Fearless Females – What’s In a Name

March 3^rd – Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors?  Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern.  If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.

Well, I have to say that I am unique in that I am the only person in all of my family tree, both maternal and paternal, to have my name.  When I was given the name Alana back in the beginning of the 1960’s, it was not very common and I used to always think it a strange name.  It stills amazes me when total strangers say how pretty my name is.  In fact, the lady in the cafeteria at work just complemented me on it!  Today however, Alana is a very common name. 

I have seen it spelled many ways, from Alana, Alanna, Allanna, Alannah.  My name was supposed to be spelled Alanna but my mother never doubled checked the spelling on my birth registration, which has it as Alana.  We actually only noticed the error when I had to get my first passport when I was 11 yrs old and had to send away for my birth certificate, but I and everyone else continued to spell it with two “N’s”.  It wasn’t until I had to get my Social Insurance Card and went for my driver’s licence, that I was forced to adopt the legal spelling.

And how did my parents choose this name, you ask?  Well, my mom always said that she had had a crush on the actor, Alan Ladd back in the 1950’s (have to admit, he was a handsome devil!)  In 1960, the movie “Guns of the Timberland” was released.  Alan Ladd’s daughter had a part in this movie and her name was, you guessed it, Alana!

I, on the other hand, like to tell people that I was named after my father, Allan.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

As for the most unique or unusual female first names I’ve come across in my family tree, I’ve so far found two.  One of my great great grandfather’s granddaughters was named Hughena, after her grandfather, Hugh.  The other unique name is my aunt’s name – Ludivina, but she goes by Vina.

©2013, copyright Alana Farrell

Fearless Females – En Vogue!

March 2^nd – Post a photo of one of your female ancestors.  Who is in the photo?  When was it taken?  Why did you select this photo?

This is a photo of my maternal grandmother, Eliza (Burnett) Marshall (behind the baby carriage) and her sister-in-law, Amelia (Grewer) Marshall – or Emile as she called.  Since my mother is the wee baby in this photo, this picture must have been taken in the Spring of 1933. 

I’ve always liked this picture for some reason.  It could be the style of clothes, which I love.  It could also be that this is the only picture of my grandmother where she is actually smiling!  Although I never met my grandmother, I have met my great Auntie Emile when I was 11 yrs. old.  She took a shine to me because she said that I reminded her of my mother when she was that age.

©2013, copyright Alana Farrell

Fearless Females – My Favourite Female Ancestor

March 1^st – Do you have a favourite female ancestor?  One you are drawn to or want to learn more about?  Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.

Although I have many female ancestors that I love researching (my mother being my all time favourite), I would have to say that the one that I have been drawn to most over the past year, is my paternal grandmother, Helen “Nellie” (Devlin) Farrell.  I was 18 yrs. old when my grandmother passed away, but maybe about 13 or 14 yrs. old the last time I saw her (she lived in Balcarres, Saskatchewan and I lived in Montreal, Quebec.)  After my father passed away and my mother re-married and we moved to Quebec, we didn’t get to see my grandparents that often while growing up.

Because we lived so far away, I didn’t know my grandmother very well (and of course, when I was younger, I really wasn’t into knowing “where I came from”).  A couple of years ago, I started researching my father’s side of the family.  I have a book about the history of Balcarres called "Furrows in Time, A History of Balcarres and District", which includes a brief write up of all the families that lived there, that was produced in 1987.  My Aunt Cathy (now deceased) provided a few details, but no dates or anything.  I contacted my last living Aunt on my father’s side (my father’s sister) for a bit of help.  She told me a few things about my grandmother, one in particular that quite surprised me and was kept secret from all the family until a good 10 years after my grandmother’s passing – she had a couple of children out of wedlock before immigrating to Canada, leaving these children behind (you can read about this conversation here).  I guess because I have a child and have never married, I felt I could somehow relate to her.

I’m not going to go into too much detail on my grandmother in this post as I want to eventually write a mini bio on her in another post.  However, some of the things that I have learned so far are:

• Her correct birth date and where she was born
• Her parents names
• I learned that she had 3 illegitimate children before she immigrated to Canada (one died at 4 months old)
• When she immigrated to Canada

Things that I still need to research are:

• The exact date of her marriage to my grandfather (Robert Farrell).  I have a fair idea based on when she immigrated and when their first child was born.
• Where exactly they were married (I have been told it was in Govan, Saskatchewan but I need to find proof of this)
• Name and birth/death dates on one of the children born in Scotland

@2013, copyright Alana Farrell

Fearless Females and Women’s History Month

March is National Women’s History Month in the United States and for the fourth year in a row, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist has created 31 blogging Prompts for each day of the month of March (please see here for further details) called Fearless Females.  I’m a few days late in joining in, but will start from the beginning and hopefully will be caught up by the end of the weekend.  I can’t promise to blog on each of the prompts, but will do as many as possible.

