On This Day in History ... October 19th

Earlier this month I wrote about my 2^nd Great-Grandmother, Dollie (VAUGHAN) HOWERTON. Today I want to write about her husband William Henry “Kerry” HOWERTON. Born October 19^th, 1869 in Williamson Co., Illinois, USA. Unfortunately, I don’t know much about him. The first record I can find for him is his marriage¹ to Dollie on December 11^th, 1891 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA. And as expected in the 1900 & 1910 US and the 1916² & 1921³ Canadian Censuses.

According to my Great Uncle Chuck, Dollie & Kerry’s grandson, Kerry was named after his father William Henry HOWERTON. Kerry’s mother’s first name is unknown but her maiden name is believed to be GREGORY.

The 1900⁴ US Census indicates his father was born in Indiana and his mother was born in Illinois. The 1910⁵ US Census contradicts this stating both his parents were born in Illinois. This type of inconsistency is not unusual from one census to the next. Especially with regards to second-hand information, such as parent’s birth places.

Everything else I know about Kerry’s parents comes from family stories. They divorced when Kerry was quite young. Kerry being raised by his mother.

In one of the many conversations my aunt had with her Uncle Chuck he told her a few things about Kerry. I am incredibly grateful that my aunt wrote these down and shared them with me.

Note taken by my aunt. 
Wm Henry Howerton (Kerry)
 his mother & father divorced
 mother remarried last name
 possibly Jennings.
Wm Henry married under
Jennings last name.
married second wife under
 Howerton last name
was second marriage
legal

It helped me confirm that I did have the correct family in the 1900 US Census. I had struggled to find them until I had used the trick of searching on only the first name. Doing so brought up a record for a Nettie Jennings, female, Age 6, born Indian Territory. Father’s name Kery C, Age 31, born Illinois. Mother’s name Dollie, Age 25, born Arkansas. Johnie & Jessie, age 3 & 1, born Indian Territory were also listed. There were 3 more individuals in the household. Criss Vaughn, male, age 23, born Arkansas. Agnes Vaughn, female, age 14, born Arkansas. And Enzy Vaughn, female, age 12, born Arkansas. Brother and sisters-in-law of the head-of-household, Kery. These match 3 of Dollie’s known siblings.

These names pointed to it being the right family, but I did not understand why they were listed as Jennings and not Howerton. The notes from my aunt gave me an idea of where the name Jennings came from. Although not why they were using it at the time. I might not ever solve that mystery.

            To the second half of my aunt’s note about Kerry marrying twice. Once under Jennings and again under Howerton. The 1910 US Census does show ‘Cary’ is in his 2^nd marriage. I have found a marriage license and certificate⁶ in Fort Smith, Sebastian, Arkansas, USA for Mr. Cary W. Jennings or Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, age 19 years and Miss Amanda E Boothe of Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, age 18. Dated 4^th February 1888. I have not been able locate this couple in other records.

            There is a record of a Cary W Jennings, b. 1869 in Illinois marrying Maggie F. Baird in Clay Co., Illinois in 1892⁷. They appear in subsequent censuses.

            In the 1910 US Census⁸ this Carey is listed as being in his 1^st marriage, which would indicate he was not the Carey from the 1888 Arkansas marriage. But it does not prove my Kerry is either. 

            I wish I had more answers when it comes to Kerry’s background. But it seems that every answer I find comes with more questions.

I am afraid traditional genealogy is not going to be enough to solve who Kerry’s parents are. But I have been working with DNA over the last 3 years and I think I may have narrowed down the possibilities. There is still a lot of work to be done before I can confirm my suspicions, but I do believe I have found Kerry’s maternal grandparents. And have a family to focus on for his paternal side.

                It is an ongoing process. Each time I get a new DNA match that connects to those families adds another piece to the puzzle.

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[1] "Oklahoma, County Marriages, 1890-1995", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVP6-9PKG : accessed 1 November 2015), Carey N Howerton and Ada Ann Elizabeth Vaughn, 1891

[2] "Canada, Prairie Provinces Census, 1916," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMPD-2KR : 11 March 2018), William Hanarton, Saskatchewan, Canada; citing p. 10, line 6; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,434,952

[3] "1921 Census of Canada." database on-line], Ancestry.com,(https://search.ancestry.ca/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=CanCen1921&indiv=try&h=7628230) Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 152; Census Place: 152, Kindersley, Saskatchewan; Page Number: 7 Original data: Library and Archives Canada. Sixth Census of Canada, 1921. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada, 2013. Series RG31. Statistics Canada Fonds.

[4] "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MST3-1D8 : accessed 21 October 2020), Kery C Jennings, Township 4 N. R 20 E., Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 95, sheet 6A, family 33, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,851.

[5] "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLQB-BHB : accessed 21 October 2020), Cary Howartan, Wayne, McClain, Oklahoma, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 191, sheet 4A, family 64, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1261; FHL microfilm 1,375,274.

[6] "Arkansas Marriages, 1837-1944", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQYG-NNG : 11 January 2020), Cary W. Jennings, 1888.

[7] "Illinois Marriages, 1815-1935", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HS7Q-4DZM : 14 February 2020), Carey W. Jennings, 1892.

