PLEASE HELP! A dis -functional family living in Essex England, Try to find their Canadian Roots!?

Question

I would be extremely grateful if anyone could suggest & provide details of suitable Websites with information regarding to, or have personal Knowledge of the History; of the area known as "THE JUNCTION", in Toronto,Ontario. Canada:Between 1895 -1910:

Particularly interested in details concerning the alleged occurance of a major fire which caused considerable damage {year unknown}
Anyone wwith the surname of "READ" who believe they may have had relations who returned to Enfield Middlesex {North London England} between 1908- 1911.

Answer 1

I suggest coming to Toronto. The Junction is a neat area. I like it. There's a long street that runs through Toronto called Dundas Street. The Junction is an area that lies on Dundas, west of Roncesvalles.

I like that area because the buildings all look like they're from the era you mention. It's not gentrified though. It's not prettied-up. It's just got that old atmosphere to it, which is rare in Toronto. Either we pretty those areas up or we tear them down to build afresh.

It's not an expensive area, but it's got a bit of character, so I imagine hip people live there and that eventually it will be fixed up. However, you can't trust that to happen, so you might want to get over here and take a look before things start being torn down.

Why not visit the City of Toronto archives? There's also an excellent reference library in Toronto which might have some info. You could even go to a public library right in the Junction and ask the librarian if they have any books on local history. You might find some references to your relatives.

Just come over to Toronto for a research trip, and take a day or two to see the city. It should be fun. At least it will put a bit of a picture to the story you're working on. At best you could find out all the information you ever wanted to know and have a great little holiday to boot.

Answer 2

Try Ancestry.com or Geneology.com
good luck and i hope you find what your looking for