I remember as a student waaaaaay back in the day, there was
a common thread in all of my teachers’ notes to me: SHOW YOUR WORK. I had a
tendency to jump from beginning to end without sharing how I got there. Today,
as a tribute to all my frustrated former teachers, I am going to show my work.
Are you ready to jump down the rabbit hole?
First, a word to the wise: When doing genealogy research do not
trust other peoples’ findings. All those lovely family trees online are great
to look at, but the lack of evidence provided can be astounding. Assume they
are wrong. They may be right, but unless they have evidence, use it as a
suggestion, and do your own research to see if it is correct. I tend to find
multiple trees with the exact same information. In these circumstances I think
it is highly likely that the people building these trees are adding information
from someone else’s tree without discretion and it just keeps getting copied
and passed along. Even on primary sources the information could be wrong. On
one record (not related to the family I am discussing today) a daughter-in-law
wrote down the incorrect names of her husbands’ parents. It led to some faulty
research and only later was I able to figure out by finding multiple documents
relating to these people that she must have given the wrong information, or the
person filling out the form misunderstood her and wrote it down wrong. When I am researching I choose to filter out
family trees so that they don’t show up in my searches. Only if I am stuck, do
I look at them but then I do my own research of the people in their tree to see
if I can confirm their information.
It is similar with history books. To err is human and history
books are not exempt. You must look for corroborating evidence and when there
is conflicting evidence don’t try to make it fit. Be clear and open about the
discrepancies. Follow where they lead. You may have multiple families with many
similar names and birth dates within each family all living in the same
geographical area and they may not be the same people. However, you may have
just found cousins. This is not an exact science. You need to be okay with
unanswered questions. That just means you have more you can research!
I’ve written about my
Marshall line in Nova Scotia previously, and will pick up with Enoch Marshall
today, to show how I researched primary sources to corroborate information from
a secondary source.
I found the information in the book History of Annapolis which
has a detailed genealogy of the Marshall line. Since we already have proof that
Enoch Marshall is my 4th Great Grandfather, that his wife was Jane
Hanspiker (various spellings) and that he was born about 1807, we pick up on
page 545 of this book which states the following:
Ø
Enoch’s parents are David Marshall, b. September
17, 1780, and Elizabeth Beardsley.
Ø
David and Elizabeth were married August 23, 1806
Ø
David and Elizabeth lived near Port Lorne (which
is in Annapolis County, NS)
Ø
David and Elizabeth’s children are: 1)Enoch, b. 1807, m. Jane Hanselpicker ;
2)Beverly Robinson, b. 1809, m. Susan Messenger; 3) Ebenezer Robbins, b. 1811,
d. unm.; 4) Wellington, b. 1813, m. Hannah Bolsor; 5)Mary, b. 1815, m. Samuel
Foster, jun.; 6)Elizabeth, b. 1817, m. VanBuren Foster; 7)David, b. 1819, d.
unm.; 8)Lavinia, b. 1821, m. Joseph, son of Thomas Durland; 9)Sarah Ann,
b.1822, m. Warren, son of Benjamin foster; 10)Olivia, b.1824, m. Henry O.
Dalton; 11)Ebenezer, b.1825, m. Barbara Ann Grant; 12)Isaac William, b. 1828,
m. Frances Easson.
My first step was to look for primary sources for David and
Elizabeth. Whenever I need to look for records for people in Nova Scotia, the
first online resource I turn to is novascotiagenealogy.com (Nova Scotia
Historical Vital Statistics). I have found it incredibly helpful in my
research. I have also bought records from this site. They are reasonably priced
and are available to download as soon as you purchase them. I found death
registrations for both a David Marshall and an Elizabeth Marshall.
What we learn from David Marshall’s Death Registration:
Ø
Name: David Marshall
Ø
Marital status: Widower
Ø
Age 88 (therefore b. abt. 1788)
Ø
Where born: Paradise (which is in Annapolis
County, NS)
Ø
Parents: Isaac Robins Marshall (I think there
may be missing information in the crease of the page between Isaac and Robins)
Ø
Father’s
occupation: Farmer
Ø
Date of death: February 20, 1876
Ø
Place of death: Port Williams
Ø
Cause of Death: old age
Ø
Informant: David F. Milberry
Ø
Registered at Port Williams
Ø
Deputy Registrar: James P. Porter
From David Marshall’s death registration we find
corroborating evidence for:
1.
