1967 - A Postcard from Canada

A postcard sent to Mrs. Loraine McDonald. The postcard was dated July 12, 1967 and was postmarked from Canada. The post card was sent by Madeline Gertrude McDonald to her sister-in-law Frances Philomena Selker. The label on the postcard is for The North Lodge, Elgin House in Muskoka, Ontario. The Elgin House was a resort with views of Lake Joseph.

From Muskoka Resorts: Then and Now, page 153:

"For more than a hundred years, successive generations grew up at the famous Elgin House as families returned year after year to enjoy the northern hospitality. This grand old resort is now gone, but the memory of it remains very much alive."

From Muskoka Resorts: Then and Now, page 160:

"During the 1930's the North Lodge with additional rooms was built, bringing the number of guests Elgin House could accommodate to four hundred." 

Postcard Front

Madeline sent the postcard while vacationing with her siblings. The hand written note includes details about their vacation:

Dear Francis:

Our vacation is about at an end. Regis [Regis Andrew McDonald] & Chrs. [Charles Eugene McDonald] & Ger. [George Roth] home played golf each day & believe the vacation was good for both of them. We leave after breakfast Friday & may drop off at your place for a few minutes to see you but will go on through Friday as Reg. [Regis Andrew McDonald] will work Sat if he gets home on time & Chrs. [Charles Eugene McDonald] is anxious about his mail & will pick up Sat. Helen will write they are staying on another week.

Love - Madeline

At the time of the vacation Madeline Gertrude McDonald would have been 61 years old. Her siblings referenced in the postcard include:

• Her sister Helen Edith McDonald, age 67, and her husband George Roth.
• Her brother Regis Andrew McDonald, age 53, was most likely with his wife Bernice Auth.
• Her brother brother Charles Eugene McDonald, age 64. Both Madeline and Charles never married. 

Madeline and her siblings would have likely traveled through Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania on their way back to Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Their oldest brother Loraine Anthony McDonald, husband of Frances Philomena Selker, died in January of 1967. The siblings may have wanted to check in on Frances to see how she was doing.

Postcard Back
Madeline to  Mrs. Loraine McDonald

The Postcard Collection includes postcards from the 1940’s that were included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. The collection also includes postcards from the 1950's and 1960's that were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Madeline Gertrude Joan McDonald is my 2nd Great Aunt. Her siblings include Helen Edith McDonald, Charles Eugene McDonald, Regis Andrew McDonald and Loraine Anthony McDonald.  Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker are my great grandparents. Their daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald was my paternal grandmother.