
The Rorkes were a prominent pioneering family that resided in Collingwood Township. Many Rorke descendants held prominent positions throughout Collingwood Township. From postmaster to township clerk, the Rorkes helped build up many of the communities in what is now the Blue Mountains.
The Rorke Collection encompases a wide variety of photographs and documents of some of the Rorke descendants.
Willard Rorke (baby), Gertrude Rorke Diller (woman)
Willard Rorke would have been three months old in this picture. Gertrude Rorke Diller was in fact Willard’s Aunt. His mother had died in either childbirth or a little after his birth. Gertrude Rorke Diller raised Willard.
Willard Rorke (baby) and possibly Gertrude Rorke Diller. Willard is possibly in a christening gown.
Willard Rorke, at two years of age, wearing boots, hat and tunic. This photograph was made into a postcard.
Willard Rorke, age seven, wearing a military costume. This photograph had been made into a postcard which had been sent to his cousin Teddy in 1916.
A portrait of Gertrude Rorke Diller. On the back of the photograph a written note can be seen, the message from Willard calling Gertrude his dear mother.
William Ormand Rorke and Willard Rorke. William Ormand Rorke was Willard's father, he lived between 1887-1963.
Willard Rorke and his 2i/c. On the back of the photograph Willard remarks that he hasn't faded on war rations.
Willard Rorke in his Calgary highlanders regimental uniform. On the bottom right hand corner the photograph is Willard's signiture as well as the saying “The fighting Irish”.
A large portrait photograph of Major Willard Rorke in his Calgary highlanders uniform.
Ormand William Rorke possibly with his wife and his sister Gertrude Diller Rorke. The photograph was taken in a garden in Thornbury. The women are unidentified, however there is a strong possibility that it is Gertrude and William's wife
Gertrude Rorke Diller, Willard's mum, in Edmonton during the summer.
Photo of Helen (left) and Marjorie (right) sent to their aunt, Gertrude. They were daughters of Mr. and Mrs John W. Lawr (Alice Rorke, daughter of Colonel and Mrs Edward Rorke.)
Back of a postcard. The postcard was addressed to Willard Rorke at his Thornbury address. The postcard was sent by Norma in 1930. The postcard represents evidence of Willard Rorke living in the Thornbury area.
A tin photograph with a woman standing. The woman is unidentified but is believed to be part of the Rorke family.
A tin photograph with a woman leaning against a fence. The woman is unidentified but is believed to be part of the Rorke family.
Willard Rorke, Gertrude Rorke and Elizabeth Rorke. Willard Rorke with his mum Gertrude who is holding Elizabeth (born June 17, 1946)
A family photograph of the Rorke Family. From L-R - Margaret Rorke holding Elizabeth, Ormond William Rorke, Willard Rorke with a hand on Gertrude Rorke Diller and John Newell in front. Edmonton, June 1946.
Elizabeth Rorke as an infant sitting in a chair. She would have been a year old when the photograph was taken.
Willard Rorke holding, his daughter, Elizabeth Rorke in the air.
Virginia Rorke Mckim, daughter of Ormond William Rorke and half sister to Willard Rorke. Ormond William Rorke fathered one son Willard with Willa Irene Mooney and fathered two daughters, Betty and Virginia, with Pearl. Neither of Ormand William Rorke's daughters had any children. Betty Rorke died at a young age and Virginia Rorke Mckim died in 1998.
Pearl Rorke, Virginia Rorke Mckim (1918 - July 16, 1998), and Libby Rorke. Pearl was a step-Grandmother to Libby Rorke, and a mother to Virginia Rorke Mckim. Virginia Rorke Mckim would have been an aunt to Libby.
W. Rorke
Letter from Messrs. Lloyds of London to W. Rorke. This letter depicts the reply to Rorke's original request about his great grandfather’s jounrey from Ireland to Canada in 1818
Letter to Messrs. Lloyds of London from W. Rorke. The letter depicts Rorke's search for information in regards to his great grandfather’s voyage from Ireland to Canada and the corresponding shipwreck
This is a letter to Willard and Margaret Rorke. This image displays the first page of a two-page letter.
