Wednesday 30 November 2011

The Blue Book of Toronto, Hamilton & London

One interesting source of information about Sturgeon Point families had been the Toronto, Hamilton & London, Society Blue Books. It describes itself as: "A reliable Directory to over 3,000 of the Elite Families of Toronto, Hamilton and London, alphabetically arranged, with much additional information regarding families, Club Membership, Summer Residences, Maiden Names, Receiving Days, and other items of social interest." 1

This book was published at the height of the Victorian society tradition of holding "At Homes" to receive callers and provided a ready reference by which a person's (or family's) position in "Society" could be ascertained. For those who considered themselves, or wanted to be considered, a member of Society it would have been vital to ensure the families particulars were correctly entered in this publication.

In detailing the Canadian perspective on what constituted the necessary qualification to be considered a part of "Society" the publishers wrote: 
"In preparing for publication this first edition of Tyrrell's Society Blue Book, we have departed somewhat from the popular idea of what constitutes a Blue Book, and included many individuals who may not be strictly in Society. The entries in the Royal Blue Book in England include only those individuals who have been presented at Court, but with no such list to draw from in Canada we have included in this edition individuals who are prominent in the trades and professions as well as the leaders of Society, believing that such a list will be of greatest service to the greatest number.

It is our intention to improve each successive edition of this volume, making it a help to every hostess, and a necessity in every home.

We invite suggestions for the improvement of future editions and thank our numerous patrons who have so kindly furnished us with the information contained in these pages."

The 1900 edition included a copy of the pro-forma supplied by Tyrrell for the purpose of making application to get an entry and so gaining the desirable status of being "in" Society.”2

Although the publisher says that they want the information, summer residences do not appear in the early books, although the familiar names are there.  These are from the 1902 edition.

Flavelle, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W.

565 Jarvis street

Mrs. nee Ellsworth.
Receive second and fourth Monday.
Miss Mina Flavelle.

The Flavelles do not purchase the Swananowa property until 1906, but they are here in the Blue Book
Grace, Mr. and Mrs. James C.

39 Madison avenue

Mrs. nee Ross.
Receive Friday.

The Graces are another old Lindsay family and James Grace grew up next door to the JR Dundas family on Mill Street. 
Grantham, Mrs. Arthur.

80 College street

Receive first and third Tuesday.

Mrs. Arthur Grantham was Trudy MacKenzie, daughter of Sir William MacKenzie of Kirkfield.  The Grantham family had owned the Corn Cob.

Jones, Mr. and Mrs. W. Wallace
5 Wellesley place.

The Jones never listed that they had a summer residence at Sturgeon Point even though they owned Lot 11 on Lake Avenue from 1907 through 1930.

Ryerson, Dr. and Mrs. G. Sterling.

60 College street

Mrs., nee Crowther
Receive Tuesday.

The seventh edition was published in 1910 where it defines itself as per the Webster Dictionary:  “Blue Book – a book containing a list of fashionable addresses”.

Carruthers, Mr. (M. A.), and Mrs. Adam (King)

132 Tyndall avenue
S. R., Sturgeon Point
Receives 2d and 4th Thursday
Mr. E. B. Carruthers
Mr. Clive H. Carruthers
Miss Enid Carruthers
Miss King
Miss L. E. King

Flavelle, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. (Ellsworth)
"Holwood", Queen’s Park
S. R., Sturgeon Point
Receives Tuesday
Miss Mina Flavelle
Miss Clara Flavelle
Mrs. Ellsworth Flavelle

McMichael, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Forrester (Howden)
43 Empress Crest.
S. R., Sturgeon Point, Ont.
Receives 1st Friday

Ryerson, Dr. and Mrs. G. Sterling (Crowther)

66 College street
S. R., "Oakhurst", Sturgeon Point
Receives Tuesday
Mr. George C. Ryerson
Mr. Yoris S. Ryerson
Mr. Eric Ryerson

The 1913 Blue Book introduces:

Carruthers, Mr. (M. A.), and Mrs. Adam (King)

132 Tyndall avenue
S. R., Sturgeon Point
Receives 2d and 4th Thursday
Mr. E. B. Carruthers
Mr. Clive H. Carruthers
Miss Enid Carruthers

Flavelle, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. (Ellsworth)
"Holwood", Queen’s Park
S. R., Sturgeon Point
Receives Tuesday
Miss Flavelle

Grace, Mr. and Mrs. James C. (Ross)
"Aghaveller", 430 Avenue road
S. R., "Boley" Sturgeon Point
Receives Friday
Miss Mary Grace

Hogg, Mr. and Mrs. Albert O. (Bowes)

305 St. George street
S. R., Sturgeon Point, Ont.
Receives 2d Friday
Miss Ida Hogg
Mr. Harold Hogg
Mr. Murray Hogg

Langton. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. J. (Worrell)
80 Bedford road
S. R., Sturgeon Point. Ont.
Receives 1st Wednesday
Mr. William Langton

McLaughlin, Mr. (K.C.) and Mrs. Robert J. (Eliza A. Webster)

26 Prince Arthur avenue
S. R., Sturgeon Point, Ont.
Receives 2d Friday
Miss Gertrude McLaughlin
Mr. Hugh J. McLaughlin
Mr. William McLaughlin
Miss Anna H. McLaughlin

Ryerson, Dr. and Mrs. G. Sterling (Crowther)

66 College street
S. R., "Oakhurst", Sturgeon Point, Ont.
Receives Tuesday
Mr. George C. Ryerson
Mr. Eric Ryerson
Miss Laura R. Ryerson
Mr. Arthur C. Ryerson

Wood, Mr. and Mrs. W. Lloyd
58 Chestnut Park
S. R., Sturgeon Point, Ont.
Receives 1st Monday and Tuesday
Mr. W. Lloyd Wood, Jr.

The 1920 Blue Book listed:

Barrett, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace (Mina Flavelle)

61 Cluny avenue
Sum Res: Sturgeon Point, Ont.

Flavelle, Sir Joseph & Lady (Clara Ellsworth)
"Holwood" Queen's Park
Sum Res: Sturgeon Point, Ont
Mr. Ellsworth Flavelle.

Hogg, Mr. and Mrs. Albert O. (Hannah Bowes)

305 St. George street
Sum Res: Sturgeon Point, Out.

McLaughlin, Mr. (K.C.) and Mrs. Robert J. (Eliza A. Webster)

82 Bedford Road
Sum Res: Sturgeon Point, Ont
Miss Gertrude McLaughlin
Captn. Hugh J. McLaughlin
Lieut. William McLaughlin
Miss Anna H. McLaughlin

Milner, Prof. (M.A.) and Mrs. William S.(Marguerite Flavelle)

74 Grenville street
Sum Res: Sturgeon Point, Ont.
Mr. Arthur Milner

Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. (Mary Grace)
"Aghaveller." 430 Avenue road
Sum Res: "Boley," Sturgeon Point

In the 1913 volume, Mary (nee Grace) Mitchell was still at home.  She has now inherited the family home and cottage.

Ryerson, Surgeon General and Mrs. G. Sterling (Elizabeth Thomas)
59 Warren road
Sum Res.: "Oakhurst," Sturgeon Point, Ont
Major Arthur C. Ryerson


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