Commanda Museum
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Our museum is using oral interviews, historical records, and other records to obtain information about the families that originally settled in the Commanda area.
Please enjoy the videos, photographs and other records that we have compiled on these families so far.
We are always looking for residents or past residents of our region to share your stories for our genealogy project. Our goal is to preserve the memories of our seniors for future generations. In partnership with 705Blackfly News. If you have stories to share, please email to arrange a place and time to record your family history.
If you like podcasts, we have transformed the video series into Where the Hell is Commanda?, with each episode featuring an interview and some extras detailing the rich, local history of the Commanda area. Episode 1 features the interview with Steve Holman.
Arnold Gehrke
Arnold Gehrke is a veteran of WWII who grew up in the Commanda area.
Rodney Fry
In this segment, 93-year-old Rodney Fry shares his funny and touching memories, and his family shows us keepsakes dating back to 1885. The museum is looking for more stories from Commanda’s past.
Rod Rennette
In 1886, Nicholas De Rennette left behind a wife and 7 children to emigrate from Belgium to the Nipissing region. When the family was reunited they were plagued by tragedy, but still managed to build a new life together. Nicholas's great-grandson, Rod, who lives on the Rennette homestead to this day. He read a letter written by Nicholas - and it brought the room to tears. Please enjoy this amazing story about tragedy, triumph and unbreakable family bonds.
Arnold Gehrke
Arnold Gehrke shares his stories of serving overseas during WWII.
Steve Holman
The Commanda General Store was built in 1885 by James and Elizabeth Arthurs. Fast forward 138 years, we sat down with the Arthurs' great-grandson Steve Holman to delve deeper into their family tree.
Larry & Tamara Bain
In approximately 1880, the Bain brothers emigrated from Scotland to Canada. It took incredible strength and determination to forge a new life in the unsettled Nipissing region. Still, the Bains prospered. Tragedy struck the family in 1935 when Ed Bain died of strep throat - leaving behind his wife Mae and their six-week-old baby. This is the story of how Mae’s fortitude created a legacy that lives on to this day and inspired generations of women in their family.
Wanda Aultman
Wanda Aultman used to visit the Commanda General Store as a child to buy chocolate. She's now 81-year-old, and we were with her as she walked about what is now the Commanda Museum.
Rollie & Sharon Fry
Rodney Fry's son Rollie and his wife Sharon, have been documenting the family’s history. We explore how the Fry family’s history is intertwined with other families in the region, we see family treasures dating back to the 19th century, and how they uncovered a spooky footprint from the past!
Marlene Moore
In the first installment of our “Building A Community” series, we meet Marlene Moore, a seventh-generation resident of Golden Valley. Watch this incredibly touching story of the building of their family legacy and the heartbreaking end to a romance that had lasted over 60 years.
Judy Merrick
Was it destiny or a remarkable coincidence that brought Judy Merrick to Commanda from Brampton? Judy and her young grandchildren share why they are delving into their family's past.
Ernie Bain
92-year-old Ernie Bain has a legacy in Commanda and the surrounding area that will be felt for generations to come. As an officer with Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources in the 1950's, he originated the Loring Deer Yard and saved the lives of tens of thousands of these beautiful wild animals.