Markham Berczy Settlers Association

08/22/2026

This police officer was a descendant of several Markham Berczy Settlers: Buckendahl, Helmke, and Stiver. Further information: The service was held at Grace Anglican Church Markham. Doug had begun his career as a clerk with the Markham Township Police Department in 1956. He served the York Regional Police Force for 13 years. (The History of Policing in York Region, published in 1991)

York Regional Police Constable Douglas Tribbling was nearing retirement when he was shot while investigating a break and enter investigation at a business in Markham on August 19, 1984.

Tragically, he died in hospital days later on August 21, 1984.

Today and every day, we remember Constable Tribbling's courage and dedicated service to our community.

He was a hero in life, not death.

10/14/2025

Today is German Pioneers Day in Canada. Our Germanic ancestors arrived in Upper Canada in the fall of 1794 (231 years ago). William Berczy was their leader.

12/25/2024

Two hundred and thirty years ago, our ancestors spent their first Christmas in Markham Township. It most likely was a difficult time for them all as they had not been long there. Did they have a special service to recognize the day.
I am hoping that in the early part of the year we will have a virtual meeting.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2025.

10/15/2024

The day is almost over and I have not recognized that today is German Pioneers Day in Canada (always the day after Thanksgiving since 1999).

08/22/2024

One of the Berczy settler families was Hagerman. Lorne Smith in this video visits the Hagerman West Cemetery.

Hagerman Cemetery - Markham Historical Tour

04/04/2024

Please join us online on Monday, April 15 at 7 p.m.
Even if you are not a paid up member, you are welcome to attend. Please register to receive the link to connect.

You are invited to a Zoom meeting of the Markham Berczy Settlers Association (MBSA).
When: Apr 15, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwoduuvqT4iHdGuVaHK8Go0zNdB5J60hO-B

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

10/10/2023

In 2000, German PIoneers Day Act came into force to recognize, as it states in the preamble, "German pioneers helped settle the province and made their rich cultural traditions and values an integral part of Canadian society. Ontario citizens of German descent continue to make a significant contribution to Ontario and Canada." The day following Thanksgiving each year is the day that commemorates this contribution to the province.

When our ancestors, left Europe from the port of Altona in 1792, Altona was part of Denmark. The people that came with William Berczy came from different parts of what is now Germany. Altona is now part of Hamburg, Germany. In 2001, the City of Markham, Ontario twinned with Nordlingen, Germany. Members of the Berczy Settlers Association visited both Altona and Nordlingen in 2001.

10/09/2023

Happy Thanksgiving. We have much for which we are thankful -- the opportunity to travel, to learn about our ancestors, and for our daily bread.

07/05/2023

If you have ever travelled to Nordlingen, Germany, you most likely met Aksel Rinck. Aksel passed away on September 11, 2022 during the Ring Wall Festival. He was over 100 years old. He facilitated the twinning of Markham with the city of Nordlingen. Markham named Aksel Rinck Drive in his honour in 2017. It was Aksel's wish to have his ashes buried in Bethesda Lutheran Cemetery.

The Interment of Ashes of Aksel Rinck is planned for Tuesday, August 15, 2023, 2:30 p.m. at Bethesda Lutheran Cemetery, 38 Aksel Rinck Drive (off Beckett Avenue), (Kennedy Road North of 16th Avenue).

You are welcome to attend. Lorne Smith will speak on behalf of the Markham Berczy Settlers Association and Bethesda Lutheran Church. A reception will follow at the Markham Museum. 9350 Highway 48.

12/24/2022

Wishing everyone the best of the season! Be safe! All the best in 2023!