History of the UELAC

In general, any history, whether it be oral or written, is lost if it is not made available to others. The history of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada is no different.

As the UELAC prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary as a national association in 2014, it is essential that a record of its past be readily available to present and future members. In 1997, the Dominion Historian, Elizabeth Richardson UE with the assistance of Arnold W. Nethercott UE, prepared An Historical Outline of The United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada. The history here is based largely on that document.

It is split into these five chapters.

• Commemorating the Loyalists in the 19th Century
• The Founding of the UELAC
• Growth of the Association - Branches
• Biographies of the Petitioners to form a Canadian UEL Association
• Presidents of UELAC

In the 1960s, the UELAC decided to pursue armorial bearings. An official request was made by by E. John Chard, UE, in 1969. With the assistance of Sir Conrad Swan, York Herald of Arms-in-Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen, a formal application was made and accepted. Design work commenced and the Armorial Bearings were granted by Royal Authority through the legal instrument known as Letters Patent, dated 28 March 1972.

• The Armorial Bearings of the UELAC, by Sir Conrad Swan
• The Canadian Heraldic Authority and the Loyalists, by John E Ruch, UE