Just a side note from me as a Canadian, Women’s History Month in Canada is actually celebrated in October and was designated as such in 1992, with the highlight being Person’s Day on October 18^th.  October was selected because of the historical significance of the “Persons Case” decision of 1929, a landmark victory in the struggle of Canadian women for equality.

©2013, copyright Alana Farrell

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 6th and 7th October 1839

6th October l839

This day being Sabbath I attended divine service in the Parish Church of Dunnottar (Rev. Mr. Irvine).  I attended a Sabbath School in the evening, and was highly pleased with the order that was kept.  The manner of teaching was that generally pursued viz. dividing the school into small classes.

7th October l839

This day being my birthday I spent a considerable time in reflections, which time prevents me from inserting.

I was much pleased with my visit to Stonehaven.  The Society has only been 2 months in existence.  It is increasing rapidly.  Being almost exclusively conducted by young men.   I was particularly delighted with it.  I made a friend of a young man of the name of Andrew Gibb, whom I conceive to be a very remarkable person, and one too who I believe will one day be ranked high among the artisans of our country.  He engraves on steel admirably, although he never was with a master.  He paints landscape with wonderful exactness.  He is at present employed in cutting plates for a series of views of Stonehaven.  This work is to be published in 3 nos, each containing 3 views at 9d a no.  It is a bold attempt I hope he will succeed.

I took the coach for Aberdeen in the morning which reached very cold having rode on the outside, about l0 a.m.  I took up my quarters in the Temperance Hotel kept by a Mr. Morrison, Queen Street.  It is a splendid house with a coffee room, bedrooms for lodgers and a tee-total hall above, all first rate in their kind.  In the afternoon I had a conversation with the Sec. and some of the committee who received me very kindly, and invited me to a meeting in the hall in the evening.  I may here relate an anecdote which should have come before this.  When I alighted from the coach, at Stonehaven I asked for Mr. Rankin(?)  A lame man at whom I asked said "O man, I'm no muckle acquaint in that way"  (He meant the tee-total way) for its against my religion but ye may cam away and I'll let ye see for a that"  On enquiry I afterwards found that the individual with whom I had this conversation, had two years ago while in a state of intoxication, got in about the Mail and got his leg broke and that it is not nearly right.  I could not help thinking that this man was but very little indebted to his religion, and that a religion which brakes folks legs, is hardly worth support.

I sounded a gentleman in the hotel on the subject.  He approved he said of our principles, but he thought they, so long as they were advocated as they now  were, would lead to infidelity.  He had heard a tee-totaller say, if the Bible advocated anti-tee-total principles he would not believe it, and he was very happy that so many clergymen were standing back.  Of course I gave him my opinion without much ado.  He was silent but whether because he could not answer or through disdain I cannot say.

I delivered a speech of l 1/2 hours length in the Hall, Queen Street to a large audience.  When the meeting was through I learned that the gentleman with whom I had the conversation already related was a clegryman.  I was sorry I did not tell him more.

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.  Permission to reprint granted by Morris Kay, 25 June, 2012.

©2013, copyright Alana Farrell

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 4th and 5th October 1839

4th October l839

The whole of the day was spent in study.  In the evening according to appointment.  I lectured in the Methodist Chapel.  The house was not full, although a considerable number were present.  During the lecture a female of the name of McKay who is connected with a public house came to the door and kicked it with her feet.  When the lecture (which lasted about 2 hours) was over, another 5 signed the Pledge.

5th October l839

This day I forwarded Bills to Aberdeen per carrier.  In the afternoon I along with Mr. Rankin Sheriff's Clerk went out in a small boat to the Dilse.  The sea was very calm, but the tide not being retired sufficiently, made the attaining of our object rather a dangerous matter.  We went into a place almost surrounded by perpendicular rocks, and in the form of a cavern.   I believe the cave like place goes a great way into the rock, here we got excellent dilse but could not hold the boat for a sufficient length of time to enable us to stir up a quantity as was purposed.  On reaching the town I went through most of the streets with Mr. Rankin.

In the evening I attended the weekly meeting of the Mason Lodge.  It was crowded to suffocation almost.  I sang 5 or 6 songs and made a short address to them, another 5 names were added to the Society.

