Margaret Kennedy, New Westminster

[imlincs]

Hello

I'm trying to establish the full maiden name of the mother of Margaret Kennedy who in August 1947 was living at 174 E 12th Ave, New Westminster, British Columbia.

Margaret had an Aunt Maggie aka Mrs Simpson living in 1947 in Aberdeenshire (and probably in Aberdeen).

Margaret was also the niece of my grandmother born (illegitmate) Helen Cheyne in Kintore Aberdeenshire in June 1886. Helen's mother was Christina Simpson.

I have a letter dated August 1947 from Margaret Kennedy addressed to my mother, to whom she refers as her cousin, which says "Mother heard from Aunt Maggie you had a son" (me!).

I would be grateful to anyone who could help or simply point me in the right direction.

If you're interested in the full story so far go to

Helen Cheyne born Kintore 1886

in the Scotlands People section of this forum.
http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12465

Ian
+++

Link added for direct access by Frances

[paddyscar]

Hi Ian:

In relation to Margaret, from your other post referred to, I've calculated that she was born about 1865 to 1867, is that correct? Also, do you have any idea of when she would have emmigrated to Canada? Was she single or married? Did she have any known children? Was her employment known?

These items may help to track her in BC or in passenger or immigration lists. Also, census records for BC until 1911 are online http://automatedgenealogy.com/index.html Also the British Columbia Genealogical Society page is at http://www.bcgs.ca/

Frances

[SarahND]

Hi Frances,
That BC genealogical society link looks promising. As to her birth date... it all depends on who she is! That isn't clear either. I'm not finding anything obvious. In terms of passenger lists:

A Margaret Kennedy born Scotland abt. 1887 arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1921, destination Charing Cross, Ontario

A widow Margaret Kennedy, born abt 1896 in Glasgow, came with her three daughters from Glasgow to her father, John Bailey, in Toronto in 1929

A Margaret Kennedy, born abt 1881 in Aberdeenshire, came to Vancouver from Australia in 1933. She had left her brother, Mr. C Kennedy in Sunshine Vic., Australia and was going to meet her fiance, Mr. Alexander Troup in Canonoque, Ontario.

New Westminster is basically Vancouver. In the British Columbia Death Index there are a few possibles... but it is just an index and there is no way of accessing the information we would need to identify the correct Margaret. The closest in age would be one born 1885... but there are too many Margaret Kennedys!

Regards,
Sarah

[paddyscar]

Hi Sarah:

I found several references to a Margaret Kennedy as well, but had no way of narrowing down the options without something to identify her

The place name where Margaret was going to meet her fiance Mr. Troup would be Gananoque, Leeds County, Ontario. A difference in spelling that could be related to the variance in English and French pronounciations - right up you alley!

Another example of the difference in English and French pronounciations is Ojibiwa and Chippewa, referring to the same native people in this region of North America.

Frances

[imlincs]

Hello Frances

I'm afraid I have nothing to go on apart from Margaret Kennedy's letter to my mother (her cousin and Helen Cheyne's daughter) in August 1947.

I have assumed, largely from the tone and content of the letter, that Margaret was of an age (+- 7 years say) with my mother (born 1920). It is Margaret's mother who I am trying to identify as I think she must have been a sister (or more likely half-sister) to Helen Cheyne. I would expect her (Margaret's mother) to have been born no earlier than 1875 or so but I'm afraid at the moment it's pure guesswork.

The letter from Margaret indicates that her mother and father are still alive and well in 1947 but I'm afraid I don't even know whether Kennedy is her married or maiden name.

As far as I know my mother didn't keep in touch with Margaret after I was born although I recall my grandmother having regular Christmas cards from Canada. She spoke about them coming from Vancouver but I suppose New Westminster is only a suburb of Vancouver really.

Regards,

Ian
+++

[imlincs]

Sorry Sarah and Frances .

My post crossed with your two.

I hope I've clarified it a bit now.

Regards,

Ian
+++

[paddyscar]

I have assumed, largely from the tone and content of the letter, that Margaret was of an age (+- 7 years say) with my mother (born 1920).

Then I was way off on the year of birth

The letter from Margaret indicates that her mother and father are still alive and well in 1947

There are several families that may be worth investigating in the census to see if you can connect any of the other names.

Vancouver but I suppose New Westminster is only a suburb of Vancouver really.

New Westminster was selected by Queen Victoria as the captial of Western Canada and was the first city in Western Canada. It is now a part of Greater Vancouver Regional District, but my understanding is that it remains a city unto itself. It also appears as separate in both 1901 and 1911 census reports.

Frances