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Cemetery in Coleman, Alberta

Cemetery in Coleman, Alberta

Posted: 31 May 2008 10:34PM GMT
Classification: Query
I will be visiting the Coleman, Alberta Cemetery (I believe it is Bellevue Cemetery) week of 10 June 2008. If any one would like me to look up anyone and take picture of marker, please let me know.

Re: Cemetery in Coleman, Alberta

Posted: 1 Jun 2008 2:36PM GMT
Classification: Query
Hello

I grew up on Coleman and many of my relatives are buried in the cemeteries there. Coleman has two cemeteries which are very close to each other.

As you come through Coleman on Highway 3 from the east (heading towards the BC border) you go past a 7 /11 store. You will take your 3rd right turn after the 7 / 11 store (it will be the right turn at the bottom of a small hill). Follow this road up towards the hills and you will drive right into the first cemetery, which is the Catholic one. From the Catholic cemetery there is a road up into the other cemetery which is interdenominational.

If you are coming from the west on Highway 3 (coming from BC and heading towards Lethbridge) you will come to the old Catholic Church and hall on the right side of the Highway. You will take your first left turn after the church, before you go up the small hill. Follow this road up to the cemetery.

The Crowsnest Pass is made up of four small towns - Coleman, Blairmore, Belleveue and Frank. Each has its own cemetery(s) with Frank sharing the one with Bellevue. There is also a small cemetery near a ghost town named Lille. This cemetery is largely overgrown and the stones are illegible.

The listings for burials in the Crowsnest Pass that are on the AFHS site are all recorded as being in the Bellevue cemetery, which is just not true. I have in the past phoned the municipality office to verify dates, plots, etc and in my experience their records are less than accurate.

If you have any difficulties try the Coleman Museum, they may be able to find other information for you.

Best of luck

Thelma

Re: Cemetery in Coleman, Alberta

Posted: 1 Jun 2008 5:38PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you for the info. I was there last year and was so very surprised that the Catholic Church is no longer a church. I finally managed to find the cemetery and am grateful for your directions as I will probably forget how I did it last time. Also I did visit the Coleman Museum and they knew my Uncle Ferucio DeCecco. The lady there was going to look up his Obit for me but unfortunately I couldn't return to pick it up because my Mother was ailing and I had to return home. She died July 20 last year. My Uncle Ferucio lived in the first house on right as you come into Coleman from the west. I did find his grave along with my Grandmother. However, I have one grave my Grandfather that I could not find and will have to go to the city hall to locate him. (That's if he was interred there. Again, thank you for the E-Mail and info.

Re: Cemetery in Coleman, Alberta

Posted: 2 Jun 2008 1:40PM GMT
Classification: Query
Hello

If I am not mistaken I believe that your uncle used to own a small convenience grocery store just across the highway from his house (in an old church - United or Anglican, I believe). We used to stop in there daily on the way to and from school. My mother stills lives in the Pass and her family have been there since 1909. If there are any questions you have let me know and I can ask her. My aunt is quite involved in the Coleman museum as well.

There are some graves in the cemetery which no longer have markers. My great grandfather (buried in 1916) is one of those. He is listed on his wife's headstone but he was actually buried elsewhere in the cemetery. My mother remembers visiting his grave as a small girl but there are about 6 unmarked graves in a row, so she is unsure which one is his. The municipal office has no records about those graves. Perhaps the church records would be more helpful but the church has become very difficult to deal with lately (selling three churches in the Pass, moving records, etc.)

Enjoy your visit

Thelma

Re: Cemetery in Coleman, Alberta

Posted: 2 Jun 2008 3:10PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thanks Thelma. Yes you are right. I believe it was his parents that actually owned the store. The last time I was in Coleman before 2007, was 1964 and that was for the funeral of Ferucio's wife my Auntie Annie. At that time it was a very active little city. When I saw it in 2007, I was really kind of in shock. But, time does that. Again, thank you for your help and information.

