queenauto Discovery Log Page 10

DISCOVERY LOG

Chronological Log of Information Search

STARTING POINT ON; THURSDAY 24th JANUARY 2002

January 2002

Thursday the 24th of January 2002. While looking at my Father's calander from 1958, I decided to search for more old photos, records, documents, permits etc to help me construct a complete and acurate chain of historical dates and events to create this memorial web site. I called up the City of Ottawa Archives and asked if there was any information or photos of the LeBreton Flats and Addresses such as 62 Ottawa Street. Mr. Barbe said he'd take a look and call me back.

PRIVATE NAME, PRIVATE NUMBER, JAN 24 @ 3:05 PM - CoOA

Then we had great results. With a quick search by Mr. Barbe he explained that he had a collection of photos of the LeBreton Flats from 1962. Also their was a photo labeled as 70 Ottawa Street which is a photo of my fathers's garage taken in April of 1962. Although the photo is blured and labeled with the wrong address, it is definatly Queen's Auto Service at 62 Ottawa Street. I was happy he found this photo. I asked Mr. Barbe to order me a 8 x 11 print of this photo no matter what it looked like and I told him that I would be down soon to take a look at the complete collection of photos.

Monday the 28th of January 2002. At 3:15 pm I arrive at City of Ottawa Archives - Old City Hall, 111Sussex Drive 2nd floor to view the photos and File Plans Mr. Barbe told me about. Placed an order for some other photos; CA20966, CA20968, CA20840, CA20899, CA20901, CA20999. Also paid $5.00 for a research pass. Made two photo copies of two pages of the old 1956 City Fire Plans, Page 100 and page 104 which have been the most helpful of the maps. Start on my way home and @ 4:55 pm I decide to make a brief stop at the Land Registry Office, 161 Elgin st.,4th floor, for general inguires. They are closing but I just wanted to get the work hours when open.

At 7:30 pm I went to the Ottawa Public Library to view the city directories until 9:00 pm. Took notes on early listings only.

Tuesday the 29th of January 2002. I arrive at 7:00 pm at the Ottawa Public Library to view City Directoies again. Noted city directory listings from 1958 to 1964. stayed until closing at 9:00 pm.

Wednesday the 30th of January 2002. Today I arrive at the Ottawa Land Registry Office, Court House at 161 Elgin St. 4th Floor, to check their records for old deeds. Results; Made photo copy of map 4097 Lot and Consesion only. Had no luck finding any deeds. The woman asked me if I was sure that my father really owened land or just worked their. Ya right I thought! They couldn't find any information because there is other methods to search archives for older records which will yeild the results. Maybe they didn't want to find this information for me!

At 4:00 pm I Stoped at the NCC Building, National Capitol Commission, 2002-40 Elgin St. 2nd Floor NCC Library and spoke with a pleasent lady called Rota. I inquired if there would be any information about Ottawa St. in the LeBreton Flats in the 1960's because my father had a garage their. She said she would check and let me know. I left her my number. She also recomended that I talk to a Mr. Collins @ 239-5689 and look at a book called An Acre Of Time by; Phil Jenkins.

Arrive at 7:45 pm at the Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe St. References 3rd Floor to view the Ottawa City Directories. Photo copied City Directory Listings 1958 to 1964.

Thursday the 31st of January 2002. Today I left a message with a Mr. Rand Collins at the NCC and asked if he would call me back but didn't get a return call today.

I arrived at The Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe, at 7:50 pm to study the city directories again. Afterwords I found the novel by Phil Jenkins called; An Acre Of Time. Book Lib. Num. 971.384.J52 This book is kept locked up in the so called Ottawa Room. It's a hard book to get your hands on. I made 11 photo copies and gave up after paying $2.75

Febuary 2002

Friday the 1st of Febuary 2002. Today I receive a call from a Mr. Rand Collins @ the NCC. He gives me a Mr. Michel Mercier's phone number (239-5276) and gives me an appointment to see him this afternoon at 1:50 pm in his office at National Capitol Commission, 404-40 Elgin St. 4th Floor. --phone log;

NO CID NAME, 239-5689, FEB 01 @ 1:09 PM - NCC Mr. Rand Collins

I arrive at the NCC at 1:45 pm to talk with Mr. Collins. He shows me a Computor file/program with an areial photo of the LeBreton Flats. I had seen this on the internet before but didn't realize it at the time. He introduses me to Mr. Michel Mercier and he takes me to where all the deeds are located. He immediatly finds the deeds to my parents lots and agrees to let me have a photo copy of everthing, without any apprehension at all! He asked me if I knew certain people that lived in the LeBreton Flats back then. Some names sounded familular. There was no problem here. These people were very nice to me and seem to have no problems with my requests at all!

