 goals and 65 assists, by far the best record in the league and 13 points ahead of his nearest rival, Darcy Tuplin of the Summerside Western Capitals. Justin’s record was even better when you consider that he missed two games. Woodstock finished first in the League, thanks in no small part to his scoring prowess.
Justin was also a big winner when player awards were handed out in mid-March. He won the awards for most valuable player in the League and for top scorer. He was also voted to the all-star team as a right winger.
The Woodstock coach, Jason Tatarnic, is very enthusiastic about Justin. “He’s a proven goal scorer and overall player, but what has stood out the most for me is Justin’s leadership skills”, says Tatarnic. “He came to camp this year in tremendous shape and set the bar for the season with his teammates essentially demanding we stay in shape this year. And he’s been great in the dressing room and he has a ‘team-first’ attitude that has worked tremendously for us.”
Luke Beck of the Charlottetown APM Abbies also had a good year with 24 goals and 44 assists for 68 points over the season. Luke (1.4.3B.7,3.5,1.) played centre for the Abbies and was a veteran of the team, having played 4 years with them.
The Abbies’ season ended earlier in March when they were eliminated by Moncton in the playoffs. Luke is one of seven players who will not be back next year as they are now over the age limit for Junior Hockey.
Turning to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Danny Stewart of Murray Harbour (1.4.6.5,1.2A,2.1.) had a good season with the Charlottetown Rocket. Despite missing the first 12 games of the season, he was the top scorer on the team with 29 goals. He added 38 assists for a total of 67 points, third best on the team.
Thatcher Bell (1.4.6.5,3.6,3.) is bouncing back after a back injury that shortened his rookie year with the St. Thomas University Tommies of Fredericton, N.B. He had surgery during the off season, followed by a careful rehab schedule. He played in 26 of 28 games this past season, scoring 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 points.
WEALE FIRED
David Weale (1.6A.4,6.2.1,) has been given his walking papers by the University of Prince Edward Island. This follows his controversial move to offer a mark of 70 per cent to any students who would drop out of his overcrowded class.
 The popular professor had taught history at UPEI since 1973 and this class on the History of Christianity was to have been his last. Students rushed to sign up and overflowed the room. In a move to reduce the class to a manageable size, David offered a passing mark to any who would drop out. More than 20 students accepted the offer and when news of the unusual deal got out it drew a mix of criticism and support.
The administration moved quickly to settle the matter. “The president’s final decision is dismissal with cause,” David told The Guardian newspaper. “In other words, I was fired.”
“I’m not at all bitter about it,’’ he said. “In fact, it is a rather interesting way to end a career.’’
However, he is not going quietly. He plans to file a grievance about his dismissal.
Meantime David doesn’t anticipate any problem keeping busy now that his teaching days at UPEI are over. He is currently writing several books.
“I may be fired, but I’m not idle,’’ he said.
The situation is different with the rest of the faculty. They are all idle with the exception of the time they are spending on the picket line. They walked out more than a week ago, demanding higher salaries and a reduced work load. The students are caught in the middle as the strike began just before final exams were to start.
OFF TO OSLO
By Peter Murdoch and Janice MacPherson Murdoch (1.6A.4,6.1,1.1)
The capital of Norway, Oslo (once known as Christiania) is located on scenic Oslo Fjord, and was settled around the year 1000. The country itself has had a tumultuous past, governed at various times by Sweden and Denmark. Norway achieved independence in 1905.
 Around 1300, construction of Akershus Fortress was ordered by King Haakon V. This building was strategically placed at the very end of the headland and withstood a number of sieges over the years. The Fortress consists of a castle, church and various military buildings.
Walking along Karl Johansgate, Oslo's main street, you can view many historic landmarks: the National Theatre, the Parliament Building, Oslo Cathedral, and the Town Hall where the Nobel Peace Prizes are awarded. Overlooking the city is the Royal Palace, completed in 1849 for King Carl Johan. The royal family of King Harald V occupies the palace today.
A visit to Oslo is not complete without a trip to the Holmenkollen ski facility. The first ski jump was built here in 1892 and has undergone many reconstructions. The current tower is 60 metres high and affords an excellent view of the city and surrounding area. The venue was used for the 1952 Winter Olympics and continues to host many World Cup events.
Our short but interesting visit to Oslo reintroduced us to winter and snow - something that we had gotten used to not seeing in northwest Germany!
BIRTHS
JAHM: Chloe Kristine Jahm was born on Wednesday, February 15, 2006, at 8:28 in the morning.
She is the first child of Rashid and Kristine (Tobin) Jahm (1.4.2.2,7,3.4,) of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Chloe weighed in at 7 lbs, 4 ozs and was 19.5 inches long.
At the age of one month she was already celebrating her Irish (Tobin) roots as she marked St. Patrick’s Day in style.
LONDON: Grace Danielle London was born March 9, 2006, the second child of Darrell London and Melanie MacKay (1.12,2.2.1,1.2,) of Murray River, P.E.I.
She weighed 5 lbs, 12 ounces. Grace is a sister for five-year-old Emma Faith London.