Re: Cemetery in Coleman, Alberta

Posted: 3 Oct 2008 9:19PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: watson
hi thelma, my name is linda.you mentioned your mother has lived in coleman area for a long time.i wonder if she has any knowledge of my g grandfather arthur watson and his wife elizabeth jackson watson.i know they first lived in bellevue.arthur first came to crowsnest in early 1900/s from england without his family.he worked in the mines tunneling i think they called it.later he went back to get his family and after the mine explosion 1914 i believe he moved elsewhere then back to england returning with all their children in 1919.he lived there the rest of his life and is buried there.his children were arthur 1900-1977,ralph 1902-mary watson clarke married to a gerald clarke,lillian watson,nora watson,bob watson,bejamin watson my grandfather,i wonder if you might ask her if she remembers any of them.what i am wondering is there was also elijah "efy"watson married to a mary londot i think alijah may of been my g grandfather arthurs brother,but am unsure thanks very much linda

Re: Cemetery in Coleman, Alberta

Posted: 3 Oct 2008 10:32PM GMT
Classification: Query
Hello


I will talk to my mom later this weekend but in the meantime here is some information about Arthur Watson and his family (click on the links to read family biographies)(there is information on the first page about Algy Watson - it doesn't state that there was a connection between him and Arthur)

http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/loc_hist/page.aspx?id=3560303

http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/loc_hist/page.aspx?id=3560303

Here is Arthur's obit (two of them)

The Lethbridge Herald, page 3, Nov 30, 1934
Death Removes Bellevue Man
CALLED BY DEATH (From Our own correspondent) Arthur Watson, Veteran of the South African War, Succumbs
BELLEVUE, Nov. 30 There passed away here this week at his home Arthur Watson, senior, after a short illness. Mr. Watson had not been well for some time, but had been able to follow his occupation as watchman for the West Canadian Collieries. On Thursday last Mr Watson had to quit his work and go to bed. from which he never got up again. Mr. Watson had been in the district for the past 30 years and had worked in all the towns of the Pass as a rock miner. The late Mr Watson was a veteran of the South African war. After the war Mr Watson remained in Cape Town for several years coming to Alberta shortly after leaving Cape Town. He had been in the Pass almost all the time since. He lived in Hillcrest for some time and then moved to Bellevue where he had resided with his family since. Mr. Watson was a member of the Bellevue branch of the B E S.L., and the Bellevue Miners' association are in charge of the funeral arrangements. Mr. Watson leaves to mourn his passing his widow in town, four sons, Arthur of California, Ralph of Corbin, B.C., Ben of Bellevue, and one younger son, also of Bellevue, besides three daughters, all of Bellevue. The people of Bellevue extend to the family their sympathy in their sad bereavement.


The Lethbridge Herald, page 3, Dec 3, 1934
Pass Old Timer Is Laid To Rest
Arthur Watson, Football Player of Old Days, Buried (From Our Own Correspondent)
BELLEVUE, Dec. 1. The remains the late Arthur Watson, who passed away here this week very suddenly, were laid to rest at the Hillcrest cemetery, the Rev. Upton officiating. The members of the B E.S.L. accompanied by the Ladies' Auxiliary paraded to the home of their late comrade and accompanied the remains to the United church .There an impressive funeral service was conducted by Mr. Upton. There was a large number of the old timers of the Pass towns at the church service. After the service at the church was concluded the procession again formed up with the returned men heading the parade which moved to the Hillcrest Cemetery where the remains were committed to the grave by the Rev. Upton. The remains were laid to rest beside a life- time friend who predeceased him some time ago. Mr. Watson was one of the best known men in the Pass among the old timers, having been a football player in the early days of the Pass. Mr. Watson had been a resident for over a quarter of a century. Mr. Watson leaves to mourn his passing his widow, in town; four sons, one in California, Arthur, Ralph of Corbin, Ben of Bellevue, and Bobby of Bellevue, and three daughters, Miss Mary, Miss Lily and Miss Anora, The people of the Crow's Nest district extend their sympathies to the Watson family in their sad bereavement.

Here is the obit for Elizabeth Watson

The Lethbridge Herald page 18 Oct 5, 1944
Mrs. E. Watson Of Coleman Called
(From Our Own Correspondent) COLEMAN The death occurred at Coleman Miners hospital on Saturday afternoon of Mrs. Elizabeth Watson, 62. Deceased had heen ailing for some time. Funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon from St. Alton's church Rev W E. Brown conducting the service. Interment was in Coleman Union cemetery. Surviving are sons, Arthur, Ralph, Benny, and daughters Mrs. G. Clarke, Mrs. Prowse. and Mrs. J. Houghton. Her husband predeceased her In 1935.


Here is an obit for Elijah Watson (Algy) - it lists a brother Arthur Digby Watson who survived him in Hope, BC. So unless Elijah had two brothers named Arthur it looks like there is no direct family connection.


