THE BECK BULLETIN
PUSHING THE LIMITS
In our last letter we managed to follow our Killick line back to 1585, thanks to some work by Clive Killick of the Killick Society. Vere Beck’s mother was a Killick and her ancestors could be traced back another five generations. I felt this was very impressive and began wondering just how much farther back we might be able to go on the Killick line or any of our many other lines for that matter. After some research on the internet the answer became very clear - not much farther unless we’re very, very lucky.
In England and Wales, they started keeping complete birth, marriage, and death records in 1837, and so the searching is relatively easy to that point. Earlier than that you have to rely heavily on parish records and with luck you might be able to trace your family back to the mid 16th century. And that’s just beyond where we find ourselves now - 1585 - through the Killicks.
 Genealogical experts say that to get beyond there you would almost need to be connected to royalty or the nobility. The Church of England began keeping parish records in 1538, recording baptism and burial records. Most of these records are now available in County Record Offices on microfilm.
This was four years after the establishment of the Anglican church, when Henry VIII seized control of the Catholic Church and named himself head, replacing the Pope. There was a lot of dissension within the church in those early years, and its likely that record keeping was rather spotty for some time.
So while information on the common people is almost non-existent before 1538, there are some general facts available. Charts have been constructed showing the value of a days work. Some go back as far as 1300 or a little farther, and calculate wages in “old pence” of 240 to the pound.
In southern England in 1300, a building tradesman earned about 3 pence a day, while a labourer earned about 2 pence. Our ancestor, Thomas Killick, born in 1585, would have earned about 12 pence a day as a young man if he had a trade, or 8 pence as a labourer. In 1813 when Vere Beck sailed for Prince Edward Island he would have been earning about 48 pence a day as a tradesman. Labourers were paid about 32 pence.
GUERNSEY REUNION
A celebration will be held in Prince Edward Island this summer to mark the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Guernsey Island settlers on the ship, Neptune. Some of the family names include Brehaut, LeLacheur, Machon, Nicolle, Roberts, Taudvins and others.
The reunion gets underway in Charlottetown on July 14, and continues on the 15th, and 16th in Murray River and Murray Harbour. Activities start at 11 am Friday on the Charlottetown waterfront with registration and introductions, followed by various tours of the city.
 Saturday will be the busiest time with a full day of activities planned in Murray River. The doors of the Northumberland Arena open at 8:30 am and activities continue until midnight. There will be guided bus tours all morning to local cemeteries and old homesteads in Guernsey Cove and White Sands.
In the afternoon there will be table displays by family name and Kathy Sencabaugh of Boston and Tennessee will be there with her vast data base of Island genealogy to help people trace their roots. At 6 pm there will be a barbecue at the arena followed by entertainment led by Gordon Belsher.
On Sunday morning, there will be a service in the Murray River United Church, and in the afternoon some of the families will be meeting privately.
BECK FAMILY PICNIC
Here’s another date to mark on your calendar.
In the years between our formal reunions, Sarah Jackson (1.4.6.8B.4,) has been organizing a Beck Family Picnic for people who happen to be available at that time. This year’s gathering is planned for Saturday afternoon, July 8th, at Kings Castle Park in Gladstone, P.E.I.
Sarah says the gathering is completely informal and no special invitations or announcements will be sent out. The gathering is open to anyone who wishes to attend. A potluck meal will be held about 4:30 and people should bring their own utensils, such as cups and plates and knives and forks.
Jim Beck (1.4.6.6.1.) of Michigan will be there gathering Beck family information and he will have his computer to scan any family pictures. So bring any picture you have of your family and Jim will scan them and give them back to you in a matter of minutes.
EQUIPMENT DRIVE SETS NEW RECORD
The annual appeal for money to buy equipment for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown was a smashing success. The 21-hour equipment drive telethon exceeded expections, raising more than $478,000 in the last weekend in April. The total was $35,000 above last year’s figure and organizers were ecstatic at the response.
“We’re absolutely flabbergasted,” host Marlene MacDonald said. “It’s unbelievable to think we could raise this money in a weekend. Obviously, Islanders are very caring people.”
This year’s money will be used for new eye surgery equipment for the hospital. Dr. Guy Boswall, a QEH ophthalmologist, said the new technology will help doctors view parts of the eye they couldn’t see before. He noted that since about 900 cataract surgeries are performed at the QEH each year, a new ophthalmology microscope will improve visualization for surgeons during these procedures.
 Residents of Murray River and the surrounding area were once again big supporters of the fund drive.
As usual Garnet Buell (1.6B.6.5,2.) was the driving force and chief performer at a series of caleidhs held at the Murray River hall. One of the organizers, Buster Dutney, said that in the first five years of the ceilidh's, “we raised $ 85.000.00 and our goal was to raise $15.000.00 and make the total for the six years $100.000. However, we overshot this and raised $21.000 to bring our total for the six years as $106,000.”
