Histories, pedigree charts, maps and more...
Family stories are the interwoven dramas coloured by moments of triumph and tragedy. How do we convey the energy and uniqueness of these narratives to future generations? The intent of this site is to preserve and share our Sparks' family story for posterity.
Our branch of the Sparks family descends from the British Isles - primarily from England with later generations migrating to Ireland. Sparks descendants began to arrive in Upper Canada from Ireland in the early 19th-century with others following years later. Turbulent times in the old country and new life opportunities waiting in Canada were the push and pull to our New World ancestors.
This site holds a collection of searchable genealogical records for the antecedents, descendants, siblings and cousins of Nicholas Sparks of Bytown. An extensive genealogical collection for Nicholas, his younger brother George Sparks of Bells Corners and his second cousin George Sparks of Gloucester is credited to the research work of family historians.
The collection will continue to evolve with the help of family and friends. There will always be some undiscovered family member, fact or story. Comments and contributions (old vintage photographs, online sources, family stories, etc.) are most welcome. For submissions, click "Contact Us" at the bottom of this page to send us your comments and contributions. We can exchange emails to arrange for submissions.
Enjoy searching for your Sparks relatives and ancestors.
K. Wayne Lester
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Sparks Family Researcher and Site Author
Our Sparks family heritage is rooted in the history of England and Ireland. A published source asserts that the Sparks name comes from the Old English term "sparrowhawk". Another source says the Sparks surname is derived from old Norse "sparkr or spraek" and adopted into Olde English in the Middle Ages. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Olde English versions gradually morphed into Spark and its West Country patronymic forms Sparke, Sparkes and Sparks.
Our Sparks lineage is traced back to Tudor England with two of the strongest monarchs sitting for 118 years on the English throne: Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I. John Sparke, born about 1500 and living in Devon County, England, is the earliest known Sparks ancestor. John would have lived a more peaceful and richer life during England's transformation from Medieval to Tudor times, but still a challenging life nonetheless.
Nicholas Sparke, a fifth-generation descendant of John Sparke, also a native of Devon County, is the legendary “founder of the Irish branch”, as told in Herbert Todd’s 1913 narrative of prominent pioneering Canadians. Nicholas and his family continued to prosper in his ancestors footsteps during the stormy reign of Charles I.
Joining the eighteenth-century British colonization of Ireland, the Sparke family of Devon County emigrated to County Wexford, Ireland. Nicholas Sparke's grandson Samuel Spark chose to move with his family from Devon County to County Wexford, Ireland, most likely to take possession of leased-land awarded to his grandfather Nicholas for his military service. The political and religious upheaval during the era of the Irish Protestant Ascendancy brought times of anxiety and fear to the lives of Samuel's family suffering heavy losses during the 1798 rebellion.
A fourth-generation grandson of Samuel Sparke, Nicholas Sparks of Bytown, Upper Canada, and for whom Ottawa's Sparks Street was named, journeyed from England in 1816 to work for Philemon Wright, settling years later as a prominent landholder and timberer in early Bytown, Carleton County, Upper Canada.
On the Lighter Side
Publications
Click More to view updated LOOKING BACK charts, and other publications.
Until 1950, local department stores discouraged the entry of most national chains.
George Henry, a great-nephew of Nicholas (of Bytown) Sparks, lived in Osgoode, Ontario in 1888 moving to Hazeldean, Ontario in 1912.
Costing £822,804 which is $1B in todays' money, the Rideau Canal was completed in May 1832.
Adopted mother's name in 1826. Surveyed Rideau Canal dam and lock placement in 1827.
In 17-century Devon County, England, Nicholas Sparke lived during Charles I's reign with over-taxation, controversial religious policies and warring with Spain, Scotland, and Parliament. Charles I's authoritarian rule quarrelling with Parliament provoked a civil war that finally led to charges of treason and his execution. Was Charles I a Tyrant or Victim of Bad Timing? Click MORE to read about the crafty ways of Charles I.
Enjoy some Inspirational Quotes
In 1798, the Irish Rebellion brought fear and losses to Samuel Sparks' family in County Wexford, Ireland. Wolfe Tone was a leading Irish revolutionary figure and a founding member of the United Irishmen, a republican society that revolted against British rule in Ireland. Wolfe Tone led the United Irishmen going into the 1798 Irish Rebellion. Click MORE to read about the life of Wolfe Tone.
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