[8] "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2YH-C7F : accessed 21 October 2020), Cary W Jennings, South Fork, Howell, Missouri, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 89, sheet 7B, family 132, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 784; FHL microfilm 1,374,797.

On this Day in History... October 6th

Born Ada Ann Elizabeth VAUGHN on October 6th, 1875[1] in Spring Valley Arkansas[2]. She was the second child and first daughter of Christopher Columbus VAUGHN and Martha Jane CARROLL. 

I've never been able to figure out how she got the nickname Dollie. The earliest known use is 1900 US Census[1]. The 1910 US Census[3] and the 1916 Canadian Census[4] also show her as Dollie. I suspect it is a nickname given to her by her husband, William Henry HOWERTON (also known as Cary/Kerry), but I could be mistaken. 

Cary and Dollie were married on Dec 11, 1891[5] in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA. Between April 1894 and March 1914 they had 9 children. In the fall of 1915, they decided to follow their oldest daughters, Nettie Belle and her husband Elijah Claude BRUCE (my great-grandparents) and Johnnie May and husband Worthy ORR, north to Canada. Together with their 7 younger children arrived in Manitoba in mid-October.

They settled in the district of Kindersley, Saskatchewan. Specifically, South Battleford, where we find them in the 1921[6] & 1926[7] Canadian Censuses. Later moving to the Surrey/Langley area of British Columbia. 

Dollie, along with daughter Nettie, offered a sewing service. They advertised in the local newspaper at least twice. Once in January 1946[8] and again in November 1947[9].

After Kerry died in 1949, Dollie married a man by the name of James JONES. Reportedly older than Dolly by several years. They lived on a farm outside of Cloverdale. 

Dollie departed this earth 84 years and 10 days after she arrived, on October 16, 1959^[2]. The informant on her death record is her daughter, Josephine Kronebusch. 

In the mid-90s the wife of her great-grandson put together a book with the descendants of Dollie and Cary. I know from that book and my own research she has 35 grandchildren, 91 great-grandchildren, 101 great-great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-great-grandchildren. I know there are probably more 2nd and 3rd great-grandchildren that were born after the book was distributed but that is the count I have right now. I am sure she probably has a few 4th great-grandchildren too.

Her 9 children were, Nettie Belle(b.1894), Johnnie May(b.1897), Jessie May(b.1900), Herbert Elwood(b.1902), Clifford Major(b.1904), Josephine Addison(b.1907), Iona Charlotte(b.1909), Barbara Grace(b.1912), and Clara Laska(b.1914).

A photo of Dollie and 5 of her children, 1950s.
Standing(from left to right): Iona, Jessie, and Dollie. 
Seated(from left to right): Nettie, Clifford, and Johnnie.


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[1]"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MST3-1DD : accessed 7 October 2020), Dollie Jennings in household of Kery C Jennings, Township 4 N. R 20 E., Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 95, sheet 6A, family 33, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,851.

 [2]  "British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FL5G-LS9 : accessed 01 Apr 2014), Ada Ann Elizabeth Jones, 16 Oct 1959; citing Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13244, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2033301. Image available at BC Archives, http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Image/Genealogy/6c2f4fd7-43c0-43dd-be83-f0842a68d853

[3] "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLQB-BH1 : accessed 7 October 2020), Dollie Howartan in household of Cary Howartan, Wayne, McClain, Oklahoma, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 191, sheet 4A, family 64, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1261; FHL microfilm 1,375,274.

[4] "Canada, Prairie Provinces Census, 1916," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMPD-2KT : 11 March 2018), Dolley Hanarton in household of William Hanarton, Saskatchewan, Canada; citing p. 10, line 7; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,434,952.

[5] "Oklahoma, County Marriages, 1890-1995", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVP6-9PKG : accessed 1 November 2015), Carey N Howerton and Ada Ann Elizabeth Vaughn, 1891. (Dec 6^th is when the marriage bond was issued but the marriage took place on Dec 11^th)

[6] Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013. Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 152; Census Place: 152, Kindersley, Saskatchewan; Page Number: 7. Original data: Library and Archives Canada. Sixth Census of Canada, 1921. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada, 2013. Series RG31. Statistics Canada Fonds. https://search.ancestry.ca/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=8991&h=7628231&ssrc=pt&tid=25288441&pid=5047288339&usePUB=true

[7] "Canada, Prairie Provinces Census, 1926," database with images, FamilySearch  (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP5G-2KDZ : 24 September 2020), Dolly Howerton in household of William H Howerton, South Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada; citing Census, South Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.

[8]Langley Advance, Langley, British Columbia, Canada. 17 Jan 1946, Thu. Page 10  https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44599927/ad-for-sewing-services-dolly-howerton/

[9]Langley Advance, Langley, British Columbia, Canada. 27 Nov 1947, Thu. Page  6  https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44599973/ad-for-sewing-services-from-dolly/

On This Day in History...May 14th

One hundred twenty-five years ago today (May 14^th) Pearl Viola Winfield[1] was born near the small town of Zephyr, Ontario.

She joined her parents, Percival and Sophia (nee McKelvey) and two older brothers, Edgar George (b.1882) and Wesley Wilton (b.1889), in a 2 storey (3 room) framed house. She was Percival and Sophia’s 6^th and last child. They had lost 3 children before Wesley and Pearl were born. A daughter, Ethel Lillian, to tubercular meningitis in 1877. She was only 8 months 14 days old. And a daughter, Edith Charlotte[2] (b.1878), and son, Oscar[3] (b.1879), in 1883 to Scarlet Fever.

