Both of our ancestors mainly came from the British Isles; and both our direct ancestral families ended up in Windsor, Ontario. Janet and I now live north of Toronto quite coincidently a few miles from where one of Janet's great great great grandfathers, William Dales, had a farm on Weston Rd. and #9 Highway. That was quite a surprise!
Janet's family were early emigrants to Ontario and on her father's side include the names MCKAIG, POUTERS (from Belgium),(Mc)INNES, McVICAR, on her mother's side the ancestors are the SMITH, DALES,THRASHER,O'BRIEN,WEAVER, HUDGINS, WOODWARD, LOVELACE AND WILSON names. The MCKAIGs had been extensively researched by Carol Ann McKaig who spent years researching the MCKAIGS pre-computer, we should all be eternally grateful for her efforts. The DALES had been researched by Agnes DALES, the wife of Harold DALES. Once again we are grateful. Delores DALES has added many twigs, branches and individuals to this site. Many thanks to Delores. Recently I received quite an astounding amount of information on the HUDGINS family from Dr. Paul Cole. This new information shows that the HUDGINS who married into the DALES branch of Janet's mother family were United Empire Loyalists. Quite an interesting story you can access through the Hudgins name on the surname list below.
My own family, the KELLY'S immigrated to Canada in 1957 from England. The KELLYS were and are long time residents of London England and its environs, living and working in Woolwich throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The KELLY ancestors include names such as ISAAC (from Devon), BULL (from Leicestershire) ARCHER, CHENEY, COX,(all Northhamps.) TOWNSEND and MAHONEY. The KELLYS have been English for at least a 150 years but were probably emigrants from Ireland at some point. The Mahoneys are from Wexford Ireland.
My mother's family name is CREWE with or without the "e". They originated from Crewes Hole, which is now a part of Bristol, Engand. Other family names associated with my mother are JENKINS, LEONARD and MARTIN. Some of the Crewes were coal miners and one enterprising MARTIN woman was a vendor of fish and flowers. The Jenkins and Leonards were in the fruit and vegetable business in London England. The Leonards also owned farms in and around Sunbury.
Once one starts family research it is astounding how quickly the names pile up, between Janet and I we now have over 2000 names both blood relatives and spouses and their relatives. Unfortunately due to site limitations I have had to reduce the amount available here to about 1000. Over the past ten years through this site we have made connections between many people, some who never knew of each others existence and some who had not been in touch for many years. It gives credence to the view that we are all one big family.
Please note that some of the information on this web site is still being confirmed as accurate. When new information comes in I try to make corrections as quickly as I can. Please check it out for yourself before passing it along to others.
I am happy to post photograph's of our mutual relatives.
LEGAL STUFF: The information about individuals posted on this site is the property of the respective individuals or their families. Unauthorized use of it is prohibited. The information is posted solely to ensure its accuracy. Anyone who wishes to correct information or have it removed may contact me at geoff.kelly@sympatico.ca.
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- Charles Smith's house in Amherstburg (158 KB)
Charles Smith's house on the Detroit River. Janet used to visit him here as a young girl and she knew the names and companies of all the ships on the Great Lakes that sailed by on the river.
- My maternal grandmother Florence Daisy Jenkins (1402 KB)
Florence Daisy Jenkins born in 1892, died in 1979. Her grand children called her Nan. Her father was Thomas George Jenkins a fruit merchant. The family was very well off and Florence was raised in a bourgeois environent. At 16 years of age she traveled to China to be a governess. In order to get here she sailed across the Altlantic Ocean, took a train across Canada, sailed across the Pacific Ocean and then repeated the trip back a few years later. She married an ex soldier and adventurer and her life changed forever, no more bourgeoisie. Nan was trained as a seamtress and this kept the family going during the Great Depression.
- James and Esther Dales (27 KB)
James and Esther, born and raised in the Barrie, Ontario area, they ended up in Windsor Ontario. So far I haven't been able to track down any of Esther's father's family, the Wilsons, or her mother's family the Woodwards.
- Our wedding invitation (335 KB)
As with most young people Janet and I were not especially well off when we decided to get married, so we figured the best way to have a great time and still afford to have all our family and friends at our wedding was to do it on a boat. A friend did the catering and a friend of a friend did the photography. It was a wonderful day and I highly recommend getting married on a boat.
- The Charles Smith family 1941 (32 KB)
This photo was taken in Jackson Park. Woody is wearing his Air Force uniform. Those were happier days.