Name: Both sources have his name as David
Marshall.
2.
Location: History of Annapolis states they
“lived near Port Lorne”. David’s death registration says he was born in
Paradise, which is in Annapolis County, and he died in Port Williams, both of
which are near Port Lorne.
3.
Shared family names: On his death registration
David’s parents’ names are listed as Isaac Robins Marshall. Isaac and Robins
are names that we find in the list of David and Elizabeth’s children (Ebenezer
Robbins and Isaac William, as well possibly Beverly Robinson).
4.
The informant for David’s death is David F.
Milberry. In previous research I had added two men by this name to my family
tree based on sources from History of Annapolis, The Genealogies of the Chute
Family in America, Massachusetts Vital and Town Records, Wilmot and Aylesford:
Trinity Anglican Parish Register, 1871 Census, 1881 Census, 1891 Census, 1911
Census and novascotiagenelogy.com (death registration). One is David F.
Millbury (1810-), husband of Lucy Marshall, who is the daughter of Elisha
Marshall and Cynthia Marshall. Cynthia Marshall is the daughter of Isaac
Marshall and Mary Robbins, therefore, Cynthia is David’s sister. The other is
David Fletcher Milbery (1836-1931), son of David F. Millbury and Lucy Marshall.
Therefore, both are relatives of David Marshall.
Discrepancies: None besides slight variations of names which
is common and slight variations of locations, however they were in very close
proximity.
What we learn from Elizabeth Beardsley’s Death Registration:
Ø
Name: Elizabeth Marshall
Ø
Age: 81 (therefore b. abt. 1786)
Ø
Marital status: Married
Ø
Where born: Wilmot
Ø
Parents: Beverly R & Sarah Beardsley
Ø
Date of death: August 17, 1867
Ø
Place of death: Port Williams
Ø
Cause of death: old age
Ø
Informant: David Marshall
Ø
Registered: August 30, 1867
Ø
Deputy Registrar: James P. Porter
From Elizabeth Marshall’s death registration we find
corroborating evidence for:
1.
Name: Her married name on her death registration
is Elizabeth Marshall, but it also tells us her parents’ names so we know her
maiden name was Beardsley, which matches the information in History of
Annapolis.
2.
Marital status: Elizabeth’s date of death is
before David Marshall’s and the informant’s name on the record is David
Marshall. Although it doesn’t state the relationship, it is a strong
possibility that this would be her husband or her son, either way it lines up
with the information in History of Annapolis.
3.
Location: History of Annapolis has them living
“near Port Lorne” and her death registration tells us she was born in Wilmot
and died in Port Williams, both of which are near Port Lorne.
4.
Shared family name: Elizabeth’s father’s name on
her death registration is Beverly, and in History of Annapolis, one of David
and Elizabeth’s sons is named Beverly Robinson.
Discrepancies: NIL
I was unable to find a Marriage Registration confirming that
their marriage date was August 23, 1806, however, we have confirmed Enoch was
born about 1807 in Port Lorne, so it is likely they would have married prior to
then. So, we know we are on the right track in that regard as well.
Since I was unsuccessful in finding a marriage record for
them, my next step was to look for them living together in the census returns.
On the 1827 census for Wilmot, Annapolis County, NS there is
a David Marshall. There were 5 males and 6 females living there, for a total
number of 11 people. His occupation was Agriculture and his religion was
Baptist. This confirms there was a David Marshall, he had a family, and was living
in Wilmot, Annapolis County.
On the 1838 census for Wilmot, Annapolis County, NS there is
a David and Elizabeth Marshall, occupation: Farmer, 1 male under 6, 1 male
under 14, 1 female under 14, 1 male over 14, 1 female over 14 and the total
number in the family is 8. There are also other Marshalls, both are immediate
neighbours on either side of David and Elizabeth: Robertson and Susan Marshall,
1 female under 6, total in family is 3; and William and Mary Marshall, 3
females under 6, 1 female under 14, 1 male over 14, 2 females over 14, total number in family is
8. This confirms that there was a David and Elizabeth Marshall who were married
and living in the correct geographical location to be our David Marshall and
Elizabeth Beardsley. It is highly likely that this is the same David Marshall from
the 1827 census for Wilmot and it would appear that 3 children have moved out
since the 1827 census. We can confirm that Enoch is one of the 3 who have left
because he shows up on the same 1838 census as living with his wife, Jane, and 4
children.
