52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 8 (Heirloom)

In a family of hoarders, there are many heirlooms to choose from:


Family Silverware

Harry & Gertie (nee Cooper) Allen - 35th Wedding Anniversary

When my Allen grandparents celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary, their adult children presented them with a set of monogrammed silverware (Lady Hamilton pattern) in a wooden chest.  Years later when my Grandmother had died and my Grandfather was in a nursing home, their adult children were disposing of the household items.  The silverware was offered to my father to give to my brother as the oldest grandson and carrying the Allen name.  My mother started to decline as my brother was not married.

Although I wasn't married, I jumped into the conversation and said that I would like the set.  I did not intend to change my name if I ever married (and I did keep my maiden name) and if my brother ever married, I would give him the silverware.  I still have the silverware in the same chest and have added pieces to it over the years - with the support of my husband.


China

Old Chelsea

I presently have two sets of china passed along to me by family members.  The set given to me from
my mother is a set composing of pieces she had as well as ones given to her by her grandmother Pearl (nee Mumberson) Bates as she had had the same china pattern.  When I was getting married, I choose my fiance and I choose our own pattern and use that set.  The set from my mother sits in our china cabinet.

Blossom Time

The other set of china I have was given to me by my Aunt Lena (my mother's sister).  As she was getting older, she started to dispose of many of her household items and presented me with the set of her china.  It resides in my china cabinet as well.





Mirror

Every so often, my mother will start going through some of her items and offer them to me.  One such item is a round mirror that had been given to her as a wedding gift in 1949.


Children's Table & Chairs Set

My childhood was spent visiting both sets of grandparents (who lived in the same village) every holiday weekend, as well as extended time at Christmas and summertime.  Quite often, my only female Schell cousin, Mary Lou, who is my age was also visiting at the Schells.  We frequently convinced either our parents or grandparents to retrieve a table and chair set from the attic.  My mother played with the set with her sister during their childhood.

When my grandmother was disposing of the contents of the farm house, I was given the set, as well as a child's rocking chair.

GREAT GRANDPARENTS: John Schell & Mary Deadman

John Schell & Mary Deadman with eldest sons George & John

My grandfather George Schell was the eldest child of John Schell and Mary Deadman.

John Schell was born January 13, 1867 in Innisfil Township, Simcoe County, Canada West, the eldest son of John Alexander Schell and Mary Jane Ross.  During his young years, his parents and siblings lived with his grandparents: Benjamin Schell & Mary McGill.  The 1871 census of Canada shows the 3 generation family in Innisfil Township.  He continued the family tradition of being a farmer.

Mary Deadman was born Feburary 9, 1874 in Tosorontio Township, Simcoe County, Ontario, the eldest daughter of George Deadman and Rebecca Gauley.  The family moved to nearby Sunnidale Township during Mary's childhood.

John and Mary were married April 24, 1894 in Stayner, Nottawasaga Township, Simcoe County, Ontario.  John's sister Margaret was a witness to the marriage.  On November 25, 1895, John & Mary were witnesses at the marriage of Margaret to Jacob Elias Prentice (Prentis).

Barn at Brentwood farm

Johna & Mary were the parents of 10 children: 8 sons (George, John, Alfred, Robert, William, Wesley, Edward and Stanley) and 2 daughters (Maud and Margaret).  John died May 24, 1916 in Brentwood, Sunnidale Township, Simcoe County, Ontario at the farm that he had purchased just a short time before from Thomas Bates (the future father-in-law of son George). 

Widow Mary Schell (nee Deadman) with her children.

Widow Mary was left to raise their relatively young family, although son George was old enough to take over the operation of the farm.  When George married Irene Bates in 1927, she moved into the farm house and they raised their three children, along with widow Mary and her children until they moved out.  Several of the sons moved to Ohio and Michigan for work, although Wes and Will returned to Ontario after a few years.  The farm was always viewed as home to them and would visit frequently.  As a result, my mother grew up knowing her Schell aunts, uncles and cousins.

House built by son George on Schell farm in Brentwood

The original farm house was replaced by a new home built by George.  Although the farm land was sold off by George and wife Irene in the 1960's, part of the land is still in the family:  George and Irene's granddaughter Mary Louise (nee Schell) Bowyer and her husband Chris raised their three daughters there and continue to operate Bowyer Taxidermy from the home.

At least part of the farm in Brentwood has been in the Schell family for over 100 years.

Mary died November 23, 1940 at home in Brentwood.  My mother remembers the death of her grandmother.