Pearl is my great-grandmother. The only one of my great-grandparents I knew. She lived close by and my family would visit her often.

In 1981 my father had the foresight to interview her and record their conversation. Those tapes have proven to be helpful. I was not only able to use them to trace her journey across Canada, from Zephyr, Ontario to Langley, B.C., but they also helped me learn about her life.

Until recently the only format the recordings were in was cassette tapes. That changed when I bought a tape to MP3 converter and transferred them to a digital format. I am working on transcribing them to have a written copy of the information[4].

The tapes go from Pearl’s early childhood until her own children’s graduation in the late 1930s’, right before the 2^nd World War. A good 40 years of information. Which, as it turns out, is less then half of her life.

I’m going to try to share some of the information in those records and intersperse them with official documents and facts. I’ll have to split it up into multiple posts as there is a lot of information packed into each tape.

The house Pearl was born in was heated using a wood stove primarily from wood of the 100-acre property. The property was half bush, mostly flat with no creeks or streams. Selling firewood was one of the ways her father supported the family. They also tapped maple trees to make maple syrup. One of the memories Pearl had of that time is her mother making dozens of lemon pies for the sugaring off.

Another memory is riding on the handlebars of her parent’s bicycle going to church. About 4 miles.

I found the family in the 1901 Canadian Census living in the Township of Georgina, County of York North, Ontario, Canada.[5] The official date of the Census was March 31, 1901 but she was not enumerated until April 18^th-19^th according to the Census image.[6] She is listed as Pearl V, Female, White, Daughter, Single, May 14^th, 1895, Age 5, born in Ontario of English origin, Methodist, attending school for 3 months and could read, write, and speak English.

I have explored Ontario Land records but there is a steep learning curve.[7] I think I’ve determined that Percival purchased the east half of Lot 6 Concession I from David VanNorman, etux for $500 in December 1872. In February 1873 he sells the south-east quarter (50-acres) to a James Lake. In 1875 he sells the north half of north-east quarter (25 acres) to a George Winfield[8]. And then it gets confusing because it appears that in 1879, he sells the entire 50 acres of the north-east quarter to his mother-in-law, Charlotte Rawson.

The Canadian County Atlas Project[9] compiled my McGill University shows Percival[10] as owning 50 Acres on Concession I Lot 6 in 1878. Using the map provided on that site and the University of Toronto Ontario Historical County Map Project’s[11] interactive map I was able to pinpoint roughly where the property would be on a modern map. I believe it is the south-west corner of Park Rd and Old Shiloh Rd.[12]. You’ll notice that Google Maps shows that area as Cedarbrae. Farther evidence that I have the correct location is her brother, Wesley, lists Cedarbrae, York Co., Ontario as his place of birth on his Attestation Papers in 1916. 

When Pearl was 7 years old, she moved with her family to the slightly larger town of Mt Joy, Ontario. The railroad separated Mt. Joy from Markham, but the shopping and other social activities were mostly in Markham, while the school was in Mt. Joy. During that time, the Winfield’s boarded many children that attended the school in Mt. Joy whose families lived out of town.

It was a large brick house on Peter Street and according to Pearl was still standing when she last visited with her husband. I have not been able to obtain an address so don’t know if that still holds true.

Pearl remembers her father buying her a new suit and hat when she passed the entrance exam into high school when she was 14. However, she did not start her high school career right away. Sometime in the next year her father died[13]. And her mother decided to follow her sons to Manitoba.

The first tape stops right around this point and this post is getting rather long, so I think I’ll continue Pearl’s story at a later date. Stay tuned for her life in Cypress River, her teaching career and maybe even how she meets my great-grandfather.

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[1] "Ontario Births, 1869-1911," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMWP-SSZ), Pearl Viola Winfield, 14 May 1895; citing Birth, Georgina Township, York, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,846,558.

[2] Pearl speaks of having 2 sisters and 1 brother who died before she was born. I have found a birth record for an Edith Winfield but not for Charlotte. The 1881 Canadian Census shows a Charlotta Winfield but no Edith. I have not found a death record under either name but if she/they died during an epidemic it is possible a proper death record wasn’t created.

[3] No birth record for Oscar has been found. He is in the 1881 Canadian Census with his parents and Charlotta. His death record does not list a date of death only that his death was registered on September 8^th, 1883.

[4] If you are a family member and would like a copy of the digital files and transcript, please email me at jodi.familytree@gmail.com, and I’ll send you a copy when they are done.

[5] "Canada Census, 1901," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHP9-DS4 : accessed 15 May 2016), Pearl V Winfield in household of Percival Winfield, C, York (north/nord), Ontario, Canada; citing p. 10, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.

[6] Image available at http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1901/z/z003/jpg/z000118326.jpg

[7] Even the OnLand.ca website suggests contacting a legal professional, such as a solicitor or title searcher.

[8] Not sure if this is his father, brother, or cousin.

[9] http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/countyatlas/projectoverview.html

[10] http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/countyatlas/showrecord.php?PersonID=58679

[11] https://utoronto.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8cc6be34f6b54992b27da17467492d2f

[12] https://goo.gl/maps/zTUaRYo9pG2bSDjq5.  