This is a letter to Willard and Margaret Rorke. This image displays the back of page one.
This is a letter to Willard and Margaret Rorke. This image displays the final page of the two-page letter.
Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald East Indies Station. Willard wrote a three page letter to his mother describing his time away from home.
Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote a three page letter to his mother describing his time away from home. Back side of page 1.
Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote a three page letter to his mother describing his time away from home. Page 2
Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote a three page letter to his mother describing his time away from home. Back of page 2
Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote a three page letter to his mother describing his time away from home. Page 3
Letter from Willard to his mother. The letters were sent when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald in the East Indies. Willard wrote an eight page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 15, 1934. Page 1
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Page 1
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an eight page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 5, 1935. Back of page 1
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an two page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written September 9, 1935. Page 1
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. This letter is from when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an two page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 2, 1935.
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an two page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 2, 1935. Back of page 1
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. This letter is from when Willard was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an two page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 2, 1935. This is page 2.
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. This letter is from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote an two page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written October 2, 1935. Back of page 2
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the Union club Aden Arabia. Willard wrote a two page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written March 2, 1936. This is page 1.
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the Union club Aden Arabia. Willard wrote a two page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written March 2, 1936. Back of page 1
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the Union club Aden Arabia. Willard wrote a two page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written March 2, 1936. This is page 2
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the Union club Aden Arabia. Willard wrote a two page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written March 2, 1936. Back of page 2
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the Union club Aden Arabia. Willard wrote a two page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 3, 1936. Page 1
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the Union club Aden Arabia. Willard wrote a two page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 3, 1936. This is the back of page 1
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the Union club Aden Arabia. Willard wrote a two page handwritten letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written January 3, 1936. Page 2
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. This letter is from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote a one page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written June 2, 1936. Page 1
Letter from Willard to his mother from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. This letter is from when he was stationed on the H.M.S Emerald, East Indies Station. Willard wrote a one page typed letter to his mother describing his time away from home. The letter was written June 2, 1936. Back of page 1
This is a letter from Laura Knight to an unnamed cousin. The letter talks about the 1704 war and the change of the Rorke name. The letter was written on December 14, 1942. The letter is a photocopy of the original. There are 4 pages, this is page 1.
This image depicts a letter from Laura Knight to an unnamed cousin. The letter talks about the 1704 war and the change of the Rorke name. The letter was written in December 14, 1942. The letter is a photocopy of the original. There are 4 pages, this is page 2.
This is a letter from Laura Knight to an unnamed cousin. The letter talks about the 1704 war and the change of the Rorke name. The letter was written in December 14, 1942. The letter is a photocopy of the original. There are 4 pages, this is page 3.
This is a letter from Laura Knight to an unnamed cousin. The letter talks about the 1704 war and the change of the Rorke name. The letter was written in December 14, 1942. The letter is a photocopy of the original. There are 4 pages, this is page 4.
This document demosntrates the the Rorke name as well as the changes in the spelling of the Rorke name.
This docment was compiled by Dr. Annie S. Rorke-Greenwood in August 1939. Dr. Rorke-Greenwood made a brief description of the ancestry of the Rorke family.
Willard Rorke - Birth Certificate
Willard's father was Ormond William Rorke, his mother was Willa Irene Mooney. He was born August 19, 1909 in Winnipeg.
A copy of Willard Rorke's death certificate. Willard died December 6,1990 in Surrey B.C.
This unique piece displayed as a theatre ticket is the birth announcement for Elizabeth Rorke (Libby Rorke) daughter of Willard Rorke. Elizabeth Rorke was born Monday June 17, 1946 in Edmonton Alberta to Willard Rorke and Margret Yvonne Rorke.