On the 1861 census for Annapolis County, NS there is a David
Marshall. Unfortunately, on this census the wives are not listed, but we do
know there was 1 male and 2 females; a total of 3 in the family. Given how many
years have passed it would make sense that their children would not be living
with them by this time. The female that is unaccounted for may be an adult,
unmarried daughter. Since Elizabeth died in 1867 we know that David and
Elizabeth will not show up together on any future census records. So I turned
my attention to finding records for their children.
First, I decided to do a search for the children (besides
Enoch since we already found him) who would be old enough to be out on their
own in the 1838 census returns on novascotia.ca. Below are the possible matches.
Ø
Wilmot, Annapolis County: Robertson and Susan
Marshall, occ: Farmer, 1 female under 6, total number in family: 3 (Could be a
possible match for Beverly Robinson Marshall. Lives next door to David and
Elizabeth Marshall, and is on same page as Enoch and Jane Marshall)
Ø
Granville, Annapolis County: Samuel Foster, occ:
Farmer, 1 male under 6, 1 female under 6, 1 male under 14, 3 males above 14, 4
females above 14, total in family: 11
Ø
Granville, Annapolis County: Samuel Foster, occ:
Farmer, 1 male under 6, 2 females under 6, 1 female above 14, total number in
family: 5 (neighbours of above Samuel, and John VB Foster lives in between
them)
Ø
Wilmot, Annapolis County: John V.B. Foster, occ:
Farmer, 1 male under 6, 1 female above 14, total in family: (page is creased,
couldn’t read total number)
Ø
Wilmot, Annapolis County: Isaac and Frances
Marshall, occ: Farmer, 4 males under 6, total number in family: 6
Then I started a methodical search of Enoch’s siblings and
their wives on ancestry.ca and novascotiagenealogy.com to see: a) are there
records to corroborate the information from History of Annapolis; b) can we
confirm any of the families listed on the 1838 census. I had no luck finding
Beverly Robinson, b. 1809, m. Susan Messenger; Ebenezer Robbins, b. 1811, d.
unm.; or Wellington, b. 1813, m. Hannah Bolsor. However, when searching for
Ebenezer, b. 1811, I found a marriage registration for an Ebenezer Marshall and
a Barbara Grant, so I jumped to Ebenezer, b. 1825, m. Barbara Ann Grant. One
problem: this Ebenezer is a son of Enoch, not a brother, and he was born about
1841, not 1825. The information on the marriage registration is as follows:
Ø
Groom: Ebenezer Marshall
Ø
Age: 24
Ø
Marital status: Bachelor
Ø
Occupation: Farmer
Ø
Where born: Wilmot
Ø
Residence: Wilmot
Ø
Parents: Enoch Marshall, father
Ø
Bride: Barbara Grant
Ø
Age: 18
Ø
Marital status: Spinster
Ø
Where born:
Annapolis
Ø
Residence:
Annapolis
Ø
Parents: John Grant, Farmer;
Ø
Witnesses: John Grant and KC Ruggles
Ø
Clergyman: Rev. WG Parker
Ø
Date: February 5, 1865
Ø
Location: Annapolis County, NS
In further searches
to see if there was another couple by the same names, I did not find anything
to suggest that was the case. I did,
however, find multiple census records confirming this couple: 1871, 1881, 1891
and 1911. As well, the 1891 Census also confirmed that Barbara’s middle name
begins with an A. This leads me to believe History of Annapolis may be
incorrect in regards to this information.
