52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 51 (GOOD DEEDS)
I grew up hearing about how my great grandparents came to Canada from Scotland as newlyweds. They bought a house in Calgary, Alberta that they left in the care of tenants when they went back to Scotland to have their first child.
Their daughter was born in May of 1914.
World War 1 broke out shortly thereafter, and the family stayed in Scotland until the war was over.
After the war they returned to Calgary, and moved back into their home that had been cared for by the tenants for the duration of the war.
This week I looked at records to see if I could figure out how much of this story was fact or lore.
I know both of their children were born in Scotland via records in Scotland.
Great Grandpa Thomas was in the Scottish Army - there are records.
The war ended in 1918, but the family didn't return until 1920.
I found the documentation for their departure from Glasgow on October 1st 1920, and arriving in Canada on October 11th 1920.
The first question I had was why they hadn't returned to Canada earlier.
I couldn't find the address enumerated in the 1916 census so can't confirm there was anyone living in the house at that time.
I know I was browsing the right documents because the same neighbours were there for the 1921 census with grandma and her family.
In thinking about GOOD DEEDS I began thinking about this tale.
I can't confirm they were actually living there, but I do know my great grandparents left in late 1913 or early 1914, and the house was still standing when they returned in 1920.
Looking through today's lens of how the world operates the tenants did a very good deed in caring for the house in Calgary for about 7 years.
I was left wondering if the good deeds of the past could even exist in today's world.
I think the odds are low the house would still be standing, and ready for them to move back into if the same scenario were to occur today.
My great grandparents with their 2 daughters lived at 923 5th Street Northwest, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Thomas Thomson
Birth 10 MAY 1880 • North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland
Death 19 NOV 1940 • Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada
&
Elizabeth Young Slicer
Birth 4 AUG 1882 • North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland
Death 24 JUN 1958 • Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
When you spend hours searching, but are left with more questions than answers!!!
This is why I search -
Cause ...
You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!
***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***
Photos:
Personal
Links:
Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks/
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