Lady Tweedsmuir's Legacy March 11, 1992, Printed in the Listowel Banner, Listowel, Ontario Whether it is a hang-over from the popular television series "Roots", or the maturing nature of a nation which this year marks its 125th anniversary, one thing is certain. Interest in things historical, and in genealogy in 'particular, is running at an all-time high. Elderly family members, people working at archives, in newspaper " morgues", or at public libraries arc aware of the interest. They get consulted on a regular basis by everyone from persons researching family trees, to historians doing pieces on cheese factories, sawmills, or what have you, to youngsters doing school essays. But there's another excellent source of family and community history that is sometimes overlooked. Since the 1930s Women's Institutes in Canada have been keeping histories of their localities. In most cases, these rccords are complete and many date back to the 1880s. Marcie Johnston, president of the Britton WI, is typical of WI members who arc responsible for their histories. The Britton group recently held a work meeting on its "Tweedsmuir" history book. Families in the community arc being telephoned for an update on their farm, on house and barn improvements, or other changes, also changes in landscaping where applicable. The Britton WI is also hoping to get an updated photo of families in its area for the history. Each member has been assigned lots and concessions on which to get updated information. BEGINNINGS The WI history books are named in honor Lady Tweedsmuir, wife of Canada governor (general from 1935-40 Lord Tweedsmuir, who was at least a well-known as the popular writer John Buchan. Lady Tweedsmuir herself was a prolific author, writing well into her 80s. Her better-know: works are "A Study of Wellington After Waterloo", and a biography of novelist Louisa May Alcott. Lady Tweedsmuir in her native England was also a devoted Institute member and took great interest in the Women' Institutes of Canada. "It was at a meeting of the Athen's Women's Institute, now of Leeds East District, that Lady Tweedsmuir stressed the need for preserving the history of our Canadian people, customs and activities of our developing land," reports Mrs. Johnston. "This was in 1936." Lady Tweedsmuir's interest was timely, Mrs. Johnston notes. "Canada was a young country and pioneering was relatively close to people in many areas. Tales of trials and tribulations of earlier days were still being told to younger generations." Lady Tweedsmuir's proposition to preserve local history was forwarded to the provincial board of the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario. It took some time, but the idea caught on. In 1945, the provincial convener, Mrs. L. Reesor, proposed in her report that WI branches begin "village" history books. In that same year the FWIO magazine, Home and Country, published a list of suggestions for compiling "Tweedsmuir Village Histories". PRESERVING HISTORY "Marcie Johnston displays the large Tweedsmuir History of the Britton Women's Institute. The page on the right contains Lady Tweedsmuir's "Forward". In the foreground are the acid-free pages for a new history. (Banner Photo)