Harriston Historical Society has run a headstone hunt for several years. These have proved very successful and popular so the WCHS has decided to hold one in the Centre Wellington area. Because there are several cemeteries, we have limited our inaugural headstone hunt to the Belsyde Cemetery in Fergus. Although not the oldest cemetery in Fergus - the oldest is the Auld Burial Ground at St. Andrews Church - Belsyde contains burial plots dating from the mid-nineteenth century and the grave sites of many locally historically significant residents.

There are fourteen questions which can be answered by walking through the Belsyde Cemetery. A map is provided indicating the approximate location of the headstone that is the subject of each question. Many of the questions ask about the dates and facts but others are concerned with symbols used on the headstone to signify the deceased’s occupation. We hope you and your friends and family will enjoy wandering through the tree-lined Belsyde Cemetery (400 Thistle St., Fergus), admiring the different monument styles and reading some of the sad stories that are revealed by the inscriptions.

The contest will run from 23rd June to 30th September 2025. Copies of the questionnaire can be downloaded here.  They were available at the June 23rd AGM.

There will be prizes: $100 (1st); $75 (2nd); $50 (3rd). There will be a draw if more than one person gets 100% on the questionnaire. Winners will be announced at the November 9th, 2025 meeting. Completed entries may be returned by mail to the Society’s address (WCHS, P.O. Box 5, Fergus ON N1M 2W7) or by email to wchsheadstonehunt@gmail.com or handed in at any WCHS meeting before October 1st.