The poetry of history lies in the quasi-miraculous fact that once, on this earth, on this familiar spot of ground walked other men and women as actual as we are today, thinking their own thoughts, swayed by their own passions but now all gone, vanishing after another, gone utterly as we ourselves shall be gone like ghosts at cockcrow.
– G.M. Trevelyan
This blog (which as of April 2016 is ended) is an informal exploration of the history of Kingston and surrounding areas, particularly “the small stuff”: tidbits of information, stories, photographs, and other interesting things I’ve come across. Although I have stopped writing, I still update posts when I find new information or realize I’ve made a mistake. I am also still open to inquiries about Kingston history, so please feel free to use my Contact page and I will get back to you.
Your host, Francesca Brzezicki:
Born and raised in Kingston, I’ve had an unhealthy obsession with the past for about as long as I can remember. I have a Medial degree in Art History – Film Studies from Queen’s University, and I have been accepted to the Master’s program in Public History at Carleton University. My main period of historical interest is about 1870-1929, but I write about everything up to the first half of the 20th century on this blog. I am also on Twitter at @fbrzez.
Header images on the blog are from the Clifford M. Johnston Fonds at Library and Archives Canada (all c. 1916):
Spectres of Kingston's Past 
Francesca, I am going to miss the contributions you made to this blog. It was well written, topical, and interesting. Though I have no direct familial or other connection with Kingston I found your articles to reflect the times about which you wrote about. Some of the social issues, attitudes and mores you wrote about specific to Kingston could be generalized to that of Ontario during the era in which you write.
Good luck in your next step in your career at Carelton. My daughter goes to school at U of Ottawa and really likes it. Hope you do to!.
Thanks again for all your efforts.
Thank you, that’s very nice of you to say! I do find local history to be fun because the things that interest me can be applied to any town, anywhere: how people lived, what changes did they go through, how the past is reflected in the present.
Things have been a little hectic lately for me, but I’ll do my best to stay active on Twitter etc., and follow along with what you and others are up to. Thanks again for your kind words!
Love that the blog name came from a joke your brother made–brothers will be brothers 🙂 Looking forward to reading more!