Edmund James as a young man?

The photo above was in the family collection but nothing was written on the front or the back.  I believe it is Edmund James when he was a young man?  It was taken in Winnipeg at the Bryant’s Studio.  The Manitoba Historical Society website has a Manitoba Photographer’s Index and Bryant Studio’s is featured.  They operated in Winnipeg from 1904 to 1911.  I think this is James!

As I have mentioned Edmund James Boardman became a doctor and surgeon.  

The city directories for Winnipeg indicate that he was starting the journey about 1897.  He would have been 19 years old at that time.  The directories indicate that he was a student from 1897 to 1899.  About 1901 he took a job as a clerk for the Commercial Union Assurance Co.  and worked for them to about 1904.   He must have entered medical school in 1903 or 1904 for he is listed as a medical student to about 1908.  He continued to live at 573 Logan Ave. which was his parents home.   (Note:  city directories can be about a year off in their timing.)

Below is another photograph that I believe is Edmund James Boardman at graduation.  It has Bryant Studios stamped in the bottom right corner.  Unfortunately the photo is not identified.   At this time I have not had the time to investigate further if there are yearbooks for the students, a newsletter or more?

Graduation Photo of E. James Boardman?

Just recently I learned that Edmund James was in the Army Medical Services for Manitoba, perhaps that is what this uniform represents in the photograph below.   He is listed for several years and there is probably more.  When I am in Ontario in the Spring I will ask the Library and Archives if they recognize the uniform?  I have not found anything on him for WWI at this time, I did find his brother John and I have pictures of him in military uniform?   (Just click on the pictures and they will open in another window, then click the back button to return.)  It was taken at Bryant Studios.

Source:  Canadian Militia and Defence Forces Lists, 1832, 1863-1939, pg. 232, 238,245, 251 in Military District No. 10.  At Ancestry.com. 

• pg. 232 Military District No. 10, Boardman, E.J. April 2, 1907, Army Medical Services
• pg. 239 Field Ambulances No. XVI Headquarters Winnipeg, Man. Boardman, E.J. (lt. ) May 11, 1907 and for  Jan, 1908, and April 1908.

James in Military Uniform?

According to the city directories he was house surgeon for the Winnipeg General Hospital in 1908 and by 1909 he was listed as a physician.  This means he probably graduated about 1908.  It also means that he was very busy and he  jumped right into his new profession with the hospital and the military service. 

According to a newspaper article of 28 August 1908 in the Winnipeg Free Press, Dr. Boardman  conducted an autopsy and presented evidence. 

“The inquest into the death of John Joseph Nichols will be re-opened at the St. Boniface police court at 8 p.m. this evening when the evidence of Dr. E. J. Boardman, of Winnipeg, will be given with regard to the result of the autopsy conducted by him. Other evidence will also be presented. Dr. Boardman has made an examination of the brain of the deceased, which he found to be in a normal state, to-day he will examine the contents of the flask found in the dead man’s pocket.” Manitoba Free Press, Winnipeg “City and General.”

From 1909 to 1930 he is listed as a physician in the city directories for Winnipeg.  In the Manitoba Free Press he has frequent and continuous advertisements for his medical business at Logan Avenue. 

On January 12, 1909 the Winnipeg Free Press has a small article where Dr. E.J. Boardman appears. He is assisting a Mrs. Annie Lue after an accident.  Poor girl how did she survive after?

“Mrs. Annie Lue, of 439 Alfred Street, a starcher employed at the Winnipeg laundry, had her left hand severely crushed between two rollers yesterday afternoon. Dr. Boardman attended her and she was removed to the General hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate the hand at the middle…(apparently I missed the rest of the article which was a small amount).”

Dr. E. J. Boardman seemed to be involved with some interesting cases because on August 1, 1918 he is again in the newspaper regarding a death:

“Given Proper Care – That general peritonitis was the cause of the death of Mrs. Victoria Doty, Suite 2, Johnson Court, Sargent Avenue, was the conclusion reached by Dr. E. J. Boardman, who made the post-mortem. The inquest was held Tuesday night, and the evidence of two medical men and three nurses showed that everything possible had been done for Mrs. Doty under the circumstances. Evidence of the relatives suggested that there had been neglect on the part of the doctors and nurses, but it was shown that the doctor had attended the patient five times in one day.”

I wonder if he was involved with a great many more of these types of cases from 1908 to 1918?  

After that date, he took postgraduate studies specializing in urology.  He would have been 40 years old.