This unique piece displayed as a theatre ticket is the birth announcement for Elizabeth Rorke (Libby Rorke) daughter of Willard Rorke. Elizabeth Rorke was born Monday June 17, 1946 in Edmonton Alberta to Willard Rorke and Margret Yvonne Rorke. (back side to birth announcment)
This 6 page document, which is missing page 1, has a lot of Rorke family references. Page 2
This 6 page document, which is missing page 1, has a lot of Rorke family references. Page 3
This 6 page document, which is missing page 1, has a lot of Rorke family references. Page 4
This 6 page document, which is missing page 1, has a lot of Rorke family references. Page 5
This 6 page document, which is missing page 1, has a lot of Rorke family references. Page 6
This document shows Willard Rorke approval to practice law in the province of Alberta.
The receipt shows Willard Rorke paying an admission fee to The Law Society of Alberta in the amount of $150.
This newspaper article talks about Willard Rorke's accomplishment of getting admitted to the Alberta Bar. The article also gives a bit of background on Willard Rorke.
This newspaper article, in The Edmonton Journal, talks about Willard Rorke's accomplishment of getting admitted to the Alberta Bar. The article also gives a bit of background on Willard Rorke.
This document shows Willard Rorke recieve a special Ecclesiastical Licence from the Archbiship of Canterbury which would allow him to become a Chaplain for the Royal Navy.
This document shows Willard Rorke recieve a special Ecclesiastical Licence from the Archbiship of Canterbury which would allow him to become a Chaplain for the Royal Navy.
Cemetery receipt for the Thornbury and Clarksburg Union Cemetery. The reciept document gives a plot of land to the heirs of Edward Rorke.
Cemetery receipt for the Thornbury and Clarksburg Union Cemetery. The reciept document gives a plot of land to the heirs of Edward Rorke.
Cemetery receipt for the Thornbury and Clarksburg Union Cemetery. The reciept document gives a plot of land to the heirs of Edward Rorke.
This certificate is evidence of Edward Rorke's two shares in Thornbury's local community park skating rink.
Wedding announcement for Margaret Yvonne Newell to Willard Rorke
This small newspaper article signifies the wedding bands for Margaret Yvonne Newell to Willard Rorke
Photograph of Margaret Yvonne Newell and Willard Rorke at their wedding
Front cover of Alice Marie Rorke's Last Will and Testament
Back side of page 1 of Alice Marie Rorke's Last Will and Testament
Alice Marie Rorke's Last Will and Testament
Alice Marie Rorke's Last Will and Testament
This envelope would have held the last will and testament of Edward Rorke
This envelope would have held the last will and testament of Edward Rorke
This envelope would have held the last will and testament of Gertrude Diller and J. Hilliard Rorke
Newspaper article about the death claims of Mrs. J. M. Lawr. She was the daughter of Col. and Mrs Edward Rorke. The article talks about her death and life. She died June 7th, 1934
This obituary is for Stehman Diller (Feb 18, 1862 - April 24, 1932), husband to Gertrude Rorke Diller. He would have been Willard Rorke's uncle but as Willard Rorke grew up with his uncle and aunt he was more like a father to Willard. The obituary gives a description of Stehman's life. Diller died at his son's (Willard Rorke) house in Thornbury Ontario.
This article from the Owen Sound Daily Sun-Times “Former Clarksburg Girl Dr A.S. Rorke Greenwood is U.S. Religious Teacher” talks about Doctor Annie S. Rorke Greenwood and how the Rorkes were an early pioneering family in Grey County.
This is part 2 of the Owen Sound Daily Sun-Times article “Former Clarksburg Girl Dr A.S. Rorke Greenwood is U.S. Religious Teacher” which talks about Dr Annie S. Rorke Greenwood and how the Rorkes were an early pioneering family in Grey County.
This newspaper article “Youth Survey to be Made” is about Major Willard Rorke and his extensive social work. The point of the survey was to better understand youth recreation and character building facilities in Calgary.