Where to search?

[aghadowey]

though it makes me wonder why Isaac and his wife didn’t take the child in? Or why James didn’t just take her with him. Perhaps cost, but still doesn’t explain why she didn’t stay with family.

That voyage back to Scotland was in February and perhaps Euphemia was unwell or delicate and James felt a winter voyage would have been too much for the child.

[*Sandra*]

U.S., Border Crossings from Canada to U.S., 1895-1960 - Nelson Mackenzie born 1912 - last permanent address Toronto.  Parents Isaaac and Annie. Grandfather Alexander McKenzie - 127 Brownley Street. Toronto.  30 day visit. Destination Detroit Michigan.
Note on back of form reported to Montreal 24 April 1925.

Sandra

[scottishlad]

U.S., Border Crossings from Canada to U.S., 1895-1960 - Nelson Mackenzie born 1912 - last permanent address Toronto.  Parents Isaaac and Annie. Grandfather Alexander McKenzie - 127 Brownley Street. Toronto.  30 day visit. Destination Detroit Michigan.
Note on back of form reported to Montreal 24 April 1925.

Sandra

Thanks so much Sandra! I actually have that information although since you posted it, the only thing I’m not sure on and have been pondering for a while is why Alexander would have been living in Toronto. My understanding is that trip was around 1924, but Alexander died 3 years later in 1927 in Edinburgh as a feeble old man.

Seems strange. Perhaps went back to Scotland to die? Euphemia lived into the 1950’s though. I can’t find a record of Alexander or Euphemia living in Canada other than that border crossing. I was wondering would they have had reason to lie on that form? Proof of family in prior country or something, but I know there were other siblings of Isaac living in Canada so doesn’t make sense.

One of the many questions left unanswered haha my great aunt and granddaughter of Isaac and Annie doesnt know any history pre Isaac and Annie, and does not know why they ended up in Philadelphia. It seems James was the first to move there. He was a traveling salesman though so perhaps better work? Who knows. Anyway thanks again!

[*Sandra*]

Was she able to fill you in on the first wife of James MacKenzie and a son also called James ?


Sandra

[*Sandra*]

Noted that no one had listed this information on ancestry trees so before I discard my notes I will post.

James McKenzie/MacKenzie son of Isaac McKenzie and Annie White had been married previously, before Elsie Cressman.

James married  Mary C Stratton born in 1911.
Lived at Fairmont Avenue in 1920.

Herbert Stratton 41   Head Clara Stratton 30   Wife
Mary Stratton   9   Daughter - Elsie Stratton 7   Daughter
Herbert Stratton 5   Son - Wm Stratton 4   Son
Benj Stratton 2   Son

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

US Border Crossing  from Canada to U.S., 1895-1960 - James Mackenzie -
James Mackenzie - born 1905 New Brunswick - aged 22 years-
Departure Contact   Father Isaac Mackenzie. 8230 Union Street. Moncton. New Brunswick.
Arrival Date   19 Sep 1927  (maybe 1929) - Port of Arrival Calais, Maine.
Arrival Contact   Wife Mrs. Mary C Mackenzie.  2438  No 10 Street. Philadelphia. PA.
Record has photo?   No

Mary C Stratton/Mackenzie died in 1940

Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records, 1669-2013

Mary MacKenzie
Event Type   Burial - Death Date   abt 1940 - Burial Date   22 Jul 1940
Burial Place   Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Organization Name   Odd Fellows Cemetery, 22nd and Diamond Streets.

Mary Mackenzie (aged 29 years) Buried 22 July 1940 (inquest pending)  in the same grave as mother-in-law Annie MacKenzie (5th June 1939) and  son James MacKenzie - 11 months - buried 13 October 1931 -

James Mackenzie - born 19 October 1930 - died  11 October 1931 Philadelphia Pennsylvania aged 11 months
Father    James Mackenzie - Mother    Mary C Stratton
Certificate Number   91928 - cause of death - Inanition following an inflammatory condition of the bowels. Informant James MacKenzie -  2528 North 12 th Street . Philadelphia. PA.

Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records, 1669-2013

James Herbert Mc Kenzie - 19 October 1930 Baptism 23 November 1930
Baptism Place   Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Denomination   Methodist
Organization Name   Eleventh Street Methodist Episcopal Church
Father    James Mc Kenzie
Mother    Mary Mc Kenzie

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records, 1669-2013

Mary Ann MacKenzie (appeared on the 1950 census with James and his second wife Elsie)
Baptism Age   0 - 14 April 1933 - Pennsylvania.
Denomination   Methodist
Organization Name   Deaconess Home, 6th and Vine St
Father   James MacKenzie Mother    Mary Stratton MacKenzie.

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

 U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947

James Mackenzie - 17 January 1907 Moncton New Brunswick Canada.
Age   33 - Relationship to Draftee   Self (Head)
Residence Place   Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 5608 N 2 nd Street Philadelphia.
Registration Date   6 Oct 1940
Employer   Self
Height   5 8 - Weight   140 - Complexion   Light - Hair Color   Brown
Eye Color   Brown
Next of Kin Herbert Stratton. 2539 N Sartain Street. Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. (Father-in-law)

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

marriage James Mackenzie to Elsie Cressman -

The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
13 Apr 1941, Sun  •  Page 123

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123671176/the-philadelphia-inquirer/

Sandra