A Living Family Tree
A Métis buffalo hunt on the prairie, mid-19th century. Organized and communal, these hunts were central to Métis culture, economy and identity.
This site is a living record of our family’s history – tracing our roots across Canada, Scotland, England, Italy, Ireland and Lithuania. It is both a place for storytelling and a genealogical archive for those who wish to explore deeper.
Latest Stories and Historical Context
New stories and historical context from the Smith Family Roots project.
The Smilgjus family (circa 1922): Clockwise, Ipolitas (seated), Julijona, possibly Felix, and possibly Constantinas. Photo courtesy of Emma Smith.
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The Gorbals: Glasgow, Immigration, and the Coal Economy
The Gorbals: Glasgow, Immigration, and the Coal Economy The Gorbals was one of Glasgow’s best-known working-class districts. Located on the south side of the River Clyde, it changed from a small settlement into a densely populated urban area as Glasgow expanded during the 19th century.1 Its growth was closely tied to the city’s industrial economy,…
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Vimy: The Ridge Where a Nation Found Its Voice (1917)
Canadian National Vimy Memorial — commemorating the 1917 Battle of Vimy Ridge, a defining moment for Canada and a solemn tribute to those who never came home. Never forgotten. By the light of the “Creeping Barrage,” four divisions of farmers, clerks, and loggers did what empires could not. For three long years of the Great…
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Vimy Ridge: One Soldier’s War
Among the men preparing for that battle was Private William Mears, a recent immigrant to Canada whose war would be decided on the slopes of the ridge. This is a fictionalized account based on actual records. Canadian soldiers advance at Vimy Ridge, France, April 1917. The battle marked a defining moment in Canada’s emergence as a nation…
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A Lifetime of First Cries
Misericordia Hospitals were established by the Sisters of the Misericordia in both Winnipeg and Edmonton. Laura Mears (1926-2015) completed her training at the former and after relocating to Edmonton in the early 1950s began a nursing career at the Misericordia that would span 40 years. Early Life in Manitoba Laura Helen Marie Mears was born on August…
Please note that this site follows standard genealogical naming conventions. Ancestors are listed based on their name at birth. Thus Mrs. Sandra Smith is listed as Sandra Pegolo; Peter Smith is listed here as Petras Smilgjus.