Crosbie, Gert

Gertrude (Gert) Crosbie (1925-2004), community volunteer, genealogist, was born in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1925, daughter of Janet (Miller) and Andrew Hamilton Murray. She married A.H. (Bill) Crosbie and they had five children: Janet, Andrea, Paul, David, and Bill.

Ms. Crosbie dedicated a substantial portion of her life to volunteer work. In 1968, with her husband, she helped establish the Virginia Waters School for children with cerebral palsy, an initiative which later resulted in both being named St. John's Citizens of the Year. Ms. Crosbie was also well known for her efforts on behalf of the YWCA, the CNIB, Meals on Wheels and as a board member of the Newfoundland Historic Parks Association. She was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada and, in 1997, received an honorary doctorate degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

A fascination with Newfoundland history, a desire to preserve the genealogical record and a personal friendship with Dr. Keith Matthews led Ms. Crosbie to the Maritime History Archive. Sparked by interest in her ancestors, the Manuels of Twillingate, Crosbie embarked on a 25 year-volunteer research project in collaboration with the MHA to record the birth, death and marriage announcements in Newfoundland's nineteenth-century newspapers.

Created - May 15, 2013

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