When I first started researching my great-uncle Edmund James Boardman, I struck out on compendiums for doctors both Canadian and US; however, time and the internet has opened many doors and just recently I started finding articles online at the Canadian Medical Association Journal written by Dr. E.J. Boardman and read by him. I took the chance and just put his name into the Google search engine and found several articles. 

The first to appear was an article dated 22 June 1922:  ”When to Operate on Renal Calculus.”  This article is online at the UK PubMedCentral, CMAJ JAMC 1922 October 12 (10) pg. 733-736 PMCID:PMC1706812.  I am sure there are more for my hubby is a doctor and he has written and presented papers and lectures at conferences and medical organizations. 

I have discovered that Edmund James Boardman was President of the Manitoba Medical Association in Winnipeg from 1928 to 1929.  

Source:  Manitoba Medicine (A Journal):  President of the Manitoba Medical Association 1928-1929, E.J. Boardman, Appendix 2 pg. 231.  pg. 485, Provincial Assoc. Notes Canadian Medical Journal 1928.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1709983/pdf/canmedaj00481-0008.pdf

“At the Annual Meeting of the Manitoba Medical Association: Dr. E. J. Boardman, of Winnipeg, was elected president. Dr. Boardman has had considerable experience in the work of the Manitoba Medical Association and will prove a most able presiding officer. The other officers for the coming year are: First vice-president, Dr. D. J. Fraser, Souris; second vice-president, Dr. W. L. Mann, Winnipeg; secretary, Dr. Bruce Chown; treasurer, Dr. D. C. Aikenhead. The last two were re-elected. Dr. J. S. Poole, Neepawa, and Dr. C. R. Rice, Winnipeg, were elected to the executive for the three-year term.

On February 17, 1928 he  read another paper he wrote before the Winnipeg Medical Society titled:

 ”An Address on Diverticulosis of the Urinary Bladder,”  by E.J. Boardman, M.D.

Source:  “An Address on Diverticulosis of the Urinary Bladder,” E.J. Boardman, February 17, 1928, Journal List, Canadian Medical Association. J.V. 18 (6); June 1928, pg. 661-665 (PMCID: PMC1709679).  Downloaded Dec. 26, 2011 from the PubMedCentral, CMAJ, JAMC.

In 1930 at the Luncheon for the Manitoba Medical Association Meeting on September 12th he gave a speech titled “The Municipal Doctor.” 

“At the luncheon on September 12th, Dr.Boardman delivered the presidential address, taking as his subject, “The municipal doctor”. This was an able bit of constructive criticism, and is of such importance that it is hoped to publish it in full shortly. Dr. Boardman made some suggestions, which he amplified upon, as a basis for discussion at the proposed conference. They are as follows:

1. That a minimum salary be set. In the matter of salary, he declared that setting a maximum salary, such as has been done in Saskatchewan, “would be pernicious “.

2. That the doctor be free to make the best ethical contract above the minimum for himself that is possible from year to year.

3. That the minimum salary be $3,000 annually, provided the municipality supply livery both winter and summer; without this that the minimum salary be $4,000.

4. That the municipal doctor, in every case and under all circumstances, be relieved from the collection of fees.

5. That the contract should provide for a minimum of two weeks’ holidays annually, with pay.

6. That a post-graduate course of a minimum of two weeks every four years be imperative, in addition to the two weeks’ holiday and also with pay.

Dr. Boardman’s suggestions will be handed to the new executive committee of the Medical Association for its consideration.”

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/…/canmedaj00085-0111.pdf,

Some how I feel I have only scratched the surface of the medical career of my great-uncle!

My Aunt Aileen was correct in her knowledge of her uncle.  I wonder if James and his wife Jesse, who was a nurse, influenced my mother Marjorie’s decision to become a nurse?  I do not know if my mother ever met them? The family had moved to Vancouver, B.C. by 1909 and she was born in 1911.  They left by 1917 for the U.S. while Edmund James stayed in Winnipeg.  I never thought to ask her! Sigh…!

The Manitoba Historical Society gives a description of what “RM Louise” refers to.  See the link below.  It is a rural municipality along the border between North Dakota and southern Manitoba. 

http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/municipalities/index.shtml

James Boardman & Baby?

Is this Jesse & Others?

Photos:  There was no writing identifying these photos but I believe the man above is Edmund James Boardman and the woman on the grass is Jesse his wife?  Compare these photos with others in this and the next post and see what you think?

