Surname Saturday - Farrell

This week's surname is FARRELL - the 3rd of my four main branches, and is my paternal grandfather's line.

Robert Allan FARRELL (my father) was born on 26 April, 1927 in Abernethy, Saskatchewan, Canada and died on 12 August, 1962 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada and is buried in Rosedale Cemetery in Moose Jaw. He married Rhona MacDonald MARSHALL (1933 - 2003) on 15 August, 1953 in Balcarres, Saskatchewan, Canada and they had three children, all living. Robert is the second child of Robert FARRELL and Helen "Nellie" DEVLIN.

Robert FARRELL was born 15 Dec. 1896 in Ballyreagh, Brookeborough, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland and died 27 March, 1965 in Balcarres, Saskatchewan, Canada and is buried in Regina Memorial Gardens in Regina, Saskatchewan. Robert married Helen "Nellie" DEVLIN between 1921 and 1926, most probably in Govan, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Their children were:

Forbes Peter (b. 18 May 1923 -d. 22 July 2000)
Robert Allan (see above)
John (b. July 1929 - d. 19 Oct. 2007)
Living Farrell

Robert is the second child of Williams Forbes FARRELL and Elizabeth Jane MAZE.

William Forbes FARRELL was born 19 Oct. 1869 in Ballyreagh, Brookeborough, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland and died before 1937, most likely in Ballyreagh. William married Elizabeth Jane MAZE (1870-?) on 12 June 1894 in Aghavea, Co. Fermanagh. Their children were:

Joseph (b. 5 Dec.1895 - d. ?)
Robert (see above)
John William b. 26 April 1898 - d. ?)
Lillian Olivia (b. 16 Aug. 1899 - d. ?)
Margaret (b. 4 Nov. 1900 - d. ?)
Maude b. 6 Dec. 1903 - d. ?)
Forbes (b. 4 Dec. 1904 - d. 2 Nov. 1979)
James (b. 14 Feb. 1906 - d. 27 July 1972)
Kathleen (b. 12 Oct. 1912 - d. ?)

William Forbes was the son of William FARRELL and Eliza PETERS.

William FARRELL was born about 1834 in Brookeborough, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland. He married Eliza PETERS (abt 1834-?) on 6 May 1856 in Aghavea, Co. Fermanagh. Their known children were:

Ann (b. 14 May 1864 - d. ?)
Margaret (b. 29 Sept. 1866 - d. ?)
William Forbes (see above)
Joseph (b. 1 Jan. 1873 - d. ?)

I still have quite a bit of research to do on the Farrell line. If you think we might be related, please contact me at alana dot farrell at sympatico dot ca or by using the "contact" button.

Wordless Wednesday - Mac The Moose

"Mac" is one of the town's tourist attractions in my hometown of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. He stands 50 feet tall. That is myself and my daughter standing right underneath the "crown jewels!" This was taken in 1987 when my daughter was 6 yrs. old.

Tombstone Tuesday - Sarah Maxwell (1876-1907)

I have quickly run out of my own family's tombstones, so I will be posting those that I have taken photos of this past summer.

On February 26, 1907 a fire broke out in the Hochelaga School in Montreal, Quebec. Sixteen young children perished in the fire, along with Sarah Maxwell, the school principal. She lost her life while attempting to rescue many of the children.

The inscription reads:

In Loving Memory of
Sarah Maxwell
Aged 31 yrs.

Who lost her life whilst endeavoring to save the lives of the pupils at the Hochelaga School Fire Feb. 26th 1907.

Also the little ones who perished with her.

Sarah is buried at Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal, Quebec.

Orphan Photos Identified!

Two of the Orphan Photos that I posted have been identified.

This first one is Roland John Salmon and he is my step-grandmother's brother. (I posted about him here).

This second one, is Roland's wife Ann Hornett (I posted about her here).

With luck, I'll be able to identify some others that I have.

Treasure Chest Thursday - Rhona M. Marshall 1st Passport

This week for Treasure Chest Thursday I am highlighting my mother's very first passport for when she immigrated to Canada in April 1946.




Considering how old it is, it is still in excellent condition - not a single torn page.

I love the picture - she looks so serious! And the hairdo - check out the bangs!

Wordless Wednesday - Wedding Day!

This is a photo of my mother (Rhona MacDonald Marshall) and my father (Robert Allan Farrell) on their wedding day, August 15, 1953. They were married at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Balcarres, Saskatchewan, Canada.

They look so young and innocent!

Tombstone Tuesday - Adam S. Kay and Clarice M. Salmon

Adam Sinclair Kay (1895 - 1966)

Clarice Mable Salmon (1895 - 1988)

Resting together at Jardins Urgel Bougie cemetery in St. Hubert, Quebec, Canada.

Adam and Clarice are my step-father's parents.

Wordless Wednesday - My Two Grandpas

This is a picture of my paternal grandfathers. The man on the left is my father's father, Robert Farrell and the man on the right is my step-father's father, Adam Sinclair Kay.

They are the husbands of my two grannies from last weeks post.

Tombstone Tuesday - Elizabeth Muirhead (Sinclair) Kay

Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

KAY

In Loving Memory of
Elizabeth Muirhead
Jan. 18, 1865 - Sept. 15, 1927
Wife Of The Late Adam B. Kay

Elizabeth is my step-great grandmother. After much searching, I finally located her tombstone in June and was able to take this photo.

Wordless Wednesday - My Two Grannies

This is a picture of my two paternal grandmothers. The lady on the left is my step-father's mother, Clarice Mabel (Salmon) Kay and the lady on the right is my father's mother, Helen "Nellie" (Devlin) Farrell.

The picture was taken two years before my mom married into the Farrell family and 12 years before she married into the Kay family.

My granny and grandpa Kay were visiting their daughter, Helen (Kay) Farrell in Saskatchewan. Helen (my step-father's sister) was married to my father's brother, Forbes Peter Farrell.

Treasure Chest Thursday - Certificate of Discharge (John H. Beare)

My step-father’s uncle (by marriage) was Captain John Henry Beare, a seaman in the Mercantile Marines. Amongst the treasures that I have are Captain Beare’s Certificate of Discharge papers from the various ships of which he was a member of the crew. I have about 30 of these discharge papers ranging from 1886 when he was just 16 years old to 1912 when he was 41 years old (he retired as Captain in 1935 at the age of 64).

The Certificate of Discharge below is for his time served on the Elizabeth Graham. He joined the crew in Melbourne, Australia on December 10, 1890 at the age of 20 and was discharged on January 13, 1892 in Sydney, Australia. The Master of the ship was a Captain C. Hodge. His station on board was “AB” – not sure what that is. Either on the back of the certificate or stamped on the front the Master would note the character of the seaman. On all of the discharge papers, his “Character of Ability” and “Character of Conduct” was always no less than Very Good.