Mr. Collins ordered a large areial photo for me through a company called TriAthelon Photo, 2060 Walkley Road and told me to call Dick in the photo lab at 731-9571. It would cost about $40.00 but it would be quite the photo! Also Mr. Collins told me to try the National Photo Library at 615 Booth street for older areial photos. This was a good day because finally I got a good start on the research of my fathers history thanks to the NCC for not being apprehensive and reluctant to help like others have been.

Monday the 4th of Febuary 2002. Got very little done, but made some calls and inquiries

Tuesday the 5th of Febuary 2002. Made some telephone requests with the City of Ottawa for blueprints, building permits etc. Some of the phone numbers I was told to call are; City of Ottawa Building Permits @ 580-2400, Mr. Larry Charlabois @ 580-2424 ext. 13802, Ms. Christine D. @ 580-2424 ext. 27763, Ms. Diane ? @ 580-2424 ext. 13925, Ms. Loraine Brownrigg @ 727-6700 ext. 432. I left messages with these people and the messages were returned except for Ms. Diane ? and Ms. Loraine Brownrigg.

Then I hit the http://www.geosolutions.com/projects/lebreton.htm web page again to determine how to get printed copies of these pdf files. I called a few places to request file to print services with little luck except for another telephone number. This direction to 560-7000 got me in touch with a very intelegent and pleasent lady at the Westin Hotel Business Center at the Rideau Center who suggested trying to get a copy of this report right from the company who produced it. What a Smart Idea! So I sent an E-Mail request to GeoSolutions [email protected] to ask if could purchase a complete set of printed pdf files of the; LeBreton Flats Report on; Environmental and Geotechnical 3D Mapping.

Wednesday the 6th of Febuary 2002. I Receive a call from a Mr. Larry Charlabois. He says he got my message and asks me what I want. I tell him what I'm looking for and he says he'll call me back.--phone log;

CITY OF OTTAWA, 727-0824, FEB 06 @ 9:01 AM - Mr. Charlabois

Hours later I get a return call from Mr. Charlabois and he says that he found everything I was looking for but told me that I would have to fill out an MFIPPA (Municipal Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act) form before I can know any more. --phone log;

CITY OF OTTAWA, 727-9529, FEB 06 @ 12:48 PM - Mr. Charlabois

I sent an E-Mail request to the City of Ottawa and then I try to locate the MFIPPA Application form on their web site but I can't find it because it's very well hidden away. I have to phone again and leave a message so the city will call me back. Then they call and I find out where this form is on their web site. --phone log;

NO CID NAME, 580-2400, FEB 06 @ 1:32 PM - City of Ottawa

I went down to the City of Ottawa, New City Hall, 110 Laurier to pick up the original MFIPPA forms to fill out and came back home. While filling out the form I received a call from the lady at the NCC Library. She called to tell me that there's nothing on record about the address of 62 Ottawa Street in their library--phone log;

NO CID NAME, 239-5123, FEB 06 @ 2:22 PM - NCC Library, Ms. Rota

I filled out two(2) MFIPPA forms, 1 for them and 1 for my records and went back down to City Hall to hand the form in and pay the $5.00 charge. This is what I wrote on the form;

I John M. Bergeron (Son of Mrs. Evelyn and Mr. Ernest Bergeron) am searching for; Blueprints, Building Permits, etc. of my parents between 1950 to 1960 to complete some family history research. The addresses were; 62 Ottawa St. in the early 1950's and; 61 and 63 Ottawa St. in 1958.

Thursday the 7th of Febuary 2002. I called GeoSolutions to find out if I could purchase a complete printed copy of the LeBreton Flats Report on; Environmental and Geotechnical 3D Mapping. A Mr. Perkovic, at GeoSolutions, was a very interested in helping me and said that he would print the complete report for me and I could pick it up after he called me back in a little while. I thought this was great considering it would cost a lot to have this printed somewhere else. After a short period he calls to tell me that the 31 color pdf files have been printed and are ready to be picked up. -- phone log;

GEOSOLUTIONS, 727-3304, FEB 07 @ 2:36 PM - Mr. Perkovic

I got on the bus to go down. I arrived at 3:50 pm to pick up the report at GeoSolutions. When I walked in the door the complete 17" x 11" 31 page color report was laying on the table to the left as I walked through the door. I noticed it right away and said , this is great. Mr. Perkovic came over to see me and I said that this was great and how much would it cost? He said, it's ok. I explained that I should give him something for his troubles and gave him $20.00 anyway concidering it would have cost me a lot more to have this done somewhere else. Mr. Perkovic was very nice and I took note that this would be An Excellent Company to Deal With if their services are needed in the future!