Continuing in my search of the children listed as David and
Elizabeth’s in History of Annapolis, I looked for Mary, b. 1815, m. Samuel
Foster. I found a Mary Foster in the 1891 census for Hampton, Annapolis County,
NS. She is 75 (which would mean she was born about 1816), widowed, and listed
as mother-in-law. The other members of the household are Israel Munro, 57;
Lydia Munro, 58; and Emma Munro, 21. So I now needed to find documentation that
Lydia is Mary’s daughter. I searched for her on novascotiagenealogy.com and
found a death registration:
Ø
Place of death: County: Annapolis, Municipality:
Annapolis, City or Town: Hampton, NS
Ø
Name of deceased: Lydia Munroe
Ø
Residence: Hampton, Nova Scotia
Ø
Marital status: Widow
Ø
Birthplace: Nova Scotia
Ø
Date of birth: date crossed out
Ø
Age: 87 years, 5 months
Ø
Name of father: Samuel Foster
Ø
Birthplace of father: Nova Scotia
Ø
Maiden name of mother: Mary Marshall
Ø
Birthplace of mother: Nova Scotia
Ø
Informant’s name: Muriel Farnsworth
Ø
Address of informant: Hampton, NS
Ø
Relationship to deceased: Daughter
Ø
Place of burial: Hampton Cemetery
Ø
Date of burial: Mar 29, 1920
Ø
Undertaker: Henry B. Hicks, Bridgetown, Nova
Scotia
Ø
Date of death: March 27, 1920
Ø
Cause of death: paralysis of throat
Ø
Duration: 5 days
Although this information doesn’t help us confirm that Mary
is David Marshall and Elizabeth Beardsley’s daughter, it does confirm that
Lydia’s maiden name is Marshall, and her parents are Samuel Foster and Mary
Marshall.
I continued to search for records based on the list of David
and Elizabeth’s children in History of Annapolis. The next person on the list
was Elizabeth, b. 1817, m. VanBuren Foster. I found records for Elizabeth
Marshall, b. 1817, m. VanBuren Foster. Unfortunately none of the records
confirmed the names of Elizabeth’s parents, however, it is promising that the
records confirmed she was married to VanBuren Foster, was born about the right
time, and lived in the right place (Annapolis County). The first search
produced a photo of the headstone for the grave of “Elizabeth wife of John VB
Foster”. She died October 19, 1888, at the age of 71. The second was an image
of a headstone for the grave of “John V.B. Foster”. He died June 5, 1913 at the
age of 102 and 4 months. I then searched on novascotiagenealogy.com for the corresponding
death registrations. I didn’t find one for Elizabeth, but I did find one for
John VB Foster:
Ø
Foster, John VB
Ø
Died June 5, 1913
Ø
Age: 102
Ø
Cause: old age
Ø
Residence: Karsdale, Lower Granville, NS
Ø
Occupation: Farmer
Ø
Marital status: Widowed
Ø
Born: Hampton, NS
Ø
Person making return: David M Foster
Ø
Date of return: June 7, 1913
I then searched for David M Marshall to see if I could
confirm he is their son and found a marriage registration and a death registration. On the marriage record David’s parents are
listed as John TB (Farmer) & Elizabeth. John was living in Karsdale, Annapolis
County at the time of his marriage (January 27, 1875). He was 25, a Seaman and
he married Mary Jane Baxter. On the death record David’s parents are listed as
John V Foster, b. Hampton & Elizabeth Marshall, b. Clarence. He died
September 27, 1931 at home in Karsdale, Annapolis County. Although there are slight
variations of the places, names, etc., they are close enough for me to
confidently say these are the correct people.
I didn’t find any records for David, b. 1819, d. unm.
Next I search for Lavinia Marshall, b. 1821, m. Joseph, son
of Thomas Durland. I found census records to support History of Annapolis’
assertion that Lavinia Marshall, b. 1821, married Joseph Durland. On the 1871 census
the surname is spelled Durland, but on the 1881 and 1891 census returns it is
spelled Durling. On the 1871 census they have a daughter, Matilda Durland, 17
years old. In searching for her under that name I had no luck, but then I
searched for Matilda Durling and found both a marriage registration and a death
registration. Her marriage record has her parents listed as Joseph and Lavinia,
and her death registration lists them as Joseph Durling, b. W. Dalhousie and
Lavinia Marshall, b. Bridgetown. Therefore, we can confidently say this is the
correct Matilda, and that the Lavinia on the census records and her daughter’s
marriage record is Lavinia Marshall, my 5th great aunt. So, although
we don’t have confirmation that Lavinia is the daughter of David Marshall and
Elizabeth Beardsley, she is in the right location at the right time. As well, the
data collected on the 1891 census does tell us that both sets of parents were
born in Nova Scotia, and referring back to David and Elizabeth’s death records,
we know both of them were born in Nova Scotia.