One of the items on my To Do List is to try and find passenger lists to match the discharge papers. The one below is one that I have found on Ancestry for his time on the Elizabeth Graham (there could be several for his 2 year stint on this ship). On this trip, they left Bluff, New Zealand on January 30, 1891 and arrived in Sydney on February 2,1891.

After he left the Elizabeth Graham, he joined the crew of the Nemesis in May 1892 as 3rd Mate.

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy – Week 21 – States Archives

Week 21 of Amy Coffin’s 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy is to examine the website of our state or provincial archives. To take time to push all the buttons and click all the links. I’m a week late in this challenge, but better late than never.

The Quebec Archives are called the Bibliothèque et Archives Nationales du Quebec (BAnQ). It is a result of an amalgamation in 2005 of the Grande Bibliothèque du Quebec, the Bibliothèque nationale du Quebec and the Archives nationals du Quebec. The BAnQ is devoted to the acquisition and preservation of Quebec’s published, archival and film heritage. Because this is a joining of the Quebec archives and two libraries (bibliothèque is French for library), there is a whole lot more to it than just your regular archives.

A new building was built in 2005 and is called the Grand Bibliothèque. This serves as a lending library for reference material, non fiction as well as fiction and has everything that libraries would have, such as activities for youth, workshops, exhibitions, etc., and also serves as one of the archive centres.

Although they are in the process of digitizing a lot of the archives, not everything is available online yet and therefore requires a trip to one of the archives centres. The archives branch of Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Quebec offers its services throughout Quebec via a network of nine regional centres. If anyone is looking for a specific type of record, it is best to call to find out which centre to go to.

A few months back I found online the Lovell’s Montreal Directory, which lists the old Montreal municipal directories from 1842-1999. I had a great old time looking up addresses for my step-father’s family from the time they arrived in Montreal and then later directories from when we moved to Montreal from Saskatchewan after my mom married my step-dad. Because they have their own website, I had no idea at the time that these records were part of the digital collection of the Quebec Archives. I only discovered this a couple of weeks ago when I found the BAnQ’s website while trying to locate archived records of the old Montreal Star newspaper.

Part of the collections available is a section devoted to genealogy. There are online research tools, but it also lists resources available in the research rooms. I must make mention here that all the records in the archives are strictly related to Quebec. You will not find any census records for any of the other provinces.

As I mentioned above, a couple of weeks ago I was trying to find where the archives for the Montreal Star newspaper were located as I was looking for an obituary from 1927. In looking around BAnQ’s website, I discovered that they are held at the Quebec Archives (I know that seems logical, but there was also a chance that they would be located at Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa!), but they have not been digitized yet. As there are two archive centres in Montreal, I called to find out which one the newspaper archives would be located (it’s a good thing I did call as they are not located in centre that I thought they would be in). All the newspaper archives (for both of Montreal’s two English newspapers) are on microfilm and are located at the Grand Bibliothèque in downtown Montreal, which being, a library, is open on weekends! So two Saturday’s ago I hopped on the Metro (absolutely no parking available downtown) and decided to make a day of it. I have to say here, this place is huge. It’s so big that they give guided tours twice a month, and there is a boutique and a restaurant!

Now don’t laugh, but this is the first time in 27 years that I have used a microfilm reader! They have changed considerably since 1983. After I was shown how to load and use the machine, there was no stopping me. It took me awhile to find what I was looking for because I kept getting distracted reading the old newspapers! However, I eventually found the main obituary I was looking for as well as another one from 1917.

Although I thought I had only been there for about an hour, it turns out I had spent 3 ½ hours there. I defiantly have to go back soon, as I still have more newspaper obits that I want to look up. Maybe I will go on a day that they have a tour.

1901 Irish Census Now Online!

All thirty-two counties for 1901 are now available online on the National Archives of Ireland website.

I've been waiting awhile for this day as I have quite a few ancestors from Northern Ireland. I had previously ordered an extract from Emerald Ancestors, but it would prove to be a bit costly if I wanted to search for all the names that I have. They also couldn't guarantee that they had the extracts for everyone. So when the 1911 census went online, free, I was quite excited - even if the county I wanted was one of the last to go online.

For the 1901 census, they have released all 32 counties at once. I have done a quick check and have found my grandfather (aged 4) with his family. Will have to wait until the weekend to be able to spend more time looking more thoroughly.

Tombstone Tuesday - Dulcie Maud Farrell (1903 - 1961)

In Loving Memory Of

A Dear Wife & Mother

Dulcie Maud Farrell

Died 1st July 1961

Aged 50 years

At Rest

Dulcie was the wife of my great uncle, James Farrell and mother of little Ross Farrell. She was born around 1903 in Dubbo, NSW, Australia, daughter of Thomas Henry McNamara and Heneritta Nicholson. Dulcie, James and Ross are all laid to rest in the Coonabarabran General Cemetery in Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia.

I obtained this picture through the Australian Cemeteries Index and was given permission to post to this blog.

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday - Orphan Photo #5

In going through a box of pictures that belonged to my mother, I've come across a lot of photos of people I don't know. I believe they might be friends and/or family of my step-father, Douglas Sinclair Kay. I'm posting these in the hope that someone might come across them and be able to identify them.

My Step-father was a Scout Leader for the 1st Storer Troup in St. Lambert, Quebec. This picture is of the Court of Honour and was taken on October 4, 1955. Written on the back is:

Left to Right:

A.S.M. Rod Eaves
A.S.M. Fred Horrell
J.T.L. Ian MacDougall
P.L. Clifford Macormack
P.L. Brian Denyar
P.L. Don Bunker
A.S.M. George Gage

Held at S.M. D. Kay's house.

On the bottom of the front of the picture is written: A Storer "Court of Honour".

Tombstone Tuesday – Anderson, Devlin & Dunlop – Oh My!

Erected by Jane Dunlop,

In Memory of her husband,
Alexander Anderson
Who died 21st Dec. 1909, aged 74 years
The above Jane Dunlop,
Who died 24th Sep. 1921, aged 83 years,
Her great-grandson Peter Green
Who died 25th Sep.1913,
Aged 1 year, and 10 months,
Also their great-grand-daughter
Annie Green,
Died 27th June 1914, aged 10 months,
Also Jean died in infancy
Also Henry Green,
Beloved husband of Jean Devlin
Died 21 Aug. 1952, aged 71 years.
The above Jean Devlin
Died 15th Nov. 1969, aged 82 years

(Auchinleck Burial Ground
Auchinleck, Ayrshire, Scotland)

A few months back, a distant cousin, Sean Devlin, sent me a link to some photos of tombstones that he took while he was in Scotland (and kindly gave permission to post any on this blog). I’m guessing that he snapped photos of tombstones with the name “Devlin” on it and sorted them out when he got home (which is what I would have done). Fortunately for me, he took the above photo even though they are not his direct line.

