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Research in Other Countries => Canada => Topic started by: mcadamsd on Friday 22 December 17 22:18 GMT (UK)
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Looking for George Dunbar
Parents were
John Dunbar
1797–1851(death date approximate) Likely in Canada
Margaret Bain
1798–3 JAN 1890 Wroxeter, Huron County, Ontario, Canada
We see George in Brantford, ON in the 1861 census, single and occupation given as Head Cabinet Maker. However, there seem to have been two Dunbar families in that area at the same time.
Have been unable to find a marriage or death or anything definitive in later census documents. We know at least one sibling, Margaret 1836-1918 moved to Michigan. An online tree suggests George may have followed but it could be a different George as there are no supporting documents.
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Hi,
This appears to be the family in Brantford in 1851/2. Mother Margaret is a widow. Children are John, James, William, Alexander, Isabella, Margaret and George.
http://automatedgenealogy.com/census52/SplitView.jsp?id=240
This gives a bit more information about the family - to help with the search.
RK
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This must be the 1861 census you mentioned... in Brantford again.
Mrs Dunbar with children Margaret, William, George and Alex.
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1861/jpg/4107375_00090.jpg
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Those are the two records I found. Most of the family seems to disappear after the 1861 document. In 1871 and 1881 I found his mother, Margaret, living with a different daughter's family. She passed in 1890, likely at the home of her daughter Isabella and her Husband George Barnard.
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Sadly Robt Dunbar who was living with geo and Isabella in 1901 - passed away Huron Ontario - aged 81 years - 26 June 1913 - Immediate cause of death pneumonia - sadly disease causing death -
suicide. Living in a house of refuge. occupation bricklayer.
Sandra
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Isabella Dunbar Barnard and husband George are buried Wroxeter Cemetery Wroxeter, Huron County, Ontario but no sign of any other Dunbar in that Cemetery that I came across.
Have you located an obituary for Isabella which might give more info on siblings. ???
FIND A GRAVE
Isabella - 1833 - 30 May 1917 (cause of death accident) and George Barnard 1835 - 1922
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/173288583#view-photo=149486582
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D169-BP?i=405&cc=1307826
Sandra
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Those are the two records I found. Most of the family seems to disappear after the 1861 document. In 1871 and 1881 I found his mother, Margaret, living with a different daughter's family. She passed in 1890, likely at the home of her daughter Isabella and her Husband George Barnard.
1871 - Margaret Dunbar Sr. living with Sidney Shaw and Margaret Shaw (presumably her daughter Margaret Dunbar) and family in Howick, South Huron.
http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1871/jpg/4397107_00446.jpg
1881 - Margaret Sr with Isabella and George Barnard and family in Wroxeter, North Huron.
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/e/e329/e008204126.jpg
RK
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Seeing the Shaws in Bay Michigan from 1880 census onwards... don't see any Dunbars listed with them or near them on the censuses.
RK
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I wonder if this is brother Alexander in 1881 in Southampton Village, North Bruce? In 1851/2 he is a carpenter. 1861 he is a wagon maker.
1881 - this Alexander Dunbar is a carpenter.
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/e/e329/e008205259.jpg
If so - here is the family in the same place in 1891
http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1891&op=img&id=30953_148130-00466
RK
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Looks like that Alexander in the Southampton Cemetery... died in 1896. Tombstone says he was from Morayshire Scotland.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/175858170/alexander-dunbar#view-photo=151456800
If this is your Alexander --- he didn't go to the USA (you weren't sure if any of the other siblings may have gone south)
RK
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I looked at the Alexander in Huron County and the children are shown as born in Scotland up to a child born about 1871. Given names are similar to others in family so wondered if this was our Alexander.
The carpenter and Huron county fit. However, there could be an error on Census. Based on the grave information it would seem the birth location was incorrect . We have Scottish records having his birth as 25 APRIL 1830 Keith, Banffshire, Scotland. A death record might show parents name but I have not found that as yet.
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Have you located an obituary for Isabella which might give more info on siblings. ???
Sandra
Sorry I didn't see an answer to this question ?
Sandra
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I have the death record for Isabella but nothing regarding siblings.
She passed in Wroxeter, Ontario as the result of an accident. It lists her parents and notes she was spouse of George Barnard and George Barnard is informant.
We don't find any other sibling Dunbars in the Wroxeter Cemetery.
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It might be worth trying nearest public library to see if there was an obituary.
Sandra
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After my previous reply I had a look at the map of Scotland and Keith seems to fall in Morayshire. Documents we have found listed Birth as Keith, Banffshire and we know parents were in Keith as well.
Looks like the two places are close. Can't find anything to saw boundaries changed but will continue to dig. Also possible I am misinterpreting something :)
Now looking for a marriage to an Elspet or a death record for Alexander around Southampton.