[13] No records have been found to confirm this. There are various family stories of what happened to him. Ranging from getting caught in a snowstorm to running away to start a new life somewhere else.

Irish Babe-in-Arms

The family story is that my great-great-grandfather James ROBINSON came to Canada in 1834 as a babe-in-arms. His family came from Enniskillen, Fermanagh, Ireland and settled in Grey County, Ontario, Canada.

There is very little information to prove or disprove this story. The only thing I can say for sure is that James did live with his wife and children in Grey County. The first confirmed record of James that I have been able to find is the 1881 Census of Canada. Thanks to my grandfather I know the names of all of his children so I know that this is him.

I have not been able to find a marriage record for James and his wife Sarah Ann STEWART. I think I may have found them in the 1871 Census of Canada but am not 100% certain because the name of the wife in that record is Anne. I know Ann is Sarah’s middle name from other records so it is possible that she was going by Ann at the time of that Census.

Another reason I believe it is the right James is that my grandfather told me that James had a sister named Margaret. And there is a woman living with them named Margaret ROBINSON. The 1871 Census does not show relationship to head of household so there is no way to know for certain that this woman is James’s sister but I believe that it is highly probable.

I can take James and Sarah from 1881 to their deaths in 1923(Sarah) and 1928(James). I haven’t been able to find all the records for their family but I have a good idea of what happened to them all on what I do have.

I’m interested in James life before marriage. The following is an overview of my process and research on trying to find James pre-wife and kids.

James’ sister, Margaret, is said to have married a MADILL. With this in mind I did a search for Margaret ROBINSONs that married a MADILL, circa 1870. One seemed to be a likely candidate.

John MADILL, 25, farmer, Ireland, Osprey, s/o William & Jane MADILL married Margaret ROBINSON, 23, Ontario, Osprey, d/o Arthur & Margaret ROBINSON, wtn; John & Elizabeth HETHERINGTON, both of Toronto on January 24, 1872, Osprey.¹

This looked promising. Right time, right place. But subsequent searches for a Arthur and Margaret in the 1871 Canadian Census turned up nothing. Ditto for the 1861 Census. Knowing that one or both of them could have died prior to these Census dates and the remaining spouse could have remarried I put a pin in researching the line.

I knew I had to prove or disprove a connection between this Margaret and my James. Evidence of this connection came through James’ wife Sarah. After researching her parents and siblings I discovered her older brother Andrew’s second wife was a Catherine MADILL, daughter of William and Jane MADILL. Could John and Catherine be brother and sister?

Census records show a William and Jane MADILL living in Osprey, Grey County. They have eight children, David, John, Mary, Harriett, Jane, Catherine, Nancy Ann, and William. By researching some of them I was able to determine they are the correct family for Catherine.

Harriett’s records were the most useful. The informant on her death record is a Mrs. Stewart, her sister of Maxwell. One of the witnesses for her first marriage is David Madill of Osprey. And a witness for her second marriage is John Madill. And her second marriage and death records list her mother as Jane Ray. Catherine’s death record states that her mother’s maiden name was Jane RAE.

Unfortunately this does not prove that John and Catherine were siblings. Records for John seemed to be sparse. I haven’t been able to find a death record for him. I do have a BillionGraves entry that I think is him. William and Jane MADILL are both buried in the same cemetery. As is their daughter Nancy Ann.  It gives me confidence that I am on the right track.

If I am right then I can say that the ROBINSONs, STEWARTs, and MADILLs all knew each other. This isn’t proof positive that Margaret is James’ sister but it is enough to that I want to continue my research of her and John.

From there I decided to see if I could find marriage records for possible siblings to Margaret and James. I did a search for people with the last name ROBINSON, who’s parents were listed as Arthur and Margaret.

Narrowing the search down even further to marriages that occur in Ontario in the 1870s. And what do you think I should find but this one;

John HEHTERINGTON, 28, Ontario, Fullerton, s/o John HETHERINGTON & Janet EASTON married Elizabeth ROBINSON, 25, Ontario, Brampton, d/o Arthur ROBINSON and Margaret McDONALD, wtn; John MADILL, Osprey and Margaret ROBINSON, Brampton on January 3, 1872, Brampton.

That answered the questions I had about John and Elizabeth HETHERINGTON. Mainly, who were they and why did they travel 135km to witness a marriage. I think it is safe to say Elizabeth and Margaret were sisters.

There weren’t any other marriages that met my criteria so I decided to change the parameters a little. James is roughly 15 years older then Elizabeth and Margaret so it is likely that there are siblings that were born between them. And would have been of marrying age in the 1860s.

That search revealed this marriage record;

James FOLLIS, 29, Brampton, Ireland, s/o Edward and Jane FOLLIS married Rachel ROBINSON, 22, Brampton, Canada, d/o Arthur and Margaret ROBINSON, wtn; John STEWART, Brampton on June 10, 1863, Brampton.

There isn’t enough information here to decide if Rachel is a sister. Her death record has even less information.

