Monday, February 24, 2014

52 Ancestors - Alfred William Warry - Failure as a Bootmaker

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her.

I've blogged about my great grandfather, Alfred William Warry before, focusing on his work. Alfred was born in London, England on July 2, 1876. His parents were George Augustus Warry and Emily Worthington. He was the oldest of six children, two dying young.  He left England in 1906, immigrating to Canada to start a new life at the age of 30. I've often wondered why he would leave England, as in the 1901 census he is listed as the manager of a boot shop in Chiswick, London. While looking through old newspapers, I think I've discovered why. I guess once you see your name in the paper as a failure, it's time to move on.  

FAILURE OF AN ASHFORD BOOTMAKER

 Under the failure of Alfred William Warry, of
59 High Street, Ashford bootmaker, the statement
of affairs shows a total indebtedness of  £380 8s 9d.,
and net assets £144 11s 8d. The cause of failure is 
stated to be "Want of capital."
  The Official Receiver states, - The receiving order
was make on the debtor's petition, and he has been
adjudicated a bankrupt upon his own application.
The bankrupt commenced business in March 1902,
as a bootmaker, at his present address, with a
borrowed capital of £60, which he has since paid 
back. He states that he has not been in a position 
to pay his debts at any time since commencing
business. With the exception of a sum of £50 for
money lent, all the debts scheduled are stated to be
for goods supplied to the business. In addition to 
attributing his insolvency to want of capital, the
bankrupt states that the bankruptcy is in some
measure due to the expense of summonses and writs,
he having been very much pressed by his creditors
for some time past. The books kept by the bankrupt
consist of ledger, day, and cash books.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald November 19, 1904
Page 7 of 8, Column 5


To read more about Alfred:

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

52 Ancestors - Sakris Honkawaara

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her.

This week I'm looking at my Finnish side. Sakris Honkawaara (Waara) was my 2nd great grandfather. Sakris was born in Pudasjärvi, Oulu, Finland. According to the Gothenburg, Sweden, passenger lists, he was 44 years old when he immigrated aboard the Orlando to Hancock, Michigan, United States in 1882. He left his wife, Britta and four children to follow in 1884.

The family stays in Michigan at least till 1889, as two more daughters are born there. One daughter being my great grandmother, Carolina (Liina).  Sakris and his family are in Towner, North Dakota, United States for the 1900 and 1910 census. Sakris is listed as being a farmer. 

The Finnish seemed to move in groups and once again in 1911, they are on the move. His family has now increased with daughters-in-laws, sons-in-laws, and grandchildren. One daughter, Mary, stays in United States. His daughter Anna Kaisa married Gideon Mustonen. My great grandmother, Liina married Jack Makie. Johanna (Hannah) married John Antilla.  Sakris's son, Charlie married Olga Kellokoski and son, Sakris married Anna (last name unknown). So, at the age of 75, Sakris and his wife follow the rest of the family to southern Saskatchewan, Canada. This is the last move for Sakris, as he dies at the age of 82. He is buried at the Dunblane Finnish Cemetery, Saskatchwan, far from his homeland.

See post about my Finnish Side:

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Sunday's Obituary - Johnston Paterson

This Johnston Paterson is my 2nd great grandfather. The Patersons seemed to have a Johnston in every generation.  Johnston Paterson is on two pages of the April 21, 1891 edition of the Glasgow Herald. The Glasgow Herald happens to free to look at Google News. Click to go to the link.  The Glasgow Herald - April 21, 1891

AIRDRIE - SUDDEN DEATH OF MR JOHNSTON
PATERSON - This gentleman, who has been up-
wards of half a century connected with various is-
stituties in Airdrie, died suddenly while sitting at
breakfast in his house, Braehead Cottage, Moffat
Mill.  The deceased was for long the respected
treasurer of the Airdrie Savings Bank, and was
collector for the Airdrie Gaslight Company for
many years. He was also connected with the
Airdrie Town Mission, and was an elder of the
Established Church. 

The Glasgow Herald - April 21, 1891
Page 7 of 12, column 1


PATERSON - Suddenly, at Braehead Cottage
Moffat, Airdrie, as the 20th inst., aged 75 years,
Johnston Paterson, portioner; deeply regretted.

The Glasgow Herald - April 21, 1891
under Deaths, page 1 of 12
 
Other posts with Johnston Paterson:
 

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

52 Ancestors - Robert's Roots - Michael Lutz

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her.
  
Robert's 7th great grandfather,  Michael Lutz (Lutes) is somewhat famous in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Hundreds of year after his death, he is still talked about. On a fall vacation, last year, we discovered how Michael Lutz was one of the first eight permanent settlers of the Moncton area. The other families being Heinrich Stieff (Steeves), Charles Jones, John Koppel (Copple), Matthias Sommer (Somers), Jacob Treitz (Trites), George Wortman (Wartman), and Jacob Ricker. 

