James Thomas Forsyth and Ellen:
Lightkeepers at Race Rocks
| James Thomas Forsyth was the lightkeeper at Race Rocks from February 1, 1919 to December 10,1932 -. If anyone has any further information on Mr.Forsyth, we would be interested in adding it here. |
| James was born November 16, 1870 in Halifax,NS. and died December 10.1932 in Victoria. He was married to Ellen J. They had a daughter named Evelyn, who married Henry I. Mackenzie who filled in as temporary keeper for a year when James Forsyth died. James had three sisters, Kate(b.1873), and Annie and Jennie.
Kate married Henry Jennings who was in the military and fought in the Boer war.
They lived in various countries and had four sons. Cecil, (a reporter for a Vancouver newspaper), Reg, Jim and Harry who was born in Jamaica.
Harry married Violet (Collet sp.?) and their only daughter was Kathlene ( still alive in Ontario in 2012, age 92)
Kathlene’s son David Hutton, now living in Aldergrove has helped to fill in this family history |
On January 9, 2011: Research with the assistance of a genealogist, Sharen Haggarty, from Calgary showed several records in the Canadian Census records of 1891,1911 and 1916, so the following possibilities arise as we attempt to construct this family tree .Any help locating the Forsyth family for contact greatly appreciated.
| Name |
year |
Location |
Age |
yr.Born |
loc..born |
religion |
employ |
| James Forsyth |
1891 census |
Victoria |
21 |
1870 |
|
unitarian |
waiter |
| James Forsyth |
1932,Dec 10 died |
Victoria |
62 |
1870 |
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| THE PROBLEM EVELYN ! |
| In January of 2011, I received an e-mail from Bob MacDonald , formerly a fisheries officer, of DFO, Victoria.
” I was a Fishery Officer, Victoria Office, 1986 to 2009. During that time, I came into possession of a bible that was given to a person “Evelyn” at Egg Island on Aug.12, 1910. I believe Forsyth, James Thomas, was the keeper at the time and later at Race Rocks? Evelyn may have been the wife or daughter or just a visitor to Egg Island. Rev. M. Gibson presented this bible to her. I have tried searching everything I can for information to return this bible to the family. Not even sure they want it, but I love history of all kinds, but in particular Canadian local stuff. The things we find in our travels, some, way off the beaten path turn up amazing stuff.
Bob MacDonald |
| We are not sure if any of the Evelyns lsited below are the right one. Any further information would be appreciated. |
| Evelyn |
1911 census |
Moose Jaw |
9 mo. |
1910 |
daughter of Arthur Forsyth,. She could have been adopted later to James and Ellen?? |
|
| Evelyn |
1911 |
Nova Scotia
(Kings ) |
1 |
Sept
1909 |
recorded here as the granddaughter of James and Malinda (German, 56yrs) Forsyth. This James was born in 1839 so was 71 in 1911. Her brother Edgar (29) and Corrie (26) are also recorded here. |
Scottish Baptist |
| Evelyn |
1916 census |
Yorkton Sask. |
6 |
1910 |
daughter of Arthur Forsyth (age 29) mother was Eva , two bros.Gordon and Harold |
English Presbyterian |
| Evelyn |
1916 census |
Winnipeg Man. |
7 |
|
daughter of James Forsyth., mother shown as Mabel with a brother George. |
Anglican |
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So far there is still a question in determining which was the Evelyn which lived at the lightstations and who married Henry MacKenzie who served as light keeper for a short time. |
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| Name |
year |
Location |
Age |
yr.Born |
loc born |
rel |
employ |
| Henry MacKenzie |
Census 1916
|
Battle River Alberta |
27 |
1884 |
Nova Scotia |
|
boarder
blacksmith |
| Henry Ives MacKenzie |
Death record July2, 1947 |
Victoria |
63 |
1884 |
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Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image File
The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. 