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Research in Other Countries => Canada => Topic started by: amersidelaw on Tuesday 17 November 09 22:50 GMT (UK)
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Have been researching the Johnson family in Northumberland England. Recently going through some old family papers found a Christmas card sent from Rocky Mountain House by a William Johnson. There were the usual family tales of relatives in Canada but this is this first time there has been anything tangible. I have no idea when the card was sent but suspect it would be the early 1900's.
Any information about the Johnson family in Alberta greatly appreciated.
Amersidelaw
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Could you provide details on William such as year of birth, when can you last place him in England, was he married, single, family with him. William and Johnson are both common names to search for without more information.
This is a link to the 1901 and 1911 Canadian census that are free to search
http://automatedgenealogy.com/index.html
The 1881 and 1891 census are found here as well as a searchable data base for Western Land Grants.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/lac-bac/search-recherche/anc.php?Language=eng
This link explains the Township system in Alberta and how each piece of land has its own unique identifying markers - if you look at the 1911 census you will see that this information is needed outside of the cities.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_Land_Survey
I know there are better sites to explain this but can't rmember where at the moment.
This link http://railways-atlas.tapor.ualberta.ca/cocoon/atlas/Maps-7-5-4/ shows Rocky Mountain House in the upper left hand corner of the map and it gives you an idea of the topography as well as the townships.
With more information on William we might be better able to help.
Debbie
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Many thanks for your early reply and the information on useful websites.
Unfortunately I don't have any more info about William but I suspect the Christmas card was sent to my Grandparents who married 1904,. The card was expensive looking and the message and name were printed which makes me wonder if he was a business man or fairly well off and probably second generation.
I realise the chances of tracking him down are very slim with such sparse information and as you say the names are very common (how I wish I had a rare surname, life and research would be much easier).
Regards
Amersidelaw
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A Google search comes up with http://www.rockymtnhouse.com/
It seems to be a whole town!
KN
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http://www.ourroots.ca/
http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/
both have local history books. There are books about Rocky Mountain House but can't find a clear hit for William Johnson who lived there. e.g. Days before yesterday : History of Rocky Mountain House district has several references to Johnsons
Are there any William Johnsons in the family that you know of that could be possibles?
You could also contact the local newspaper and see if they'll put something in for anybody who remembers a William Johnson who might have had relatives in England:
http://rmh-mountaineer.awna.com/
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Hi everyone
After talking to an older relative it seems there was some family rumour that a Johnson was a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, however like all the other bits and pieces this is only rumour with no substance. I think I'm clinging on to straws
Amersidelaw
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These are ranchers from there, named Johnson...from the Stockmen's memorial http://www.smflibrary.ca/brandj.html
Johnson, Andrew from Rocky Mountain House
Johnston, A.A. from Rocky Mountain House, Scotfield, Bingley
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Oddly, nothing under land grants for any Johnson at all in that town range though 22-39-7-w5
I wonder if he worked for the fur trade or was just in the area for a short period of time. He may have been with some militia, though, as well...so.....
Here is another site to post on...you might get lucky as someone who is from that town answers on other postings
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.canada.alberta.clearwater/mb.ashx
Was there anything on the back of the card?
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Thanks for the web sites will have a look at them and see if anything jumps out (ever the optimist).
There was nothing on the back of the card but as I said it was an expensive looking card and printed so looks like he had a few dollars.
He may have been 2nd generation, most of the Johnsons I have researched from Northumberland were agricultural workers.
Will carry on with crossed fingers
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You could write the museum there to see if the card was made locally, and what era...
http://www.rockymuseum.com/
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Thanks for the suggestion, will email a copy of the card to the museum.
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Seasons Greetings to everyone
At last I have tracked down William Johnson, he was born 1881 in Northumberland England and worked as a coal miner until 1921 when he emigrated to Canada to 'take up farming' he was a widower and 41. I found form '30A' DECLARATION OF PASSENGER TO CANADA'
He sailed on 08 Jun 1921 on Empress of France to Prince Albert, Quebec, he was going to a Brother in law in Rocky Mountain House, but unfortunately I can't read the name in looks like John Kocham and the address is given as '*** (can't read that bit) 23 Rocky Mountain House Alberta,
Happy genealogy hunting in 2010
Amersidelaw
Image Cropped: Only a small portion of the image may be displayed for writing clarification.
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I am about 30 minutes south east of Rocky Mountain House. I can go to my local library and look through the Rocky area history book,, (s) or the cemetaries are good too,, but there is alot of smaller ones in the area, reserves and small church yards as well.. If there is something I can do, please let me know. I am always eager for some kind of excitement in my daily life,, LOL..
Tina
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As of today there is no Konham in the Rocky area and I actually cannot find any at all. Could it be Kochan by chance? There is some listings in our area for that name.. Sorry to post twice,, wasnt thinking the first time. :)
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Hi Tina
I too look for a something to enliven my daily grind.
I think you are right and the name is Kochan, I found a John Kochan in the Western Land Grants but as I don't know how the 'township' system works I don't know if this is in the right area. The info is Part SE Section 17 Township 35 Range 7 Meridian W2 , volume 711 Folio 299. Because I live in the tiny UK I tend to forget the vast distances that there are in Canada so this could be hundreds of miles from Rocky Mountain House.
As yet I haven't made the connection between John Kochan and William Johnson (other than the brother - in - law connection which is stated on the Declaration of Passenger list) It may have been his wife's brother or perhaps his wife's sister's husband.The Declaration gives John Kocham (or Kochem) as living at ***23 Rocky mountain house, don't know if this is a plot of land but he was a farmer.
Any info you can dig up would be much appreciated
LOL
Amersidelaw
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Box 23 Rocky Mountain House - mailing address only
Debbie
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That land grant was for Saskatchewan, the Province East of Alberta...( You can fit about five or six of the whole U.K. into both Provinces......travelling from mid- Manitoba over two more Provinces to Alberta B.C. border gave my husband's British cousins some pretty sore behinds...and we had to have lots of tea stops!
this doesn't mean it wasn't the same person, as not unusual to move around a LOT before settling on a location...He may also have given up farming by then!
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thanks for the info, I presume that they picked their mail up in town when they visited,
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That is definatley his legal land description. As my father in law lives there as well I am going to call and get him to look up that land description and see who owns it now. possibly still in the family,, who knows? If that dont work, I will go to the county office when I go to red deer and get the info,, Let me see what I can come up with :)
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I know a kohan that lives up north of Edmonton, I will also try and give him a call. His name is John as well, wife Margaret. :) 8)
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I would say this might be the more likely land grant, as it is in Alberta...
http://www.rootschat.com/links/07sm/
KOCHANS, John Section 19 Township 39 Range 8 Meridian 5
Film # 3007 in Accession # 1970.313 at Provincial Archives of Alberta File # 2525867
Listed under Western Land Grants as John Kochins
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/western-land-grants/001007-100.01-e.php
Rocky Mountain House is in Section 22 Township 39 Range 7 Meridian 5
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canab/places/placesr3.html
Most of this land was owned by the three railways. CPR CNR ACR
But here is a John Kochins, and he is an older fellow, single, further East in Red Deer District in 1911...sigh
http://www.automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=13788&highlight=42