I didn’t find any records for Sarah Ann, b. 1822, m. warren,
son of Thomas Foster.
I then searched for Olivia, b. 1824, m. Henry O. Dalton. I
didn’t find a birth, marriage or death record for her, however, I found an Olivia
married to a Henry O. Dalton on the 1871 census for Clarence, Annapolis County:
Ø
Dalton, Henry O, M(ale), 60, b. NS, Ch. Of Eng.,
English, House Joiner, M(arried)
Ø
“ , Olivia, F(emale), 46, “ , C. Baptist,
English, M
Ø
“ , Tobias, M, 24, “ , C. “, Seaman
Ø
“ , Hermin C, M, 21, “ , “, Seaman
Ø
“ , Morris, M, 20, “ , “, Seaman
Ø
“ , A Elbzina, F, 17, “ , “
Ø
“ , Elizabeth, F, 15, “ , “
Ø
“ , Allice, F, 13, “ , “
Ø
“ , Allvin, M, 5, “, “
She shows up again on the 1881 census for Clarence,
Annapolis County, NS:
Ø
Dalton, Henry, M, 66, b. NS, Rel: -----, English,
House Joiner, M
Ø
“ , Olevia, F, 54, “ , Baptist, “
Ø
“ , Maurice, M, 28, “ , “, “, Carpenter
Ø
“ , Alice, F, 22, “, “, “
Ø
“ , Henry E, M, 14, “ , “ , “
She then shows up again on the 1901 census, but this time
she’s living with her son and his family in Lansdowne Ward, St. John, New
Brunswick:
Ø
Dalton, Elvian H, M, W(hite), Head, M(arried),
b. 22 June 1868, 32, b. NS, Eng, Bapt, Carpenter
Ø
“ , Bertha M, F, W, Wife, M, b. 12 Sept 1869,
31, b. NB, “ , “
Ø
“ , Martha R, F, W, Daughter, S(ingle), b. 8
Sept 1893, 7, “ , “
Ø
“ , William H, M, W, Son, S, b. 10 May 1895, 5,
“ , “
Ø
“ , Mable L., F, W, Daughter, S, b. 16 July
1897, 3, “ , “
Ø
“ , Kenneth A, M, W, Son, b. 19 Oct 1899, 1, “ ,
“
Ø
“ , Olevia, F, W, Mother, W(idowed), b. 29 Dec
1825, 75, b. NS, “ , “
Ø
“ ,
Hernon C, M, W, Brother, W, b. Feb 1851, 50, “ , “ , “
Given the information provided here, even with the
discrepancies/variations of names, I can safely surmise that this is Olivia
Marshall. With that being said, I still want to find more concrete information
to confirm. So, I started to search for records for their children. I found the
marriage registration for their daughter, “Allice”, dated July 8, 1882 in
Annapolis County. She was 24, therefore born about 1858, which matches the 1871
census. Her name is spelled Alice A Dalton, however, names are often misspelled
on census returns which would explain the extra L in Allice. It states she was
born in Shelburne and lived in Port Lorne, and that her parents are Henry and
Olivia. I also found a marriage registration for an Ebzina Olivia Dalton, 21 in
1875, Port Williams, and her parents are listed as Henry O. & Olivia. Her
father’s occupation is listed as House Joiner, which is the same occupation
listed for him on the 1871 and 1881 census returns. We can now safely say these
are the same people. Once again, we don’t have a confirmed tie to David
Marshall and Elizabeth Beardsley, however, Olivia did exist, was born about
1824 and married Henry O. Dalton. We’ve at least confirmed that part of the
information in History of Annapolis is correct using primary sources.
So last up: Isaac William Marshall, b. 1828, m. Frances
Easson. I quickly found a death registration for him. This was the best record
I have found! It has both of his parents’ names listed, firmly connecting him
as the son of a David and Elizabeth Marshall.
Ø
Registration Year: 1866 (Book: 1801, Pg:13,
No.22)
Ø
Location: Annapolis, Annapolis County, NS
Ø
Name: Isaac W. Marshall
Ø
Sex: Male
Ø
Age: 59
Ø
Marital status: M
Ø
Where born: Wilmot
Ø
Parents names: David Marshall & Elizabeth
Marshall
Ø
Father’s occupation: Farmer
Ø
Date of death: December 6, 1866
Ø
Place of death: Port Williams
Ø
Certified cause of death: Consumption
Ø
Signature of informant: Frances Marshall
Ø
Date registered: December 25, 1866
Ø
Deputy Registrar: James P. Foster
Corroborating Evidence:
1.