Alexander Anderson and Jane Dunlop are my 2x great grandparents. Their daughter, Janet Anderson married Peter Devlin (my great grandparents) and they are the parents of the above referenced Jean Devlin. Jean Devlin is the oldest sister of my Granny Farrell (Helen Devlin) and is my Grand Aunt.

This stone provides a lot of information that I didn’t have. I knew that Jean had married Henry Green, but I did not have a death date for either of them. It also lists three children with their death dates. In due time, I will search for the birth dates of the children and also see if there might be any more.

Surname Saturday - Burnett

Each Saturday I will be posting one of my surnames. I will be starting with the 4 main lines – my paternal line of Farrell and Devlin and my maternal line of Marshall and Burnett, after which I will post most likely in alphabetical order using the Ahnentafel numbering system.

This week’s surname is Burnett, my maternal grandmother's paternal line.

1. Me (Alana Farrell)

2. Robert Allan Farrell (1927-1962)
3. Rhona MacDonald Marshall (1933-2003)

6. Robert Burn Marshall (1872-1935)
7. Eliza Hamilton Burnett (see information on Eliza and her children here)

14. John Burnett, born 29 July 1863 in Fettercairn, Kincardineshire, Scotland and died 2 March 1923 in Dundee, Angus, Scotland. John was the son of John Burnett and Elizabeth Smith. He married Helen Leighton Marshall on 24 Apr. 1885 in Dundee, Angus, Scotland.

15. Helen Leighton Marshall, born 11 Feb. 1863 in Kirrimuir, Angus, Scotland and died 19 Jan. 1929 in Dundee, Angus, Scotland. Helen was the daughter of Robert Marshall (abt. 1819-1891) and Ann Kynoch (1820-1885).

The children of John Burnett and Helen Leighton Marshall were:

Isabella Balfour Drever Burnett (1886-1911)
Charles Cowan Burnett (1888-??)
John Marshall Burnett (1889-??)
Margaret Arbuthnott Burnett (1891-??)
James Alexander Burnett (1896-??)
Eliza Hamilton Burnett (1897-1943)

28. John Burnett, b. 1 Mar. 1838 in Fettercairn, Kincardineshire, Scotland. John was the son of Alexander Burnett and Margaret Crabb. He married Elizabeth Smith on the 28 May 1859 in Glenbervie, Kincardineshire, Scotland.

29. Elizabeth Smith, b. abt 1836 in Glenbervie, Kincardineshire, Scotland. Elizabeth was the daughter of Charles Smith and Helen Longmuir.

The known children of John Burnett and Elizabeth Smith are:

Alexander Burnet (1859 - ?)
Charles Burnett (1861 - ?)
John Burnett (1863-1923)
James Burnett (1870 - ?)

56. Alexander Burnett (no further information known at this time)
57. Margaret Crabb(no further information known at this time)

If you think we may be related, please contact me either at alana dot farrell at sympatico dot ca or by using the "contact" button.

SNGF - My Mommy's Mommy!

Randy Seaver has got a really interesting topic for this week’s Saturday Night Genealogy Fun over at Genea-Musings. It’s been awhile since I participated, but even I could handle this one.

1) List your matrilineal line - your mother, her mother, etc. back to the first identifiable mother. Note: this line is how your mitochondrial DNA was passed to you!

2) Tell us if you have had your mitochondrial DNA tested, and if so, which Haplogroup you are in.

My matrilineal line is:

1) Me
2) My mother: Rhona MacDonald Marshall (1933 Dundee, Angus, Scotland – 2003 St. Lambert, Quebec, Canada) married Robert Allan Farrell.
3) My grandmother: Eliza Hamilton Burnett (1897 Dundee, Angus, Scotland – 1943 Dundee, Angus, Scotland) married Robert Burn Marshall.
4) My great grandmother: Helen Leighton Marshall (1863 Kirrimuir, Angus,Scotland – 1929 Dundee, Angus, Scotland) married John Burnett.
5) My 2nd great grandmother: Ann Kynoch (1820 Dallas, Morayshire, Scotland – 1885 Dundee, Angus, Scotland) married Robert Marshall.
6) My 3rd great grandmother: Christian Hay (1781 Dallas, Morayshire, Scotland - ??) married John Kynoch.
7) My 4th great grandmother: Mary Ross married Robert Hay

My father’s matrilineal line is:

1) My father: Robert Allan Farrell (1927 Abernethy, Saskatchewan, Canada – 1962 Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada)
2) My grandmother: Helen Devlin (1892 Auchinleck, Ayrshire, Scotland – 1980 Balcarres, Saskatchewan, Canada) married Robert Farrell.
3) My great grandmother: Janet Anderson (1867 Hulford, Riccarton, Ayrshire, Scotland – 1939 Auchinleck, Ayrshire, Scotland) married Peter Devlin.
4) My 2nd great grandmother: Jane Dunlop (1835 Hulford, Riccarton, Ayrshire, Scotland – 1921 Prestwick, Ayrshire, Scotland) married Alexander Anderson.
5) My 3rd great grandmother: Margaret Ferguson married James Dunlop.

I haven’t as yet taken any type of DNA test – that is a future “To Do” item.

Surname Saturday (on Sunday) - MARSHALL

Each Saturday I will be posting one of my surnames. I will be starting with the 4 main lines – my paternal line of Farrell and Devlin and my maternal line of Marshall and Burnett, after which I will post most likely in alphabetical order using the Ahnentafel numbering system. The names in red are my direct ancestors.

This weeks surname is Marshall, my maternal grandfather's paternal line and my maternal grandmother's maternal line. These two lines are connected as my maternal grandparents were first cousins.

1. Me (Alana Farrell)

2. Robert Allan Farrell (1927-1962)
3. Rhona MacDonald Marshall (1933-2003), born 21 Feb. 1933 in Dundee, Angus, Scotland and died 8 Sept. 2003 in St. Lambert, Quebec, Canada. Rhona married Robert Allan Farrell on 15 Aug. 1953 in Balcarres, Saskachewan, Canada. They had three children (all living). Rhona is the daughter of Robert Burn Marshall and Eliza Hamilton Burnett.

6. Robert Burn Marshall, born 23 May 1871 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland and died 12 Sept. 1935 in Dundee, Angus, Scotland. He was the son of David Fenton Marshall and Rachel Wyse Hume. He first married Margaret Roy Weir (1868-1914) on 26 Feb. 1892.