James and Jesse had 3 children that I know about. 

1.  Alice Jean Halley Boardman was born June 6, 1909 and died 22 September 1988 in Winnipeg.  She married April 18, 1931 in Winnipeg to a Peter Duncan Campbell.  He died about 1956 in Winnipeg.  They had Gail, James (Perry Sound, Ontario), Bruce, Peter and Blair?  The information for Alice Jean was found in an obituary notice in the Winnipeg Free Press of September 24, 1988 for Jean Campbell, the Manitoba Vital Records online database and Canadian census.

2. Edmond J. Boardman was born February 28, 1911 and died 28th of December 1990 in Winnipeg.  He married a Norma Slater  whose birth is unknown.  She died 28 November 1989 in Winnipeg.  There was an infant that died 15 October 1940.  There other child’s name was Alexis (Allie) who married a John and had at least 2 children.  The infant is buried in the family plot in the Elmwood Cemetery.  Sources used were obituaries found on Edmund in the Dec 28, 1990 Winnipeg Free Press issue and his wife Norma in the Thursday Nov. 30, 1989 Winnipeg Free Press issue, the Vital Records for Manitoba online database and Canadian census.  His daughter wrote a loving tribute.

3. Betty’s birth and death are unknown at this time.  At the death of her brother’s wife Norma she was living in Toronto, Ontario (1989). She married a D. John Dalton and had at least one child named Sheri.   Betty’s information is from the obituaries of her sister and brother.

Jesse and her daughters?

Photo:  There was no writing on this photo but I believe it is Jesse with her daughters.  Jesse is on the left, then Betty with her daughter Sheri?  Alice Jean is probably the one on the right!

The 1911 Canadian Census for Edmund James Boardman for Winnipeg, Manitoba gives the following information:  

Line 36, [ ], 218, Boardman, Edmund, 563, M, Head, M, June 1878, 32, NB, English, Canadian, Anglican all except the lodger, Boardman, Jesse, F, wife, M, Oct. 1882, 28, Man, English, Canadian, Scotch. Boardman, Alice, F, daughter, S, June 1909, 1, Man. Boardman, Bomad 6/12, son S, Feb 1910 6/12, Man. Boardman, Charlotte, F, mother, W, Sept. 1852, 58, N.B. Scotish. [Peterson, Holly] F, Lodger, S, June 1892, 18, US, 1909 [ ] [Canadian] [ Scotch ] maid, 2/9/09/98. 

Source:  1911 Canadian Census, Winnipeg, Manitoba,  Dist#24, SubDist #51, p of habitation 563 Logan Ave, pg. 20, William Orr Mulligan enumerator, Ancestry.com. Note:  This census is very difficult to read the ink is thick and the page is faded.  

Jean, Ed and Jesse and unknown child

Of the four children only Edmund James Boardman, the oldest, remained in Winnipeg.  The other three emigrated to the United States at various times.  Robert (my grandfather) was the first to make the move followed by William (Willie), and then John.  Charlotte Anne (McMurray) Boardman, their mother, followed her children leaving Winnipeg and heading to Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Edmund Boardman died on the 18th of October 1908 and is buried in the family plot in Elmwood Cemetery in Winnipeg. 

Overview of Elmwood Cemetery

His death record  reads as follows obtained from the Manitoba Vital Records office:

Edmund Boardman died Oct. 28, 1908. He lived at 583 Logan Ave. He was 59 years old at death. Occupation was Coppersmith, religion Church of England born at [Lochester/Gochester/Rochester]. Cause of death cerebral hemorrhage. Name of Informant was Black Bros & Hughes, of Winnipeg.  Source:  Vital Statistic Agency, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Reg. No. 1908-06-003669, #652, October 28, 1908.

Edmund’s great grand-daughter, Marjorie wrote in her notes that he was born in Lancashire, England.  The death record of Edmund is almost impossible to interpret:  Does it say Rochester, Gochester, Lochester??? 

Edmund Boardman's Tombstone

I obtained Edmund’s death record from the Manitoba Vital Records Office in Winnipeg.  The handwriting on the death record was very difficult to read.  As you can see I cannot make out the place of birth.  It is either Lochester or maybe Gochester or even Rochester.  I consulted with the Family History Library volunteers and they think it reads Rochester.  Rochester is in Kent.  I have notes from my mother stating he came from Lancashire?  Now he was only about 4-5 years old when he immigrated to Canada so he might not have a clear picture of where he came from??

