The Grimsby Museum, Ontario, Canada; we are in touch!

Why do the towns in Grimsby, Ontario, Canada and Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire share the same name? We asked the question and the The Grimsby Museum in Ontario kindly came back with a reply.

John Graves Simcoe (1752-1806) was a British Army general and the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1791 until 1796. He divided the province into 19 counties including Lincoln County, named after its English counterpart. Grimsby was named by Governor John Graves Simcoe in reference to the English village of Grimsby. The village and surrounding Niagara region were the economic and political centres of Upper Canada. The name Grimsby appeared on early maps of Upper Canada, but it was not until 1816 that the name was officially changed to Grimsby and the post office was established.

In 1876, the hamlet of Grimsby became the Village of Grimsby with John H. Grout as the first Reeve. In 1920, By-law 470 gave authority for application to the Ontario Railway and Municipal Board for Grimsby to become a town. In 1922, Grimsby became the Town of Grimsby with Charles T. Farrell as Mayor. In 1970, the amalgamation of the Town of Grimsby and the Township of North Grimsby completed the community, as it is known today.

With thanks to Tiffany Tifan, Collections Coordinator, of The Grimsby Museum, Ontario for the information.

Note: Grimsby, Lincoln, Louth, Caistor, Binbrook, Ancaster, Pelham, Grantham, Willoughby, Welland River, Wainfleet and Moulton can be found on a map of the area. (Gainsborough was renamed in 1970.)