The children of Robert Burn Marshall and Margaret Roy Weir were:

· Rachel Baillie Marshall (b. 22 Nov. 1892, d. abt 1893)
· Isabella Weir Marshall (b. 17 Aug. 1895, d. 13 Oct. 1895
· Robert Wyse Marshall (b. 8 Mar 1901, d. 12 Mar 1902)

Robert Burn Marshall next married Eliza Hamilton Burnett on 23 July 1917 in Dundee, Angus, Scotland.

7. Eliza Hamilton Burnett, born 16 July 1897 in Dundee, Angus, Scotland and died 29 Mar 1943 in Dundee, Angus, Scotland. Eliza was the daughter of John Burnett (1863-1923) and Helen Leighton Marshall (1863-1929). (Side note: Helen Leighton Marshall was sister to aforementioned David Fenton Marshall).

The children of Robert Burn Marshall and Eliza Hamilton Burnett were:

· Helen Burnett Marshall (1915-2007)
· David Hume Marshall (1917-1978)
· Robert Marshall (1919-1989)
· Rachel Margaret Marshall (1922-2009)
· Albert Ferrier Marshall (1924-1926)
· Norman Wilson Marshall (1929-1989)
· Living Marshall
· (#3) Rhona MacDonald Marshall (1933-2003)

12. David Fenton Marshall, born 13 April 1847 in Alyth, Perth, Scotland and died 10 Feb 1922 in Dundee, Angus, Scotland. David Fenton Marshall was the son of Robert Marshall and Ann Kynoch. David married Rachel Wyse Hume on 12 Aug 1870 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.

13. Rachel Wyse Hume, born about 1851 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. Unfortunately, have not been able to find her year of death. Rachel was the daughter of Hugh Hume (1817-1899) and Agnes Reid (1823-1889).

The children of David Fenton Marshall and Rachel Wyse Hume were:

· (#6) Robert Burn Marshall (1871-1935)

24. Robert Marshall, born 7 October about 1819 in Alyth, Perth, Scotland and died 18 June 1981 in Dundee, Angus, Scotland. Robert was the son of George Marshall and Isabella Mitchell. He married Ann Kynoch of 26 Sept. 1841 in Alyth, Perth, Scotland.

25. Ann Kynoch, born about 1819 in Dallas, Morrayshire, Scotland and died 13 March 1885 in Dundee, Angus, Scotland. Ann was the daughter of John Kynoch and Christine Hay.

The children of Robert Marshall and Ann Kynoch were:

· Ann Marshall (1844-1913
· (#12) David Fenton Marshall (1847-1922)
· Robert Marshall (1849-?)
· John Kynoch Marshall (1851-1889)
· William Ramsay Marshall (1853-1853)
· James Grant Marshall (1855-?)
· George Smith Marshall (1858-?)
· Francis Ferguson Marshall (1860-?)
· Helen Leighton Marshall (1863-1929)

48. George Marshall, born about 1792. No further information is known on George Marshall.

49. Isabella Mitchell, born 21 Sept. 1795 in Alyth, Perth, Scotland and died 18 July 1866 in Kirrimuir, Angus, Scotland. Isabella was the daughter of David Mitchell and Elizabeth Colville.

The children of George Marshall and Isabella Mitchell were:

· (#24) Robert Marshall (abt 1819-1891)

Although George Marshall and Isabella Mitchell never married, their son Robert took the Marshall name.

Tombstone Tuesday - Maze

In Loving Memory of

James Maze,

Drumoris

who died 25th August 1878

Aged 43 years

Also his wife Catherine

who died 14th July 1916

aged 73 years

Also their daughter-in-law

Sarah Maze

who died 1st September 1925

James Maze (1835-1878) and his wife Catherine, nee Fair (1843-1916) were my great great grandparents, my paternal grandfather's mother's parents. Sarah Maze (nee West) was married to their son, Robert. They are buried in the Aghavea Parish Cemetery in Aghavea, Brookborough, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland. I'm not sure where Robert is buried.

Closing Ceremonies - Winter 2010 Geneabloggers Games

The Medal Ceremonies took place today followed by the Closing Ceremonies of the Winter 2010 Geneablogger Games. It was a gruelling two weeks of blood, sweat and tears for the 51 participants as they worked to be the best that they could be!

This was the first Games that A Twig In My Tree participated in and what a phenominal job (if I do say so myself), winning 1 Bronze Medal, 2 Silver Medals, 1 Gold Medal and 1 Diamond Medal.

Congrulations to all the participants and we will see you all again at the 2012 Geneablogger Games.

Robert Burn Marshall (1871 - 1935) Part 2

Robert Burn Marshall (1871 - 1935) Part 1

When last we left off, my 43 year old grandfather, Robert Burn Marshall, had just become a widower when his wife Maggie (née Weir) passed away on April 13, 1914. I can’t begin to imagine how he was feeling. This was another devastating event after already losing three children.

Fortunately for Robert, he could take solace in the fact that his grandfather (Robert Marshall) and an aunt (Helen Leighton Burnett – née Marshall) lived in Dundee and were able to help him grieve.

Also there to help him grieve was Helen’s very lovely youngest daughter, Eliza Hamilton Burnett. Eliza was 26 years younger than Robert, being only 17 years old at the time and was also his first cousin. If teenage girls in 1914 were anything like they are today, Eliza must have been extremely flattered by the attention paid to her by a good looking older man and I’m sure the thought of him being her cousin didn’t even cross her mind! And I’m sure the grieving widow didn’t mind the attention of such a lovely young lady either.

It wasn't long before their relationship showed results. On December 19, 1915 my aunt Helen was born. It wasn’t until July 23, 1917, however, that Robert finally made an honest woman out of Eliza, probably because she was six months pregnant with their second child. Was it love, guilt or pressure from Eliza’s parents, Helen and John Burnett that made him finally marry her? The romantic in me is going with love, however I’m sure there was a wee bit of pressure from Eliza’s father, the Police Constable!

Robert and Eliza were married for 18 years and had eight children together:

Helen Burnett Marshall, born December 19, 1915, died April 12, 2007
David Hume Marshall, born October 8, 1917, died July 16, 1978
Robert Marshall, born September 20, 1919, died December 1989
Rachel Margaret Marshall, born January 15, 1922, died May 2009
Albert Ferrier Marshall, born November 6, 1924, died November 6, 1926
Norman Wilson Marshall, born May 16, 1929, about 1990
My Auntie Vina (as she is still living, I won’t give her full name and birth date)
Rhona MacDonald Marshall, born February 21, 1933, died September 8, 2003 (my mother)

At the age of 64, Robert suffered from chronic rheumatism of the heart and passed away on September 12, 1935.

Winter Games - Final Progress Report

Well, the games are over and it is time for the final results. Unfortunately, work priorities took a precedence this past week so I didn’t get as much done as I hoped; however, considering these were my first Geneablogger Games, I’m quite pleased with the end results.