- Florence Mckaig (590 KB)
This lovely lady is the grandmother of Theresa Frigge, Florence McKaig, married to William James Sharrow. Her parents were James McKaig and Mary Harris. Florence was born 05, August 1902 and she died 02 September, 1964.
- James Lemuel Smith and his sisters 1924 (184 KB)
James' sisters were all born and raised in Dumfries near Brantford. Evidently the family all moved to Sandwich Ontario and then to Oxley for a while and then back to Sandwich, James was eleven years old at that time. Through the help of many other family researchers and a bit of luck we have followed the lives of James' descendants to the present day.
- Hugh and Jane McKaig (22 KB)
Jane's maiden name was Copeland and I have not been able to locate the descendants of her family.
- John Albert Charron (96 KB)
John Albert Charron born 1859 died 1934. He changed his name to Sharrow and his descendents bear that name.
- Irah McKaig (46 KB)
Irah McKaig born September 7 1907 in Euphemia Township Lambton County. He died in 1987 in London Ontario. He married Genevieve Mary Richie in 1935 and subsequently they had six daughters, Noreen, Marilyn , Gloria ,Rosiline, Linda and Iva. They all in turn started families and although not under the McKaig name are part of a family that has grown hugely since the arrival of the McKaigs in Ontario a 150 years ago.
- Robert and Eliza Dales (27 KB)
Robert and Eliza Dales, progenitors of a large branch of the Dales family in Ontario. Robert was born in England and came to Canada about 1835. What an experience for a child that young to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a small sailing ship! We deduced the approximate date of that voyage from the fact that Robert's next oldest sibling is William, who was born in Canada in 1836. Eliza was born in Canada. This photo came from a bible owned by Robert Dales who lives in Toronto. the original is a tintype, a photo developed on metal plates, Delores Dales made this wonderful digital copy.
- William Frederick McKaig-Clarke (75 KB)
William Frederick McKaig-Clarke is the son of Debbie McKaig. He is the grandson of Frederick Wayne McKaig, the great grandson of Lorrine and Milton Lloyd McKaig, the great great grandson of Wilbert John McKaig, the great great great grand son of James Edward McKaig, the great great great geat grandson of Hugh McKaig Jr. and the great great great great great grandson of Hugh McKaig Sr. And he is one heck of a hockey player!
- Obituary for Irah McKaig (21 KB)
The obituary for Irah McKaig. It certainly shows how one couple can create an entire branch of a family. Hopefully this web site or some other form of the family research contained in it will survive for future descendants.
- Les Isaac (23 KB)
Les Isaac son of John G. Alan Isaac and grandson of Charles Isaac. Served in the Signal Corps of the British Army during the WW II. He was an excellent artist.
- Genevieve (Richie) McKaig (58 KB)
Genevieve (Richie) McKaig on Morninton Avenue.
- Majestic Hotel (30 KB)
The Majestic Hotel in St. Annes Lancashire where my grandfather Chef Crewe ruled the roost in the 1930's.
- Les Isaac cartoonist (27 KB)
The following is the article that accompanied the cartoon. "For the time being the caricatures which have been a regular and attractive feature of our columns must come to an end. The artist, Mr Leslie Isaac, goes this week into the Royal Corps of Signals, and so we introduce him personally to our readers with this self-portrait. May it not be long before he returns to capture more 'victims'. Mr Isaac's work as a cartoonist has caused great interest among readers of the 'Streatham News', and we have been proud to publish his work. His likenesses have been remarkable, and his ability as an artist exceptional. His knowledge of his subjects and the little humourous touches added to the sketches have always caused amusement. Mr Isaac joined the Streatham Stretcher Party at the outbreak of war as a voluntary worker, but has been on full-time service since the beginning of the blitz in September 1940. This work should be a good preparation for his life in the Army, and we wish him the best of luck."
- Russ McKaig after a great day of hunting (445 KB)
This is a photo of Russ McKaig taken about fifty years ago. Russ is the son of Russell William McKaig, the grandson of William James McKaig and the great grandson of Hugh McKaig Sr. which is probably the fewest number of generations between a living McKaig and the first McKaig to arrive in Canda. Also, Russ may currently be the oldest living McKaig. He was quite an athelete as a young man and held several records for long distance swimming. Russ even played hockey into his seventies. He was also an avid outdoorsman as the photo attests. He is married to Dorothy Smith and has three children and five grand children. Russ has a large library of well read books and huge collection of music. In addition to all this, Russ keeps busy in his workshop building handmade putters, each one unique and a work of artistry.
