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Research in Other Countries => Canada => Topic started by: bonjedward on Saturday 28 September 19 20:23 BST (UK)
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At the start of the 20th century, two sisters and a brother, Mary, Agnes and Andrew Thomson emigrated from Broxburn, West Lothian, Scotland, to Calgary, Alberta. Their parents were Andrew Thomson (1842-1914) and Helen Henderson (1843-1932).
I'm hoping some descendants will recognise them. I'm including a PDF display of the three families and their descendants (anonymised for those probably still living).
Mary (1873-1955) ( https://familytrees.genopro.com/bonjedward/terkelanderik/Thomson-Mary-ind00299.htm (https://familytrees.genopro.com/bonjedward/terkelanderik/Thomson-Mary-ind00299.htm) ) emigrated first - she married John Swanson (1864-1945) in Broxburn in 1896, and they emigrated with their four children in 1907.
Next was Andrew (1880-1949). He married Anne Cameron (1876-1946) in Dunblane in 1909 and emigrated with their daughter in 1911.
Agnes ( https://familytrees.genopro.com/bonjedward/terkelanderik/Thomson-Agnes-ind00301.htm (https://familytrees.genopro.com/bonjedward/terkelanderik/Thomson-Agnes-ind00301.htm) ) married George Fairley (1877-1973) in Broxburn in 1901 and they emigrated with their two sons in 1912.
Andrew ( https://familytrees.genopro.com/bonjedward/terkelanderik/Thomson-Andrew-ind00302.htm (https://familytrees.genopro.com/bonjedward/terkelanderik/Thomson-Andrew-ind00302.htm) ) was a watchmaker who started a business, but later worked as a farmer in Michichi.
They had one daughter, Rhoda St. Clair Robertson Thomson (1910-1994) who married Norman Kennedy and later moved to British Columbia.
George Fairley became a well-known butcher in Calgary. His sons Henry Grant Fairley and Andrew Thomson Fairley took over the family business, which only closed in the late 1990s.
John Swanson was at various times a stonemason, farmer and travelling salesman.
His son William Lumsden Smith Swanson (1897-1976) was a jeweller who ended his career as factory manager at Henry Birks & Sons, a chain of jewellers. He enlisted in the Canadian Field Artillery in WW1, and was said to have had a romatic attachment to his cousin, my grandmother in West Lothian, who he visited when on leave from the front. Our family has a brooch he gave her that he had made himself (https://familytrees.genopro.com/bonjedward/terkelanderik/media/BillSwansonjewellery.jpg (https://familytrees.genopro.com/bonjedward/terkelanderik/media/BillSwansonjewellery.jpg)). Another son, James Sinclair Swanson (1900-1966) was an optician.
Both sons moved to California in later life. A daughter, Helen Henderson Swanson (1901-1972) married Eber Rowles Upton, a dentist.
My mother met people from Calgary in the 1950's, and was surprised to hear that the Swanson family was so well-known there.
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With the help of the death notices/obituaries, social media and canada 411 - you should be able to trace some further relatives...........
https://www.canada411.ca/
Obit - James Sinclair Swanson - The Chilliwack Progress Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
25 May 1966, Wed - Page 12
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32762469/james_sinclair_swanson_may_25_1966/
Santa Barbara, California, City Directory, 1965 - Jas S (Olive M) Swanson - Mgr Marquarite Apts - 2205a De La Vina
Santa Barbara, California, City Directory, 1972 - Olive M Swanson (wid Jas S Swanson) - nurse - 02 N Hope Av Apt 19
Sandra
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Marriage Helen Henderson Swanson and Dr Upton - Calgary Herald
Calgary, Alberta, Canada - 20 Jul 1933, Thu - Page 16
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36461036/helen_henderson_swanson_and_dr_upton/
Helen Henderson Swanson Upton1901 - 1972
Union Cemetery Calgary, Calgary Census Division, Alberta, Canada
Plot Section W, Block 3, Plot 21
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125182879/helen-hendersen-upton
Sandra
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Dr Eber Rowles Upton - husband of Helen Henderson Swanson
Calgary Herald Calgary, Alberta, Canada 13 Dec 1986, Sat - Page 33
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36461246/dr_upton_11_december_1986/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125182878/eber-rowles-upton
Sandra
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George Fairley became a well-known butcher in Calgary. His sons Henry Grant Fairley and Andrew Thomson Fairley took over the family business, which only closed in the late 1990s.