There are plaques and monuments paying tributes to these eight families at Settler's Landing. We heard about the eight families on the Roads to Sea bus tour of the bay of Fundy and area. (Which was an excellent way to see the dramatic tides and learn of the area.) There's even a Lutes (anglicized) connection to the tourist attraction, Magnetic Hill. Muriel Lutes Sikorsky opened an ice cream shop on Lutes Mountain  known for its optical illusion in 1933. There's evidence of the Lutes in many places in Moncton.  We even stayed at the Magnetic Hill Bed and Breakfast run by Dale Lutes, a distant cousin of Robert. Very lovely place to stay. Just down the road from the B&B is the Lutz Mountain Heritage Museum. We were very fortunate to  have a private tour of the museum.  

Not bad for a poor immigrant from Germany willing to take a chance.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Sunday's Obituary - James Danskin

                      CUMBERNAULD
  DEATH OF MR JAMES DANSKIN. - The community
of this neighborhood would receive with regret the
announcement of the death of this esteemed native,
which occurred in Glasgow on the 17th inst., at the
advanced age of 84.  Mr Danskin had been some-
what frail for the past few years, but when not kept 
indoors by illness, he was frequently coming in con-
tact with many people belonging to the district re-
siding in Glasgow, by shom he was greatly respected
for his estimable character, and hearty interest
he took in matters relating to his native place. He
exerted himself in forwarding the annual re-unions
of the natives, which were originated in Glasgow
some years  ago, and earned the gratitude 
of the supporters of that movement for 
valuable help which he gave to it. Mr Danskin spent
nearly the whole of his life in his native village, and
was always held in much esteem by all who knew
him. For a long period he was an elder in the Free
Church there, and fulfilled the duties of of that position
with honour to himself and acceptance to the congre-
gation. for the last few years he has resided with
his family in Glasgow, and the many friends by whom
he was deeply respected will be sorry that he has been
taken from amongst us. 

Falkirk Herald June 29, 1872  Page 3 of 4

James Danskin would by my 3rd great grandfather.  

Monday, February 3, 2014

52 Ancestors - Dorothy Eleanor May Warry (Paterson)

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her.

Dorothy as a young woman.
This week is my grandmother Dorothy Eleanor May Warry. I never knew my grandmother as she passed away before I was born. Even growing up I seen very few photos of her. Once I let relatives know that I was researching the family, stories and photos began appearing. Even a few of my camera shy grandma.

Dorothy was the only girl and the oldest child of Alfred William Warry and Edith Elinore Smith. She was born May 26, 1898 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England. Dorothy had two younger brothers.  Sydney Alfred Warry born in 1901 and John William Warry born in 1904.

In March 1906, Dorothy's father, Alfred, heads to Canada. I assume to test the waters before he brings the family over. About a year and a half later in November 1907, Dorothy, her mother, and her brothers follow aboard the S.S. Kensington.  It must have been quite the experience for a 9 year old aboard a ship on her way to a new life in a new country. 

In the 1911 census, the family is living in Toronto, Canada. I'm not sure how long the family remains in Toronto. But in the 1921 census,  Dorothy is working as a servant in Edmonton for Charles Tatham, a doctor. Her parents and youngest brother, John are living in Edmonton, as well. Her other brother, Sydney stays out east and ends up in Niagara Falls, United States. 

Dorothy is on the right peeking out.
In January 1922, Dorothy marries Johnston Cumberland Paterson. She becomes a farmer's wife and the mother of four boys, Johnston Danskine Paterson, Alfred Francis Paterson, Bruce Wakeman Paterson, and my Dad, Maurice Cumberland Paterson. Sadly she gives birth to a baby girl in 1934 who only lived a few hours. 

Dorothy must have been quite a busy Mom with four boys.  I know I only had two boys and they could be a handful when they where young. 

Dorothy passes away at 57 on January 7, 1956 at Looma, Alberta. Dorothy never gets to see two of her sons marry. One of my aunts who knew Dorothy, said that one of her sayings was: apple pie without the cheese is like a hug without the squeeze. No wonder my Dad liked cheese with his apple pie.

Other Posts:

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Sunday's Obituary - Clarissa Fuller Knox

I've been very fortunate to have found some wonderful cousins along my genealogical journey. Thanks so much to Jo for finding this obituary for one of our great grandmothers.

Mrs. Clarissa Fuller Knox died at the

residence of her son-in-law, Issac
Downs, in this place February 24, 1891.
Mrs. Knox was born in Maine in 1816,
and moved with her husband to Illinois
at an early day and made Mercer county
her home ever since. There were six
children born to them, George E., Let-
tis Ellen, who resides in Nebraska,
Lydia, living near Keithsburg, Sarah
Sullivan, of Millersburg, Mrs. Isaac
Downs and Joseph B Knox of Joy. Ser-
vices were held in the M.E. church,
Rev. Brink officiating. The remains
were laid to rest in the Brick Yard cem-
etery.


The Times
Aledo, IL
Vol. VII #34, Thursday 26 February 1891