Port Joli residents meet famous relative

Left Field Productions, based out of Toronto has been filming a 13 part mini series for CBC television called, “Who do you think you are?”

The piece they were filming in Port Joli was about MacKenzie.

MacKenzie, who retired from the Canadian Forces in 1993, wrote a book titled “Peacekeeper: The Road to Sarajevo.”

It is his own story of his peacekeeping experiences, which became a number one best seller in Sept. 1993.

Now president of Major General MacKenzie Enterprises, he was named a member of The Order of Canada in 2006.

Heather Wharton along with her sister, Danielle Wharton Robertson of Port Joli, is related to MacKenzie on his mother’s side, who was also a Wharton.

Over the years the women have researched their family history, which became useful to the producer.

Prior to arriving in Port Joli, the film crew interviewed military historians in the United States, they explained.

They also followed the history of Israel Wharton, who fought in the American Revolution.

The Guysborough Township site in Port Mouton became his home after the revolution until a fire destroyed the community, explained Robertson.

The Mersey Heritage Society is studying the site that contains artifacts from the 1780s, added Robertson.

The film crew stopped by the site, a home in Liverpool and the old Beach Meadows cemetery.

They also planned to visit the Queens County Museum, said Robertson, but may have run out of time.

Although it was an “exciting” day, Robertson said, “I was kind of sad that dad wasn’t here to see it; he would have been excited.”

Her father was extremely interested in their relation to MacKenzie, she added.

Wharton said CBC plans to air the new mini series sometime in the fall.