Henry Grant Fairley..............obituary
Calgary Herald Calgary, Alberta, Canada 25 Oct 1975, Sat - Page 59
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36461589/henry_grant_fairley_25_october_1975/
Sandra
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brother of Henry Grant Fairley. (above)
Obituary - Andrew Thomson Fairley - Calgary Herald Calgary, Alberta, Canada
13 Sep 1997, Sat - Page 73
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36461708/andrew_thomson_fairley_13_september/
Sandra
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Obituary Amy Fairley (wife of Andrew Fairley - above) -
Calgary Herald Calgary, Alberta, Canada 22 Oct 1994, Sat - Page 45
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36461795/amy_fairley_20_october_1994/
Sandra
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Agnes ( https://familytrees.genopro.com/bonjedward/terkelanderik/Thomson-Agnes-ind00301.htm ) married George Fairley (1877-1973) in Broxburn in 1901 and they emigrated with their two sons in 1912.
George Fairley - The Province Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - 8 Feb 1973, Thu - Page 36
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36462266/george_fairley_8_february_1973/
Sandra
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marriage - Times Colonist Victoria, British Columbia, Canada - 6 Jun 1936, Sat - Page 8
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36462614/john_j_fairley_and_kathleen_aubin/
Sandra
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George Fairley became a well-known butcher in Calgary. His sons Henry Grant Fairley and Andrew Thomson Fairley took over the family business, which only closed in the late 1990s.
Henry Grant Fairley..............obituary
Calgary Herald Calgary, Alberta, Canada 25 Oct 1975, Sat - Page 59
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36461589/henry_grant_fairley_25_october_1975/
Sandra
spouse - Agnes (Nancy) Faulds (Nee McCulloch Fairley - 12 June 1988 Calgary
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36462751/agnes_nancy_faulds_nee_mcculloch/
Sandra
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Nancy Fairley Nancy Wynn (nee Hodgson) - wife of "G" (son of Henry Grant and Agnes (Nancy)
Published in The Globe and Mail on Feb. 5, 2002
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theglobeandmail/obituary.aspx?n=nancy-wynn-fairley-hodgson&pid=189763372
Sandra
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Andrew ( https://familytrees.genopro.com/bonjedward/terkelanderik/Thomson-Andrew-ind00302.htm ) was a watchmaker who started a business, but later worked as a farmer in Michichi.
They had one daughter, Rhoda St. Clair Robertson Thomson (1910-1994) who married Norman Kennedy and later moved to British Columbia.
Andrew Thomson............
Surrey Leader Surrey, British Columbia, Canada - 8 Sep 1949, Thu - Page 1
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36463196/andrew_thomson_8_september_1949/
Rhoda and Norman Kennedy - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147018801
Rhoda - Calgary Herald Calgary, Alberta, Canada 19 Feb 1934, Mon - Page 13
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36463749/rhoda_thomson_shower/
Sandra
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Andrew ( https://familytrees.genopro.com/bonjedward/terkelanderik/Thomson-Andrew-ind00302.htm ) was a watchmaker who started a business, but later worked as a farmer in Michichi.
They had one daughter, Rhoda St. Clair Robertson Thomson (1910-1994) who married Norman Kennedy and later moved to British Columbia.
Andrew Thomson............
Surrey Leader Surrey, British Columbia, Canada - 8 Sep 1949, Thu - Page 1
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36463196/andrew_thomson_8_september_1949/
Rhoda and Norman Kennedy - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147018801
Rhoda - Calgary Herald Calgary, Alberta, Canada 19 Feb 1934, Mon - Page 13
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36463749/rhoda_thomson_shower/
Sandra
spouse Agnes Thomson - The Vancouver Sun Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
18 Mar 1963, Mon - Page 29
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36464525/agnes_fairley_15_march_1963_white_rock/
Sandra
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Mary (1873-1955) ( https://familytrees.genopro.com/bonjedward/terkelanderik/Thomson-Mary-ind00299.htm ) emigrated first - she married John Swanson (1864-1945) in Broxburn in 1896, and they emigrated with their four children in 1907.
