Stewarts of Balquhidder

[CaraStewart]

Hi I was looking at those Stewarts in line 4: Stewarts of Walbeich (under Dalveich) and noticed that the information concerning Robert Stewart and his half brother John who immigrate to Canada in the 1830s states that that no information is known about Janet Stewart, John Stewart and Elizabeth Dewar's daughter who came with them from Scotland. I have quite a bit of information and will list it here (much of the it comes from registrations and censuses:

Janet (or aka Jennett) Stewart b Sept 30 scotland, d April 6, 1914 Parry Sound, Ont. marries James Hamilton, b Jan 23 1830 Ontario, a widower (Mary Allen m Jan 21, 1864 d Apr 17, 1868 Renfrew Co.) They have a child James Hamilton b abt 1866.

Janet and James Hamilton marriage date is 23 Jan 1868 in McNabb and then reside in Alice and Fraser twnp, North Renfrew Co and have two children
William J Hamilton b Oct 26 1872
Mary H Hamilton b Freb 22 1876

James Hamilton's parents are Andrew Hamilton and Isabella McBain.


From looking at census information and death registrations it appears that Janet and James are illiterate. William J is the one who writes for them as he did to register the death of his grandfather, John Stewart. In the 1871 census John was living with his son Robert and his family in McNab but by 1881 he is living with Janet and her family. He death information states it occurred 3 July 1881 and that he was 86 years old and 11 months, born in Scotland. He was ill for 8 days before death.

The 1891 census has the family still living in Alice and Fraser twp. However the younger James Hamilton is not listed; only William and Mary.

The 1901 census has them living with William in Pringle twp, Perry Sound Muskoka. They are farmers.

1911 census lists Janet, James, William J, his wife Minnie E (E is her middle initial, her last name is undecipherable) b Jan 27, 1881, and their two children, Janet Hamilton b May 1905 and Dorothy Alice Hamilton b Oct 1909.

It is from the 1911 that information about Janet's immigration to Canada can be found. The handwriting is a bit unclear so it's either 1830 or 1831. Her birthday is Sept 1830.

Her death registration says she died April 6, 1914 in Perry Sound and was 84.

I have not found James Hamilton's death information yet.

However, I have found information on their daughter Mary H. b in Alice and Fraser twp Feb 22, 1876. She marries James Blair (b Mar 4 1861, Westmeath, Co Renfrew d Aug 27 1902, of blood poisoning in Stafford, North Renfrew) Their marriage is April 21 1897 in Refrew co.
They have two children: Russell Blair Apr 1 1899 and Leslie (also spelled Lesley) Stewart Blair Jan 3, 1898.

James Blair's parents are John Blair and Margaret Patterson.

After the death of James Blair to blood poisoning, I can't find Mary Blair nee Hamilton anywhere, including marriage records. I do find a record of Leslie Stewart Blair's marriage to Marie Bertha Antoinette Nedeau b abt 1902 in Quebec. Their marriage date is Jan 11, 1921. Both of them are living in Pembroke, Ont and they are employed: he's a spinner and she's a weaver. He's also presbyterian and she's catholic and they marry in a church of england.

Marie's parents are Everist Nedeau and Marie Arbour.

Hope this helps someone.

Cara

[Ryk]

Cara

Thanks for sharing this additional information and helping us fill out a few more down-twigs on your branch.

I recall in the email you sent me that your family had a tradition that your Stewarts came from the Banff area in northeast Scotland. I think it's important to make note of that tradition here so that it doesn't get forgotten. Some family traditions turn out to be completely false, while other's turn out to be true. My experience has led me to conclude that most family traditions are based on some truth that often gets mixed up. I think we can safely conclude that your Stewarts did not come from Banff, but it's possible you may find another branch of your family did come from Banff and that over the years the place of Banff has become attached to the wrong ancestral branch of the family.

I just looked up Janet Stewart's death registration in 1914 in Powassan, Parry Sound and it says that she was born in "Perthshire, Scotland". We have found the matching baptism record in Kincardine, Perthshire with parents John Stewart and Elizabeth Dewar. So I'm very confident that we have this family correctly accounted for.

I know there's a lot to read up on with the history of this branch, but, again, if you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to post them.

Slainte
Ryk
_________________
Ryk Brown
Descendant of the Stewarts of Dalveich (Ardvorlich)
Sliochd Iain Dubh Mhor

[CaraStewart]

Hi

I just double checked the death registration I have for her and it doesn't list a birthplace. I'm curious to know what you have and where you got it. Stuff with more information on it is always sooo appreciated.
Well, I'm prepared to go with the Perthshire birth and all the implies. I do know what you mean about family legends and confusions. I'm still trying to figure out just who and how many foundlings were left on the door step of Robert and Christena Stewart. Just when I have it all figured out -- or so I thought -- an Annie O'Donal who eventually comes to live in Edmonton and visits with my father's cousin has to be factored in.
So, if anyone knows anything about foundlings or why in the 1881 census Mary Jane Stewart and Elizabeth Stewart are listed as servants (but not 1871), please let me know? Was it a mistake to list them so? In the marriage notice of Mary Jane Stewart it states the wedding took place at the bride's father's residence. What should I believe, especially about Annie O'Donal?

Again, please accept my thanks in advance for any assistance you can give me.

Cara

[Ryk]

Cara

I got her death registration from Ancestry. I've just emailed you a copy. When I went back to look it up I noticed that Janet's death is registered TWICE: once as Janet Stewart Hamilton and the other as Janet Stuart Hamilton. The Stewart one does NOT give a place of birth, whereas the Stuart one DOES give a place of birth, but it is recorded in the section for date of birth and it gives no date of birth. Some sloppy clerking there! But at least there is the one that says Perthshire. That pretty much confirms it for me. We have a birth, census and death record all showing her as born in Perthshire.

Yup, yer' definitely my cousin!

Ryk
_________________
Ryk Brown
Descendant of the Stewarts of Dalveich (Ardvorlich)
Sliochd Iain Dubh Mhor

[CaraStewart]

Ryk

Thank you for the death registration information. Yup, we are cousins.

Saw some rather nice photos of Loch Earn and Dalveich on a website and it's a rather nice looking place to have a connection.
Now I'll have to find a late 18th century 'saddle map' of the Loch Earn area. I have them for Inverness to the north of Sutherland, Edinburgh to Sterling, and Aberdeen to Banff. There's a wonder old map shop on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh where I've gotten some of them. If you're ever there you should drop in to see what's available.

Once again, thank you for that confirmation.

Cara

[Ryk]

Glad the death registration was helpful for you.

You're correct that Dalveich is quite beautiful. My wife and I visited there in '05 and it was very moving. There are photos on our Dalveich page and you should also check the photo section linked from our main page: http://www.chuckspeed.com/balquhidder/balquhidder%20stewarts.html

I am still hoping to get to Edinburgh next summer for The Gathering. I'll have a look for the map store you suggest.

Ryk
_________________
Ryk Brown
Descendant of the Stewarts of Dalveich (Ardvorlich)
Sliochd Iain Dubh Mhor