Improvements to the Mausoleum
October 15, 2005
Peter Christie
Superintendent of Cemeteries
Public Works Department
Operations and Maintenance Division
Cemetery Section
Hamilton, ON
Hi, Peter:
It is five months since our initial meeting and my usual mid-month contact is due. I am still anxious to fill in some of the blanks about the McGregor Ross mausoleum which are still on my mind after our previous discussions. My telephone calls to the Waterdown area have not turned up any descendants of Peter McGregor, but I am still determined to obtain some positive results from my quests. My particular interest, naturally, is in the mausoleum, which is the only structure in the pioneer section of the Waterdown Union Cemetery . . . and it is reasonable to assume that the Hamilton Cemetery Board made every effort to recover all of the records from the additional 52 cemeteries that came under its management after the amalgamation of the six area municipalities in 2001.
In order to save some time, the following "questionnaire" might serve to cover a few of the topics. Please place a checkmark in the appropriate boxes to indicate positive responses or to indicate that the answer is known. If a more detailed explanation is necessary, then feel free to use more space.
Superintendent of Cemeteries
Public Works Department
Operations and Maintenance Division
Cemetery Section
Hamilton, ON
Hi, Peter:
It is five months since our initial meeting and my usual mid-month contact is due. I am still anxious to fill in some of the blanks about the McGregor Ross mausoleum which are still on my mind after our previous discussions. My telephone calls to the Waterdown area have not turned up any descendants of Peter McGregor, but I am still determined to obtain some positive results from my quests. My particular interest, naturally, is in the mausoleum, which is the only structure in the pioneer section of the Waterdown Union Cemetery . . . and it is reasonable to assume that the Hamilton Cemetery Board made every effort to recover all of the records from the additional 52 cemeteries that came under its management after the amalgamation of the six area municipalities in 2001. In order to save some time, the following "questionnaire" might serve to cover a few of the topics. Please place a checkmark in the appropriate boxes to indicate positive responses or to indicate that the answer is known. If a more detailed explanation is necessary, then feel free to use more space.
Sincerely yours,
J. Douglas Ross
Toronto, ON
Family Webmaster for Ross-ter: Descendants of Alexander Ross and Margaret Noble
http://ca.geocities.com/ross-ter@rogers.com
National Webmaster for the Clan Ross Association of Canada, Incorporated
http://www.GreatClanRoss.org
J. Douglas Ross
Toronto, ON
Family Webmaster for Ross-ter: Descendants of Alexander Ross and Margaret Noble
http://ca.geocities.com/ross-ter@rogers.com
National Webmaster for the Clan Ross Association of Canada, Incorporated
http://www.GreatClanRoss.org
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Re: The Custodian of the Union Cemetery during the 1970's
We have his name and duration of employment. ____________________
His records have been preserved by us.
2. Re: The Custodian(s) of the Union Cemetery (from Waterdown Centennial to Amalgamation)
The details are known. _________________________
The records have been preserved by us.
3. Re: The "green box" stored on the two iron pipes in the mausoleum.
Was it placed there prior to 2001?
Was it placed there since 2001?
Under whose authority? _________________________
The contents of the green box are known. _________________________
Who installed the two iron pipes? _________________________
4. Re: The urn containing the ashes of Phoebe Jean McGregor Ross
Where have they been placed and when? _________________________
5. Re: The areas which have been cemented in since the original work after 1948. It is reasonable to request the details and to expect answers in this matter. Please use a check mark if any details are known.
Date(s) of cement work post 1973? _________________________
Under whose responsibility? _________________________
Purpose of the work? _________________________
Contents cemented in? _________________________
You mentioned that restoration is "somewhat of a slow process as we have to follow all of our corporate policies when contracting or purchasing any services". Would it be possible to obtain a copy of the regulations which govern those policies?
We would appreciate the opportunity of visiting the mausoleum again before the winter weather sets in. I forgot to take measurements for an engraved McGregor Ross stone (similar to the header for this letter) to replace the brass plaque which was once above the door to the mausoleum. The visit will afford another chance to take pictures and record any changes. Please suggest a date and time when we may meet at your convenience.
We have his name and duration of employment. ____________________ His records have been preserved by us. 2. Re: The Custodian(s) of the Union Cemetery (from Waterdown Centennial to Amalgamation)
The details are known. _________________________ The records have been preserved by us. 3. Re: The "green box" stored on the two iron pipes in the mausoleum.
Was it placed there prior to 2001? Was it placed there since 2001? Under whose authority? _________________________ The contents of the green box are known. _________________________ Who installed the two iron pipes? _________________________ 4. Re: The urn containing the ashes of Phoebe Jean McGregor Ross
Where have they been placed and when? _________________________ 5. Re: The areas which have been cemented in since the original work after 1948. It is reasonable to request the details and to expect answers in this matter. Please use a check mark if any details are known.
Date(s) of cement work post 1973? _________________________ Under whose responsibility? _________________________ Purpose of the work? _________________________ Contents cemented in? _________________________ You mentioned that restoration is "somewhat of a slow process as we have to follow all of our corporate policies when contracting or purchasing any services". Would it be possible to obtain a copy of the regulations which govern those policies? We would appreciate the opportunity of visiting the mausoleum again before the winter weather sets in. I forgot to take measurements for an engraved McGregor Ross stone (similar to the header for this letter) to replace the brass plaque which was once above the door to the mausoleum. The visit will afford another chance to take pictures and record any changes. Please suggest a date and time when we may meet at your convenience.