Barrie Examiner (Barrie, Ontario). December 12, 1940. p. 3, column 3 "Brentwood"

Mary was buried on November 26, 1940 with husband John in the Glencairn Union Cemetery at Glencairn, Tossorontio Township, Simcoe County, Ontario. 

Son Alfred, who never married, was buried with his parents in 1952.  Another son who never married, Stanley, was also buried with them when he died in 1966.  His name appears on the other side of the headstone.

Both John Schell and Mary Deadman died long before I was born, but having grown up spending time at the Schell farm house in Brentwood, I grew up knowing and hearing about them.

GREAT GRANDPARENTS: John Albert Cooper & Annie Kyte

My Grandmother Gertrude Georgina Cooper was the youngest daughter of John Albert Cooper and Annie Kyte.

John Albert Cooper was born April 2, 1855 in Eastham, Worcestershire, England to John Cooper and Mary Ann Rudd.  Annie Kyte was born in April 1856 in Leominster, Herefordshire, England to William J. Kyte and Caroline Evans.

I have not been able to access an actual marriage record of John and Annie, however their marriage was registered in the First Quarter of 1881 in Herefordshire, England.  They appear as a married couple in the 1881 census as visitors in the household of William and Caroline Kyte.  The 1881 census of England was to have been enumerated on April 3, 1881.  John was listed as a gardener, the same occupation as his father-in-law.

The 1891 census shows John and Annie, with 3 children, at 7 Edgar Street in All Saints, Herefordshire, England.  John was still working as a domestic gardener.  By the time of the 1901 census, the family had grown to 6 children and were living at 2 Upper Glantowaen [sp?] Terrace in Blaenavon, Monmouthshire, Wales.  John's occupation was listed as railway drayman.  The household also included John's widowed father, John.

 Their youngest child, Reginald George, died at the age of 13 months and was buried January 25

Tunisian

1902  in Blaenavon, Monmouthshire, Wales.  Just a few months later, on August 2, 1902 the family sailed from Liverpool, Lancashire, England aboard the Tunisian, enroute to Canada.  The ship arrived in Quebec City two weeks later on August 15th.  The ship's manifest indicates that the family was enroute to Toronto, Ontario.  The eldest son, Albert John, was not with the family during that voyage as he had emigrated to the United States in May 1901.  He had sailed from Liverpool on May 1 1901 and arrived at Ellis Island on May 9th aboard the Majestic.

John and Annie settled with 4 children in Mimico, Etobicoke Township, York County, Ontario (just outside of Toronto).  By the 1911 census for Canada, only youngest daughter Gertie was still living at home with her parents.  John's occupation was listed as and angle workman aat club house.  According to family stories, he worked as a green grocer in Mimico at some point as well.

The family will have moved from Mimico at some point after the 1911 census as Annie died of throat cancer on July 30, 1917 at Lot 8, Concession 1 in Sunnidale Township, Simcoe County, Ontario.  She is buried in the Sunnidale Public Union Cemetery in Bethel, Sunnidale Township, Simcoe County, Ontario.    The cemetery is also known as the Bethel Cemetery.  John was buried with her on October 10 1931 after his death.

The 1921 Canadian census shows widowed John living with son Harold and his family in Brentwood,
Sunnidale Township in Simcoe County, Ontario.  Neighbours included daughter Gertie living with her husband Harry and his parents.  Like my great-grandfather William Daisley Allen, John Albert Cooper had the pleasure of spending time with his young grandchildren.

John remarried on April 26 1929 in Orillia, Orillia Township, Simcoe County, Ontario to spinster Elizabeth Hill.  John died October 8, 1931 in Brentwood.  His cause of death is listed as angena pectoris and pericardites after only a 3 day illness.

After John's death, Elizabeth continued living in Brentwood as shown on the Canada Voters' Lists of 1935 and 1945.  To date, I have very little information on my great-graandfather's second wife.  My mother does vaguely remember the woman as not very friendly.  She told me once of a comment made by my grandmother, Gertie in reference to her step-mother.  After the marriage, she asked her new stepmother what she should call her and was informend "Mrs. Allen".

Elizabeth and John may have been well matched.  According to my Aunt Dora, her Grandfather John had a falling out with son Frederick who then went West.  She did not know the cause.  Records show that Frederick William Cooper continued to live in British Columbia where he married a woman with two children.  Aunt Dora also told a story that her Uncle Fred showed up at the Allen farm one day and his sister Gertie did not recognize him.  And one time, my Uncle Ivan was travelling in British Columbia and tracked down his Uncle Fred but did not get a warm greeting.