The Lethbridge Herald, page 13, Oct 18, 1957
Retired Mine Worker Dies BELLEVUE - (CNP Bureau) - Elijah Watson, well known Bellevue oldtimer, died in the Crow's Nest Pass Municipal Hospital Wednesday evening following a long period of ill-health. Mr. Watson, 69, was born in Kimberworth, Rotherham, England, on December 4, 1888. He came to Canada at the age of 15 settling in Bellevue where he has lived for the past 53 years. He began working as a construction worker for the West Canadian Collieries in Bellevue at the age of 16 and later went to work inside the mine as a haulage worker where he remained until three years ago when he retired on a miner's welfare pension. During World War One he served for six months with the Canadian Army in Canada. He was a member of the Bellevue branch of the Canadian Legion and of the Bellevue local of the UMWA. He was of the Protestant faith. He was predeceased by a son William in Bellevue in 1936. Surviving him are his wife Mary Catherine Watson of Bellevue, two daughters Lydia, Mrs. E. Huml of Blairmore, Mary, Mrs. F. Paskuski of Edson, one brother Arthur Digby Watson of Hope, B.C., and by a sister and other relatives in England. Funeral services will be held in Bellevue and interment will be made in the Bellevue cemetery. Date for the funeral has not as yet been set.

Here is a link to Algy Watson's military papers from WW1 - he lists his brother Arthur as living in Fort Macleod.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-119....

Arthur Digby Watson died in BC as follows

Vital Event Death Registration

Name: Arthur Digby Watson

Event Date: 1980 8 25 (Yr/Mo/Day)
Age: 79
Gender: male
Event Place: Kamloops

Reg. Number: 1980-09-013229
B.C. Archives Microfilm Number: B13605
GSU Microfilm Number: 2051481

I might get down there for Thanksgiving - if so and the weather cooperates I will see if I can find graves for the family and take some pictures.

Hope this helps

Thelma

Re: Cemetery in Coleman, Alberta

Posted: 3 Oct 2008 10:45PM GMT
Classification: Query
Hello again

here is an obit for Mary Watson Clarke

The Lethbridge Herald, Oct 24, 1983 page 2

CLARKE (Watson) Mary Elizabeth of Coleman, beloved wife of the late Gerald Clarke, passed away in a Calgary Hospital, October 21st, 1983 at age 67 years. Mrs. Clarke was born in Calow, Derbyshire, England, June llth, 1916 and came to Canada in 1918 and lived in Hillcrest and Maple Leaf prior to her marriage. She came to Coleman in 1935 and had resided here since. Mary was a Past President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Coleman Legion. She was predeceased by her husband, Gerald in Coleman in August 1977; her parents, mother, Elizabeth in Coleman, father, Arthur in Bellevue; one grandson, Richard Allan Gettman in Coleman in 1958; three brothers, Arthur, Ralph and Ben Watson. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Geraldine and Albert Gettman of Coleman; one brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Rose Watson of Fernie, B.C.; two sisters, Nora Houghton of Prince George, B.C., Lillian Manwaring of Sonora, California; and three grandchildren. Funeral Service was conducted in Fantin's Coleman Funeral Chapel, Monday, October 24th at 2 p.m. Rev. D. Browne officiated. Interment followed in Coleman Union Cemetery. FANTIN'S CHAPELS LTD., were in charge of arrangements. No Flowers by request. Donations "In Memory of Mary E. Clarke" will be gratefully accepted for the Canadian Heart Fund, care of Flora Mickels, Blairmore

Thelma

Re: Cemetery in Coleman, Alberta

Posted: 4 Oct 2008 12:06AM GMT
Classification: Query
hi thema thankyou so much for that info.i will pass it on to my mother.yes you are right i dont think the alijah was related i guess cause of the arthur,connection is where i was confused.i might mention that my grandfather ben at some point came back to coleman with his family cause my mother shirley jean nee watson, her sister geraldine,and brother gary went to school in coleman,i believe in the 40's as she and her sister teenagers and went the high school,there.bens wife my grandmother was isabelle hardy watson.maybe your mother will remember something of them.anyways thanks very much for your time and information -linda

Re: Cemetery in Coleman, Alberta

Posted: 4 Oct 2008 4:39AM GMT
Classification: Query
Hi Linda

If your mother was in Coleman then she might remember my mother or her sisters. They were all born and went to school in Coleman. My mom is Patsy Kilgannon, and her sisters are June, Sharon, Michelle, Kathy and Francie.

My mom was born in 1939 and her sister June in 1938 (they were the two oldest of the family) so they might be a bit younger than your mother.

Small world.

Thelma
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