DATE FOUNDED:
1967 (National Association: 1914).

MISSION:
Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch is a patriotic, historical, and genealogical society dedicated to promoting Canadian heritage. Members work to preserve historic sites, cemeteries, artifacts, and documents connected to the Loyalist experience, and encourage descendants of Loyalists to document their genealogy. The Branch is one of 29 local branches of The United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada, and one of two in the Eastern Townships. All branches share the same general mission: to unite together, irrespective of creed or political party, the descendants of those families who, during the American Revolutionary War of 1775 to 1783, sacrificed their homes in retaining their loyalty to the British Crown; to perpetuate a spirit of loyalty to the Empire; to preserve the history and traditions of that period in Canadian history by rescuing from oblivion the history and traditions of the Loyalist families; to collect together the portraits, documents, books, weapons, flags, monuments, memorials, and all other articles pertaining to the Loyalists, which are now scattered throughout Canada and elsewhere; to publish a historical and genealogical journal or annual transactions; to construct and repair buildings, monuments, memorials, and to purchase real estate and other things that may serve to perpetuate the memory of the United Empire Loyalists. All descendants of United Empire Loyalists are entitled to use the initials "U.E." after their names.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
Numerous restored family cemeteries and a monument dedicated to Samuel Gale. The restoration of the burial site of Sir John Johnson (located in Mont St-Gregoire) is currently in progress. The national Association maintains an Archive in Toronto.

COLLECTIONS:
The organization has a private collection of books and documents related to the Loyalists. These are housed at both the Missisquoi Museum and the Brome County Museum.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES:
A summer picnic and a fall foliage cavalcade are held each year at a different local historic site. On each occasion, a talk on the background of the site is given by a historian. The Branch sponsors an annual tour of Loyalist sites by area schoolchildren. It is currently compiling information to be added to the school curriculum in order to educate young people on the Loyalist role in Quebec history. The Branch is a member of the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network.

PUBLICATIONS:
A quarterly newsletter of Branch activities and plans is sent to all members.

The popular publication, Loyalists of the Eastern Townships, has been reprinted by the Brome County Historical Society. It may be obtained by contacting the BCHS at bchs@endirect.qc.ca.

The Loyalist Gazette (the national magazine): free for members / or $16.00 by subscription.

The National Headquarters has a number of publications to offer - please write them for titles and prices).

BUSINESS HOURS:
The Branch holds two meetings per year, one in June and one in October.

ENTRY FEES / MEMBERSHIP:
Annual membership: $37.50 per year (associate membership). Loyalist ancestry certificate provided to members for a $40.00 fee, provided the applicant presents sufficient genealogical proofs).

LANGUAGE OF SERVICE:
English / French (written only).

HOW TO CONTACT US:
Address: Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch, U.E.L.A., c/o Mrs. J. McCaw,
33 western Ave., # 105, Sutton, Que.
JOE  2KO
Tel: (450) 538-2345.
Email:jmccaw@citenet.net

National address: United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada, Dominion Office, Suite 202, The George Brown House, 50 Baldwin St., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1L4.

WEB SITE:
National Association: www.uelac.org.