I never knew either John Albert Cooper or Annie Kyte, nor do I have as many family stories about them as I do other great-grandparents.  They were the last of my ancestors to arrive in Canada - all other lines had been in Canada before the mid-1800s.  My grandmother Gertie would have only been about 23 years old when her mother died, but did remain close to her siblings, excluding Fred.  Uncle Bert was often visiting from Toronto when we would be in Brentwood.  He suffered from dementia and would often head out of the house to walk back to Toronto.  I can remember sitting in our car on the side of a country road while my father attempted to convince his uncle to get in the car so that he could drive him back to my grandparents.  Uncle Harold died when I was a baby, but his son, Harry Everard, would visit his Aunt Gertie as well as attending some of the Allen family BBQs.  My Aunt Dora was also in frequent communication with him.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 7 (Valentine)

Valentine's Day is this week, so obviously the top for the week is Valentine.

Although my husband, Terry, and I celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14th, we celebrate our love every day.  I receive a bouquets of flowers from Terry at various times during the year, "just because", rather than specific days like Valentine's Day, birthday or wedding anniversary.  Those days have become too commercialized.

My parents' relationship is another example of celebrating love everyday, not just one or two days a year.  My father was not a demonstrative man, but his silent actions that seem to come natural to him showed his love for his wife everyday.  I am fortunate to have found a man with similar instincts.

A few years ago, my mother revealed that she had a secret stash of letters from my father.  I believe it was the first wedding anniversary after his death - she spent the day reading them.  She refuses to let anyone else read them and has made me promise to bury them with her when she dies.

She did show me a Valentine card that Dad had given her at one time - probably before they were married.  Money would have been limited in those days and he would have chosen to save money for other "more important things".  Which makes the rare card more precious.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 6 (Favourite Name)

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 6 (Favourite Name)

There are many names in my ancestoral tree despite many common Anglo names repeated generation after generation.  But I'm sure many people have a substantial number of Johns, Williams, Roberts, Richards, Marys, Elizabeths, Janes, Margarets, etc in the trees.  I do have a Moses (not the biblical one) as well as a King (not a royal title).

Given my love of family and traditions, I think my favourite names are my parents as they are both named after their respective grandparents. 

William John Allen.  My father's grandfathers were William Daisley Allen and John Albert Cooper.  He had the benefit of knowing both of those men during his young years as they both lived in the same rural community.  That may be why is was always known as Jack.

Pearl Mary Eveleen Schell.  My mother's grandmothers were Mary (nee Deadman) Schell and Elsie Pearl (nee Mumberson) Bates.  Although my Great-grandmother's first name was Elsie, she was known as Pearl.  My mother was born on her Aunt Effie's birthday, so my grandparents added Effie's real name of Eveleen to their daughter's name.  Effie wasn't technically an aunt, but the wife of a first cousin of Pearl.  My mother grew up using the family nickname of Sis, but in her adult life away from the rural community where she grew up, she started to use the name Eveleen.  But at family gatherings she still answers to Sis.

52 Ancestors in 52 weeks - Week 5 (In the Census)

 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks - Week 5  (In the Census)

There are a couple of "special" census that comes to mind.

The 1901 Census for Blaenavon Wales listed the household of my Great Grandparents John Albert Cooper and Annie Kyte. 

As I expected, in the household was my grandmother Gertrude Georgina Cooper who was their youngest daughter.  The surprise was that she was not the youngest in the family!  The census listed a 3 month old Reginald Cooper as a son.

This raised a question in my mind:  was he actually a son whom I had never heard about?  And if so, what happened to him as he was not listed with the family on the ship's manifest when they immigrated to Canada in August 1902.  Or, was Reginald a son of older daughter Florence.  At age 15, it was a possibility and it would not be the first time that an illegitimate grandchild was listed in a census as a child of the head of household.

With further research I was able to determine that the Death Registration in the First Quarter of 1902 for a Reginald George Cooper (birthdate estimated about 1901) would indeed be the Reginald listed as a son of John Albert Cooper.  The Monmouthshire Burials Transcription does list the burial of Reginald George Cooper, age 13 months.  Although the parents' names are not listed, the address is the same (2 Upper Glantoween Terrace).  New records of Vital Records for England and Wales list the mother's maiden name and there is a record for Reginald George Cooper listing his mother's maiden name as Kyte.

I still have questions that I have yet been able to answer and probably never will.  My aunts were never aware of this younger sibling of their mother.  She would have been about 6 years old when Reginald was born, so I would think she would have had memories of the birth.

Reginald died just a few months before the family moved to Canada.  Had his death had any bearing on the family's decision to relocate?  I doubt I will ever be able to find the answer to that question.