Edmund Boardman, died Oct. 28, 1908. Resided at 583 Logan Ave. Age 59 years old at death. Occupation was Coppersmith, religion Church of England born at [Lochester/Gochester/Rochester].  Cause of death cerebral hemorrhage. Name of Informant was Black Bros & Hughes, of Winnipeg.  #652, Reg. No. 1908-06-003669.

The Vital Statistics for Manitoba are online http://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/Query.php  I have the link under Blogroll at the right side bar of this blog. 

Edmund had a will but his estate was simple because he gave everything to Charlotte, his wife.  Sometimes estates are helpful in identifying heirs but in this case the wife is the only one mentioned.

WILL AND ESTATE FILE

 The estate file consisted of the following documents:

1.  Search for Caveat Dec. 2, 1908

2.  Affidavit for Proof of Death – Edmund Boardman, City of Winnipeg, Oct. 28, 1908 in the Eastern Judicial District value of estate $4040.00.  Last Will and testament done on 8 Sep. 1902. Signed by C.A. Boardman. 

3.  Affidavit Appointing Charlotte Ann Boardman as the widow and sole executor of the estate.  He died at [560] Logan Ave. in the City of Winnipeg.

4.  Value of the estate – $4040.00 Lot 12 in Block 40, cash is $40.00

5.  Last Will and Testament of Edmund Boardman in writing:

This is the last will and testament of me Edmund Boardman of the City of Winnipeg, Coppersmith. I hereby revoke all wills by me at anytime heretofore made. I hereby give devise and bequeath to my wife Charlotte Ann Boardman all my property real and personal whatsoever and wheresoever it may be. I hereby appoint my said wife Executrix of this my will. Signed published and declared by the said Edmund Boardman as and ____last will and testament at Winnipeg, Manitoba. This eighth day of Sept. A.D. 1902 (___) in the presence of us presented at the same time who have all the ____and in the presence of each of other and in the presence inscribed our names as witnesses. [        ] Signed by Edmund Boardman.

6.  Proof that this is the will of Edmund Boardman by C.A. Boardman.

7.  Horace Victor Hudson Affidavit of Proof of Will

8.  Proof of Will by C.A. Boardman – Charlotte Ann Boardman

9.  Notice of Application in the estate of Edmund Boardman, the granting of probate.

Source:  Edmund Boardman Estate File #5283, Surrogate Court, Eastern Judicial District, Manitoba, Canada, Index Vol. 2 FHL#1381814 (1884-1930); Estate File #5283, FHL#1411690 (Estate Files 5114-5284, 1908). 

I do not have many photographs of my great grandfather Edmund Boardman.  Here is one with him enjoying a happy time at home with his family.  Unfortunately I do not know where it was taken and which of the children it is he is sitting with.  Edmund James (1878) and my grandfather Robert (1881) were born in New Brunswick.  They would put dresses on baby boys for that was the custom at the time.  William (1885) and John (1886) were born in Winnipeg.   It is difficult to pin down the time frame.

Edmund and baby on stairs

Edmund and Charlotte Boardman/Bordman are still living in Winnipeg in the 1906 Canadian Census their name is spelled “Bordman.”  I have seen this spelling before.

Source:  Edmund Bordman Family, 1906 Canadian Census, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Sub-District Ward Five, 5D

Line 4, 152, Edmond Bordman, Male, Married, birthplace England, age 57, Immigrated 1855, logan 563, Charlott Bordman, wife, female, married, age 47 born NB, Edmond J. Bordman, son, male, single,  age 27 Born NB, Robert Bordman, son, male, single, age 24 born NB, [Vellon] H. Bordman, son, male, single, age 20 born Manitoba.  

1906 Edmond Bordman Family

It is interesting that Robert is listed here.  He is also listed living with the Richard Brown family in Winnipeg with his wife Ethel in 1906.  I described this in the post dated August 5, 2011 “Richard Brown After Emma!” These two individuals are my grandparents.  Here he is “single?”  William the younger brother is missing.  He would be about 21 years old.   

I do not know who Vellon H. Bordman is?  This is on the summary sheet that Ancestry has created and they interpret the name in this manner.  I believe it should be “John H.” the younger brother.  The age of 20 would match.  The first letter looks like a “J.” 

Like all family collections of photographs you have ones you can identify and ones think you understand or ones that are a total mystery! 