- Joanne Smith (53 KB)
Joanne Smith, the daughter of James Peter Smith and therefore the grand-daughter of James Lemuel Smith with her husband Mel Palmer.
- William Dales and Diannah Hunter-Hotham (889 KB)
William Dales and Diannah Hunter-Hotham born in Yorkshire UK and emigrated to Canada in 1835 with their family. They settled in Ontario, King Township on Weston Rd. near Kettleby. They are the progenitors of numerous branches of the Dales family.
- Elizabeth Weaver (264 KB)
Elizabeth was the youngest daughter of John Weaver (Jr) and Hilah Walker. She was born circa 1841 in Beverly Twp, Ont. and died in 1929 in Manitoba. She married Robert Murray Sr. in 1860, and moved to Manitoba in the early 1880's. We believe that this picture was taken before they moved to Manitoba, and copies may have been given to her siblings. Who knows, someone else may have a copy of this picture, and wonder who it is. Thanks to Marilyn Zimberg for the photo.
- Justin Clark (34 KB)
Justin Clark was the husband of Mary Anne Smith the daughter of James Lemuel Smith. She was known as "Aunt Mae" by the family. Justin "Nig" Clarke was born in Amherstburg, Ontario on December 15, 1882. He developed his catching skills at Assumption College before playing with Corsicana of the Texas League for whom in 1902 he hit eight home runs in one game, a record in professional baseball which still stands.
From 1902 to 1925, Justin Clarke played, coached or managed professional baseball except for service in the U.S. Marines in France in 1917-18. His nine-year major league batting average was .254. In 1906, he was second in the majors, he tied George Stone of the St. Louis Browns for the American League batting title with a mark of .358 but was deprived of a share of the title because he only took part in 57 games due to an injury. Justin Clarke was a pioneer in the use of shin guards for catchers.
- Attestation papers James P. Smith (46 KB)
Papers signed by inductees during World War I
- World War I attestation papers of Russell McKaig (78 KB)
Attestation papers of Russell W. McKaig for service overseas.
- Charlotte and Harvey McKaig (40 KB)
Wilbert Harvey McKaig and Charlotte Elizabeth Chatfield, parents of thirteen children, hard to think of having a family that large today!
- Jane Copeland (30 KB)
Jane Copeland the wife of Hugh McKaig (Jr.). Born in 1847 she lived to be 93. She and her husband are the ancestors of a large branch of the McKaig family many who still live in South Western Ontario. Jane was born and raised on a farm near Merrickville Ontario and there were Copelands in that area at the time of the 1881 census but how they relate to Jane is unknown.
- St. Thomas Church Shanty Bay (125 KB)
St. Thomas Church Shanty Bay. This Church is where James Wilson and his wife Jane Anne Woodward are buried. They were both born in Ontario, were Church of England and their daughter Ester Miles Wilson married William James Dales. The 1901 census shows Jane Ann Dales living in Crown Hill which is a few miles north of Shanty Bay. The family home must have been there. They had five other daughters and one son. Currently we can't locate any living Wilsons who are related. The church is unique in that it is built of rammed earth. Basically mud was mixed with straw and then trampled by oxen. This was then formed into blocks and then used to build the walls of the church. There is a beautiful organ in the church. Regardless if one is related or not to the Wilsons or Dales this church is worth a visit. It is easily reached by exiting #11 highway north of Barrie. Just watch out for the sign for the historical plaque.
- James, MaryAnne, Charles, Almeda, Laura, Gertrude (404 KB)
The man standing on the left is James P. Smith, the man on the right of him is William P. Smith, the woman in the middle standing is Mary Anne Smith (Aunt Mae), the man standing on the right is Charles Thomas Smith, the woman on the left seated is your grandmother Almeda Smith, the woman in the middle seated is Laura Smith, and the woman on the right seated is Gertrude L. Smith. All children of James Lemuel Smith and Augusta Thrasher except Laura who is their grandchild.
- John Wilbert McKaig (12 KB)
John Wilbert McKaig
- Joseph Lazarus and Hyla Jane Smith headstone (34 KB)
Headstone of Joseph Lazarus and Hyla Jane Smith. Hyla Jane was the daughter of Adam Smith and Martha Weaver. Martha was the daughter of (Hyla Walker) Weaver.