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A census I found meaningful was the 1871 Canadian Census for District 4 South Simcoe in Ontario.

 

 The household of my 3xGreat Grandfather, Benjamin Schell, included his married son John Alexander and family which included my Great Grandfather John Schell.

Three generations in one household!

If there had ever been a doubt as to whether I was descended from the Schells of Mohawk Valley, that census confirms.  There is many documents listing that Benjamin Schell as a descendant of John Christian Schell.  And with the census showing the extended family, combined with birth and marriage records, I am able to document my connection.

GREAT-GRANDPARENTS: William Daisley ALLEN and Mary Jane WOODLAND

GREAT-GRANDPARENTS: William Daisley ALLEN and Mary Jane WOODLAND

My Grandfather Harry was the youngest child of William Daisley Allen and Mary Jane Woodland.

William Daisley was born 17 Jul 1849 at Lundy's Corners, Peel County, Canada West - the eldest child of Robert Allen and Mary Ann Widdis.

Family lore claims that 'Daisley' was a family name but in my 20+ years of genealogy research, I have yet to discover any ancestors with that name.  However, a brother of my father was also given the middle name of 'Daisley' - much to his embarrassment.

Mary Jane was born 20 December 1849 in Mono Township, Simcoe County, Canada West - the eldest daughter of Joshua Woodland and Catherine Craig.

William and Mary Jane grew up on neighbouring farms in Mono Township which at that point in time was part of Simcoe County.

They married in August 1872 at St. Mark's Anglican Church in Orangeville, Mono Township, Wellington County, Ontario.

In celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary, the Allen and Woodland families held a reunion at a local park.  As mentioned in earlier posts, the 'Just Married 60 Years' sign was altered to '50' and used for multiple family anniversary celebrations over the years and generations.

In addition to raising their 12 children (6 sons and 6 daughters), they also raised one of their granddaughters: Mary Ann "Minnie" McKenzie.  Minnie's mother (also named Mary Ann and known as Minnie) died a few weeks after giving birth.  A couple of years later, the widower, Archibald McKenzie, married another Allen daughter, Sarah Louise, and she died a few years later, leaving two young daughters as well. Granddaughter Minnie was only a couple of years younger than William and Mary Jane's youngest son Harry.  Harry's children grew up referring to Minnie as an Aunt even though she was actually a first cousin.

Census reports indicate that the couple moved around to various farms in Simcoe County while they raised their family of 12 children - all of whom lived to adulthood.  During the First World War, they were forced to vacate their farm in Tosorontio Township when it was taken over by the Canadian Government to develop Camp Borden.  Base Borden is still an active base for the Canadian military.  At that time, William Daisley and Mary Jane purchased the farm in Brentwood, Sunnidale Township, Simcoe County, Ontario which I knew from my childhood.
 
Both William and Mary Jane died at the Allen farm in Brentwood: William on April 6, 1935 and Mary Jane on May 17, 1938.  They are buried together in the Angus Union Cemetery in Angus, Essa Township, Simcoe County, Ontario.   Sharing their headstone are the two daughters who had married Archie McKenzie.

Having moved out of the farm house to a smaller house on the farm, they were on hand to see the birth of most of the children of their son Harry who had taken over the operation of the family farm.

Both William and Mary Jane died long before I was born, but I've always felt that they had a strong influence in my life.  It was their farm that I knew as the Allen family farm, although it was their grandson Joseph that was operating it during my childhood and my grandparents, Harry & Gertie, living in a bungalow built on the property when my Grandfather retired from farming.

The extended Allen family was large: Harry and Gertie had 10 of their 11 children reach childhood, marry and had children or stepchildren.  Harry was the youngest of William and Mary Jane's 12 children.  Like Harry, many of his siblings had large families - quite common for farming families.  Although 3 of the children migrated to the Canadian west, the others stayed in, or close to, Simcoe County.  I do remember that my father's Aunt Ida made frequent visits back to the family farm.  During my childhood, she usually stayed with her niece Minnie who by that time was living in the small house William and Mary Jane had moved into when they turned the farmhouse over to Harry.

Harry and his siblings held family reunions for the descendants of William and Mary Jane.  The reunions may have started with the extended family get together for the 60th Wedding anniversary of William and Mary Jane.

During my childhood the reunions were held on the last Saturday in August at a nearby Provincial Park.  I often encountered members of the extended family when visiting my grandparents, as well as family funerals.

Even though I never met either William Daisley Allen or Mary Jane Woodland, due to the strong family ties they instilled in their children and grandchildren, I have always felt a connection to them.