Charles would have no memory of it but that's where his roots lay. Leaving behind the Clark's Cornish heritage before turning one, he traversed the Atlantic with his father Zachariah (b 1863), mother Selina (b 1861, née Nichols) and sister Mabel (b 1883).
The heritage of his father and past Clark generations was as farm labourers to the much wealthier farm owners. As a labourer, Zachariah's father John (b 1815) worked at particular farms near small villages, such as a 200 acre farm by Portholland on the rugged coast or a bit more inland at Lanhadron and a 400 acre farm. For each he stayed for about 10 years before moving on once again. On his father's last move, to Lower Sticker, before emigrating to Canada, Zachariah, after he himself became …show more content…
The use of a different name as surname from a parent was often used to remind or give status to a person's origins. Indication of aristocracy or other important origins was common. However, by the 18th century, most areas in England the use of aliases became quite rare. However, in Cornwall, the practice was still common. Charles father's surname was Clark but the change to Clark occurred with his grandfather. John, was born with George as a surname from his own father and grandfather's family name. However, John's mother, whose maiden name was Jeffrey had Clark as an alias, perhaps reflecting a connection with a very well known Clark family of the previous century. This alias passed onto John and his sons and daughters plus the subsequent generations continuing with Clark as the family …show more content…
After a few years, and adapting more and more to the new country, Zachariah changed his name to that of his own father, John. At least one sister joined John and she would spend the rest of her life in Fenelon Falls.
Charles and Mabel soon had many more siblings with Selina delivering ten more sisters and four more brothers with only one failing to thrive. With the last child, Kathleen's birth in 1910, Selina was a remarkable 48 years old. All these new additions to the Clarks where on the farm by Fenelon Falls. For 25 years the Clarks stayed rural doing the basic day to day chores of farm life with only the two eldest daughters marrying, Mabel to John Herbert Scott and Mary to Frank Ingles.

John Clark arrived 5 years after this map was made. He settled on Concession 4 with William Flett and the Lambs as neighbours at the top just left of centre and north of Cedar Tree Road. This location is about 35 km east of Lake Simcoe in the