In the post dated:   September 28, 2011 “Richard Brown Dies – July 1922!”    I featured two photos.  One of Richard Brown from an obituary notice in the newspaper and a photograph of my grandmother Ethel with a man who closely resembled Richard in later years.  The fact she is laughing and beaming is very significant.  The familiarity of the older man with his arm around her planted a seed in me?  I really do believe it is Richard?

Tip:  To see more detail in the photographs below, click on the photo and it will open into a larger window.  Just remember to click your back button to return!

I featured this following photograph of my grandmother Ethel sitting on a lawn area in front of a house, she is on the left.  There is another lady and young boy.  At first I thought it might be my great-grandmother Emma (Ward) Brown on the who died in 1905?  The young boy’s age is confusing.  If he was one of Ethel’s brothers he would be about her age, not so small and young?  The other option is it could be Annie (Stobb) Brown, the older brother Charles’ first wife? I am not aware that Charles and Annie had any children.  She died 1907.   So who is the young boy?  The other possibility is that it is Eva (see last two photos in this post), Charles’ second wife so that means this photo is older than I think?  I am having trouble because my grandmother Ethel had left with her family and migrated to Vancouver, B.C. by around 1907, the year of Annie’s death.  She also looks too young? 

Ethel on the Lawn

Charles Ward Brown has been featured in past posts dated  June 20, 25, and July 10,  2011.  We know this photograph from the newspaper to be Charles Ward Brown. 

Obituary Photo - Charles W. Brown

This photo is in the collection and it is identified as “Charles” by handwriting that looks like my mother’s?

Charles with a dog!

Obituary Photo of Arthur W. Brown

In the following photograph Arthur is identified again, by handwriting on the back again it looks like my mother’s?  I am not entirely convinced and think it is Charles?

Arthur W. Brown Identified but maybe not?

The next photograph looks very much like the man above but he has a mustache?  It is not identified! However, in the last two photographs on this post Charles has a mustache!

Is this Arthur or Charles with a mustache?

Still another photograph that is not identified.  I am leaning toward Charles for the photo above and below?  I did feature this with Arthur in the posted dated September 15, 2011 but I am starting to think it is not him?

Again Is this Arthur or Charles?

 The next photograph is very difficult.  It could be Charles or it might be Arthur?  Again I think it is Charles?

Charles or Arthur?

Two men by a Tent?

Maybe Arthur?

Arthur or one of the sons of a Brown Brother?

The following two photos look like Charles and Arthur with their wives.  I think that one of the ladies is Teresa (on the right) who was Arthur’s wife.  This means the other lady would be Eva (in back), Charles’ second wife?  Charles is the man on the left and Arthur is between him and Teresa.  Take a close look at the photographs above, who has the mustache?  I think that Arthur had more hair and was darker in completion than his older brother Charles.  

The Brown Brothers & Wives?

The Brown Brothers!

It is fun to speculate and ponder old photographs.  Sometimes you get lucky and make a discovery.  The more you look at a photographs the more you recognize similarities in clothing and surroundings.  You can always change your mind as you contemplate the photos.  Just because someone writes something on the back does not mean they really knew.  My mother Marjorie (b. 1911) and her sister Aileen (b. 1908) were their nieces.  There families had moved to Vancouver, B.C. and eventually migrated to the U.S. by 1917.  The chances that they really knew them are very slim unless the Brown brothers visited?  The above two group photos would have to be dated after Annie’s death in 1907  but closer to 1914 when Arthur married Teresa? 

Comments are regarding these photographs are most welcome!

Brown Family Plot in St. John's Cemetery, Winnipeg

Richard and Emma Ward Brown are buried in the St. John’s Cemetery in Winnipeg.  Thanks to the assistance of Rick McLellan I have photographs of the tombstones and permission to share them.  Emma shares the stone with her husband Richard who would live another 17 years before he joins her. 

Emma Brown

On the side of the stone is the son Alvin Brown who did not survive. 

Alvin Brown 1891-1895

Alvin was only 3 years old at the time of his death.  Richard and Emma had 4 children that I am aware of: Charles 1875, Ethel 1881, Arthur 1883 and Alvin 1891.

Other side of Tombstone - Annie Brown and Arthur Brown

Annie is listed on this side of the stone at the top (see above photo).  She was Charles W. Brown’s first wife.  Arthur W. Brown is below her.  The base features Teresa Brown’s inscription, Arthur’s wife.

