Help finding missing woman in 1931 census

[genealogyem]

I am currently researching William Edward Francis and his wife Phoebe McKeigan (spelling varies). Phoebe was born Sept 1911 to Malcolm McKeigan and Ida Blanche Mercer. Her and William got married during 1928 in Sydney Mines (on her marriage certificate her first name is incorrectly spelled "Pheomie").

In the 1931 census I have been able to find William living in Sydney Mines, NS at his parents house with his and Phoebe's children, however I was not able to find Phoebe. Her absence struck me as particularly odd considering how young her children were (youngest was only 4 months old!). I know that she was alive during 1931 and that her and William were still married, however I have not been able to find her anywhere within the greater Sydney area. Is it possible that the enumerator missed her when recording the household? If not, where else could she be?


Here is the link to William and the children in the 1931 census:
https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/home/record?app=census&IdNumber=75348004

Here is the link to their marriage record:
https://www.novascotiagenealogy.com/ItemView.aspx?ImageFile=52-841&Event=marriage&ID=183008

[Lisa in California]

I would think that she wouldn’t have been away from her baby for very long, but ?  Could any of the following be true?  [Note: I know very little about the 1931 census so the following may not apply.]

Was she away during the census taking; perhaps briefly taking care of a relative.
Was she ill and admitted to a hospital (although I’ve not yet found her in 1931).
Could her husband and children have just been visiting his parents for a short stay; perhaps she was too ill to travel away from home.
Was she ill and her husband and children left their home to avoid catching her illness.
Did she briefly return to any family members for reasons unknown to you.

Did any relatives live in neighbouring provinces?  Have you searched elsewhere for her?  But, perhaps you are correct; maybe she was accidentally omitted. 

[*Sandra*]

Looking at the find a grave entry for the daughter Beverley, it does sound as if there were more children after 1931.  Beverley born 1940 mentions parents William and Phoebe.

FIND A GRAVE

Beverley Ann Francis Doiron 1940- 2011

Stella Maris Roman Catholic Cemetery
North Rustico, Queens County, Prince Edward Island, Canada

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/210026131/beverley-ann-doiron

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

Phebe MacKeigan Mac 1910–1957
born September 23 1910 - Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada
died December 23 1957 - Toronto, Ontario.

William Edward Francis 1904–1949
born 4 Feb 1904 - Sydney Mines, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada
died 28 January 1949 - Charlottetown, Queens, Prince Edward Island,

Sandra

from a Doiron family tree

[Lisa in California]

Have you found Phoebe’s parents and/or other relatives in 1931?  A couple of trees on Anc*try only show the 1911 and 1921 census for her parents.  After a quick search, I also have not found them in 1931.

[*Sandra*]

Strange Lisa.  One of the family tree's (Doiron) is quoting this find a grave entry for the parents. So it seems they stayed in the same area.

Malcolm H Keigan Mac - 1876 - 1960  (yet the census says Maldeline ?  May 1878 ? )

Brookside Cemetery
Sydney Mines, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia, Canada.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/227804787/malcolm-h-mckeigan

Ida Blanche Mercer - 1885 - 1957  (1888 on the 1911 census ?)

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/227804788/ida-blanche-mercer

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

Family seach family tree - ?

Marriage 24-6 1909  - makes Malcolm 33 years so born 1876 ??
Glace Bay, Cape Breton, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada.

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G41D-Q34

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KML8-YG5

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:DXFD-MRMM

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9J6-YZJZ?view=index&personArk=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3ADXFD-MRMM&action=view

This would have been the first marriage for Malcolm (born 1877) to Catherine McIntyre ??

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F2GS-34V

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

marriage of Phoebe - points to the above being the correct parents.

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/sources/G41D-CJ6

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D41N-B9?view=index&personArk=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQVBK-7F29&action=view

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

This is the marriage record of William Henry MacKeigan - marriage to Audrey Mary English
18 September 1946 - aged 24 years parents Malcolm Mackeigan and Blanche Mercer.Residence Main Street. Sydney Mines. Cape Breton.

This says William was born Sydney. N.S.

https://archives.novascotia.ca/vital-statistics/marriage/?ID=282829

FIND A GRAVE

William  1922 - 2000 and Audrey 1927 - 2003

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/260053109/william-h-mckeigan

MacKEIGAN, William Henry -  77 years -  New Glasgow NS; Chron-Herald -  2000-8-7; kbutler

Sandra