This image, found at a Vancouver flea market, was taken in St. Mary's, Ontario at the Gray Studio. It has been identified on the back, "Uncle Albert Johnson and Aunt Elizabeth (Purdy) and family. Grandparents of Ida Davies, Saskatoon, Sask." According to St. Mary's Museum, a studio operated in the town by the name of Gray Bros. from 1883 to 1889. However, there was a John N. Gray (who may have been one of the brothers) who also had a studio there from 1886 to 1900. From clues contained in the cabinet card, I would guess this one was more likely taken in the John N. Gray Studio around 1891.
A search of the 1891 Census of Canada turned up a good match with the family of Albert and Elizabeth Johnson, and their five children, Mary, 10; George, 8; Rosa,6; Lloyd,4; & Arthur, 1, living in Mountain Township, Dundas, Ontario.1
The big clue written on the back of the cabinet card is the maiden name of Elizabeth. I found a marriage for Albert Johnson, son of Reuben & Elizabeth Johnson, age 23 to Miss Elizabeth E. Purdy, daughter of William and Emeline Purdy, age 23, on Christmas Day 1879 in Nissouri, Ontario2.
Albert Johnson's occupation is listed as "farmer" on the marriage record, but he later worked as CPR Agent. He moved his family to Manitoba, prior to 19113.
More research would have to be done to link Ida Davies to this family.
1 "1891 Canada Census," digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed June 1, 2012), entry for Albert Johnson, Ontario, Dundas, Mountain, p. 21 [penned], family 105, citing microfilm LAC microfilm T-6331.↩
2 "Ontario Canada Marriages," 1801-1928, digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed June 1, 2012), entry for Albert Johnson and Elizabeth E. Purdy, 25 December 1879, Nissouri, Perth County, Ontario, record no. 47, p.296, citing Archives of Ontario microfilm MS932, reel 31.↩
3 "1911 Canada Census," digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed June 1, 2012), entry for Albert Johnson, Manitoba, McDonald, District 18, ED#7, p. 2 [penned], dwelling 12,family 12, citing microfilm LAC microfilm T-20326 to T-20460.↩
Thank you for posting this photo. More on this family at my Ancestry Account at:
ReplyDeletehttp://trees.ancestry.com/tree/935571/person/-2025987791
Regards
Bruce C. Johnson Jr.