His name in History of Annapolis is Isaac
William; his name on his death registration is Isaac W.
2.
His parents’ names in the History of Annapolis
are David Marshall and Elizabeth Beardsley; their names on his death
registration are David & Elizabeth Marshall (her married name).
3.
According to History of Annapolis his wife’s
name is Frances Easson, and the informant on the death registration is Frances
Marshall, which would have been her married name.
Discrepancies:
1.
History of Annapolis has his year of birth as
1828; the information on the death registration would mean his year of birth is
about 1807.
Since his first name and middle initial, his parents married
names, his wife’s first name and the geographical location all match, I am
inclined to believe these two Isaac’s are the same person. However, considering
the huge discrepancy in birth year, that isn’t enough. So, I needed to do
further research on Isaac. If we refer back to the 1838 census from earlier,
there was an Isaac and Frances Marshall in Wilmot County. According to that
record Isaac is a farmer and has 4 boys under the age of 6. If his birth year
is 1807, this would line up, as it would put his kids’ years of birth between
1832 and 1838, making him about 25 to 31 years old, which would fit for the age
of young children. Obviously, if his year of birth is 1828 there is no way this
could be him. I also found an Isaac Marshall on the 1861 census for Annapolis
County. There were 4 males and 2 females, with a total of 6 people in the
family. It also states there were no children under 1 year of age. Without his
wife’s name, we cannot confirm it is him, however, given the location and time,
it is likely.
I also found a death registration for a Frances Marshall on
novascotiagenealogy.com:
Ø
Name: Frances Marshall
Ø
Died: December 5, 1909
Ø
Age: 89
Ø
Residence: Port Lorne, Annapolis County, NS
Ø
Cause: old age
Ø
Physician: Dr. LR Morse
Ø
Undertaker: JH Hicks & Sons
Ø
Buried: Port Lorne
Ø
Person making return: JH Hicks & Son
Ø
Date of return: Dec 7, 1909
Ø
Remarks: Ralph J Shaffner, Lawrencetown
This would mean she
was born about 1820. If she is the Frances Marshall on the 1838 census, she
would have been 18 years old, which would mean she was between 12 and 18 when
she had her kids. This, of course, is assuming the 4 boys under 6 on the census
are Isaac and Frances’ children.
In further searching for Frances, a 1901 census showed up as
the first potential match on ancestry.ca. Right away the information seemed to
be a good fit:
Ø
Marshall, Albert, M(ale), W(hite), Head, M(arried),
b. 10 March 1861, 40, b. NS, English, Canadian, Baptist, Farmer
Ø
“ Satira, F(emale), W, Wife, M, b. 10 Dec 1858, 42,
“ , “ , “ , “
Ø
“ D Emma,F,W, Daughter, S, b. 30 June 1888, 12,
“ , “ , “ , “
Ø
“ Percy, M, W, Son, S, b. 14 June 1895, 5, “ , “
, “ , “
Ø
“ Francis, F, W, Mother, W(idowed), 10 Sepr 1820, 80, “ , “ , “ , “
The
information about Frances on this census lines up with the Frances on the death
registration:
Ø
Name: Frances/Francis (slight spelling
difference is not uncommon)
Ø
Year of birth: About 1820/September 10, 1820
Ø
Province of birth: Nova Scotia
The next
step is to find out more about Albert. What I most want to know is his father’s
name, so I searched for a marriage or death record. I found a marriage
registration on novascotiagenealogy.com which provided the following
information:
Ø
Grooms’ Name: Albert E. Marshall
Ø
Groom’s Age: 20
Ø
Groom’s Marital status: Bachelor
Ø
Groom’s Occupation: Farmer
Ø
Groom’s Born: Arlington
Ø
Groom’s Residence: Arlington
Ø
Groom’s Parents: Isaac & Frances
Ø
Groom’s Father’s occupation: Blacksmith
Ø
Bride’s Name: Satira M. Banks
Ø
Bride’s Age: 21
Ø
Bride’s Marital status: Spinster
Ø
Bride’s Born: Havelock
Ø
Bride’s Residence: Havelock
Ø
Bride’s Parents: Charles & Sarah
Ø
Bride’s Father’s occupation: Farmer
Ø
Date of Marriage: April 15, 1880
Ø
Place of Marriage: Port Lorne, Annapolis County,
NS
Ø
Witnesses: Eliza J Blackney & Idella
Marshall
Ø
Clergy: Rev. JE Blakney
Corroborating
Evidence:
1.
