Albert and Elizabeth (Purdy) Johnson and Their Five Children, St. Mary's, Ontario, circa 1891

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.

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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.^↩

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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.^↩

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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.^↩

Not the Gifter, But the Giftee: Jennie Suggitt, 1903

While I don't know the full name of the woman in this cabinet card photograph I do know that the portrait was taken July 19th, 1903 at the Wragg studio on 45 Mesnes Street in Wigan, which is in Greater Manchester, England.

A note written on the reverse provides a few more clues:  "Dear Cousin Jennie [Suggitt] from Aunt Mary A. with fondest love to your loving husband & baby."  Someone has inserted Cousin Jennie's last name in pencil.  I found this card at an antique store in Alberta, Canada.

The  photo was found with a second cabinet card, taken at the J.F. Mitchell Studio in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.  On the reverse: "Aunty Jenny Davis (?) nee Suggitt and husband Fred Davis (?)."  I believe the Jenny in the photo below is the Jennie who received the above photo from Aunt Mary.

The person who wrote the inscription was unclear about the surname of Jenny's husband.   There isn't a name attributed to Jenny & Fred's baby, either.  I love that they've even included the family dog in the picture.  Unfortunately, the picture has faded significantly.  I would date the photo around 1895, based on the style of cabinet card and the leg o' mutton sleeves on Jenny's dress.

Update, December 10/11:  Karen, on the Ancestry Message Board for Winnipeg writes:  "From looking at the Manitoba Vital Stats site and the 1906 census it would appear to me that your photo is of Jane Ann SUGGITT and Frederick David DAVIES who were married in Winnipeg on June 26, 1901. The child may well be their daughter Edith Rose who was born in the R.M. of Springfield on November 23, 1904." 

What do you think?   Do the clues in the photograph match the dates above?  The sleeves on Jenny's dress are throwing me off a bit, but the big mutton sleeves still show up in the ladies fashion catalogues of the day.

Thanks, Karen, for looking into the censuses and making this connection!