I did a Google search and found the Waugh Family website, the search directed me to this page. The first thing I noticed was the map of Enniskillen, Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The page is talking about the ACHESON family and their connection to the FALLIS family. Reading through the page tells me it is the same family that I am looking at. A family that happens to hail from the same area of Ireland that my ROBINSON line does and that settled in the same area of Ontario. I have to think this is more then a coincidence. Unfortunately it isn’t clear if there is a closer connection between the ROBINSONs and the owners of the site. I have contacted them and hopefully we will know soon.

Clearly, more research is needed before I can definitively say that any, or all, of these women are my 3rd great-aunt. I will continue to gather information on them until I can be sure.

What do you think? Have I overlooked anything that would help me solve this genealogy mystery? What other avenues of research would you go down? I’d love to hear what you think.

Canada’s 150th Genealogy Challenge

Let’s celebrate our early ancestors, it is because of their contributions that our country is such a wonderful place to live!

List all your ancestors that were living in Canada in 1867, the dates they arrived (can be approximate) and where they first settled.

Here is my list –

Name	Date	Place
James Robinson	c. 1834	Grey County, Ontario
Alexander Stewart	c. 1830	Grey County, Ontario
Euphemia Latimer	c. 1830	Grey County, Ontario
John Winfield	c. 1830	Georgina Twp., York Co., Ontario
Catherine Stevenson	c. 1845	Georgina Twp., York Co., Ontario
William McKelvey	c. 1850	Scott Co., Ontario
Mary E Schell	b. 1802	Markham, Ontario
George J. Grant	b. May 10, 1809	Stormont, Ontario
Margaret Shaver	b. Sept 3, 1810	Osnabruck, Stormont, Ontario
Catherine Otto	c. 1795	Stormont, Ontario
Alexander D. Cameron	b. 1831	Quebec
John Link	b. 1801	Ontario
Mary Cameron	b. 1806	Ontario
Conrad Joanas Warner	c. 1795	Stormont, Ontario
Marion McGill Dixon	b. Apr. 20, 1817	Osnabruck, Stormont, Ontario
Henry Shaver	b. 1822	Ontario
Mary Ann Wood	b. 1829	Stormont, Ontario

Which of your ancestors were living in Canada in 1867?

Happy 150^th Anniversary Canada!

I saw this challenge on Patricia Greber’s blog, My Genealogy Life.

OTDIH…February 3, 1847

 

…in Eastern District¹, Ontario my 3^rd great-grandparents, Henry J SHAVER and Mary Ann WOOD were married².  They were approximately 25 and 18 years of age, respectively.

Within the year they had started their family. Mary Ann giving birth to a son in late November. Followed by another son and daughter over the next 4 years.

The 1851 Canadian Census³ shows them living in Osnabruck, Stormont, Ontario (or Canada West as it was known then). Henry was working as a farmer and was Lutheran. They were living in a one storey log house.

They had 2 more daughters in the 1850s’ and the 1861 Canadian Census finds their family of 7  in Osnabruck, Stormont, Ontario (still known as Canada West)⁴. Henry is still a farmer but is now listed as being Church of England. They are living in a one storey frame house.

They welcomed one more daughter in the 1860s’. And their family of 8 were in the Township of Osnabruck, Stormont Ontario in the 1871 Canadian Census⁵. This is the first census that asked about Ethnic origin as well as place of birth. Henry and the children are listed as Dutch, while Mary Ann is English. All born in Canada. Henry is listed as being a farmer. Their two youngest daughters are marked as having gone to school within the last year. And the families’ religion is Church of England.

The 1870s’ bring the first noticeable change to the Shaver family. In 1872, their oldest daughter (3rd child) marries. Followed by their oldest son (1st child) in 1874. And in January 1877 their second daughter (4th child) dies at the age of 22 of pulmonary phthisis.

There now smaller household is still in the Township of Osnabruck, Stormont, Ontario in the 1881 Canadian Census⁶. They are now of family of 4, with only the two youngest daughters living at home. I have been unable to locate their second son. He may have died or moved farther a field, possibly to the States. They are still with the Church of England. All 4 are listed as being German in origin.

McGill University started The Canadian County Atlas Digital Project⁷. I was able to find the listing for Henry for 1879. He owns 104 Acres in Osnabruck, Stormont in Concession IV, Lot 17. This appears to be two separate parcels, one 50 acres in size and the other 54⁸.

On July 15^th, 1882 in Osnabruck, Stormont, Ontario Henry died⁹ of paralysis. No indication of what caused the paralysis. The death record states he is 61-years-old and was born in Osnabruck.

In 1884, the two remaining daughters are married.

Mary Ann is found in the household of her son-in-law in the 1891 Canadian Census¹⁰. In Osnabruck, Cornwall and Stormont, Ontario. She is listed as widowed and a Methodist. She is mistranscribed as Mary SHANER but the son-in-laws name is correct.

She lived for another 7 years. Dying of heart disease on July 10^th, 1898 in Osnabruck, Stormont and Dundas and Glengarry, Ontario¹¹. She was 70-years-old. Again her last name is mistranscribed as SHARIER but when you view the image you see that the person who made the return, i.e. informed the authorities of her death, is her son-in-law.

