A search of my Brinston Families database turned up 3 babies born on New Year’s Day and one on New Year’s Eve – all in Newfoundland.
Some Newfoundland scenes.
The first of these was George Brinston, born 31 Dec 1851 on Sound Island in Placentia Bay. He was the 8th child of Henry Brinston and Jane Hollett and grandson of William Brinston, the earliest Brinston ancestor I have confirmed in this line. George became a shipwright and moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia where he married Maria Bendle, also from Placentia Bay, and they had 6 children.
Charlotte Anne Gilbert, born 1 Jan 1869 on Sound Island, was the daughter of Matilda Brinston and her husband Charles Gilbert and a great granddaughter of William Brinston. Charlotte married Albert Edward Stacey on Sound Island in 1889.
John Wilfred Brinston was born 1 Jan 1888 on Sound Island to Nelson Brinston and Hannah Eddy, the 3rd of their 6 children. He was a great grandson of William Brinston. John married Adeline Piercey in 1911 on Sound Island.
Mary Ann Brinston was born 1 Jan 1920 in Witless Bay, Newfoundland to Charles Downes Brinston and Honora Yard. William Brinston was her 2nd great grandfather. Mary Ann and her husband William Doyle lived in Ontario and had 10 children.
The Brinstons and their kin in Newfoundland were engaged in the fishing industry.[i] What were these families likely doing to celebrate the New Year? Newfoundland has a rich tradition of celebration spanning the period prior to Christmas until Epiphany on 6th January. In some Newfoundland communities stockings were hung and small gifts given at New Year’s. One seasonal custom still found in Newfoundland is mummering where people disguise themselves to visit neighbouring homes, singing, dancing and accepting refreshments.[ii] While on the subject, why not listen to the wonderful Mummers Song?[iii]
Do you know of any more New Year’s babies in the Brinston line? What else can you tell us about how these ancestors celebrated Christmas and the New Year?
[i] Further details on these families can be found on The Brinston Families Worldwide site. https://brinston.one-name.net/
[ii] Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador. https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/society/newfoundland-labrador-customs.php
[iii] The Mummers Song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzJW65XwKPY