I know someone near Wroxeter who may be able to look at some local newspaper archives and if no joy there, a road trip to Southampton. Only about 3 hours away
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Stumbled across a death record linked to a tree associated with Elsbet Shand. Alexander's death record does not list parents. The online tree does not list parents for Alexander and attached census documents do not seem to fit what we have found so far. However, will reach out to tree owner and see what they can add
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Hmmm, not sure about the anc tree :-\ they seem to show Alexander in Scotland in 1851 - that couldn't be your Alexander though.
Sandra
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I have found some city directories in 1887 and 1888 with an Alexander Dunbar of about the right age with occupation "moulder". Wondering if this occupation refers to someone who would produce wooden mouldings as used in building or someone who moulds metals. He is living in Hamilton, Ontario which is not too far from Brantford where he was known to have lived. Hamilton is known for steel and iron but I don't believe the industry was really established until after 1900
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Further digging has some possible leads.
George Dunbar in 1861 census is listed as a cabinet maker. Wood working was a common thread in several branches, George A Barnard, husband of George Dunbar's sister Isabella was a turner.
Looking at a wider scope, I found the 1880 US census for Portland, Multnomah, Oregon had a George Dunbar, Cabinet Maker, born about 1841 Canada and widowed with a daughter Bell D Dunbar, born Michigan about 1872.
In the pioneer cemetery there we fin George Dunbar born 11 Aug 1841 Death 31 Mar 1927 and spouse Lovina Dunbar birth 4 Nov 1843 Death 18 Apr 1878
So far no marriage that could shed some light or a birth for Bell D. Dunbar. No death for George in Oregon records that might list parents either.
The fact that he was on the west coast in 1880 fits with another branch who headed west to Snohomish, Washington and possibly Oregon around 1885-1887. Several worked in a trade associated with woodwork.
There is a George Dunbar of the approximate correct age in New Hamburg Village in 1871 but he is a clothier. Wondering if that would be an odd change in occupation.
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Washington, Select Death Certificates, 1907-1960 - George Dunbar born 11 August 1841 Brantford Canada and aged 85 years - widowed.
Died 31 Mar 1927 Port Orchard, Kitsap, Washington
Father William Dunbar (Scotland) Mother Margaret Bain (Keith Scotland) - Spouse Lovina Merrill.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N3PC-SS6
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-63NS-GRV?i=2231
Sandra
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Michigan, Births and Christenings Index, 1867-1911 - Bell Dunbar - 18 June 1872 Bay, Michigan
Father's name George Dunbar - Mother's name Sarah ??? ??? ??? ???
Sandra
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California, Death Index, 1940-1997 - Bel D Keith - 18 June 1872 Michigan - passed away 4 November 1960 Los Angeles - Mother's Maiden Name Merrill
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPNH-MCZ
Burial - Mount Washington Cemetery Independence, Jackson County, Missouri
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93332454
Sandra
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Spaulding, Saginaw, Michigan 1860
Ezel Merrill 57 Patiana Merrill 51
Jenette Merrill 32 Julia Merrill 28
Mary Merrill 26 Amanda Merrill 23
Lovina Merrill 17 Alvira Merrill 15
Clarance Merrill 7
Charles Sherman 22
Sandra
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Thank you for your message, pleased we found an answer for you.
Sandra
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1910 census - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MGVN-H2T
1920 census - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHFJ-VDY
1930 census - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCVH-CB9
1940 census - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9HC-46L
Sandra
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California Death Index - Robert Lee Keith -
Robert Lee Keith - Birth Date 29 Jul 1876 Missouri - Death 5 Apr 1949 San Diego
Mother's Maiden Name Boarman - Father's Surname Keith.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPZ9-MXH
WW1 Draft - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPZ9-MXH
Sandra
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Bell's marriage to Robert L Keith was her second marriage. She was first married to a Benjamin Leslie Miller in 1895 Oregon.
Listed as B L Miller // D B Dunbar
pg-143 or pg. 371
Marriage: https://gfo.org/file_download/inline/fd0ad88b-e8af-446e-adcd-9b125a697173
1900 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMPN-81N
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She then married Robert L Keith on 12 Nov.1906.
Marriage Return: http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ns4/
Marriage Cert: http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ns5/
Seattle Daily Times
Seattle, Washington
November 18, 1906
Wedding: http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ns3/
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San Diego Union
San Diego, California
April 6, 1949
Dr. Robert Lee Keith, 72, of 220
Juniper St., retired physician was
killed early yesterday when his
coupe struck trees in the center-
island on Highway 101 in Leucadia
while he was driving to Livermore
to consult a specialist.
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Sacramento Bee
Sacramento, California
April 5, 1949
Death: http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ns6/
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Thanks for all the added leads.
The Bell Dunbar branch was entirely new.
Alexander remains a mystery as the Alexander and Elizabeth in Southampton, Ontario seem to have been in Scotland and had several children when we know "our" Alexander wasbin Ontario according to Census documents in 1851 and 1861.