DEATHS
 BECK: Ernest Alvin Beck (1.4.3A.3.4.) of Alliston, P.E.I., died at the Kings County Hospital in Montague on Feb. 6, 2006. He was 88.
He is survived by his wife, Vivian (VanIderstine) and their four children, Jim (Marion) of Milltown Cross; Dorothy (Leith) MacLean of Charlottetown; Ken (Debby), of Milltown Cross; and John (Ruth), of Alliston. Other survivors include 12 grandchildren and 11 greatgrandchildren; two sisters, Kay (Ivan) MacDonald, Mabel MacDonald, and a brother, Edwin (Ann) Beck. He was predeceased by his brother, Vere.
The funeral service was held on Feb. 8 at the Church of Christ in Montague. During the service a poem written by his daughter-in-law, Ruth Beck, was read by his granddaughter, Katie.
Words of Remembrance were given by his niece, Eileen Tanner, a Prayer was offered by Stewart Lewis, and a reading was delivered by his nephew, Alan Beck.
Interment took place in the Murray River Cemetery.
BECK-MacLEOD: Isabel Beck-MacLeod of MacLellans Brook, N.S., died on February 2, 2006, in the Aberdeen Regional Hospital, New Glasgow, after a brief illness. She was a daughter of the late Roy and Jessie MacLeod of New Glasgow, and was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She is survived by sons, Vernon (Sandra) Beck of Oshawa, Ont.; and Roy (Margie) Beck of New Glasgow; and daughters Dwina (Bill) Wright of Calgary, Lollie (Bob) Dunbar of MacLellans Brook, Dawn (Ted) August of Calgary, Cathy (George) Fraser of Calgary, and Judy (John) Hoopingarner of Austin, Texas, as well as a stepson and four stepdaughters, 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her first husband, Vernon Robert Beck, (1.4.2.4.4.) and second husband, Norman MacLeod; and a great-granddaughter, Ashley Allen.
The funeral service was held on February 6 at Eagles Funeral Home Chapel in Westville, with interment in the Lorne Street Cemetery, New Glasgow.
 WHITE: Winston C. White died suddenly at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown on March 4, 2006. He was 64, and a resident of the Gladstone Road in Murray River, P.E.I. He is survived by his wife, Doris (Lowe) (1.7.3.1A.1,4.3,) a daughter, Nancy (Lorne) Larkin, Mt. Albion, and a son, Steven, (Jaime) Murray River, as well as four grandchildren; Mitchell and Alysha White, Julia Larkin and Jamie Doiron.
He was the son of Mary (Buell) White of Dr. John Gillis Memorial Lodge, and the late Fred White. Other survivors include a brother, Arnett (Lily), St. Catherines, Ontario, and a number of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, George.
The funeral service was held from the Ferguson’s Funeral Home Chapel in Montague, with interment in the Murray River Cemetery.
MANDATORY MEMBERSHIP FOR FISHERMEN
Island fishermen are being pushed to join the Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association and some of them are not very happy about it. As it stands now there is some confusion over how the system works. They are required to pay a $107.00 membership fee, but they can get the money back if they request it.
John Beck of Alliston (1.4.3A.3.4.4.) fishes out of Beach Point and says forcing fishermen to pay the fee and then allowing them to get it back doesn’t make any sense. He adds that he’s not the only one who doesn’t understand how the fee can be mandatory when it hasn’t been legislated. He said he recently learned through the media that the fee would not be mandatory until this spring.
John added that he didn’t know what good the Association does for the average fisherman. "They don’t seem to be working for us. When I’m sure it’s the law I’ll pay my $107."
The membership fee is currently collected by the Department of Fisheries and then transferred to the Fishermen’s Association. The Association then contacts fishermen by mail in the hope of having them sign membership cards, but will issue refunds if requested.
Ed Frenette, the executive director of the Association, said, “We want to get everyone to pay because everyone will be benefitting.” He told The Eastern Graphic that the extra funds from the fee would help in areas ranging from negotiating snow crab allocations, to creating resource management plans.
HELP NEEDED FOR CANADA DAY
The Murray Harbour Drama Club is seeking help to organize activities for Canada Day celebrations on July 1st.
Last year the village cancelled events because of a lack of help.
 The president of the club, Paul White, (1.4.6.7,2.5.) said an appeal for volunteers last year was unsuccessful and they had no choice but to cancel the celebrations that had been held annually for nearly 100 years. It’s a day long event with a flag-raising ceremony, speeches by dignitaries, games of various kinds, with fun for all. The day ends with a Ceilidh and a fireworks display.
Paul said they hope to get about 20 volunteers to assist club members in staging events. He added that no specific qualifications are required. People must be willing to devote some time to planning in advance and be available to help on July 1st. People with new ideas are especially welcome as its good to offer new activities rather than the same old thing.
The meeting for this year’s Canada Day planning session will be held Monday, April 3 at 7 pm at the Murray Harbour Community Centre.
The Vere Beck Family Home Page
The Marfleet Home Page
We're always looking for news of Beck family members. If you know of any significant events drop me a line with the information. imunn@accesswave.ca
That's it for this edition .. please share it with relatives who aren't on line. The next edition will be out on June 1st.
Copyright © 2006 The Beck Bulletin
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