He said the last three concerts this year played to packed houses with a few people standing.
GRADUATION
Kimberley Ann Bugden (1.4.4,10.1.1,2) graduated from St. F.X. University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the convocation on May 7, 2006.
Kimberley is the daughter of William & Elaine Bugden of Little Harbour, Nova Scotia, and the granddaugher of the late Kenneth Ferguson (1.4.4,10.1) of Pictou, Nova Scotia.
DISTINGUISHED NURSE RETIRES
By Elaine Bugden (1.4.4,10.1.1,)
Carol Ann Williams, RN. BN - (1.4.4,10.1.2,) Newmaryland, N. B., retired from her position as Nurse Manager, Addiction Services, at River Valley Health on April 30, 2006 after 39 years in the nursing profession. River Valley Health is the largest geographic health region in the province of New Brunswick, delivering care at 19 separate facilities serving a geographic area of more than 23,000 square kilometres.
Carol Ann graduated from the Victoria General Hospital, Halifax in 1966. Her career began in Orthopaedics and the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat unit. She and her husband, Don moved to Truro the following year and Carol Ann worked at the Colchester County Hospital in various areas, including three years in the Intensive Care Unit. While in Truro, their two sons James and Andrew were born.
They moved to Dartmouth, N.S. in 1972 and Carol Ann began work at the Halifax County Regional Rehabilitation Centre, Cole Harbour. Six years later she returned to general nursing at the Dartmouth General Hospital. In 1981 Carol and her family moved to Newmaryland, a community near Fredericton. For the first three years she worked in the Burn Unit at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital then she transferred to the Psychiatric Unit where she worked as a general staff nurse for 10 years.
In 1994 Carol Ann became the coordinator of the Psychiatric Day Therapy Program . While working in Psychiatry, she became involved in many nursing initiatives including the Nurses Association of New Brunswick (Board Member), the New Brunswick Mental Health Interest Group (President) and a committee member responsible for the development of a Mental Health Certificate from the Universilty of New Brunswick. Carol Ann was one of the students of this pilot project. She continued on to recieve her Baccalaureate in Nursing (Dean's List) from the University of New Brunswick. The last six years of her career she worked as Nurse Manager in the River Valley Health Addictions Program. Carol Ann is the younger daughter of the late Kenneth Ferguson (1.4.4,10.1.) of Pictou, N.S.
DEATHS
HARRIS, Gary Frederick (1.4.6.5,5.1.) died in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Thursday, May 11, 2006, at the age of 59. He was the son of Fred and Zelda (Stewart) Harris of Murray Harbour, P.E.I.
For the past number of months, Gary was in the Palliative Care Unit of the Victoria General Hospital. He died peacefully with his two aunts, Beth Havill and Anne Bell, by his side. He will be buried in the Murray Harbour Cemetery in a private family graveside service.
 HAWKINS, Helen Mary died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown on Saturday, May 20, 2006, at the age of 46. She was the wife of Glen Hawkins (1.4.1,10,11,1.) of Murray Harbour, and the daughter of Kenneth Byrne of Iona, and the late Lillian (Connolly) Byrne.
She was the mother of Glenda (Bobby) of Dartmouth, N.S.; Boyd (Kathy) of Montague and Denver (Amy) of Murray Harbour. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Kayda and Kenzy; eight brothers and many nieces and nephews. The funeral service was held from the Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, May 23rd, followed by interment in the Murray Harbour Cemetery.
HOOLEY, Mark David died at his home in Charlottetown on Saturday, May 13, 2006 at the age of 38. A native of Montague, he was the son of Neil and Peggy Hooley, the grandson of Neil and Hazel (1.4.3B.6,3,) (Jackson) Hooley, and the brother of Lori.
The funeral service was held Wednesday afternoon, May 17th, at St. Mary’s Church in Montague. Cremation took place later with interment in the parish cemetery.
NEW SCHOOL FOR MONTAGUE
Planning is underway for a new high school in Montague, but many people are unhappy with what is proposed. Construction is due to begin next spring with completion scheduled for 2009. The $14 million structure will only have space for 500 students, and there are more than 700 students in attendance right now. The overflow will be housed in mobile classrooms because projections show the student body shrinking to 500 students by 2014. Another sore point is that there is no plans for a theatre in the new school.
 Christie Beck, (1.4.3B.7.2.2.2,) the vocal music teacher at the school, is very unhappy with the lack of space for concerts and plays. She has written to a number of provincial cabinet ministers and opposition members. Her open letter to the Minister of Education, Mildred Dover, was published in The Eastern Graphic on May 17. It was an eloquent plea for proper theatre facilities to be included in the new school.
“We have incredibly successful fine arts programmes here at MRHS.,” she wrote. “Our choir, which is the result of the only high school vocal music programme on PEI, has achieved great success both on and off Prince Edward Island. We have been running full fledged musical productions here every second year for the past twenty-five years as well as yearly drama productions.”