Here is my final progress report for the categories I participated in:

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources!

Cited 21 sources in my database. Did not achieve the Gold that I was aiming for, but it has gotten me started.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal

2. Back Up Your Data!

Totally wiped out in this field!

Results: Zippo!

3. Organize Your Research!

Task E – Completed 21 data entries in my database. Was aiming for a Diamond and ended up with a Bronze.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal

4. Expand Your Knowledge!

I did fairly well in this category.

Task A - Used Google Maps to map out my great grandfather’s ancestral location.
Task B - Created a timeline for my great grandfather.
Task E - Created a surname visualization.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal, 1 Gold Medal

5. Write, Write, Write!

Task C – Prepared two posts in draft mode and pre-published them (and it actually worked!).
Task D – Wrote a biographical sketch of my maternal grandfather.
Task E - Created two pages on my blog, one listing the surnames I’m researching and one showing awards that I have been given.
Task F - Participated in a 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy Challenge #7.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal, 1 Gold Medal, 1 Diamond Medal

6. Reach Out & Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness!

Task A – Commented on several new (to me) genealogy blogs.
Task G – Used the Follow feature on a Blogger-based genealogy blog.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal

Total medals earned for these games:

5 Bronze
4 Silver
2 Gold
1 Diamond

(Not so) Wordless Wednesday - Orphan Photo #4

In going through a box of pictures that belonged to my mother, I've come across a lot of photos of people I don't know. I believe they might be friends and/or family of my step-father, Douglas Sinclair Kay. I'm posting these in the hope that someone might come across them and be able to identify them.


The older gentleman right in front (turning towards the camera) is my step-grandfather, Adam Sinclair Kay and the older lady straight across from him is my step-grandmother, Clarice Mabel Kay (nee Salmon). I don't know who the other people are.

This must have been taken at Adam & Clarice's house because I recognize that old grandfather clock in the background - we had it in our house all the time I was growing up. By the looks of their age, I'm guessing this was when they lived in St. Lambert, Quebec, but probably before my step-father married my mother so I'm thinking probably in the late 1950's.

Tombstone Tuesday - Rhona M. Marshall and Douglas S. Kay

Douglas Sinclair Kay
October 31, 1927 - April 7, 1989

Rhona MacDonald (Marshall) Kay
February 21, 1933 - September 8, 2003

Together Forever

This is my mother's and step-father's gravemarker. The are buried together at Urgel Bourgie Cemetery in St. Hubert, Quebec

Winter Games Progress Report

I've been a little behind in posting my progress report, but that's not to say I haven't done anything. I'm only posting new results to avoid a long post! A complete tally will be posted at the end of the week.

Category #1 - Go Back and Cite Your Sources!

I spent the day on Saturday entering sources (and boy do I have a lot to enter!). I finally completed 20 sources (actually 21!). It's taking me longer than originally anticipated as I'm still learning how to enter them properly.

Results: 1 bronze medal, 1 silver medal.

Category #5 - Write, Write, Write!

Today I attempted to prepare two posts in draft mode and pre-published them for Tuesday and Wednesday. Now let's hope it works!

I also completed Part 1 of a biographical sketch of my grandfather, but I won't count this until Part 2 is complete (hopefully tomorrow).

Results: Added a Gold medal.

Total Medal results to date:
5 Bronze
4 Silver
2 Gold

Happy Birthday Mom!

Rhona MacDonald Marshall

(married names: Farrell and Kay)
February 21, 1933 - September 8, 2003

Today would have been my mom's 77th birthday. Happy Birthday Mommy.

Robert Burn Marshall (1871 - 1935) Part 1

My grandfather, Robert Burn Marshall, was born on May 23, 1871 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, the only child of David Fenton Marshall and Rachel Wyse Hume. At the time of his birth, his parents were living at No. 1 Montgomery Place West in the District of St. Andrew.^[1] David Marshall, at this time, was working as a Stationer’s Apprentice.

It is not known at this time what happened to Rachel after Robert’s birth as no further documentation can be found for her in Scotland. David changed occupations, becoming a commercial traveller (or travelling salesman), and by 1881 Robert, at the age of 9 was living with David’s parents, Robert and Ann Marshall (née Kynoch) in Glenprosen (near Kirrimuir) and attending the school there. The Senior Robert was the schoolmaster.^[2] Did Rachel die young (perhaps in childbirth)? Did Rachel and David separate?

Sometime in his early teens, Robert moved to Dundee with his grandparents (Robert and Ann) where Ann died on March 13, 1885,^[3] only 1½ months before her daughter, Helen, was to marry.

What he got up to in his late teens is unclear, but there is a record in the 1891 Scotland Census for a Robert Marshall, aged 19 born in Edinburgh as being in the local prison in Dundee.^[4] This Robert Marshall worked as a General Labourer. If this is my Robert Marshall, who knows what he got up to, but my guess at this point would be that, being single and 19 years old, he probably had just gotten paid and went and had a good time at the local pub and then had the unfortunate luck to be picked up and thrown in the local jail to sober up – being there on the night that the census was taken. Further investigation has to be done to confirm if this is my Robert Marshall.

On February 26, 1892 Robert married Margaret Roy Weir in Dundee. Robert, aged 20 was working as a Ticket Writer (or sign writer) and Margaret, aged 23 was a Jute worker. They were living in adjacent tenement flats at 41 and 43 Step Row.^[5]

This marriage was marred by tragedy. While living at 19 Barrack Street in Dundee, their first child, Rachel Baillie Marshall, was born on November 22, 1892.^[6] She was to die a few months later (a death record has yet to be found). On August 17, 1895 a second daughter, Isabella Weir Marshall, was born.^[7] Unfortunately, she was only to live a few months and passed away on October 13, 1895.^[8]

By 1901 Robert and Maggie were living in Glasgow where they had a son, Robert Wyse Marshall, born on March 1, 1901.^[9] According to the 1901 Scotland Census, they were living at 68 McLellan Street in the District of Govan and Robert was working as an Iron Borer.^[10]

At this time, Glasgow was a booming industrial city and there were plenty of jobs. Robert probably worked in one of the factories in the area where they lived, possibly at the Maclellan Works just across the road from where they lived. Unfortunately, tragedy was to strike once again when their son passed away on March 12, 1902, just a few days after his 1st birthday.^[11]

The couple moved back to Dundee, living at 65 Main Street in the Hilltown district, where Robert became a house painter. It was here that Maggie died at the age of 46 on April 30, 1914.^[12]

Stayed tuned for Part 2 as Robert does the “hanky panky” with his cousin!