Name of parents
Discrepancies:
1. Father’s
occupation. According to the 1838 census he was a Farmer, on son’s marriage
registration his occupation is listed as Blacksmith
Then I found
a death registration for an Albert Ernest Marshall:
Ø
Name: Albert Ernest Marshall
Ø
Date of death: September 11, 1950
Ø
Age at death: 89 years
Ø
Place of death: Soldiers Memorial Hospital,
Middleton, Annapolis County, NS
Ø
Residence at time of death: Mount Rose, NS
Ø
Spouse: Jeanie Troop
Ø
Parents: William Marshall, b. Port Lorne &
Francis Easson, b. Annapolis Royal
Ø
Informant: Percy Marshall, res: Paradise,
relation: Son
Ø
Burial: September 14, 1950, Port Lorne, NS
Corroborating
Evidence:
1.
Name: Albert E (marriage registration), Albert
Ernest (death registration)
2.
The surname of Albert’s father matches
(Marshall)
3.
The first name of Albert’s mother matches
(Frances/Francis)
Discrepancies:
1.
Spouse’s name: Census and marriage registration
confirms Satira as his wife, the death registration has a Jeanie Troop as his
wife
2.
The name of Albert’s father on his death
registration is not Isaac, it is William. However, William is Isaac’s middle
name, so he could go by his middle name
3.
Residence: the place of birth & residence on
the marriage registration is Arlington, the residence on the death registration
is Mount Rose. However, this doesn’t concern me too much given the close
proximity of the two places.
Now we need
to research some more to see if the Albert who married Satira Banks is the same
Albert who married Jeanie Troop by searching for: A) a death record for Satira;
and B) a marriage record for Jeanie. I found both.
Information
on the death registration:
Ø
Name: Syteria Marshall
Ø
Marital status: Married
Ø Date
of death: December 6, 1925
Ø Place
of death: Annapolis County, NS
Ø Residence
at time of death: Port Lorne
Ø Cause
of death: Broncho. Pneumonia
Ø Age
at time of death: 66 yrs, 11 mths, 26 days
Ø Occupation:
Housewife
Ø Born:
December 10, 1858
Ø Place
of birth: Annapolis County
Ø Parents:
Charles Banks, b. Annapolis County & Sara Anne MacKenzie, b. Annapolis
County
Ø Informant:
Albert Marshall, address: Port Lorne, relation: husband
Ø
Buried: December 9, 1925, Port Lorne Cemetery
Information on the marriage registration:
Ø
Groom: Albert Marshall
Ø Occupation:
illegible, possibly carpenter
Ø Marital
status: Widower
Ø Religion:
Baptist
Ø Residence:
Port Lorne, NS, Annapolis County
Ø Born:
Port Lorne, NS, Annapolis County
Ø Parents:
Isaac Marshall, b. Port Lorne, NS & Frances Easton
Ø Bride:
Eugenie Troop
Ø Occupation:
Domestic at Home
Ø Marital
status: Spinster
Ø Age:
45
Ø Religion:
United Church of Canada
Ø Residence:
Belleisle, Annapolis County, NS
Ø Born:
Belleisle, Annapolis County, NS
Ø Parents:
Eugene Troop, b.Belleisle, NS & Menetta Bent
Ø Date
of marriage: April 14, 1927
Ø
Place of marriage: Bridgetown, NS
Corroborating Evidence between Albert & Satira’s marriage and
Satira’s death registration:
1.
First name: Satira/Syteria – close enough to
conclude Syteria is a misspelling
2.
Surname: Banks – Satira’s surname on marriage
registration is Banks, and her father’s name on her death registration is Banks
3.
Groom’s name on Satira’s death registration is
Albert E. Marshall and husband’s name on her death registration is Albert
Marshall
4.
