Re: Family of James Franks, b. 1818, Nova Scotia
-
In reply to:
Re: Family of James Franks, b. 1818, Nova Scotia
Susan Durling 2/26/12
Melissa's father, James is the furthest I've been able to trace this family. I stopped researching when I couldn't seem to get anywhere. It has been a long time since I was doing this research, so I had to do some digging. Here's what I have:
Melissa's marriage document lists her parents as James and Maria Franks. You can see this document at: https://www.novascotiagenealogy.com/
(search for last name "Franks" and you will find the appropriate document under marriages, you will find her sister Eudovilla's marriage on there as well).
Cemetery records from Fairview cemetery in Lawrencetown list James and Maria's birth and death dates. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nsannapo/cemeteries/lawrencetown_fairview.htmlhttp://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nsannapo/cemeteries/lawrencetown_fairview.html
Cemetery records from Whitman Cemetery in South Williamston show Melissa's date of death (#63) (also her sister Agatha who died at age 3 - #62). http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nsannapo/cemeteries/swilliamston_whitman.htmlhttp://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nsannapo/cemeteries/swilliamston_whitman.html
Interesting tidbits:
The 1871 census says that James is of English descent and that he is a "house joiner"
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/census-1871/001101-119.02-e.php?person_id_nbr=1994351&interval=20&i=pdf&PHPSESSID=rggfiqvhque48srlcufdteof87http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/census-1871/001101-119.02-e.php?person_id_nbr=1994351&interval=20&i=pdf&PHPSESSID=rggfiqvhque48srlcufdteof87
The 1881 census says that James is of German descent and that he is a farmer. It also says that his religion is "free thinker". My wife finds that particularly amusing!
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/e/e325/e008121184.pdfhttp://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/e/e325/e008121184.pdf
My wife's uncle still operates the farm on the same land and lives in the original house that James was supposed to have built. James was also instrumental in building the original school in Lawrencetown.
That is basically all I know. My wife's uncle (also named James) loves to talk history and might be able to give you more information (although not necessarily verifiable). If you email me ([email protected]) I can send you his phone number.