Friday the 8th of Febuary 2002. City of Ottawa returns my call for general information.

NO CID NAME, 580-2400, FEB 08 @ 3:30 PM - CoO general Info recep.

Monday the 11th of Febuary 2002. Went to purchace Special legal size folder for an aqumulation of photo copies. I try to organize all the papers, maps, deeds etc. in a systamatic order.

Thursday the 14th of Febuary 2002. I Receive a 8 x 11 letter size envelope from City of Ottawa at 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa ON K1P 1J1 which is containing only some of the permits I expected to get. "I'm not Impressed with the results", they seem to be very incomplete. Also, photo copies of the reverse sides of the permits have not been made. Who made theses photo copies? Are they working around me? It looks like City of Ottawa is going to send me everything except the right documentation. The letter says; "Access is hereby granted in full to the records requested" but basically the letter tells me to file an appeal if I don't like what the found, and there's no mention of where and when I can view the documents. Now why would I want to file an appeal if access has been granted in full? Oh, I Know why, because they know I know there's more documentation than this. Note; If I don't at least get the floor plans for 62 ottawa st. then I will file an appeal for sure.

What I do remember from the drawings I did receive is the reverse layout of 61 Ottawa St. which is 63 Ottawa St. So ok, I will invert 61 ottawa street plan to create a temporary 63 ottawa street plan.

Friday the 15th of Febuary 2002. Not to impressed with photo copies I went down to City of Ottawa or City Hall @ 12:30 pm to talk with the woman in permits section. I told her that I was here to view the drawings. She gets on the phone then tells me Ms. Reilly will be down with the plans and I should wait in the waiting area. I'm waiting, waiting .... Then, not knowing it's her, Ms. Reilly walks quikly by and says "Remi" , I say no. Finally I have to go over and ask if she is Ms. Reilly! She seems to act like she dosen't want to help. I show her my application form with the option to view the originals (on-site only) and she dosen't seem to know what to tell me. I tried to explain to her that the photo copies were not done of the reverse side. Not concerned she gives me Ms. Brownrigg's number and tells me to call her to see the documents. Then she comes back with a E-mail message showing all of what they found for my request. Sick of the run-around I return home to call this Ms. Brownrigg. I call her and have to leave a message again! Left another message! I wait until 2:00 pm for a return call but no call. Then finally I go to see Joe Lieff at the office on Gilmore. I asked his new young lawyer replacement if he could look to see if my parents had left any deeds, documents etc. in trust with the office. He said he would check and call me back. I go back home.

I decide to give a call to see if my photos are ready? Mr. Barbe returns my call. The proofs or prints aren't ready yet. --phone log;

PRIVATE NAME, PRIVATE NUMBER, FEB 15 @ 1:57 PM - CoOA

Next, Ms. Brownrigg returns my call and she wants to know why I'm calling. I explain to her that I'm calling to setup an appointment to view the building permits. She tells me that they (meaning the City of Ottawa) aren't going to do this any more (allow people to view old documents). I then asked why this option is available on the MFIPPA application form and got no answer. Then she told me that there would be a $25.00 charge for this. I told her to go ahead and charge me just please let me know where when I can view the permits like I agreed to do on the form. Finally I get an appointment for 11:00 am Momday 18, Febuary to come down to 101 Center Point Drive, Ben Franklin Center, to view the old building permits. --phone log;

CITY OF OTTAWA, 727-0618, FEB 15 @ 3:03 PM - CoO Ms. Brownrigg

Now, a half hour later, she calls and cancels the appointment because she says that the documents have been returned to storage. I ask why were they returned when I choose the option to; Examine Originals (on-site only) when I completed the MFIPPA (Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) application form. She said; she had never seen my application form. Again I wonder why wasn't she told I wanted to view these permits?--phone log;

CITY OF OTTAWA, 727-5024, FEB 15 @ 3:36 PM - CoO Ms. Brownrigg

Saturday the 16th of Febuary 2002. At 3:00 pm I made two 17" x 11" color photo copies of GeoSolution Maps. At 5:00 pm I took a walk down to booth and ottawa street since it was a nice day and I wanted to take another look around. Got back at 6:00 pm and took a closer look at the fire plan map and noticed there was street addresses with the letter 'A' after them. Example; 62A Ottawa St., 72A Ottawa St. Etc. I thought maybe we should check for these addresses also in our search.

