I'm really getting stressed out about the essay I'm writing for my history class. I'm researching a baker/confectionery business from the latter quarter of 19th century Toronto (Proprietor: Mr. George Coleman), but every time I think I'm coming to the end of the actual research, I run into another damn question.
Maybe that's the reality of history -- you never run out of questions.
Last night, I was in the stacks on the fourth floor of the York University Library after 10 p.m., crossing my legs together because I REFUSED to find a washroom until I determined when his business actually shut down. I worked by way through the 1880s, and all the through the 1890's versions of "Might's Toronto Directories" until I hit a wall at 1899. He was STILL in business and the next directory was 1913, at which point he'd likely be dead. Goddamit! I'm going to have to get to the Toronto Reference Library to see if they have the missing years.
What I know so far:
George Coleman's confectionary and bakery business was established in 1859 at 69 King Street West, south side, between Bay and York Streets in Toronto. The business moved to 99 King St., 111 King St., and eventually to 113 King Street in 1890. Mr. Coleman emigrated from England, was of Baptist faith and probably lived on Simcoe Street. He may have been a Mason! Fascinating eh?
This is all interesting stuff, but I'm under deadline here. Last night I hardly got any sleep and what sleep I did get was spent dreaming about slowly turning pages in the 1860s directory of Toronto businesses...ALL NIGHT. This does NOT a good night's sleep make.
No comments:
Post a Comment