Mayholme Foundation

12/24/2025

A Genealogist’s Christmas Eve

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse.
The dining room table with clutter was spread
With pedigree charts and with letters which said...
"Too bad about the data for which you wrote
Sank in a storm on an ill fated boat."

Stacks of old copies of wills and the such
Were proof that my work had become much too much.
Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.
And I at my table was ready to drop
From work on my album with photos to crop.

Christmas was here, and of such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys I forgot.
Had I not been so busy with grandparent's wills,
I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills.
While others had bought gifts that would bring Christmas cheer;
I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years.

While I was thus musing about my sad plight,
A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright.
Away to the window I flew in a flash,
Tore open the drapes and I yanked up the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear?
But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer.

Up to the housetop the reindeer they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys, and old Santa Claus too.
And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.
The TV antenna was no match for their horns,
And look at our roof with hoof-prints adorned.

As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash,
Down the cold chimney fell Santa - KER-RASH!
"Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck,
And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!)
Spotting my face, good old Santa could see
I had no Christmas spirit, you'd have to agree.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk).
Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy;
When I'd been too busy for even one toy.
He spied my research on the table all spread
"A genealogist!" He cried! (My face was all red!)

"Tonight I've met many like you", Santa grinned.
As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.
I gazed with amazement - the cover it read
"Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead."
"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug,"
He said as he gave me a great Santa Hug.

"While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry,
I do some research in the North Pole Library!
A special treat I am thus able to bring,
To genealogy folks who can't find a thing.
Now off you go to your bed for a rest,
I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess."

As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,
I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.
While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle,
To his team which then rose like the down of a thistle
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
"Family History is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!"

- author unknown

Genealogy Specialists

12/20/2025

Volunteers will not be available from December 22nd to January 7th 2026.

10/13/2025

08/12/2025

Corlene Beatrice (Dwyer) Taylor, U.E.
(May 31, 1928-August 9, 2025).

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Corlene, at her home, surrounded by love in her 98th year.

Corlene was predeceased by her husband and the love of her life, Lawrence Edward (Larry) Taylor; by her parents, Leslie Read and Bessie Irene (Beyer) Dwyer, and by her brothers Leslie and David Dwyer. She is survived by several cousins, her special friends Blake Loney, and Brenda Young. She will be missed by her friends and colleagues at the Mayholme Foundation.

Corlene was born at the family homestead, “Mayholme,” in Grantham Township. She attended Maywood School, the St. Catharines Collegiate Institute, and was a graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College (Macdonald Hall, University of Guelph) where she studied between 1946 and 1949. Corlene had an innate love of plants and gardening, which she acquired from her family and through her association with other farm families in the area. After Corlene and Larry were married, they purchased property overlooking Lake Ontario near Beamsville. There they were early practitioners of organic farming, and generously shared seeds, plants, and produce with friends and neighbours.

Corlene grew up with the knowledge that her Loyalist ancestors were members of Butlers Rangers and among the first settlers in Grantham Township. They included: Read, Bessey, Secord, Bowman, May, Hainer, and Vollick. This fostered her interest in local history and genealogy, and she could effortlessly recite connections with related families in Niagara and beyond.

Corlene belonged to many historical organizations and was a very early member of the Ontario Genealogical Society. She served as the chairman of the Niagara Branch of the OGS and volunteered for the branch when it was at the Thorold Library assisting with research queries. Corlene spent many long hours transcribing tombstones in old cemeteries with her friend, the late Peggy Willis and Aunt Corlene. Corlene was a member of the Lincoln Historical Society when it met at Rodman Hall. In 1967, she and Gordon Merritt requested that the City of St. Catharines provide them with a permanent site for a museum and they were allowed to use the Merritton Town Hall, the forerunner of the present Lock 3 location. Corlene donated many items to the museum, and the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa accepted artifacts that belonged to her mother who was a nurse in France during World War 1.

During the late 1970s and early ‘80s, Corlene worked tirelessly in her efforts to have the May-Clark-Seiler house, her ancestral home, designated and turned into a museum. Unfortunately, the house was burned in October 1984.

In the 1990s, Corlene established the “House of Dwyer” imprint which she used to create genealogical publications.

In 2002, a fund was set up by Corlene through the Niagara Community Foundation using money inherited from her aunt Corlene (Beyer) Tostevin. This fund was used to build a research room and library. Known as the Mayholme Foundation, the facility was opened during the “Doors Open” weekend in 2004. A substantial addition was made to the Centre in 2024 which now houses an important and growing collection of Canadian and American genealogical and historical books and records. Noteworthy in the collection are the papers and records of the late Esther Summers of Thorold.

In 2004, Corlene was awarded a Lifetime Achievement certificate by the Ontario Heritage Foundation “in appreciation of a lifetime of volunteer work to identify, preserve, protect, and promote our province’s rich heritage.”

As a genuine friend, mentor, and colleague, Corlene will be sorely missed by all those whose lives she touched but she will not soon be forgotten.

Donations to Mayholme or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Arrangements are entrusted to Tallman Funeral Home, Vineland. At Corlene’s request, there will be no visitation or service. Cremation has taken place.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Mayholme Foundation, 525 Ontario Street on September 5, 2025. 1-4 p.m.

08/10/2025

In loving memory of:
Corlene Beatrice (Dwyer) Taylor
1928-2025
More information to follow.

07/21/2025

Volunteers will be available this week on Thursday, July 24th and Friday, July 25th to help with research.

07/06/2025

Due to the replacement of Mayholme's driveway, there will be no volunteers available to help with research from July 7th until July 16, 2025.

07/01/2025

Happy Canada Day!

06/15/2025

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who sent such kind and thoughtful wishes for my 97th birthday. Your messages truly meant a great deal to me.

If you’re in the area, I warmly invite you to stop by Mayholme and take a look at our beautiful new addition—we’d love to share it with you.

Corlene

05/31/2025

The Board of Directors of Mayholme extends its warmest wishes to our esteemed founder, Corlene Taylor, in celebration of her 97th birthday. Genealogy has been Corlene’s lifelong passion, and she remains actively engaged in exploring her own family lineage while generously supporting fellow genealogists in their research endeavors.

04/19/2025

Happy Easter
(From the Mayholme collection)

04/06/2025

There will be no volunteers to help you at Mayholme the weeks of April 7 and April 14. They will be available the week of April 21, 2025.