From: "Clarke, Steve"
To: "J. Douglas Ross"
Cc: "Christie, Peter"
Sent: May 8, 2009 5:51 AM
Attach: DSC00372.JPG, DSC00373.JPG, DSC00369.JPG
Subject: RE: McGregor-Ross Mausoleum/Pioneer Cemetery/Waterdown, ON


Hello Doug,
I am happy to inform you that we have removed the green box and metal bars from the mausoleum. We were also able to solve the mystery of who it was in the box and to inter him into his properly assigned grave. We found a name plate in the box identifying him as Jack Russell McGregor 1863 - 1940. Records indicate that he was to be interred in Block 7 Lot 1. As you are aware, the mausoleum is Block 7 Lot 2. I cannot explain how he ended up in the mausoleum or how long he has been in there but I can verify that he is now where he belongs. I again apologize for the delay but certain protocals had to be followed before we could correct the situation. We have cleaned up the inside but will need to get a different cleaner for the paint splatters on the door.
Best Regards, Steve

GREEN BOX

NAME PLATE

WEST SPACE






From: J.Douglas Ross
To: Clarke, Steve
Sent: May 8, 2009 3:58 PM
Subject: McGregor-Ross Mausoleum


Hello Steve:
What a wonderful surprise! I am truly indebted to you for the work that you have done. Your discovery of the name plate brought some of the pieces of the puzzle together. I can say now that they fit an email response from Sylvia Wray of the former Union Cemetery Board in Waterdown.
Her email is at the very end (page 42/Appendix 14) which I added to Henry Ward's The McGregor Story (2nd Edition) at http://www.ross-ter.com/Ross-ter_Reports/Mausoleum/TheMcGregorStory.pdf. What threw me off track was the fact Sylvia Wray assumed from the old list of burials that John Russell McGregor (30 October 1940) had been interred in Lot 1, Block 7 with his wife Mary Emile (Robinson) McGregor (2 July 1931). In addition, neither had a marker. [I wonder if "Judith Patricia McGregor" was placed in the small cemented area near the door after 1973 as well. John's children were Helen Mary Russell (married Rev. H F Cocks), Jean Russell (married Havelock Dwight Hulbert), and Margaret Douglas Russell (married Dr John Alton). I haven't found any record for a "Judith Patricia McGregor".]
Another question arises. Where were bodies stored at the time I placed my aunt's ashes in the mausoleum? Perhaps the remains were kept in the cemetery custodian's nearby residence until his death. The interior of the mausoleum was as depicted in my sketch at the following webpage: http://www.ross-ter.com/Ross-ter_Reports/Mausoleum/history1973.html .
John Russell McGregor was my great-uncle, nicknamed "Uncle John Who Knits". He wasn't called "Jack" to my knowledge. I have attached a photo of Great-Uncle John holding me and my sister at my grandparents' cottage in Waldemar in 1935 . . . and another photo of me wearing a wool suit which he knit for me. Boy was it itchy and hot to wear! I have other photos in the McGregor collection. They are great memories.
Thank you again, Steve, for your pictures as well. I'll add everything to the story of the mausoleum later this month, and I'll drive there when time permits.
Sláinte mhòr!
J. Douglas Ross, FSA Scot

UNCLE JOHN WHO KNITS THE WOOL SUIT




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