The very early settlers coming to Cooks Creek from the British Isles, the United States and Ontario had bought unsurveyed land from agents, who, after indicating the general area in which the land was located, suggested that they find a favourite knoll or hill and claim the land surrounding it. What a shock it was, when the survey came through in 1872, to discover that some of the buildings were on a property line or road allowance, or that they had encroached on another's property or even worse to find that the boundary line came between the house and the barn! The presence, even yet, of the jutting out and uneven fence lines is evidence of those early practices as well as the fact that surveys were not completely accurate either. The survey measuring done by a chain measure, in the hands of those not totally familiar with its use, could lead to errors. The question was, "Did you or did you not include the hand-hold in the measure?"

Cooks Creek, one of the earliest settlements to be developed in the Municipality, started on the banks of the Creek gradually extending its boundaries downstream as well as a number of miles both East and West of its banks. The location had many distinct advantages because there were heavily timbered areas and open grasslands. To the settler, the timber meant a supply of logs for buildings, trees for firewood and protection from the elements for his family and his animals. The open spaces meant winter food for his animals as well as a lush green pasture in the summertime. The creek nearby provided water for the cattle and if necessary for the family garden.

When J.F. Argle arrived in 1867 the settlement consisted of four families; Murdock, Cook, Adams and Ross. The name Cooks Creek had been adopted in recognition of Captain Joe Cook for services rendered in the community.

(Source: Springfield - First Rural Municipality in Manitoba, 1873 - 1973, p 74 [Adapted])

In the beginning, Cook's Creek was like a small village, "selo" of 20-30 acre small holdings. The people were engaged in mixed farming, making weekly trips to Winnipeg to sell their produce. As depression years set in some sold their holdings and others increased the size of their farms, that were originally acquired from the Scottish and English settlers.

(Source: East of the Red - The Early Ukrainian Settlements of the Dawson Trail (Volume 2), p 55 [Adapted])

Established in 1910.

St.Michael's R.C. (Polish) Church, Cook's Creek: First Mass Celebrated June 1899 / Present Church Built 1922 

A monument was put up at Bird's Hill Park for old pioneers buried in the bush with only wooden markers which have now decayed. This was erected by the Association of Polish Priests in Manitoba in June 1971.

(Source: Manitoba Genealogical Society [Adapted])

The first mass in St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church at Cooks Creek, in the Rural Municipality of Springfield, was celebrated in 1899. The church was destroyed by fire in 1922 and the present building incorporating the original bell tower replaced it. The earliest documented burial in the associated cemetery occurred in 1910. The graves are not individually marked, the original wooden markers having deteriorated and disappeared. A stone monument lists the names of those buried here.

(Source: Manitoba Historical Society)

Dominion Land Survey Coordinates: LSD13-18-12-06-E1

In the Rural Municipality of Springfield

A part of the story of the town and its Ukrainian inhabitants from the early days of European settlement in about 1893 through roughly 1999 is told in the volume "East of the Red - The Early Ukrainian Settlements of the Dawson Trail (Volume 2)", especially starting on page 55. Another part of the story, more connected to the early British and American settlers in the area, is told in the volume "Springfield - First Rural Municipality in Manitoba, 1873 - 1973", especially starting on page 74.

A list of burials in this cemetery is available from the Manitoba Genealogical Society (reference #0196), transcribed by a member or members in 1986. Also available to MGS members is a searchable online database named the "MGS Manitoba Name Index" (or MANI). Some additional information is contained in the 1996 MGS publication "Carved in Stone: Manitoba Cemeteries and Burial Sites" (revised edition, Special Projects Publication, 106 pages).

Additionally, the Ogniwo Polish Museum centralizes, curates and makes available extensive records from various groups related to the communities established by the families of Polish descent who settled lived in, died in, or contributed to the story of Manitoba.