Cataraqui Cemetery
(a talk by Craig Boals)

March 26, 2011

Craig Boals is the Director of Operations at Cataraqui Cemetery. Cataraqui was incorporated in 1850 by the Government of the United Canadas. It can be defined as a rural cemetery (making use of the natural features such as rolling hills and streams, as well as meeting the traditional understanding of rural as being outside of town). The original directors placed it beyond the City of Kingston because there was concern about bringing diseased bodies into the city confines.

Cataraqui is also a non-denominational public cemetery, a not-for-profit cemetery, an historic cemetery (it is hoped soon to obtain designation as a National Historic Site), and an active cemetery.

Craig pointed out that several ceremonies are held annually by outside groups, to honour those buried in Cataraqui Cemetery. The Correctional Service of Canada holds a memorial service at the site of Harry Traill’s grave. Harry Traill, son of early Canadian writer Catherine Parr Traill, was the first prison officer in Canada killed on active duty (1870).

The 1st Canadian Signals Regiment hold a service annually at the grave of Carruthers, founder of the Signals Regiment. And there is an annual Remembrance Service held on November 10th in the Military Plot. Canadian flags are placed on the graves by local schoolchildren.

In the 1880s, Superintendent David Nicol began consciously turning Cataraqui into a garden cemetery, modelled after Mount Auburn Cemetery near Boston. In particular he introduced a wide variety of special trees and plants. The white hydrangea tree (at left rear in the photo to the right) became the “signature” tree of the cemetery.

Superintendent Nicol scattered fountains, statues and giant urns around the cemetery. Unfortunately a number have been stolen over the years, but those remaining add delight to the cemetery.

Mr. Boals invited everyone to visit Cataraqui Cemetery often, to enjoy its history and its beauty.

Researchers may want to consult transcriptions of the earliest burial records and of monuments produced by the Kingston Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, keeping in mind that some persons buried at Cataraqui have no memorial above ground but may be found in the cemetery records. Staff at the Cemetery Office can help visitors locate specific gravesites.