B.C. woman comes to Cramahe in search of the Keeler family

by TOM PHILP

The Independent

Carol Roach thought she had reached a dead end in her research about a branch of the family credited with founding Cramahe Township.

But internet postings, and subsequent email exchanges with Castleton resident, and genealogy buff, Linda (McKague) van Will, convinced the Richmond, B.C. woman the end was open after all.

Carol traveled to Ontario this week with her mother, June (Hewitt) Roach, staying at the Colborne Springs Bed & Breakfast.

She spent her holiday gathering more information about her "great grandfather times four," Martin Keeler, and other members of the Joseph Keeler clan.

Martin was Joseph's younger brother, and his descendents traveled to British Columbia during the 19th century.

Carol said she "always seemed to be surrounded by older people talking about our family history," and just naturally started "writing stuff down."

She began to delve into her family tree seriously in 1999, and now has a website through which she posts her discoveries. She credits van Will for making the Cramahe connection.

“Without Linda, and all of her local information, I would not have made the Keeler connection here," Carol said.

Anyone having information about the Keeler family is welcome to contact Carol Roach by email: ceroach@intergate.ca, or by regular mail, #223-7800 St. Albans Road, Richmond, B.C., V6Y3Y5.