Henry J SHAVER and Mary Ann WOOD had the following children:

1. William Hiram SHAVER was born on Nov 21, 1847 in Osnabruck, Cornwall & Stormont, Ontario. He died on Aug 12, 1912 in Osnabruck, Stormont, Ontario, Canada. He married Dorothy BOALS on Feb 10, 1874 in Osnabruck, Stormont Dundas And Glengarry, Ontario, Canada.
2. Henry Edmund SHAVER was born about Abt. 1849. He died after Aft. Feb 10, 1874.
3. Alice SHAVER was born on Dec 15, 1851 in Osnabruck, Cornwall & Stormont, Ontario. She died on Apr 30, 1929 in Carleton, Ontario, Canada. She married John William WARNER on Mar 04, 1872 in Osnabruck Twp., Stormont Co., ON, Canada.
4. Emma SHAVER was born about Abt. 1855 in Osnabruck, Cornwall & Stormont, Ontario. She died on Jan 21, 1877 in Osnabruck, Cornwall & Stormont, Ontario.
5. Armetta Ann SHAVER was born about Abt. 1858 in Osnabruck, Cornwall & Stormont, Ontario. She died on Dec 10, 1924 in Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, USA. She married John G SHAVER on Jan 07, 1884 in Stormont Co., Ontario, Canada.
6. Bertha Ida SHAVER was born on Aug 21, 1863 in Osnabruck, Cornwall & Stormont, Ontario. She died on Jan 27, 1927 in Stormont, Ontario, Canada. She married Alvin Stephen MARKELL on Nov 11, 1884 in Osnabruck Centre, Stormont, Ont., Canada.

I’ve always been a little intrigued by Henry J SHAVER because on  a different branch of my tree I have more SHAVERs but I haven’t been able to connect them to Henry. Although they all seem to reside in the same general area. Other researchers have made the connection but I have not had a chance go over it thoroughly and am reluctant to claim it as true. As it stands I only have a estimated year of birth and no parents. Same goes for Mary Ann. I need to make a trip to the local Family History Centre¹². I should be able to view the image of Henry and Mary Ann’s marriage record which may give me some more information about their parents.

You can find Henry and Mary Ann on the Grant Pedigree Chart as #14 & #15.

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1 One of four districts of the Province of Quebec created in 1788 in the western reaches of the Montreal District and partitioned in 1791 to create the new colony of Upper Canada. Known as Lunenburg District (named after Lüneburg in Germany) until 1792, it was abolished in 1849. The district seat was in New Johnstown (present day Cornwall, Ontario). Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_District,_Upper_Canada^↩
2 "Ontario, Marriages, 1800-1910," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XLPB-TPS : accessed 02 Mar 2014), Henry Shaver and Mary Ann Wood, 03 Feb 1847.^↩
3 "Canada Census, 1851," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MWTJ-NXF : accessed 02 Mar 2014), Henry J Shaver, Osnabruck, Stormont County, Canada West (Ontario), Canada. Images available at the Library & Archives Canada website here and here. They are on lines 1 thru 6.^↩ 
4 "Ontario Census, 1861," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQQT-DY5 : 8 November 2014), Henry N Shaver, Osnabruck, Stormont, Ontario, Canada; citing p. 43, line 22; Library and Archives Canada film number C-1074-1075, Public Archives, Toronto; FHL microfilm 349,323.Image available here.^↩
5 "Canada Census, 1871," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4QM-66T : 13 November 2014), Henery J Shaver, Osnabruck, Stormont, Ontario, Canada; citing p. 74, line 3; Library and Archives Canada film number C-10007, Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 4,396,308. Not sure why FamilySearch doesn't have the whole family linked but you can see the image here.^↩
6 "Canada Census, 1881," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVXW-4TN : 18 November 2014), Henery Shaver, Osnabruck, Stormont, Ontario, Canada; citing p. 42; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13227, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,375,863.^↩
7 About the Canadian County Atlas project, http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/countyatlas/aboutatlases.html^↩
8 H.J. Shaver, Concession IV, Lot 17, http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/countyatlas/showrecord.php?PersonID=38493^↩
9"Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDBP-R9M : 25 June 2015), Henry Shaver, 15 Jul 1882; citing Osnabruck, Stormont, Ontario, yr 1882 cn 16996, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,853,237.^↩
10"Canada Census, 1891," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MW2K-J5R : accessed 11 May 2015), Mary Shaner, Osnabruck, Cornwall and Stormont, Ontario, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148133. Image can be found here.^↩
11"Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J6KN-Y62 : accessed 11 May 2015), Mary Ann Sharier, 10 Jul 1898; citing Osnabruck, Stormount And Dundas And Glengarry, Ontario, yr 1898 certificate # 20491, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,854,388.^↩
12FamilySearch Family History Center locator, https://familysearch.org/locations/centerlocator?cid=hp2-1047^↩

On This Day In History... January 23, 1832

John French CHINN and Lydia Elizabeth BYRNE were married^1,2 on this day 185 years ago, in Fauquier County, Virginia, USA.

By their first anniversary they had welcomed their first child, a son. They had 5 more before the 1840 United States Census. A boy, 3 girls, and another boy. Sadly, their second oldest only lived for 26 days³.

John is listed in the 1840 United States Census⁴ as living in Leeds, Fauquier, Virginia, USA. This census only lists head of households by name. Any other member of the family was tallied by sex and age group. Free persons of colour were tallied in a separate section than free white persons. The 1840 US Census was taken on June 1^st, 1840.