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.  Permission to reprint granted by Morris Kay, 25 June, 2012.

©2012, copyright Alana Farrell

Quebec Family History Society - Upcoming Events

The Quebec Family History Society will be hosting a Seminar, Social Event, Free Public Lecture, December, 2012.

 

All information is detailed below.

 

Saturday, December 1

 

A Genealogical Day in Scotland: 1500-2012 (Seminar)

 

10:00 am to 3:00 pm - Quebec Family History Society Heritage Centre and Library, 173 Cartier Avenue, Pointe-Claire, QC H9J 4H9

 

Presented by Jackie Billingham, Susan Gingras and Gary Schroder

 

Learn about the major sources used in in Scottish genealogical research from civil registrations to Kirk records, and from censuses to probate records. Participants will learn how to correctly use the information available on the Scotland’s People website and what strategies to use when planning a research trip to Scotland.

 

Fee: $30.00 members; $40.00 non-members.

 

Reservations are required. Call 514.695.1502 or contact Jackie Billingham at qfhs.communications@bellnet.ca

 

Wednesday, December 5

 

Celebrating Our Military Roots Day - Afternoon & Evening

 

Afternoon 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm - Evening 6:30pm to 9:30 pm

 

Quebec Family History Society Heritage Centre and Library, 173 Cartier Avenue, Pointe-Claire, QC H9J 4H9

 

Join us for the first in a series of monthly Celebrating Our Roots Days.

 

Drop by for coffee, tea, and informal conversation. Share your research and learn what others have discovered about their ancestors who served in the military.

 

Joining us in the afternoon will be Earl John Chapman, author of several military history books, including "Canada's Black Watch: Legacies of Gallantry and Service."

 

Bring your favourite military books to show others. On display we will feature books from the QFHS military collection for you to browse and borrow. Also on display will be members' military memorabilia.

 

So, bring along copies of your military letters, photos, service records, medals, coffee mug, a friend, or just bring yourself.

 

Open to members and the public.  Please visit our web site @ www.qfhs.ca

 

Saturday, December 8

 

An Insider's View of the Institut généalogique Drouin (Free Public Lecture)

 

10:30 am to 12:00 pm - Briarwood Presbyterian Church Hall, 70 Beaconsfield Blvd., Beaconsfield, QC H9W 3Z3.  Visit www.qfhs.ca

 

Presented by Sébastien Robert

 

Sébastien Robert, vice-president at the Institut généalogique Drouin will provide us with a unique opportunity to learn from an insider what the Drouin records offer family historians.

 

Until the late 1900s, church registers in Quebec were the source of birth, marriage and burial records. Every year, all churches were required to send a copy of their registers to the appropriate courthouse. During the 1940s, these records were filmed by the Institut généalogique Drouin.

 

Members and non-members are invited to attend and stay afterward for refreshments and conversation.

©2012, copyright Alana Farrell

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 3rd October 1839

I spent the greater part of this day in writing tee-total songs for the people of Bervie.  In the afternoon, I took the coach for Stonehaven.  But here again I suffered a silent ride.  However the distance was not great.  It only cost me 4/- this juant.  In Stonehaven I was kindly received.  Got lodgings of a Mr. Bowman, a grocer.  In the evening I lectured to a large audience in the Methodist Chapel, about 2 hours.  Four names were added.  I proposed to lecture next night in the same place.

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.  Permission to reprint granted by Morris Kay, 25 June, 2012.

 

©2012, copyright Alana Farrell

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 1st and 2nd October 1839

Due to heavy work load at work and other commitments, it has been a long while since I have posted a journal entry.  Time to get back on track!

The pages from September 27^th – September 30^th are missing from the journal, so we start up again with the entry from October 1, 1839.  Since this entry is short, I’m also posting the entry for October 2^nd.

********************************

lst October l839

I spent the greater part of the day in study, and in the evening I went out to Lochside, where I lectured to a most attentive audience chiefly composed of females, about 2 hours.  This Society is flourishing.  Nearly all the inhabitants of the district are members.  I was earnestly requested to leave a Song I had wrote with Mr. Troup that they might publish it which I promised to do.