Footnotes:

^[1] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandsPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), birth entry for Robert Burn Marshall, 1871, District of St. Andrew, Burgh of Edinburgh; citing Statutory Registers no. 685/02 0490.
^[2] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandsPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 13 October 2009), 1881 Scotland Census, entry for Robert Marshall (age 9), Glenprosen, Kirrimuir, Page 1; Line 3, citing no. 299/00 017/00 001.
^[3] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), death entry for Ann Marshall, 1885 District of St. Andrew, Burgh of Dundee; citing Statutory Registers no. 282/04 0319.
^[4] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandsPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 4 August 2009), 1891 Scotland Census, entry for Robert Marshall (age 19), Dundee, Angus, Dundee Prison, Page 1; Line 16, citing no. 282/02 027/02 001.
^[5] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandsPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), marriage entry for Robert Burn Marshall – Maggie Weir, 1892, District of St. Peter, Burgh of Dundee; citing Statutory Registers no. 282/ 01 0053.
^[6] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), birth entry for Rachel Baillie Marshall, 1892 District of St. Clement, Burgh of Dundee; citing Statutory Registers no. 282/03 0851.
^[7] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), birth entry for Isabella Weir Marshall, 1895 District of St. Clement, Burgh of Dundee; citing Statutory Registers no. 282/03 0544.
^[8] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), death entry for Isabella Weir Marshall, 1895 District of St. Clement, Burgh of Dundee; citing Statutory Registers no. 282/03 0452.
^[9] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), birth entry for Robert Wyse Marshall, 1901 District of Plantation, County of Lanarkshire, Glasgow; citing Statutory Registers no. 646/01 0160.
^[10] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandsPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 4 August 2009), 1901 Scotland Census, entry for Robert Marshall Household, District of Govan, Lanarkshire, Glasgow, citing no. 646/1L 039/1L 016.
^[11] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), death entry for Robert Wyse Marshall, 1902 District of Plantation, County of Lanarkshire, Glasgow; citing Statutory Registers no. 646/01 0089.
^[12] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 26 June 2009), death entry for Margaret Marshall, 1914 District of St. Andrew, Burgh of Dundee; citing Statutory Registers no. 282/04 0415.

I feel so bad!

I made such a boo boo today. Claudia (Claudia's Genealogy Blog) left me a wonderful comment on yesterday's post. When I went to publish it, I accidentally hit the reject button!!!

I want to sincerely apologize to Claudia - I really didn't mean to do that.

Is there any way to un-reject a comment?

Winter Games Progress Report #5

With staying up too late last night and after a long day of data entry at work, my brain was a little too fuzzy to work on the bio of my grandfather that I was planning to do, so after watching Faces of America and posting this week's Orphan Photo, I decided to read some new blogs. This prompted me to enter another category - Reach Out & Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness. What a nice way to spend an evening.

Here is my progress report so far for the categories I am participating in:

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources!

Results: No medals here yet, but still anticipating at least a Silver.

2. Back Up Your Data!

Haven't started on this one yet.

Results: No medals yet, but hope to achieve at least a Bronze.

3. Organize Your Research!

Task E - Create at least 20 data entries in your database.
Completed on Feb. 16th.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal (my goal is a Diamond)

4. Expand Your Knowledge!

Task A - Use Google Maps to map out an ancestral location.
Completed on Feb. 13th

Task B - Create a timeline.
Completed on Feb. 16th

Task E - Create a surname visualization.
Completed on Feb. 13th

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal, 1 Gold Medal

5. Write, Write, Write!

Task E - Create a page on your blog listing surnames, ahnentafel reports or other topic.
Completed on Feb. 15th.

Task F - Participate in a 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy Challenge.
Completed on Feb. 15th.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal

6. Reach Out & Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness!

Task A: Comment on a new (to you) genealogy blog
Completed on Feb. 17th. I commented on three new (to me) blogs today during my lunch hour. Hopefully tomorrow I can read some more new blogs and post more comments.

Task G: Use the Follow feature on a Blogger based genealogy blog.
Completed on Feb. 17th

I became a follower of 14 new blogs tonight.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal

Totals Medal results to date:

4 Bronze
3 Silver
1 Gold

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday - Orphan Photo #3

In going through a box of pictures that belonged to my mother, I've come across a lot of photos of people I don't know. I believe they might be friends and/or family of my step-father, Douglas Sinclair Kay. I'm posting these in the hope that someone might come across them and be able to identify them.

On the back of this picture is written "Ann, Plymouth Sound, Devon. July 1957". Because this was taken the same month/year and in the same place "Jack" from last week's post, I assuming they are related in some way. Mother and son perhaps? They are even wearing the same type of shoes!

If anyone recognizes this woman, please feel free to contact me.

Winter Games Progress Report #4

As I came home late from work tonight, I didn't get as much done as I hoped. I was hoping to get more sources done, but that didn't pan out.

Here is my progress report so far for the categories I am participating in:

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources!

So far have only inputted 5 sources.

Results: No medals here yet, but still anticipating at least a Silver.

2. Back Up Your Data!

Haven't started on this one yet.

Results: No medals yet, but hope to achieve at least a Bronze.

3. Organize Your Research!

Task E - Create at least 20 data entries in your database.
Completed on Feb. 16th.

In order to create a timeline, I actually had to enter the information that I had! While I was at it I entered information for three other individuals. Ended up creating 21 data entries.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal (my goal is a Diamond)

4. Expand Your Knowledge!

Task A - Use Google Maps to map out an ancestral location.
Completed on Feb. 13th

Task B - Create a timeline.
Completed on Feb. 16th

Task E - Create a surname visualization.
Completed on Feb. 13th

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal, 1 Gold Medal

5. Write, Write, Write!

Task E - Create a page on your blog listing surnames, ahnentafel reports or other topic.
Completed on Feb. 15th.

Task F - Participate in a 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy Challenge.
Completed on Feb. 15th.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal

Totals Medal results to date:

3 Bronze
2 Silver
1 Gold

Always The Wanderer!

In keeping with my great grandfather, David Fenton Marshall, I created a chronological timeline. Most of my ancestors tended to stay in one place - not David. He was a travelling salesman in the pharmaceutical business, so he moved around a lot.

Just a little side note to emphasize how important it is to look at all possible scenarios. It got confusing tracking David in 1901 using the census reports. When I first started looking at the census reports back in May of last year, I found two David Marshalls, one listed as "David Marshall" in Dundee living with a wife named Christina, and another as "David F. Marshall" (married) living in Montrose. The birth year and birth place on both census reports coincided with what I already knew about him from his birth record that I already had. However, since the census taken in Montrose specified David with his middle initial (and at this point I assumed (!) that he was still married to his wife, Rachel), I knew that this had to be my David and not the one in Dundee. Boy was I wrong - sort of!