Monday the 18th of Febuary 2002. I had two more good Ideas today. 1. check for business licence or 2. business permit, but had no phone calls and got very little done.

Tuesday the 19th of Febuary 2002. Called Ms. Brownrigg to add 62A, 72, 72A to the search criteria. I again asked when I could view these permits? Her reply was that she would call when the permits are back from storage and available.

Wednesday the 20th of Febuary 2002. I receive a call from Mr. Barbe to notify me that my photos are ready to be picked up. --phone log;

PRIVATE NAME, PRIVATE NUMBER, FEB 20 @ 12:12 PM - Mr. Barbe

I make a note of what I should do while I'm there like get details of each ottawa street photo in the Carmen McCarthy collection of LeBreton Flats Photos. Left to go to the City of Ottawa Archives, 111 Susex @ 2:00 pm. Took notes of details of all photos taken on ottawa st. from the collection. Payed the bill for my prints which was $27.82 for 1 8x11 @ $8.00(CA21000) and 6 5x6 @ $3.00(CA20968, CA20966, CA20999, CA20840, CA20901 and CA20899). Very Expensive! Then walked home.

Thursday the 21st of Febuary 2002. Today I left to go to the City of Ottawa Archives (111 Sussex) @ 1:45 PM. The purpose of my visit was to; 1. View Photo (CA 21001) of 60 Ottawa Street which was a building next door to my fathers garage. 2. Make additional photo copies of the 1956 LeBreton Area Fire Plans. 3. Learn and photo copy legend for LeBreton Area Fire Plans. Note; not being familiar with equipment, I produced a overly dark photo copy of map legend, but the woman librarian told me it would cost me another .25 cents for another copy. Is she really accounting for every piece of paper, or is this a mild insult? 4. Submit Order for more b/w photo reprints from the Carmen McCarth FLATS photo book, which I didn't bother doing. 5. Brief check of City Directories enteries for 1950, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1965. Walked home.

My telephone log shows that I had two phone calls from the west end area while I was out. It must be Ms. Brownrigg. --phone call log;

CITY OF OTTAWA, 727-0618, FEB 21 @ 2:14 PM - unknown caller

CITY OF OTTAWA, 727-1692, FEB 21 @ 3:17 PM - unknown caller

Friday the 22nd of Febuary 2002. Today I receive a early phone call from Ms. Brownrigg, City of Ottawa Building Permits & Records Division, Ben Franklin Center, 101 Center Point Drive. She explains that the records are back and I can come down to see them. --phone log;

CITY OF OTTAWA, 727-0766, FEB 22 @ 8:53 AM - Ms. Brownrigg

Leaving at 10:30 am and checking the mail l found a large thick 8 x 14 legal size envelop In my mail box. While walking to get the bus I though, well this is good they found the relevant info I requested. While on the bus to 101 Center Point Drive I find out that this envelope contains 10 photo copies of old building permits with addresses and names that are blocks away from the ones I requested. Addresses I had never requested like for example; 104, 110 & 146 Booth St., 169, 173 & 177 Broad St., 100 Fleet St., I thought why bother having a MFIPPA (Municipal Freedom of Information & Protection of Privace Act) if you're going to send me everyone elses information. That looked like a privacy breach to me. I had a premonition before opening this envelope that my feelings of accomplishment were much to premature, and I was correct !

Opon arrival every office in that finance department had a name on the door exept the first one on the left. When I asked a young woman which office was Ms. Brownrigg's, she pointed me towards the other end of hall "while she was standing right in front of Ms. Brownrigg's office". Having to ask another woman, I was directed back to the vicinity where the first woman was. This was Ms Brownrigg's office.

Ms. Brownrigg only wanted to show me photo copies of the permits which I already had copies of. She asked me why I wanted to see the original permits. I produced the MFIPPA application form "again" to show her the options I selected to view the documents. Checked Off in the boxes were; 1. Receive Copy 2. Examine Originals (on-site only). She told me to wait in the waiting area while she retreived the permits. Finaly I was able to see these old documents while feeling like being under armed gaurd as another man monitored the whole event. I asked If I could get a color photo copy of my dad's 1952 building permit to install a washroom, but she said definatly not. With our governments budget there has to be a color photo copier in this building. To think that it's 2002 and you can't even get a color photo copy makes me wonder what's really going on here in this city. And, I wasn't charged $25.00 like I was told. If I had of been charged I would have asked for a detailed reciept.

