On a visit to my parent's home in Montreal, I was rummaging through various papers 
and boxes of pictures, which were always stored in the den, the room I would use when 
visiting 'home'.  I discovered a letter written by Steuart Beattie, my father's first 
cousin on his paternal side, to my Dad.  It was initially a bit newsy, but typical of 
the Holdgates, it soon got to the crux of the matter.  Steuart had gathered some 
family history, primarily about the Hubbards and the Sadds, which he derived from 
some research of his own as well as asking his aged mother's questions about her past 
and her family.  I had never read anything about my paternal side before - the 
Holdgates and the Hubbards - I knew nothing about these people at all.  
Unfortunately, when my grandparents were still alive, I really wasn't thinking much 
about my past although one day I do remember asking Grampie what became of his 
family; his reply was simply, "they went to Australia".  Well that stuck in my head 
for many years until I read this letter of Steuart's and then realized there was a 
whole lot more to Granmpie's family than what he had stated.  This letter, with its 
bit of information, was my impetus to embark on what has turned out to be an 
addictive hobby - researching my ancestry.  What I have discovered, to date, is 
absolutely fascinating; I am totally engrossed on my new-found family members.  These 
people have become alive to me and I know so many of them as if they were friends, 
even creating pictures of them in my head.

Yes, genealogy can be a pile of vital statistics which sounds very boring to most yet 
dates and places in the varied eras interest me because it is like a jigsaw puzzle 
with a lot of missing pieces.  As stated, because this hobby doesn't interest 
everyone, I have tried to make these people become alive to you by showing you where 
they lived; the churches they attended; the trades whereby they earned their living 
to support, in most cases, very large families; the graveyards where they are 
buried.  Yet, there is a great deal of sadness on these pages; the death of so many 
babies and young children due to common illnesses today but were killers back when 
along with the early deaths of the mothers who bore these children.  The accidents 
the men befell leaving them unable to work and care fore their families or worse!
  
The workhouses, where a few of my ancestors landed up due to unavoidable 
misfortunes, were a refuge, but on the most part, they were not very desirable places 
to have to live and raise a family.  The times were hard far too strenuous for us 
today ... most of us wouldn't have been able to manage).  It was hand-to-mouth 
existance, not exclusive to our ancestors; it was just the way it was back then, and 
I believe it was simply 'matter of fact' to these people as they knew nothing 
different - life had to go on!

I sincerely hope you enjoy reading the following pages which is my heritage.  All 
these people came together, throughout the ages, and eventually made me who I am 
today.  This is a continuing journey and I am enjoying every single minute of it; 
turning a corner means a new adventure with new people.  These people, through the 
nature of research, have brought me together with living 'distant' relatives of 
mine.  So far, this has been one fabulous trip!

This family tree is dedicated to my Mom, Betty, who passed away on November 7, 2005.

Mom, I loved you then and I love you now; you are never, ever far from my thoughts 
and you are always in my heart.

P.S. The stories I have promised you, although mostly written, will have to wait 
until I am able to upgrade to a more powerful package.  Sorry!