Christie went on to say, “I know that our programmes improve our students’ educations here at MRHS and I have witnessed first-hand the life-altering effect that being involved in the arts has had on some of our students.”
She ended her letter with a plea to the Minister to, "give us a full theatre here at MRHS so that we might foster community growth while teaching and training future artists and technicians."
SLAMMERS ARE MARITIME CHAMPIONS
The Woodstock, N.B., Subway Slammers are this year’s champions of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League. This was an outstanding showing for a team completing only its third season in the league.
 Lead by captain Justin Bowers, (1.4.6.5,10,1,2.) the Slammers wrapped up the title by defeating the Amherst Ramblers 4 games to 1 in the finals. Justin dominated the scoring race all season, with 123 points during regular play and winning the Most Valuable Player award. He also lead the point race in the playoffs with a total of 33.
Winning the Maritime title qualified the team to compete against the best teams in Eastern Canada for the Fred Page Cup and a chance at the national title. So it was off to Pembroke, Ontario, where the Eastern Canada competition was held.
Unfortunately things did not go well in Pembroke as the Slammers lost all three games they played. However, two of them were extremely close with Woodstock losing each of them by only one goal.
COUNCILLORS IN THE DARK
A Montague town councillor feels information is not reaching council members as quickly as it should. Councillor Rick Beck (1.11.8.3.4.1.) says they should not be learning about town business from people in the local coffee shop.
 At the monthly council meeting on May 8, he said councillors are not being kept up to date so they can field questions from the puiblic when asked.
“We’re the people on the front line,” Rick said. “We deal with the public every day and if we don’t have the information to do our job, how can we do it?”
The town bylaw enforcement officer, Bill Sutton, handed in his resignation on the previous Thursday but Rick didn’t hear about it until the following Monday from a local citizen.
Mayor Collins said he doesn’t see anything wrong and isn’t looking at changing anything. He said the onus lies with the councillors to keep abreast of any developments.
"All they have to do is phone the office to ask if there’s anything they should know or check their mailboxes (at town hall)," he said. "It’s not the administrator’s job, or mine, to tell them every detail on a daily basis."
Light Sentence Criticized.
A retired P.E.I. school teacher and former political candidate, Ken Bingham, has been found guilty in a case involving the sexual abuse of children. He once acted as the provincial interim leader of the NDP and also ran as a federal candidate in 2004. Bingham pleaded guilty to two charges involving a pre-teen boy but denied allegations that he also molested the boy’s sister.
The judge found him guilty on all counts and sentenced him to four months in jail.
 Many people found the sentence too lenient, but Lorraine Beck of Charlottetown (1.4.3B.7.3.3.) was one who publicly voiced her concern. She wrote to The Guardian to express her dismay, stating, “ I think this sentence is no less than reprehensible.”
She wondered how someone could be convicted of such charges against minors and receive only four months in jail.
“Can someone please explain to me why that is not four years? Would someone please explain this to the child victims who sat in the courtroom while this verdict and sentencing were being announced?”
She said she understands that rehabilitation is important, but wondered why there was no room for punishment too.
“As the child who was sexually molested, would this not feel like they had no value in the court system? That the only person of value is the criminal who says he is very sorry and is going to be an outstanding citizen from now on?
“I don’t get it, is there now no protection for the innocent? No guarantee that justice will be done and those who have committed crimes against innocent children will be held accountable for their actions? This is a pathetic example of a justice system without any meaningful accountability to those who are exploited the most ...”
"AUF WIEDERSEHEN"
By Peter Murdoch and Janice MacPherson Murdoch (1.6A.4,6.1,1.1)
As our time in Europe draws to a close, we reflect on the many places we have had the pleasure to visit, and the interesting people we have met.
Over the past three years, we have been very fortunate to travel to places that we had previously only read about or seen pictures of: Berlin, Paris, London, Rome, Brussels, Dublin, Vienna, Oslo…to name just a few! What a great experience to have seen first-hand so many different cultures, customs and landscapes. We enjoyed the sun and sand of Egypt and Spain, gazed in awe at the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland and southern Germany, explored our family history in Scotland, and marvelled at the castles, palaces and churches scattered across Europe. No matter where we went, we were always treated to fascinating history lessons, wonderful scenery and, of course, great food and beer.
However, the most memorable of our travels included trips to Vimy Ridge, Beaumont Hamel and other war memorials. Everywhere in Europe you will find tributes to the wars that have shaped history around the world. Seeing the simple white crosses in Commonwealth war cemeteries - many of which mark the final resting places of our own Canadian heroes - is an emotional journey never to be forgotten.
Our tour in Germany has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we are returning home to Canada with many great memories, pictures and souvenirs. We look forward to continuing our adventures in North America!
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 interesting stories 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 August 1st.
Copyright © 2006 The Beck Bulletin
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