After all of this I think I will file a letter of appeal with The Commissioner of Privacy in Toronto. After having this kind of problem at the Land Registry Office, I Know that there is another method to search archives for older records which will yield some results. Maybe they don't want to find this information for me!

At 2:00 pm I went to the National Library of Canada Archives to get my research pass renewed. Note; the historical photo section called Ottawa Parts has all the city areas listed; Sandy Hill, Britania, Byward Market, Centertown, etc., but no Area name like LeBreton Flats, no, this is area is listed as the Chadaire District.

Saturday the 23rd of Febuary 2002. I added much about the previous days events and added them to this discovery log.

Sunday the 24th of Febuary 2002. Same as yesterday, I added much about the previous days events and added them to this discovery log. I had lots of catching up.

Monday the 25th of Febuary 2002. I Worked Hard on the queenauto web site organizing the pages and scanned the photos I bought from the City of Ottawa Archives.

Tuesday the 26th of Febuary 2002. Today I started to write my letter of appeal to the Information & Privacy Commissioner to see if I can get them to take a better look in their archives for some relevant diagrams or dimensions or lot specifications or something! This letter won't get mailed until Thursday the 28th of Febuary 2002.

Thursday the 28th of Febuary 2002. Today I was delayed in completing my letter to the Information & Privacy Commissioner so it might take until monday before I can mail it.

March 2002

Monday the 4th of March 2002. Finally I Mailed my Letter to the Information & privacy Commissioner in Toronto. I hope that I get some results!

Why Have A Log Page?

While discussing the creation of a Memorial / Genealogical type web site with family and friends, it was suggested that I note and log the events and encounters during my search for this type of information. Considering the sensitivity of the subject material, it was noted that I would have trouble obtaining certain public records and documents, and all-though I have some legitimate questions, certain divisions of people would not be very receptive to my requests. I can see what they mean now ! Just mention The LeBreton Flats and everyone knows nothing and everthing is missing. While my search for information is only dedicated to the Memorial Aspects Of My Parents and a New Web Site, some individuals appear to interpret these requests as intrusive and negative in an historical nature, which suggests to me that maybe there is something to hide about this LeBreton Flats expropriation subject after all!

My Fathers garage or auto repair business dosen't seem to be of very much interest to many of the general government employees, but I will be damned if all of his efforts to "Set Up Shop in Ottawa"(A City of Ottawa web site quote) are all just forgotten because of excuses like; "destroyed or lost records", "transcription to microfilm", "relocation of historical records", or "city district amalgamation" and so on! Now it seems like I'm quickly discovering that all of these records are less accessable or just plain disappearing from Ottawa history.

This is a discovery log of what happens while searching for family information which is rightfully mine. Information that also has sentimental value and anyone who is helpful will receive my deepest appreciations. I wish I could expect a little more cooperation !

Other Pages

PAGE 01 - Queen's Auto Service Home Index Page;
http://www.geocities.com/queenauto/index.html

PAGE 02 - Photo & Plans of Ernie's Garage at 62 Ottawa St.;
http://www.geocities.com/queenauto/drawing.html

PAGE 03 - Photo & Plans of Evelyn's House at 61 & 63 Ottawa St.;
http://www.geocities.com/queenauto/drawings.html

PAGE 04 - Consecutive Property Pictures on Ottawa St.;
http://www.geocities.com/queenauto/ostpics.html

PAGE 05 - Automatic Pictures of the LeBreton Flats;
http://www.geocities.com/queenauto/autopics.html

PAGE 06 - Reserved Page for LeBreton Flats Info;
http://www.geocities.com/queenauto/reserved.html

PAGE 07 - The LeBreton Flats Other Web Sites Page;
http://www.geocities.com/queenauto/lebreton.html

PAGE 08 - The LeBreton Flats Photo Collection;
http://www.geocities.com/queenauto/flatspic.html

PAGE 09 - Family City Directory Entries by Date;
http://www.geocities.com/queenauto/citydir.html

PAGE 10 - Chronological Discovery of Information Log (You're Here);
http://www.geocities.com/queenauto/dislog.html