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Jessie - William Byas Irvine's daughter

Jessie - William Byas Irvine's daughter

Posted: 7 Jun 1999 12:00PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 24 Jun 2001 8:53AM GMT
Surnames: Irvine
My great grandfather William Byas Irvine bn 1843, Kirkwall Orkney worked for HBC at Forts Simpson and Norman c1870-1910. He had a daughter, Jessie, with a native woman - born c 1875.
He married Margaret Catherine Pritchard who died in 1895 leaving him with 8 small children. Not being able to care for them, he took them to Halcro Sask and wife's parents.
At this point Jessie is no longer with the family.
What became of her?
Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

Re: Jessie - William Byas Irvine's daughter

Posted: 1 Apr 2004 5:38PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 17 Mar 2005 3:29AM GMT
Hello Patti,
I'm curious how you know that Jessie was the daughter of a "native woman", and, if you know that she was why is nothing known of her whereabouts?
I am..in fact..very curious! ---linda

Re: Jessie - William Byas Irvine's daughter

Patti Flynn Heimsness (View posts)
Posted: 2 Apr 2004 9:24AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Irvine Pritchard Matheson Ross
It was a well-known fact in the Irvine family that Jessie's Mother was Native North American. William lists himself as a "Widower" in the 1881 Census and Jessie is living with him as his daughter. Jessie was "Rubbed Out" on the only existing photo of the Irvines c1892, so it was apparently distressing to someone.

When William Irvine's wife (Margaret Catherine Pritchard) died c1896, he took their 8 children from Fort Norman down to Kinistino, Saskatchewan to be cared for by his In-laws; and Jessie did NOT accompany the other children. I thought she might have been either married off or perhaps sent to some religious order. (Just guesses.)

May I ask why you are wanting to know? Is this your family, too? Might you be related to the Campbells? If you ARE, I would likely have much information to share with you.

Patti

Re: Jessie - William Byas Irvine's daughter

Posted: 2 Apr 2004 6:44PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 17 Mar 2005 3:29AM GMT
Hello Patti,
Yes, I'm from the Campbell side. My mother is Grace...she passed away in 1985.
I love and respect very very much my Canadian relatives. It would be dificult for me to discuss personal family matters with a stranger unless I knew that you were family also.
Are you aware of the "inlaw" side of William's family?
My Mom and her siblings were very 'tight-lipped' about family geneology, altho some of my cousins may know more than they have ever shared with me. I personally have been very perceptive ALL my life tho and it breaks my heart to know that my Mother's heart was not free to soar like an Eagle every day of her life. That she had to guard a very personal side of her being due to prejudice. My Mother...of all people....and with me. aargh
But, I have never had to walk-the-walk or talk-the-talk like my relatives who live in Canada or the Pacific Northwest. But my ancestors, through my Mother, have made sure that I have been made to feel that I am part of it all in ways that have only been brought to my attention recently. Oh yes, I believe in the power of the Native Spirit...I've been touched by it all my life.
%^) well...so much for all that.
I would very much like to see the photo of the Irvine family!
And in return, I'll send you a photo of Jessie. She was very beautiful. And my Mother looked just like her.
----linda

Re: Jessie - William Byas Irvine's daughter

Posted: 8 Oct 2013 2:27PM GMT
Classification: Query
Is anyone on this thread still? I am also a descendant of William Irvine, and would love to see a picture of the family and Jessie.
Incidentally, we know that our ancestor wasn't william Byas, that's an erroneous connection.
Mary
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