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Reel 60.
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1 audio reel (3 hrs., 13 min., 37 sec.)
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Biographical history
Thomas Lacey, a trance and direct voice medium, was born in Glossop, Derbyshire England on November 4, 1895.
Thomas married Edith Emma Lomas on March 18, 1918 in Whitfield. Edith was born in Whitfield, Derbyshire England on September 28, 1895.
Thomas and Edith immigrated to Canada in March 1923 and April 1924 respectively. Thomas worked as a mechanical engineer at companies including Dominion Rubber and Sutherland and Schultz.
Records of Thomas conducting séances in the Kitchener-Waterloo region begin in 1924. Edith, although not a medium, was an active participant in the séances. Thomas and Edith moved to Hamilton in the 1950s before returning to Kitchener-Waterloo in the 1960's. The séances recorded in the 1960s were held in the home of Otto and Nelda Smith in Kitchener. Otto Smith, a local businessman, played the organ at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Kitchener and his organ playing can be heard throughout the séances.
Thomas and the séance sitters believed his main control during the 1960s was a spirit named Amirah and they maintained that his younger brother Walter, who died at a young age, acted as his gate keeper. Thomas Lacey purportedly channeled the spirits of Thomas Edison, Emmanuel Swedenborg, and John Wesley, amongst others. Sitters at the séances were said to have experienced apports, materializations, and automatic writing. One séance recording also contains what is believed to be an example of Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP).
The séances fall into three general categorizations: Masters Night when philosophical discussions took place; Visiting Night when spirits of friends and family were welcomed; and Rescue Night when the sitters would help spirits who had not crossed over the veil to do so.
Thomas Lacey died on June 17, 1966 at age 70. Edith Lacey died in 1993 at age 97. Thomas and Edith Lacey were buried in Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo, Ontario.
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Scope and content
One audio reel recording of séances held under the supervision of medium Thomas Lacey. A handwritten note on the original audio reel box provides the following descriptions for each side of the reel:
Side 1. Wed. June 3/64 visiting night. Music - salvation army band; Amirah - opened with few appropriate remarks; Mahatma Ghandi - wished to correct wrong impression; Nelda - busy in rescue work; Mrs. Schmeider - enjoying concepts of a new life; Oscar Smith - brother of O.G.S. glad to be with old folks. Progressing; C.S. Smith - greatest desire fulfilled in bringing Oscar here; Mrs. Massel - to Charlie. Everything in good shape. Will be nice summer; Mr. Heap - to art, continued interest in painting; Garnet's mother - concept different now; Mrs. Heap's mother - glad to come; Mrs. Dudley - to George, described vividly manifestation; Happy Wolfe - many people here all have good time; Dr. Hoffman; Dr. Hall - brought greetings; Walter - closes.
Side 2. Mon. Tues. 8/64 master's night. Music - Beethoven andante; Amirah - spoke of the nature immortal aspects of us. Elaborated on the mystical and ethereal aspects of dreams. Interesting discussion followed; Great Bear - guide to the late Gordon Steiss. Manifested. Describing his experiences; Swedenborg - in introducing Robert Ingersoll, said that Ingersoll had created a vacuum and forgot in his enthusiasm to substitute the true experience; Robert Ingersoll - explains his position. Was not the rebel people thought. Spoke very brilliantly. Promised to come back again; Walter - closes, wishing Mr. Smith a pleasant and safe journey to the states.
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Donated by Stanley McMullin in 2015.
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- English
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This audio reel was digitized in 2022 and access copies are available for research purposes. Transcription not available.
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The dates listed in the handwritten note on the original audio reel box differ from the dates cited in the audio recording. Subsequently, it is possible that the subjects listed in the note are incorrect.
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Described by JB in 2015.
Revised by NM in 2024.
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- English