You may well think - why is he writing a column anyway at this time in his life? I will carry on as long as I'm able, and the publisher agrees. I have worked extremely hard to produce Anecdotes of Queens County, Nova Scotia, and just completed Volume VI, in the spring of 2007.

There are many points of historical interest in Queens County that should be recorded again and again in order that those who follow us will find it easier to trace their own roots.

PORT MOUTON ISLAND: Recently, Mrs. Enid Doggett, Toronto, wrote to me and advised that Port Mouton Island was first known as Doggett's Island. In fact, Simeon Perkins recorded in his diary that John Doggett, believed to be one of the Liverpool Proprietors, died on the island, was brought to shore, transported to Liverpool and buried there.

WEST BERLIN, EAGLE HEAD, BEACH MEADOWS: These communities were settled principally by German folk, who long preserved their language and customs. Simeon Perkins and other Liverpool pioneers divided the "beach meadows" into lots from which they mowed the wild hay, transporting it to Liverpool in gondolas. The people were sauerkraut makers and enjoyed a tradition of "belt (bell) snickling" at Christmas. On New Year's Eve they loaded and fired their muskets in a ceremony known as, "Oaer nicht schiesse." The last volley was always fired outside the church as a mark of respect.

COFFIN'S ISLAND: Named after Peleg Coffin, one of the first settlers. Earlier, it was known as Bear Island. It is said that beach rock was gathered on the island for ballast, which eventually reached places as far away as Labrador and the West Indies. The first lighthouse was built in 1812. Simeon Perkins conducted the ceremony of laying the first stone. It was destroyed by fire in 1913.

NEAL'S LEDGES: Named for a lone black man who lived on the shore between Brooklyn and Eastern Head. In 1778, the French ship Duc de Choiseul was driven onto Neal's Ledges after a battle with H.M.S. Blonde. The French ship's cargo of arms and supplies destined for the American Revolution was captured.

THE WRECK ROAD: At the time this data was put together in the 1950s. Wreck Road was described in this manner: "Turns off the main Liverpool-Brooklyn highway just before the Mersey Paper Company property and goes down to the shore." Originally cut by men salvaging cargo and sails from the wrecked ship Kate Campbell, which had grounded there in the 1850s. It then became known as the Kate Campbell Road. Later, and after the ships Linda Abbott and Ella Vale came ashore at the same spot, the road became known as Wreck Road. Through the years the Mersey Paper Company improved and extended the road.

SANDY COVE: The village was settled by Freemans and others. It is said that one Freeman had a large number of black slaves, some of whom were buried on the slope of Great Hill. For many years there was a large black community there. Sandy Cove was the eastern terminus of a boat ferry that crossed the harbour from Fort Point. The small Freeman house was an inn for the accommodation of travelers. At nearby Gold's Pond (situated by the CNR railway track) towards Liverpool, many baptisms were held in a wave of religious fervor at the time.

More next week…