2nd October l839

I finished the Song and left it with Mr. Troup as promised.  About 2 o'clock p.m. I went to the Coach Office and with difficulty obtained a seat for Bervie.  But here I paid for my whistle as in most other places I have done.  Alas!  I pity the poor traveller who has nothing to depend on but the conversations of his companions.  In my case however the matter was different, for I but seldom court the conversation of those who travel with me.  The scenery being almost new to me, I had enough ado with it and considering the important work in which I was engaged without giving any attention to the dull morose companions who travelled with me.  Another 3 were in the Coach, an old lady with a face for the world like a shrivelled white clout with a pair of spectacles on her grey eyes, in which beamed pride in a most horrifying degree.  I was relieved from this silent deformity about Lauriston.  The next was an old gentleman little better.  Pride seemed to be his chief virtue, and the last was a young lady, who perhaps like myself, was too much taken up with personalities to care much about her companions.  She employed her time in reading.  Not a word passed the whole l3 miles and I was happy on reaching Bervie at finding myself relieved of such a Society. The payment of 5/- for my ride together with these circumstances put me in a rather bad humour, but the scene was not long in shifted.  I was scarcely landed when I had to encounter a Taylor on the subject of the Charter.  This man was also a curiosity.  He was one of those who make a virtue of a necessity, for example he got so very high in the discussion that he believed he would do better were he to get on his feet, and in attempting to rise for this laudable purpose he brought the chair in which he sat which had but the greater part of the seat up with him.  And all that he could make of this occurrence was to ask me if I could play that?  My gravity forsook me as I witnessed the old fool walking through the floor with the pride of some heathen prince, carrying the chair after him without the assistance of his hands.

My Bills had reached, and were circulated, and I sent the Bellman through the town.  The meeting was held about 7 o'clock in Mr. McKenzies Chapel.  The attendance was numerous, and very attentive.  I lectured nearly 3 hours without any opposition but from a Drunken Saddler, who growled like a Bear in a cage, who could not possibly get at his prey.  I was most kindly treated by a Robert Barclay, and his family.

There are about 200 members here. The sect. has weekly meetings.  They are starting a Band and have got an excellent Drum, and a few other instruments.

Altogether my visit to Bervie gives me much satisfaction, and I hope has been productive of some good.

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.

©2012, copyright Alana Farrell

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 26th September 1839

My landlady and her family were exceedingly kind to me.  I enjoyed much pleasure in walking in the beautiful garden belonging to the house, and in sitting in that arbour, where so many of the columns of the Montrose Review - which have tended so much to evelate mankind, had been composed.  While enjoying this scene, all the romantic feelings of love beset by the most striking virtue, and adorned with the grandest scenes of nature's workmanship, flashed upon my mind, and I believe had I had time sufficient at my command I could have wrote a romantic tale, so much was my imagination tainted by the lovely scene around, and even while I sit and write - surrounded as I am with the beauties of nature and art, the paintings around me and some of them fair originals standing beside me, telling of ancestors who are smiling in the canvas from the walls who once lived and moved, where I now am, and the consciousness that these ancestors were men and women of no ordinary talent, and beauty, with the heart thrilling notes of the piano, accompanied by the sweet voice of Margaret (Margret) the flower of Montrose altogether overwhelm me and open up to me new beauties, touching a chord of pleasure, that till now had been dead in my bosom, it was here that I first saw beauty combined with talent, and in this scene must my mind ever look back with inexpresible feelings of no common delight.

Margaret, the flower of Montrose

What tho' the bright fields are enshrouded in spendour,

And enchanting the notes of Autumns sweet song
Tho' the Lake 'mid the Rocks is reposing in grandeur
And the mountain Deer bounding the wild woods among

To the heart that tormented swells in this sad bosom

In vain drops the dew from the Lily and Rose
In vain does sweet nature spread fragrance and blessings
While far from sweet Margret the flower of Montrose

Proud boreas may swell the dark frowning ocean

And the Bark may distracted reel over the waves
The skies may be tossed(?) in dreadful commotion(?)
And the warrior be hushed on the field of the brave

Yet to this sad bosom while memory is reigning

In vain lovely nature in glory forth goes
This heart still all comfort and joy is disdaining
While far from sweet Margret the flower of Montrose.

When evenings dark shades envelope the mountains
And Phoebus in glory spreads brightness around
As lonely I stray by the streams and the fountains
In majesty murm'ring their language profound

Still this bosom distracted does conjure up near me

The Nymph that for beauty outvies the sweetest(?)
And in journeying this world this only can charm me
The love of young Margret the flower of Montrose

In the afternoon I went to Logie a place about 4 miles distant from Montrose where there is a spinning mill and bleachfield.  I lectured about 2 1/4 hours in a schoolroom to about l00 of an audience.  Eight names were added to the Society at the close of the lecture.

The cause is prospering in this quarter. 

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.

©2012, copyright Alana Farrell