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Archiver > UPPER-CANADA > 2000-02 > 0949581675


From: "David Kemlo" <>
Subject: Re: [UPP-CAN] Bell Telephone Phone Book Micro film
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 07:41:15 -0500


> I found a paper from a Bell Telephone Book of Toronto 1899. The
> listing was Mrs. Greville Harston. Mr. Harston had his own listings
> under the Business directories.
>
> I do not want the information from the business Directories. I wish
> to view Bell Telephone Books of personal phone numbers. Can these be
> ordered from the National Archives or are they available at the
> Ontario Archives. If anyone has a private collection could they
> look-up from 1900 to 1914 to see if this name appears in the personal
> directory. I am trying to establish a date of leaving Ontario or
> having died in Ontario, of Mary Regina (Ellis) Harston.
>

Hi Scott,

I found by accident old Bell telephone phone book records on Micro Film
while doing research at the Halton Library... So they are available..
Presumable you could get them at the Ontario Archives.

It appears that Bell would produce a book and then for several years
after, would publish updates only. For my home town of Port Hope, the
whole phone book only consisted of a couple of pages and at first there
as no phone numbers. I suppose you just got the operator and told
him/her the name of the party you wanted.

I my case the business in town obtained the first phones and then the
owner of the business would have a phone in his residence. They were
listed together. The other residence of the town didn't get their own
alpha listing until later in the period of which you speak.

For people researching and thinking they may have found a new tool..
remember. In the early development of Ontario in the 20th century,
there were hundreds of private phone companies in Ontario with clients
that would not be listed in the Bell records. The Bell area of
influence was somewhat limited.

Hope this helps.

David
Buckhorn

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