John’s household consisted of 1 white male under 5 years, 1 white male between 5 & 10 years, 1 white male between 20 & 30 years, 2 white females under 5 years, 1 white female between 5 & 10 years, and 1 white female between 20 & 30 years. There were no free persons of colour.

John joined the Long Branch Church and was baptized by Elder Barnett Grimsley on June 28^th, 1840. A week later, on July 4^th, Elizabeth joined the same church and was baptized.

On January 25^th, 1843, John was ordained as a Deacon.

On June 27^th, 1846, they obtained a letter of Dismission from Long Branch Church to join Carter’s Run Church closer to their new home. That letter was presented to Carter’s Run Church on July 20^th, 1846.

Carter’s Run Church is approximately 20 miles southwest of Long Branch Church.

I’m still piecing together where their homes were before and after their shift to Carter’s Run Church. And why they moved but I think it might have to do with an inheritance that Elizabeth may have received from her father or grandfather.

They obtained another letter of Dismission from Carter’s Run Church on August 18, 1848 prior to moving from Virginia to Arkansas. On the same day, John was licensed to preach the Gospel of Christ.

The 1850 United States Census⁵, taken November 30, 1850, finds them in Ruddell, Independence, Arkansas, USA. They had welcomed 5 more children to the family. 3 daughters and 2 sons. All 10 living children are with them.

John is also listed as owning 4 slaves. A black male 22-years-old, a black female 19-years-old, a black female 4-years-old, and a one-month old black female.

The 1850’s saw John & Elizabeth welcome 5 more children, 4 boys and 1 girl. This included a set of twins, Randolph & Rudolph. Sadly, Rudolph passed away at only 3 days old. Another son left passed away at the age of 9 years, 9 months, and 12 days. Leaving them with 13 living children.

11 of these children were living with them in Ashley Township, Independence County, Arkansas in the 1860 United States Census⁷. Taken on the 27^th day of June. This included a widowed daughter. Her 3 young children were also living with them.

The Slave Schedule for that same Census shows John owning 8 slaves. One 30-year-old black male, a 28-year-old black female, 4 black females ages, 5, 8, 10 & 12 and 2 black males ages 3 months and 3 years.

The 1860’s brought the Civil War and John & Elizabeth said goodbye to 5 more of their children. Two lost in battle fighting for the Confederates in 1862 & 1864. They lost one adult daughter in 1867 and in 1868, their oldest son died, leaving a wife and 3 children.

Before all this they laid to rest their youngest daughter in April 1861. She was 3 years, 4 months, and 15 days old.

The 1870 United States Census⁸, taken September 28^th, shows them still in Ashley Township, Independence County, Arkansas, with a much smaller household. It is them and 3 teenage sons. Their daughters having married (or remarried) and left home. I can confirm this with all but one of their daughters. After the 1860 Census, she disappears. I can not locate a marriage or death record and she doesn’t appear with another family.

Two of the 3 remaining sons married during the 1870’s. Sadly this decade is also the one John leaves this earth. On October 7^th, 1875, Elizabeth said goodbye to her husband of 43 years. He was 65 years, 2 months and 10 days old⁹.

In the 1880 United States Census¹⁰, Elizabeth is living with her son Randolph and family. Still in Ashley Township. The census was taken on June 8^th, 1880.

Five years later, Elizabeth, at the age of 71 years, 4 months, and 19 days passed away¹¹. She was interred next to her husband in the Chinn Cemetery in Independence County.

More details of their children:

1.    Charles Richardson CHINN was born on Jan 16, 1833 in Fauquier Co., Virginia, USA. He died on Jul 20, 1868 in Independence, Arkansas, USA. He married Nancy N MEACHAM on Nov 23, 1852 in Independence, Arkansas, USA.

2.    John Franklin CHINN was born on Jul 30, 1834 in Fauquier Co., Virginia, USA. He died on Aug 25, 1834 in Fauquier Co., Virginia, USA.

3.    Sarah Elizabeth CHINN was born on Jul 04, 1835 in Fauquier Co., Virginia, USA. She died on Mar 10, 1901 in Independence, Arkansas, USA. She married William Riley COMER on May 04, 1854 in Independence, Arkansas, USA.

4.    Penelope Jane CHINN was born on Feb 02, 1837 in Fauquier Co., Virginia, USA. She died on May 01, 1911 in Independence, Arkansas, USA. She married William T SEASAY on Aug 27, 1857 in Independence, Arkansas, USA. She married James Joseph KIMBROUGH on Jan 14, 1866 in Independence, Arkansas, USA.

5.    Pandora CHINN was born on Oct 20, 1838 in Fauquier Co., Virginia, USA. She died on Feb 04, 1897 in Independence, Arkansas, USA. She married John R MEACHAM on Jan 23, 1862 in Independence, Arkansas, USA.

6.    Marcus Luther CHINN was born on Mar 02, 1840 in Fauquier Co., Virginia, USA. He died on Dec 31, 1862 in In Battle near Murfreesboro, Rutherford, Tennessee, USA.

7.    Margaret Rebecca CHINN was born on Apr 10, 1842 in Fauquier Co., Virginia, USA. She died about Abt. 1922 in Ashley, Independence, Arkansas, USA. She married William Eleazer STRICKLAND on Aug 23, 1863 in Independence County, Arkansas, USA.

