The Origins and History of the Cypress Hills and a Prominent “Metis” Family from Medicine Hat

Having been born and raised in Medicine Hat and having lived there all of my life, I have a keen interest in its history. More recently, I became interested in genealogy and this interest combined with my passion for local Medicine Hat history resulted in an article entitled, “Demons of the Soul: The Origins and History of the Bliss Family of Medicine Hat and the Infamous Bill Bliss”. For those who grew up in Medicine Hat in the 50’s and 60’s, the name “Bliss” surname was synonymous with Saratoga Park, being one of the many Metis families who resided there. By some accounts, as many as 20 or 30 families resided in this area at one time[1]. Other Metis families during this era included names such as Akers, Bray, Demarais, Gosselins, Cayenne, Gaudry, Lawrence, Laframboise, McKay, Oullettes, Quesnelle and Sanderson and many generations of these families continue to call Medicine Hat their “home”.

Interestingly, many in the Metis community of Medicine Hat can trace their origins to the Cypress Hills and the arrival of the NWMP. READ ON

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The Origins and History of the Bliss Family of Medicine Hat and the Infamous Bill Bliss

Introduction:

Growing up in Medicine Hat, Alberta during the 50’s and 60’s brings back many fond memories and many interesting experiences. As we grow older and reminisce with family and friends about the past, these memories, for whatever reason, seem to take on greater importance in our lives.

I have always enjoyed reading about history and most recently, I became fascinated with the history of WWI. This was prompted by the discovery of pictures of my wife’s grandfather Thomas Medlicott and her great uncle, Edward Medlicott, who were both members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and who served gallantly overseas in the Great War. Both of these brothers were fortunate enough return to Canada from that conflict, while another brother George Medlicott, a member of the British Army, was not as lucky. He paid the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield of France, (Flanders) having been killed in action on the 6^th of June 1918.

Recently, I had occasion to travel to France and Belgium and visited the Vimy Ridge Canadian War Memorial and famous WWI landmarks and cemeteries including familiar places or names like Ypres, Passchendaele and the infamous Hill 60, among many others. This evoked an even greater interest and passion in this remarkable chapter of our world history. READ ON