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Collection contains written family history of the Boniface (Bonifacio) family of Hamilton, the extensive family tree and photos. It centres on Lillie May Boniface whom married Frank McMillan of Burlington. Detailed information is provided in the photo descriptions in the binders at Burlington Historical Society.

About Lillie May Boniface

Death Notice from an unidentified Hamilton newspaper: “MRS. FRANKLIN MCMILLAN – After a serious operation, the death occurred at St. Joseph’s hospital early this morning of Lillian May Boniface, beloved wife of Franklin McMillan of Burlington. Mrs. McMillan was well and favourably known here, where she was born and where she lived until her marriage. During her residence here she was organist at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. As a girl she was prominently connected with the Herkimer Baptist Church (now Stanley Avenue), but after her marriage, she joined Burlington Methodist Church, now the United Church of Canada. She leaves to mourn her husband, Frank McMillan, and three young children, Charlotte Esther, Doris Lillie and Allen (sic) Franklin; her parents P.E. and Mrs. Boniface of this city, and three brothers, Edmund of Detroit, Harry of the city and Dean of Miami, Fla., and one sister, Mrs L. Barlow of this city.”

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church got a new organ in 1912, Lillie was the organist, she would have been 23 years old. She was also organist of James Street Baptist Church at the age of 16 years old.

Lillie was also the owner of a music studio at 71 Aikman Ave., Hamilton, Ontario. She lived and worked there from 1910 to 1919.

Lillie had bought a little summer cottage on Burlington Beach, Burlington, ON. Many of the photos in the collection are centred at the Beach.

Lillie May Boniface married John Franklin McMillan, a Burlington fruit farmer. To read Frank McMillan's diaries, click here.

A note from a family member  “I remember my mother worrying a bit about Lillie, with her gentle ways and soft voice, marrying a fruit farmer, for work was said to be exacting during the harvest season. Lillie loved the farm, and giving up her music, adopted her new life with joy and enthusiasm – like a true Boniface”