The Nile Voyageurs - First Canadian Contingent to Serve Overseas

The British were in Egypt and the Sudan because of the Suez Canal. British general Charles Gordon was in the service of the Khedive of Egypt and Sudan in 1873 and later became the Governor General of Sudan. He returned to England in 1880. 

A major revolt broke out in Sudan, led by a Muslim religious Mahdi. In early 1884 General Gordon was sent to Khartoum to evacuate and accompany loyal soldiers and civilians. After evacuating about 2500 people, he disobeyed orders and kept a small band of soldiers and non-military men and they became besieged by the Mahdi's forces.

Journals of General Gordon

A rescue mission was planned and General Garnet Wolseley was put in charge. Besides seeing action in Crimea and Africa, he was involved in the Red River Rebellion, leading British soldiers and Canadian militia. Wolseley recruited Canadians, not so much because they could fight, but because they were skilled at navigating dangerous river waters. Perfect for traveling up the Nile to reach Khartoum. 

In a matter of just 24 days Wolseley recruited guides, boatmen and lumbermen from all across Canada... English and Scottish, French, Métis and Aboriginals ...and were named the Nile Voyageurs. Their monthly wages were about $40 for boatmen and $75 for foremen. 

List of Nile Voyageur officers, and men by division

There is a book called Records of the Nile Voyageurs 1884-1885 with more complete info, some images and lists of men, at Internet Archive. It is only available to borrow for 2 weeks (online or download) and you must register for free and login.  Some *men re-enlisted, see page 176 for contract. *Note that the book is still under copyright.

They gathered in Montreal from whence they sailed 14 September 1884, bound for Egypt, arriving on October 7th.

Nile Expedition

The expedition did not make it in time to save General Gordon, and were themselves attacked. There is a † beside names of those men that died. Money was sent to their families. If deceased left a widow or widowed mother special grants were made.



Relevant Links

List of Officers and Men of Nile Voyageurs, Dominion Annual Register and Review 1884

Records of the Nile Voyageurs, 1884-1885 (borrow)

Our Caughnawagas in Egypt

Historical Plaque in Ottawa

Canadian Military Ancestors

I have gathered all the resources for Canadian Military from previous posts in one file.

Download is available under the Resource tab above.

Relevant Link

Canadian Military Resources

War Time Newsreels

Updated from Dec 2015

Those with ancestors that were in one of the World Wars may be interested in watching some Canadian Army Newsreels that are being uploaded to Library and Archives Canada's YouTube channel.

Our ancestors that were at home during the wars would have watched the newsreels in the movie theaters. 

The Canadian Army Newsreels were 10 minute films made by the Canadian Film and Photo Unit who were trained in combat the same as all soldiers. The films were distributed each week to the Canadian troops, the National Film Board and Canadian, British and American newsreel companies.

Canadian Army Newsreel No 1 (1942)

At Internet Archive there are 266 newsreels of different countries, including Britain, America, Australia, Japan and Italy.  Use the index on the right to find the ones you want.

Will you see your ancestor in one of these films?



Relevant Links

Canadian Army SWW Newsreels

Canadian Army FWW Newsreels

British War Reels

German WWII Newsreels

WWII Newsreels at Internet Archive

Serendipity Sunday - Men of New Jersey in Wars

Well... look what popped up while I was researching booze! 
Can you guess why?

Records of Officers and Men of New Jersey in Wars 1791-1815

These are the wars covered...  

• Expedition against the Indians in 1791
• Pennsylvania Insurrection in 1794
• Naval War with France, 1798-1801
• Naval War with Tripoli, Africa, 1801-1805
• War with Great Britain, 1812-1815
• Naval War with Algiers, Africa in 1815

For each War the soldiers are listed by company with name, rank, date entered service, length of service, date left service and remarks (killed, promoted, missing, etc). There is also an alphabetic index at end of each chapter.

At the beginning of each war chapter there is a summary of why the war was being fought.

Relevant links

Records of Officers and Men of New Jersey in Wars 1791-1815

Related post: Two Wars of the 1700s

Celebrating Nurses

National Nursing Week is May 6-12, 2019

Just as we are for military veterans, we should be thankful for the service of our nurses. They do not have an easy job, and at times it can be downright dangerous, yet they work tirelessly for the people in their communities.

I have cousins and ancestor relatives that are and were nurses and I applaud them all!

Not enough doctors in your area? Ask about a Nurse Practioner, they are not as restricted as doctors are and have the same access to specialists. I have a NP as my primary and I get the best of care. 

This and previous related posts will give you resources to find and celebrate your nursing ancestors.

Marriage announcement of Nurse Kathleen King, my 1st cousin 2x removed

The Canadian Nurse, Vol 25, Jan 1929, pg.152, mark 128

Relevant links

Directory of Trained Nurses of Philadelphia, New York and Brooklyn 1895

Directory of Trained Nurses of Philadelphia, New York and Brooklyn 1900

Hodges' New York City nurses directory 1916

Golden Jubilee, School for Nurses, Guelph 1888-1938

The Canadian Nurse

Training School for Nurses, Montreal General 1890

Report of the Mount Sinai Training School for Nurses

Faulkner Hospital Training School for Nurses, Boston

Bulletin of the Presbyterian Hospital School for Nurses, Chicago 1903-1904 TORONTO

The Royal British Nurses' Association, Pioneering Nurses Database

Related Posts: Nurses

Ploughing Match

Ploughing Matches were contests between local farmers to see who was the best ploughman. Whether pulled by oxen, horse, steam or tractor, the matches have been a much anticipated event for centuries. 

The Australasian Pastoralists' Review Feb 1894, pg 612 (48)

They were usually held on a lucky local farmer's field. Notices of the matches for the upcoming season were posted in papers and agricultural journals.

Lower Canada Agriculturist, Oct 1866, pg.2

The rules are listed on the next page.

In 1871 the Stalmine Ploughing Association held their annual match on Grange Farm occupied by my 3x great uncle James Singleton.

Ploughing Match, Stalmine Lancashire, 1871

Results of ploughing matches were posted in the local newspapers, agricutural journals, state board of agriculture reports, or even sessional papers. Points were awarded for straightness and neatness. 

My Carter and Singleton ancestors often placed in the Lancashire matches, as did my Bruce ancestors in the Aberdeenshire matches. Robert Bruce, son of my 3x great grandfather of Upper Knaven, Fyvie attended the match in Methlic and came in 4th.

Aberdeen Journal, 14 Jan 1852

Ploughing matches have today gone international and become big exhibitions including other events. There are classes for horse-drawn and tractor pulled ploughs.

Richmond Ploughing Match, page 3, Sherbrooke Record, 1 Oct 1979

Local jewelers, silversmiths or goldsmiths were given the task of making medals to give to the prize winners. 

Sessional Papers of Ontario 1895, pg.71-72

Relevant links


Lower Canada Agriculturist

Manitoba ploughing match prize winners 1915

Ontario provincial ploughing matches 1894 winners

New Brunswick ploughing match winners 1884

Quebec ploughing matches by parish, 1880

Agricultural journal and transactions of the Lower Canada Agricultural Society 1851

Agricultural journal of the Lower Canada Agricultural Society 1848-1852

Wentworth Pioneer Ploughing Club, Ontario

The Australasian pastoralists' review 1894, mark 48

Back to Kapunda, September 17 to 24, 1927 : official souvenir pg 42, mark 44

State Board of Agriculture reports