8.    Frances Grimsley CHINN was born on Jan 20, 1844 in Fauquier Co., Virginia, USA. She died on Mar 31, 1867 in At Father's House. She married G W THURMAN on Apr 28, 1863 in Independence, Arkansas, USA.

9.    Louisa Georgia CHINN was born on Dec 22, 1845 in Fauquier Co., Virginia, USA.

10. John Judson CHINN was born on Sep 02, 1847 in Fauquier Co., Virginia, USA. He died on Oct 25, 1864 in Battlefield near Westport, Missouri, USA.

11. William Edward CHINN was born on Jan 02, 1849 in Independence County, Arkansas, USA. He died on Sep 14, 1858 in Independence, Arkansas, USA.

12. Randolph CHINN was born on Dec 11, 1850 in Independence County, Arkansas, USA. He died on Mar 03, 1938 in Independence, Arkansas, USA. He married Dora C A HENDERSON on Sep 03, 1873 in Independence, Arkansas, USA.

13. Rudolph CHINN was born on Dec 11, 1850 in Independence County, Arkansas, USA. He died on Dec 14, 1850 in Independence County, Arkansas, USA.

14. Arthur CHINN was born on Jul 03, 1853 in Batesville, Independence Co., Arkansas, USA. He died on Nov 16, 1911 in Independence, Arkansas, USA.

15. Asbury Rosal CHINN was born on Jan 16, 1855 in Batesville, Independence Co., Arkansas, USA. He died on Jan 04, 1941 in Independence, Arkansas, USA. He married Fannie WADE on Sep 23, 1894 in Independence, Arkansas, USA. He married Elizabeth M. THOMPSON on Sep 09, 1908 in Independence, Arkansas, USA.

16. Virginia Aurelia CHINN was born on Nov 21, 1857 in Batesville, Independence Co., Arkansas, USA. She died on Apr 05, 1861 in Independence, Arkansas, USA.

I have never looked that closely at the CHINN line before now. Much of the research had already been done by distant cousins. And as a fellow genealogist recently said ‘There is a real thrill in the hunt’ so with nothing to hunt I hadn’t really looked. I’m glad I finally did. Experience has helped me realize how much more to genealogy there is then just names and dates. I would like to learn more about where they lived. Both their private property and the larger communities in Virginia and Arkansas. I’m intrigued by the fact that John was a Deacon in the Baptist Church but at least 2 of his children were married by Methodist Episcopal Church South ministers, 2 by Baptist ministers and several more by Justices of the Peace. My heart aches for them when I think about how many children they buried, 8 (possibly 9), 4 of them as children.

You’ll find John & Elizabeth as #22 & #23 on the Bruce Pedigree.

Note: For the most part the information on their children comes from the Chinn Family Bible. Three of those pages have been uploaded to John’s Find-A-Grave memorial. A big THANK YOU to my 2nd Cousin, June, for sharing them.

I have found more information on most of their children that is not included in those pages but have not include the source citations here to keep them at a minimum. If you are interested in learning more feel free to email me, jodi.familytree@gmail.com, I’m happy to share anything I have.

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1 "Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XR8C-P8Z : accessed 31 Aug 2014), John F. Chinn and Elizabeth Byrne, 23 Jan 1832; citing Fauquier, Virginia, reference r4 p370pr5 p7; FHL microfilm 31634.
2 “Chinn Family Bible, Marriages” image, https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/find-a-grave-prod/photos/2015/252/17123156_1441879111.jpg
3 “Chinn Family Bible, Births & Deaths” image, page 1 of 2, https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/find-a-grave-prod/photos/2015/252/17123156_1441879093.jpg
4 "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHTK-R19 : 24 August 2015), John Chinn, Leeds, Fauquier, Virginia, United States; citing p. 190, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 558; FHL microfilm 29,686
5 "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M67Z-QDQ : 9 November 2014), John F Chinn, Ruddell, Independence, Arkansas, United States; citing family 1008, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
6 “Chinn Family Bible, Births & Deaths” image, page 2 of 2, https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/find-a-grave-prod/photos/2015/252/17123156_1441879175.jpg
7 "United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M8W7-DC3 : accessed 07 Dec 2013), John F Chinn, , Independence, Arkansas; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 88, family 578, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 803043.
8 "United States Census, 1870," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNCQ-5VG : accessed 5 May 2015), John Chinn, Arkansas, United States; citing p. 4, family 28, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,554.
9 "Find A Grave Index," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVVJ-797V : accessed 5 May 2015), John French Chinn, 1875; Burial, , Independence, Arkansas, United States of America, Chinn Cemetery; citing record ID 17123156, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
10 "United States Census, 1880," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNWH-7LJ : accessed 5 May 2015), Elizabeth Chinn in household of Randolph Chinn, Ashley, Independence, Arkansas, United States; citing enumeration district 119, sheet 134B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0047; FHL microfilm 1,254,047.
11 "Find A Grave Index," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVVJ-7972 : accessed 5 May 2015), Lydia Elizabeth Byrne Chinn, 1885; Burial, , Independence, Arkansas, United States of America, Chinn Cemetery; citing record ID 17123160, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.