Satira’s age on her marriage registration to
Albert is 21, making her approximate year of birth 1859, which is really close
to the date of birth on both her death registration and the 1901 census, which
are both an exact match: December 10, 1858
Discrepancies:
1.
Satira’s place of birth on the marriage
registration to Albert is Havelock and her place of birth on her death
registration is Annapolis County.
2.
Satira’s residence on the marriage registration
to Albert is Havelock and her residence on her death registration is Port Lorne
Corroborating Evidence between Albert & Satira’s marriage and
Albert’s death registration:
1.
His name on the marriage registration is Albert
E. Marshall and his name on his death registration is Albert Ernest Marshall
2.
He is 20 yrs old on the marriage registration,
therefore his approximate year of birth would be 1860, and his DOB on his death
registration is March 25, 1861
3.
Both records state that Albert’s occupation is
Farmer
Discrepancies:
1.
Albert’s place of birth on the marriage
registration to Satira is Arlington, and on his death registration his place of
birth is Port Lorne
2.
Albert’s residence on the marriage registration
to Satira is Arlington, and on his death registration his place of birth is
Mount Rose, NS
3.
The name of his father on the marriage registration
is Isaac Marshall and the name of his father on his death registration is
William Marshall
4.
The name of his mother on the marriage
registration is Frances and the name of his mother on his death registration is
Francis Easson
*Discrepancy #3: It is likely that Isaac went by his middle name,
William, which is why it is listed as such on this record.
*Discrepancy #4: This is likely a discovery, not a discrepancy. Easson
is probably his mother’s maiden name.
Corroborating Evidence between Albert & Eugenie’s marriage and
Albert’s death registration:
1.
Albert’s name on the marriage registration is
Albert Marshall and on his death registration it is Albert Ernest Marshall
Discrepancies:
1.
Albert’s DOB on his death registration is March
25, 1861 and his age on his marriage registration to Eugenie Troop is 63,
therefore his approximate year of birth would be 1864.
2.
Albert’s father’s name on his death registration
is William Marshall and on his marriage registration to Eugenie Troop it is
Isaac Marshall.
3.
Albert’s mother’s name on his death registration
is Francis Easson and on his marriage registration it is Frances Easton
4.
Albert’s wife’s name on his death registration
is Jeanie Troop and on the marriage registration her name is Eugenie Troop
Discrepancy #2: Same as Discrepancy #5 above: It is likely that Isaac
went by his middle name, William, which is why it is listed as such on this
record.
Discrepancy #3: As with Discrepancy #4 above: this is likely her
maiden name, and although it is different from Discrepancy #4, it is close
enough to conclude there is a misspelling, and her maiden name is Easson,
Easton or a close variation.
Discrepancy #4: Jeanie is probably a nickname that Eugenie went by; therefore,
Jeanie and Eugenie is most likely the same person.
Although there are some discrepancies between documents, taking all of
the information into consideration, it is highly probable that the Albert
Marshall who married Satira M. Banks is the same Albert Marshall who married
Eugenie Troop.
Clear as mud?
I know this was a long one, but I wanted you to see the process from my
first finding of a secondary source to then searching through records to see if
that information can be corroborated with primary sources. There is a lack of
evidence from the records I found to unequivocally say that the children listed
as David Marshall and Elizabeth Beardsley’s in History of Annapolis are correct.
Having said that, we do know Isaac’s parents’ names are David and Elizabeth
Marshall. I would obviously feel more confident had I found a record confirming
Elizabeth’s maiden name, but this does seem like a likely match. Also, based on
the overwhelming amount of evidence of all these people being in the same
place, at the same time and that the information regarding the children’s
marriages are correct, I think that it is possible that the bulk of the
information provided in History of Annapolis is correct. That being said, I
think that the information in History of Annapolis about Ebenezer Marshall, who
was born 1825 and married Barbara Ann Grant, is incorrect. I don’t think he is David
Marshall and Elizabeth Beardsley’s child. I think it is a mistake, and is most
likely referring to Enoch Marshall and Jane Hanspiker’s son, who was born about
1841 in Wilmot, Annapolis County and married Barbara Ann Grant, daughter of
John Grant. Do not take this as fact, this is what I believe at this time based
on the information I found. That could change with future research. Stranger
things have happened. And if you find information confirming or denying any of
the information I have detailed here, I would love to hear it!
