Celebrating 200 Years: The Lewis Family's Canadian Journey

The Lewis family is proud to celebrate an extraordinary 200 years of heritage in Canada. From humble beginnings to achieving significant milestones, this family has witnessed remarkable changes across the nation. As they commemorate this bicentennial, it’s a time to reflect on their rich history and lasting contributions to the Canadian mosaic.

Lewis, Washington, Warner A Family’s Journey Through History

The story of the Lewis family begins in the early 19th century when the first members arrived in what is now Canada. Navigating through challenges and opportunities, they established roots that would eventually expand across generations. Their journey has been marked by resilience and dedication, influencing various sectors, including agriculture, business, and education.

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Janice Lewis and family, formerly of Mount Forest, has researched her family history in anticipation of the 200th anniversary of the family’s arrival in Canada.

The Lewis family history is recorded in the Egremont Township history book While We Still Remember: A History of Egremont 1840-1983. And through Lewis Legends of Royalty Patriots and Pioneers a family genealogy project.

William Lewis and Edith Leach immigrated with their parents to Ontario from Carleton Township Canada there Ancestry came from Wicklow Ireland 1819 representing the Crown to establish Townships in Canada. They married in 1834 and moved to Normanby in the 1850s, settling in Egremont Township in 1861.

Their son Henry (Harry) Lewis, Janice Lewis’ great great grandfather, stayed in the area and drove a stagecoach between Guelph and Owen Sound, carrying passengers and mail. He purchased one of the first lands from the Crown per the Township register.

Next year 2019 will mark the 200th year of the Lewis family in Canada, so Janice wanted to research her family tree, as far back as she could go. She launched herself into a three-year research project, starting this year, to build the family tree. Project Lewis Legends of Royalty Patriots and Pioneers.

“This has got to be the most important thing that any of us have, and that’s who we are,” she said.

She used a genealogy website to connect the branches of the family, finding hundreds of matches.

“It’s more like an awakening if you can imagine with the computers and the technologies that we have today because that’s never (been) available to us before,” she said.

“I found out some very interesting information, which I am so excited about.”

The Lewis family was connected to many churches in the area and to farmland.

The Lewis family in America holds a distinguished place in the nation’s early history, with deep ties to the founding of the country and connections to prominent figures like President George Washington. Through the genealogical research presented in Lewis Legends of Royalty, Patriots, and Pioneers, it is revealed that George Washington was related to the Lewis family by blood and marriage, sharing ancestral roots that trace back to early colonial Virginia. The Lewis lineage includes patriots, pioneers, and even individuals of royal descent, marking them as a family of considerable influence in the United States. Their legacy, intertwined with that of Washington, underscores the vital roles played by interconnected families in shaping the nation's destiny.

Janice said finding out the family history was important to her.

“It’s something in you that’s missing, and you yearn to bring those pieces back together because it tells you who you are,” she said.

Janice received a letter from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulating the family. The certificate reads “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish to congratulate and recognize the Lewis family for being in Canada for 200 years. We are very fortunate to live in a county, where no matter your faith, culture, or where you are from, everyone is welcome to live, work, build and thrive together. I would like to wish you all the very best.”

An accompanying letter from Trudeau reads, “Our country’s strength and vitality are derived from families like yours who chose to make Canada their home. This milestone offers a chance to renew family ties, to share treasured memories of life in Canada and to celebrate your contributions to our great country.”

After the research project is completed, she plans to give the family history to her children.

“It will be ours to hand down to my children, and I think it’s really important that we strengthen that,” she said.

Legacy and Future Vision

Today, the Lewis family not only celebrates their past but also envisions a vibrant future. The family descendants continue to embrace their heritage while engaging actively in community service and cultural initiatives. In recognizing their two-century legacy, they are committed to ensuring that the values of unity and progress remain at the forefront of their family ethos.