I found David's death record and lo and behold it mentions that he had two wives (hopefully not at the same time!) - 1st wife - Rachel, 2nd wife - Christina. Apparently what happend with the census reports is this: when the census was taken, David was physically in Montrose on business. Back in Dundee, although not physically there, Christina did list him on the census as being the head of the household. Did this happen because Christina filled out the census report herself or did the census taker ask "who lived at that address" and Christina misunderstood assuming the person didn't necessarily have to physically be there? Guess I'll never the answer to that.

Just another quick note: I've lost track of David's 1st wife, and mother of my grandfather, after my grandfather's birth in 1871. I can't find any record at the moment of her anywhere. Needless to say, she is a brickwall that needs further research.

Back to the main point of this post. Using Legacy's Chronology feature, I created a timeline from David's birth to his death. Because of all his travells it's three pages! This is the first time I've used this feature in Legacy and I'm quite impressed (with Legacy and myself!). Below is a screen shot of the first page. This is definately a feature that I am going to make regular use of in the future.

Winter Games Progress Report #2 and #3

Progress Report #2

I didn't get my progress report posted last night as it got to be too late. Most of the day was a washout! Well not really. I entered a lot of information in my database that my Aunt sent me before Christmas in order to send Family Group sheets to a couple of cousins to see if they can help fill in blanks on their immediate family. When I finished that I began working on entering my sources for the category "Go Back and Cite Your Sources!". Unfortunately, I didn't get as many done as I hoped - only 5.

Progress Report #3

Tonight I worked on the category "Write, Write, Write!" I managed to complete two of the tasks for this category:

Task E: In order to "clean up" my blog a little and make it less crowded, I created two pages at the top of the blog (under my heading). In one I have listed all the surnames that I am currently researching. The other is for all the wonderful awards that I have received. I plan to expand on this feature to include Ahnentafel reports (as soon as I get them done) and an "About Me" or "About This Blog" page.

Task F: Participate in a 52 Weeks To Better Genealogy Challenge. This challenge was fun. Once again I got to play around with Google Maps. On the weekend I created a Timeline for my great grandfather and tonight I used the street view to locate the actual houses where he lived. You can read about that here.

Medal standings so far are:

Category 1) Go Back and Cite Your Sources!: 1/2 a Bronze Medal (ha! ha!)
Category 4) Expand Your Knowledge: Silver Medal
Category 5) Write, Write, Write!: Silver Medal

52 Weeks To Better Genealogy – Challenge #7

This weeks challenge for the 52 Weeks To Better Genealogy by Amy Coffin is to play around with Google Maps to determine the locations of addresses in our family history. I've used this feature before to locate places where my mother and her family lived in Scotland, before she immigrated to Canada. Unfortunately, the pictures that I saved are on my computer at work!

However, this past weekend, while working on the GB Games category, " Expand Your Knowledge", I used Google Maps to create a timeline, with a map, for my great grandfather, David Fenton Marshall. You can see the map here. While I was creating the timeline, I again used the street view to see if the buildings where he lived still existed (that's why it took me so long to create the timeline - I get so distracted when playing with things). For the most part they did, but in some instances the address no longer existed or the building was now being used as something completely differenct. In a couple of cases, there was only and empty lot. Because of his many locations (he was a travelling salesman), I'm only posting pictures of a few of the buildings.

This first picture is where he was living in April 1861. He was living with his aunt, Margaret Kynock and her family at 19 MacDowall Road, Edingburgh, Scotland. If this is the original building, which it looks like it might be, it was a really nice house! They lived where the white door is on the right hand side of the picture.


This next picture shows the general location of where he lived in August 1870, at the time of his marriage to Rachel Wyse Hume. He lived at 11 East Adam Street, Edinburgh. Unfortunately, the address no longer exists.


In May of 1871 he and Rachel were living at No. 1 Montgomery Place West, Edinburgh. It is shown in this picture where the yellow door is with the sign reading "Harlies". It looks to be all closed up now, but looks like it used to be a TV/video game store.


Skipping ahead a few years, he and his second wife, Christina Lynton, were living at 17 Caldrum Street in Dundee (where the white door is). This was were he lived at the time of his death in 1922.


Just for a little extra fun, I decided to see if I could find the house where my parents lived when I was born. Sure enough, I found it. I was surprised because the last time I checked Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan still did not have the street view available. We lived at 732 9th Ave., NW, Moose Jaw (it's the house on the corner). That is where we lived when my sister got hit by a car when she was 5 yrs. old. Right up until the last time I was there, in 2005, the house was always a greenish blue colour. The little white house next door is where my Aunt Nell (Helen Crossman, nee Marshall) lived.


I also found the house where I'm living now (for obvious reasons I won't give the address). It's a duplex. I didn't see my car parked on the street so this must have been taken while I was at work.


I enjoy working with Google Maps. I think it's a wonderful tool to be used for locating ancestral homes, creating timelines and I'm sure a whole lot more. There are many features that I haven't yet explored but plan to in the near future.

Winter Games Progress Report #1

Today I worked on the category "Expand Your Knowledge". I created a Surname cloud, which was a new experience for me.

I also mapped out a timeline for my great grandfather, David Fenton Marshall, using Google Maps. This was quite a chore with him travelling a lot. I've used Google Maps before, but not to this extend.

All in all, I think it was a productive day. My medal standings so far are:

Expand Your Knowledge: Silver Medal

A Mapped Timeline for David Fenton Marshall (1847 - 1922)

I spent the better part of 3 hrs. playing in Google Maps creating a timeline for my great grandfather, David Fenton Marshall. It took awhile to do because 1) he was a travelling salesman so he moved around alot and 2) a lot of the places no longer exist (or they've been renamed). I was also using the street view (which I love), to get a closer look at the houses, which I've saved to post at a later date.

I wanted to embed the link in this post but it kept causing problems and shutting blogger down. Besides, it wouldn't show all the locations at once. So I saved two screen shots to show.

This first one shows just the map of all the locations where my great grandfather lived.


This second shot shows both the map and a list of the locations (minus the last one as it got cut off!)

Creating a Surname Cloud

Using Word It Out, I entered most of the surnames that I am researching and created a Surname Cloud. I initially wanted to try Wordle, but couldn't get it to work because I apparently don't have JAVA on my computer.

Not having JAVA caused a little bit of a problem trying to embed the cloud as html, however I was able to do a screen shot and copy it to the paint program and then, after fixing it up a bit, saved it as a jpeg.

This is the end result. Not too bad in my opinion.

Let The Games Begin!

The Winter 2010 GeneaBloggers Games have begun. This will be my first time entering the Games and I hope to achieve at least a couple of Bronze medals if not Silver. Maybe I can be the first Canadian to win Gold in Canada (or maybe I can leave that to the Hockey Team!).

