(with recent clarification from the 1921 census.)
James Thomas Forsyth was the lightkeeper at Race Rocks from February 1, 1919 to December 10,1932 -. James was born November 16, 1870 in Halifax,NS. and died December 10.1932 in Victoria. He was married to Ellen Josephine. They had a daughter named Evelyn Alberta, who married Henry I. Mackenzie who filled in as temporary keeper for a year when James Forsyth died.
(Ed note: The 1921 census provides the name Ellen Josephine Forsyth (age 47) born in 1874 as the spouse, She came from Nova Scotia, Canada, nationality Canadian and “race French” and her father and mother were born in Nova Scotia.Thomas’s father was born in England, his mother in Canada, but his race is listed as Scotch! Thomas had a light keeper’s salary of $700.00 per year. Also the daughter Evelyn Alberta Forsythe age18 (was born in the USA in about 1903).
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. .Any help locating the family of Evelyn and Henry would be greatly appreciated.“
This daughter Evelyn Alberta lived at the lightstations and on Nov 24, 1931 married Henry Ives MacKenzie who served as light keeper for a short time.
| 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 |
| 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.
Kathlene’s son David Hutton, now living in Aldergrove has helped to fill in this family history The lightkeeper James T. Forsyth had three sisters, Kate (b.1873), and Annie and Jennie. |
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 |
| 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. |
| 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 | |
| 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. |
| 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 |