There is always a risk when doing family history research that you might be the one who finds the skeletons in the closet or things that aren't pleasant. This happened to me when I was researching my Bowie line at the Archives in Halifax.
Johanna, the wife to James and the mother of 9 children died in November of 1892 which meant that the two youngest girls were only 1 year old and 10 years old. They were sent to an orphange called St Joseph's. One of the archivists found a record of Mary and Agnes receiving their First Communion and their confirmation at the orphange.
I often wondered why John George left Halifax at such a young age (14). I suppose that things at home weren't great- his mother died, his youngest brother had died 5 years before his mother. His father remarried. There was a whole world out there, why not?
William's youngest daughter Frances's daughter Ella was married and died four days after giving birth. Francis and her husband raised the baby as her own. I am sad to think that the family was not able to step in and help. What about the step mom? I wonder if this mystery can be solved? That's one of the hooks when doing family history- figuring out what really happened and why.
I often wondered why John George left Halifax at such a young age (14). I suppose that things at home weren't great- his mother died, his youngest brother had died 5 years before his mother. His father remarried. There was a whole world out there, why not?
William's youngest daughter Frances's daughter Ella was married and died four days after giving birth. Francis and her husband raised the baby as her own. I am sad to think that the family was not able to step in and help. What about the step mom? I wonder if this mystery can be solved? That's one of the hooks when doing family history- figuring out what really happened and why.
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