- Woodward Smith (24 KB)
Woody
- Jane Smith also known as Hyla (361 KB)
Jane (Hyla) Smith daughter of Adam and Martha Smith. The following appeared in a local paper when she was 88.
"Today, at 88, she sits back and considers her life in retrospect, 65 years of which have been spent in her present home. Born in Brant County about 10 miles from Brantford, she attended a small frame school, learned the rudiments of readin' 'ritin' and 'rithmetic, and graduated at 13. With her family, she moved to Sandwich and shortly after, to Oxley, where her father was proprietor of an hotel. The hotel business in those days wasn't what it is today. Customers were lacking, and the family returned to Sandwich. This time her father ran a donkey bus from Sandwich to Amherstburg.
At 22, she married Joseph Lazarus, and the young couple set up home. Life was no cinch for a young bride in those days. Each day had its fresh duties, The roads were mud to a depth of one foot. Water was delivered daily in barrels, for which the cost was ten cents, so that the family might wash its dishes and clothing. In the summer months there were quilts blocks to be made for the winter, soap to be made at home , cakes to be baked, gardens to tend, children to guide.
MORE WORK IN THE WINTER
When winter began the duties were doubled. Sausages were made, bread was baked, meats were smoked, fish salted down, hazelnuts to be stored, butter and apple butter to be prepared, rag rugs to be woven, fancy work to be acomplished, lamps to trim , pumps to thaw out , house cleaning to be accomplished, clothes to be mended, and at the same time , the bride was expected to keep her hair curled and her appearance fresh and neat.
As Mrs. Lazarus herself describes her life "We didn't run to the store for every little thing........"
- James Edward McKaig (28 KB)
James Edward McKaig, the son of Hugh McKaig and Jane Copeland, he was born in 1864 in Montague Township, County Lanark, Ontario. The family moved to Kent County. James lived and worked in Sault St. Marie for a while but finally move back to Southern Ontario where he worked as a shipper for Imperial Oil. He and his wife Mary Jane Harris had nine children, once again expanding the McKaig clan in Ontario.
- John and Harriet Banker (26 KB)
John and Harriet Banker, the parents of Elizabeth Banker who married Robert Dales.
- Mum and Dave (75 KB)
Mrs. Yvette Kelly with her youngest son, David. this picture was taken on the back porch on Rankin Ave.
- Hily (Walker) Weaver (340 KB)
Hily (Walker) Weaver who was married to John Weaver and who had a daughter named Martha who it appears is the Martha Weaver who married Adam Smith.
- The Dales Boys (27 KB)
Sons of William James Dales
- Florence Daisy Jenkins (92 KB)
Florence Daisy Jenkins as a young woman.
- Geoff, Dave and Paul Kelly (345 KB)
Geoff, Dave and Paul Kelly, the three sons of Norman and Yvette Kelly. This picture taken about 1959 in Algonquin Park.
- William Hudgins 1788-1871 (60 KB)
Dr. Paul Cole kindly sent me this photo of William Hudgins Jr. who is my wife's gggg grandfather. William Hudgins Sr. his father served for the crown during the Rebellion in the colonies in 1776. He was granted land in New Brunswick but finally moved to Ontario. A more complete version of his story may be found in the surname section of this page.
- Mrs Dunning and her three sons. (441 KB)
Margaret Louisa Mary Dunning (nee Field) born 17th Sept. 1887 Ireland died 1982 Australia.
Mrs. Dunning was the governess at the Duke of York Military School. Norman Kelly's mother had died when he was four years old and his father placed him in the school. Mrs Dunning was a surrogate mother to him. His gratitiude for her kindness was without limits. Her eldest son Geoffrey was tragically killed at the Battle of Arnhem during the Second World War. An event that deeply upset my father. After the war, when I was born, my father named me after Geoffrey Dunning, something I have always been proud of.
Through the magic and power of the internet I have been contacted by the grand nephew of Mrs. Dunning, David Hall. According to Mr. Hall the boy on the left is Geoffrey, Stanley is in the middle and Jim is on the right. Jim is still hale and hearty living in Australia.
- Michael Podolsky and Almeda McKaig (39 KB)
This is the wedding picture of Michael Podolsky and Almeda McKaig. They made a beautiful couple. Their children are Susan and Elaine.
- McKaig/McInnes family circa 1895 (84 KB)
This photo was sent to me by Susan (Podolsky)Duxter. Susan and her sister Elaine are the grandaughters of Russell William McKaig who is the baby on the left on his mother's knee.
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