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d, an ld e e," ect l es n y/ - es and Halton Sketches Revisited and is in demand as a speaker with a growing lineup of upcoming presentations and book signings. The original Halton Sketches were a regular feature in the Acton Free Press, and were later combined into a book. Years later, Halton Sketches Revisited was McDonald's revisit to the original book, adding more historical stories to the book. Interestingly, McDonald's research for Halton's Heritage led him to two of Halton's living relatives, who were not aware of their ancestor's distinguished past. Both joined McDonald at the book's launch this past October at Halton Regional Museum, at Kelso Conservation Area. At the book launch, Halton's great-great nephew, Harry Andrew of Toronto told how pleased he was to be part of the project, helping McDonald with some of the research. "John's research was meticulous," said Andrew. "The detail that he included in the book is unbelievable." There was another interesting wrinkle to the research, said Andrew. While in Jamaica during a genealogy research trip, Andrew looked into property that the Halton family had once owned. In the process, he left a business card in Jamaica. Months later, Christine Taylor, Halton's greatgreat-great niece, was visiting the same place in Jamaica, also in the pursuit of family research and she came across Andrew's business card. After calling Andrew, the two distant cousins would build a relationship, trading family tree entries as well as becoming family friends-- Andrew from his home in Toronto, and Taylor from her home in Brisbane, Australia. When McDonald was in the midst of his research, he crossed paths with Andrew, and ultimately Taylor, which added a greater dimension to the project. "I'm so pleased to have been able to be here (from Australia) to see John's book being launched," said Taylor. "With all his research and work, he has taken one of our little-known relatives and made him into a real person-- much more then just a name in our family tree. Being here as part of this book launch has been absolutely wonderful." Taylor also said how visiting Halton Region has been such an enlightening experience. With Andrew, a lawyer, helping McDonald with the book by doing some property title searches, Taylor said it was unbelievable how much property William Halton once possessed. "We'd be driving along a road here in Halton and Harry or John would say `Oh, this farm over here was one of William Halton's, or that piece of property was in his name as well,' to the point where it seemed he held land all over the place." Both Andrew and Taylor are quite impressed with the final product. "Halton's Heritage brings to life the man and the times in which Halton lived and his place in the history of Upper Canada," said Andrew. "The reader is drawn into the obviously vast pool of knowledge and respect John has for William Halton, both as an interesting historical figure and as a man," added Taylor. In describing the inspiration for his book, McDonald sums it up quite nicely. "I really feel that William Halton deserved respect and recognition in the parts he played in developing this part of Canada. Unlike others whose names were on counties like Peel, Wellington, Wentworth and others, Halton was a virtual unknown," said McDonald. "The county that was named after him started out as a rural farming area, and would eventually become a big part of the Greater Toronto Area. I think that is quite significant, and I'm pleased to have been able to bring him to life. "When I look back it was quite a journey to undertake," said McDonald. "It's gratifying though and I'm pleased that William Halton is going to be recognized." Halton's Heritage is currently available through the Milton Historical Society and Recycled Reading in softcover ($40) or hard cover ($55). In Georgetown, it can be purchased at White Rabbit Books, 16 Main Street South. e - William Halton's relatives, Harry Andrew of Toronto (right) and Christine Taylor of Brisbane, Australia help John McDonald cut the cake at the launch of McDonald's book on Halton--Halton's Heritage: William Halton and Halton County. hor ch- S WINTER · 2011 19 S I D E R O A D S O F H A LT O N H I L L S