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Reel 41.
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1 audio reel (2 hrs., 30 min., 32 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. Thurs. July 4/63 visiting night. Music - the garden of prayer; Amirah - pleased to welcome the visiting friends; C.S. Smith - Otto's father - greeted the members of the circle; Rev. Vicar Lorentz - to Mrs. Lacey his first manifestation after ten years; Gordon Steiss - used the trumped as he was first one to make one many years ago; Happy Wolf - powerful - said he moved the trumpet. Referred to bells for Matthew; Mrs. Dudley - glad to know that George could go north; Mr. Heap's father - referred to significance of the murals; Mrs. Massel - to Mrs. Steiss and C. Massel told of work all are doing; Mammy Clemmer - feel stronger tonight. Very happy mood; Garnet's mother - just returned from cottage. All is well. Running Deer now happy. Tape separated and splice following not revealed - Nelda Smith, Dr. Hall, Dr. Hoffman. Walter closing.
Side 2. Tues. July 9/63 masters - scientists. Hymn - praise God; Amirah - welcomed Carl - spoke of many truths - light and wisdom from this temple - discussed karma in action; Thomas Edison - referred to his over-shadowing Russell Boyle interested in Carl co-operates with Einstein - related to many of the achievements - hearing without mortal ears, seeing without use of eyes; Albert Einstein - greets Carl can speak better now - many friends about him - could come to conclusion without depending on equations - much interested in Carl; Rev. Road-House - wondered why he is here tonight - result of frankness and dedication door was opened; Dr. Jeans - here before - interested in astronomy - views conversed with Carl - change expanding universe; Walter - closes the door.
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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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Described by JB in 2015.
Revised by NM in 2024.
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- English