The Flag that I will be carrying represents my heritage. The Canadian Flag is because I am Canadian – born and raised. Most of my ancestors hail from Scotland (with a few trickling over to England) and Northern Ireland so I have chosen the Flag of the United Kingdom to represent them. I also chose the Flag of Ireland because, although my paternal grandfather’s family is from N. Ireland, it is my wish to one day visit the whole of Ireland.

The Categories that I will be entering are:

· Go Back and Cite Your Sources!

I’ve never been very good at citing sources (not that I don’t have them). When I transferred everything over from FTM 2008 to Legacy, the few sources I had entered were completely messed up. I have since purchased Evidence Explained, and with the help of this book, I am now prepared to enter all my sources – properly.

· Back Up Your Data!

With the experience I had a few years ago, both at home and at work, you would think that backing up my data would be something that I would do on a regular basis. Unfortunately, it’s not! By entering this category, I hope to make backing up my data a regular thing.

· Organize Your Research!

For the most part my hard copies are filed in a semi-organized way in file folders and I can usually find what I’m looking for; however, I do need to improve on this. My digital files are another matter altogether. I have a lot of work to do on those.

· Expand Your Knowledge!

Since I like to play with things, I should be able to complete at least two of the tasks: using Google Maps to map out an ancestral location and Wordle to create a surname visualization.

· Write, Write, Write!

I’m not a writer – never have been! I hope that by entering this category I can improve on this.

So, wish me luck and Let The Games Begin!

(Not so) Wordless Wednesday - Orphan Photos (#2)

In going through a box of pictures that belonged to my mother, I've come across a lot of photos of people I don't know. I believe they might be friends and/or family of my step-father, Douglas Sinclair Kay. I'm posting these in the hope that someone might come across them and be able to identify them.



On the back of this picture is written " Jack, Plymouth Sound, Devon. July 1957". He sort of looks like one of my step-father's cousins, but I'm not sure as the only one of his cousins that I remember ever meeting was named Gale.

If anyone recognizes this gentlemen, please feel free to contact me.

Tombstone Tuesday - Ross Farrell (1939 - 1939)

In Loving Memory Of
Dear Little Ross
Daughter of J & D Farrell
Died 16/10/39
Aged 5 Months

Ross Farrell was the first child of my great uncle James Farrell and his wife Dulcie Maude McNamara. She died on October 16, 1939 at the tender age of 5 months.

She spent 4 days in the Burnside Private Hospital in Coonabarabran, NSW, the cause of death being listed as cellulitis of the face. She was buried the same day that she died and was laid to rest in the Presbyterian Cemetery (now called the General Cemetery) in Coonabarabran.

I obtained this photo through the Australian Cemeteries Index and was given permission to poste to this blog.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - My Other Interests

This week's SNGF posted by Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings is to tell about our other interests besides genealogy and family history.

First and foremost is spending time with my family! I also love to crochet but never seem to find enough time to do it. I am currently working on an afghan for my boss, which is taking a long time to do. I am also working on one for myself (although the items for myself always end up on the back burner!).

Reading is another hobby of mine. My favourite authors are Diana Gabaldon and Anne Rice. My favourite books are the Outlander Series (got the newest one for Christmas) and the Vampire Chronicles. I also enjoy reading books by Maeve Binchy. Other than books about vampires (I know, I'm strange!), I don't really have any particular genre that I favour. If it's a good book, I'll pick it up.

The 3rd activity that I am involved in is The Order of the Eastern Star. It is the largest fraternal organization in the world in which both men and women can belong, although it is run by the women. To be a member, the men must be a Master Mason and the women must have a masonic affiliation. My father, uncle and grandfather were all Masons as well as my step-grandfather. My mother, step-aunt and step-grandmother and step-grandfather were all members of the Eastern Star. One of my sisters is also a member.

I was initiated at the same time as my mother, in 1991 and have been an active member since 1994 when I finished taking night classes. I've served in many capacities in my local chapter and am currently serving my eight term as their Secretary. In 2006 I was elected Worthy Grand Matron, which is the highest office one can obtain in the Jurisdiction (quite an honour to be elected by the membership). I am also the editor of the Jurisdiction's monthly newsletter (this is my sixth year doing that). As you can see, the Eastern Star takes up a lot of my time.

Last (and at times certainly least!) is work. I work for a large valve manufacturer as an Executive Assistant and Quotations Administrator for the VP of International Marketing.

Wordless Wednesday - Orphan Photos (#1)

In going through a box load of pictures that belonged to my mother, I've come across a lot of pictures of people I don't know. I believe that they might be friends and/or family of my step-father, Douglas Sinclair Kay. I'm going to start posting these on Wordless Wednesday in the hopes that someone might come across them and be able to identify them.

The man in this picture is my step-father but I have no idea who the lady and children are. He looks to be between the ages of 18 - 21 yrs old (a good 15 yrs before he married my mother), which would put the timeframe between 1945 - 1948. He lived in St. Lambert, Quebec, Canada at this time but I'm not sure if that is where this picture was taken.

Tombstone Tuesday - James Farrell (1906 - 1972)

In Loving Memory of

A Dear Husband & Father

James Farrell

Died 27th July 1972

Aged 64 Years

At Rest

James Farrell was my great uncle - my grandfather's brother. He was born on February 14, 1906 in Ballyreagh, Brookeborough, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland and died on July 27, 1972 in Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. He immigrated to Australia sometime in the early 1920's.

I obtained this photo through the Australian Cemeteries Index and was given permission to post to this blog.

Tombstone Tuesday - Robert and Nellie Farrell

Farrell

Robert - Nellie

1896-1965 * 1893-1980

These are my grandparents. They are buried at Regina Memorial Gardens in Regina, Saskatchewan. The birth date for my grandmother is actually wrong - she was born in 1892. Nellie was the name she went by but her actual name was Helen.

Thanks to Jim Slough for doing a Random Act of Kindness and taking this photo for me.

I'm In a Quandary!

A few months back my Aunt promised to send me the address of a new cousin that I didn't even know I had. She is a daughter of one of the little girls that my grandmother left behind in Scotland when she immigrated to Canada. You can read about that here. Well, she finally did.

I'm asking for help! I've never written to a total stranger before (except for archivists, etc). How does one go about writing to someone they've never met and then ask for information: "Hi Nettie, this is not a junk letter so don't discard it. I am your cousin, Alana in Montreal and was given your address by _____!" That just does not seem like a good start!

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Out There In Genea-World!

Just thought I would let my readers know (and anyone else who's interested) that I have not fallen off the face of the earth - although sometimes it does feel like it. The last few months at work have just been crazy and has not left me with much time for blogging.

However, a new year has begun and one of my resolutions is to be more faithful to this blog and my family history.

So stay tuned, folks - there is a light at the end of the tunnel!