Mary Swanson death notice - Calgary Herald Calgary, Alberta, Canada 29 Jan 1955, Sat - Page 22
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36479032/mary_thomson_swanson/
obituary - Calgary Herald Calgary, Alberta, Canada 27 Jan 1955, Thu - Page 26
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36479542/mrs_mary_swanson_1955/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127457455/mary-winnifred_findlay-swanson
Sandra
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John Swanson (wife of Mary Thomson) - Calgary Herald Calgary, Alberta, Canada
01 Feb 1945, Thu - Page 16
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36479325/john_swanson_passed_away_grace/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/122958595/john-swanson
Sandra
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Mary Winnifred Findlay Swanson - 1912 - 16 August 1914 - (daughter of John and Mary Swanson)
FIND A GRAVE
Union Cemetery Calgary, Calgary Census Division, Alberta, Canada
Plot Section E, Block 11, Plot 3
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127457455
obit - Calgary Herald Calgary, Alberta, Canada 17 Aug 1914, Mon - Page 3
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36479912/mary_swanson_1912_1914/
Sandra
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Andrew Galloway Swanson - son of John and Mary
Calgary Herald Calgary, Alberta, Canada 29 Feb 1916, Tue - Page 3
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36480098/andrew_galloway_swanson_1916/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127515686/andrew-galloway-swanson
Sandra
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William Lumsden Swanson - son of John and Mary -
Canadian Attestation Papers - https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=260583
http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B9456-S011
FIND A GRAVE
Goleta Cemetery Goleta, Santa Barbara County, California.
PLOT 5 East- Lot- 146- Space- 6
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82419649
Sandra
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Sandra, thanks so much. That's an astonishing number or articles you've found in a very short time, and a big help as I don't currently have a newspapers.com subscription.
I did make contact with one descendant of William Lumsden Swanson a couple of years ago. I was hoping that the family might have some old photographs - the three siblings travelled to Scotland several times in the 1920s to visit their elderly mother and must surely have taken photographs. Unfortunately none had survived in that branch of the family, and they weren't in contact with other branches. i will try to find others. They too may be looking for Scottish relatives and might come across this post.
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It is amazing how many times a relative "googles" a family name and get directed to threads on these boards. Hopefully you will be lucky in this respect.
Pleased the obits fill out the story so far.
Regards
Sandra
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Obituary for Sarah Matilda (Brindle) Swanson - wife of James Sinclair Swanson.
Surrey Leader Surrey, British Columbia, Canada 28 Dec 1950, Thu - Page 1
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36493753/sarah_matilda_swanson_nee_brindle/
Sandra
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Daughter of James and Sarah - Kathleen Willa Swanson
California Death Index - Kathleen Willahelen SwansonBirth Date: 14 Jul 1941 Canada
Death Date 22 Feb 1992 - Marin - Mother's Maiden Name Brindle.
Sandra
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With the help of the death notices/obituaries, social media and canada 411 - you should be able to trace some further relatives...........
https://www.canada411.ca/
Obit - James Sinclair Swanson - The Chilliwack Progress Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
25 May 1966, Wed - Page 12
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32762469/james_sinclair_swanson_may_25_1966/
Santa Barbara, California, City Directory, 1965 - Jas S (Olive M) Swanson - Mgr Marquarite Apts - 2205a De La Vina
Santa Barbara, California, City Directory, 1972 - Olive M Swanson (wid Jas S Swanson) - nurse - 02 N Hope Av Apt 19
Sandra
Second wife Olive - California Death Index - Olive May Swanson - 25 March 1912 - Canada - died 1 October 1989 Santa Clara. - [Olive May Clancy]
Mother's Maiden Name Hicks - Father's Surname Clancy
Sandra
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George Fairley became a well-known butcher in Calgary. His sons Henry Grant Fairley and Andrew Thomson Fairley took over the family business, which only closed in the late 1990s.
Henry Grant Fairley..............obituary
Calgary Herald Calgary, Alberta, Canada 25 Oct 1975, Sat - Page 59
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36461589/henry_grant_fairley_25_october_1975/
Sandra
Obituary - Grand - daughter - Judy Lynn (Johnson) Ramage - mother was Muriel Johnson (Nee Fairley - now deceased) - daughter of Henry Grant Fairley and Nancy.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=judy-lynn-ramage-johnson&pid=177636075&fhid=17725
Sandra
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Obituary - Muriel Helen (nee Fairley) Johnson - Passed away on August 5, 2002, at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.
Published in The Globe and Mail from Aug. 7 to Aug. 8, 2002
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theglobeandmail/obituary.aspx?n=muriel-helen-johnson-fairley&pid=189766183
Sandra