The United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada

           Although the formal organization is less than 100 years old, The United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada (UELAC) can actually trace its reasons for existence back almost to the time when the United Empire Loyalists’ fled from their homes in the late 1700s following the American Revolution.  By the start of the second decade of the 1800s, Loyalists were discussing ways to commemorate their struggle and sacrifice and their achievements in overcoming adversity in the wilderness of what was to become Canada.

But with the disruption of the War of 1812 and the struggle to establish self-government in both Lower and Upper Canada, along with similar moves in the Maritime colonies, the attempts were set aside.  By the late 1800s, the third generation of settlers – that is the grandchildren of the original Loyalists – were determined to keep alive the proud heritage of their ancestors.  They formed Loyalist Societies or organizations in several provinces across Canada.

In the early 1900s, officials from these groups realized there was a need to form a national organization to provide a consolidated effort in their promotion of the spirit of these early Canadian pioneers.  On May 27, 1914, an Act of Parliament was passed to create the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada.  This legislation brought together all the Loyalist groups across the nation under one patriotic, historical and genealogical organization.

The United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada, which has its Dominion office in Toronto, is composed of 29 branches across Canada with a total membership of well over 2,000. Members, who join the Association through one its Branches, support Canada’s constitutional monarchy and uphold the nation’s distinctive political and legal heritage to which their Loyalist ancestors contributed.  Through the Association, members seek out historic places, documents, and artifacts connected to the Loyalist experience and migration so these items can be preserved for future generations.

While the Association is geared to attracting the descendants of Loyalists, anyone who supports the Association’s aims is welcome to join the organization by becoming an Associate member at their local Branch.

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