Arthur and Teresa Brown's epitaph

Unfortunately, I do not have a photograph of Charles W. Brown’s tombstone or epitaph?  It is indicated that he was buried there in St. John’s in the family plot per his obituary notice but perhaps a tombstone was not supplied or they did not add the inscription?  Mr. McLellan could not find it.  So something happened?  At the lower base is the family name of “BROWN.”

Here is another view of the cemetery with the Brown tombstone and family plot in the foreground and the lovely church in the background. 

View of St. John's - Brown Family Plot

His son’s were the Executors of his estate which contained a will. 

Here is a summary of the documents in this file which I found in the films of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.

1.  Search for Caveat, Sept. 6, 1922

2.  Application for Probate by Arthur Ward Brown in City of Winnipeg in the Province of Manitoba, Manager of a Wholesale Stationery and Charles Ward Brown, Insurance Agent.  Value of estate not more than $9,060.13.  Last will and testament of Feb. 22, 1922.  Died July 12th, 1922.  Signed and dated July 31, 1922.

3.  Naming of the Executors – Arthur Ward Brown – Verifying Richard’s Death.

4.  Affidavit of the Value of Property not more than $9060.13

5.  General Distribution of Property – Money and Real estate.

6.  Statement of Relationship – Arthur Ward Brown, son, 106 Magna Dr., Property described and value $2200.00 plus $4393.65. Charles Ward Brown, son more property, 134 Walnut Drive, $700, 1766.48.  Ethel Boardman, daughter of Seattle, WA, some items given.

7.  The Succession Duties Act – description of interment lot.

8.  Affidavit of Value and Relationship

9.  Last Will and Testament of Richard Brown, transcribed from typed copy of the court.

WILL

“This is the last will and testament of me, Richard Brown, of the City of Winnipeg, in the Province of Manitoba, Carpenter, I hereby revoking all former wills at any time and by me.  I direct that all my just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses be paid and satisfied by my Executors hereinafter named, as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.

I Direct my Executors to divide my personal property and household effects amongst my children Arthur W. Brown, Charles W. Brown and Ethel Boardman, wife of Robert Boardman, in such manner as may to my Executors seem best.

I give, Devise and Bequeath to my son Arthur W. Brown all moneys due owing and payable to me under an Agreement to sell the lands and premises described as follows:  Being in the City of Winnipeg, in the Province of Manitoba, and being the West half of Lot Eighteen (18) which Lot is shown on a plan of survey of a portion of Lot Thirty-nine (39) of the Parish of Saint John, registered in the Winnipeg Land Titles Office as Plan No. 46, subject to such encumbrances as may be registered against the same at the time of my decease.

 I Give Devise and Bequeath to my son Arthur W. Brown, all my interest in house No. 106 Niagara St. in the City of Winnipeg, in the Province of Manitoba, and the lands usually enjoyed therewith and appertaining thereto on which it is situated. 

I appointed my sons, Arthur W. Brown and Charles W. Brown, hereinafter called my Trustees to be the Executors and Trustees of this my Will,

I Give all the residue of my property both real and personal unto my Trustees in Trusts, to convert the same into money as soon as possible after my decease, but such conversion to be entirely at the discretion of my Trustees as to the time for the said conversion; and upon the sale of any or all my said property to divide the proceeds of the sale equally amongst my said three children, Arthur W. Brown, Charles W. Brown and Ethel, wife of Robert Boardman, and I empower my Trustees to postpone the conversion of any part of my property for so long as they shall think fit, and the income of any property remaining unconverted shall, from the time of my death, be paid and applied in the same manner as the income of the proceeds thereof would have been payable and applicable for the time being if the same had been converted. 

In witness whereof I have set my hand this 22nd day of February A.D. 1922.

 Signed, published and declared by the above name Richard Brown, testator, as and for his last Will and testament, in the presence of us both present at the same time, who, at his request, and in his presence, have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses.  Hattie Le Grant, S.R. Laidlaw.  Signed by Richard Brown.

10.  Proof of Will by S.R. Laidlaw and Hattie L. Grant

11.  Names of the Heirs – Charles Ward Brown, Arthur Ward Brown and Ethel Boardman wife of Robert Boardman.

12.  Proof of Will by Charles Ward Brown, son.

13.  Proof of Will by Arthur Ward Brown, son

14.  Grant of Probate on Sep. 22, 1922 City of Winnipeg.

In summary about the Brown family:

What is so very exciting about finding this amazing file is that it really identifies those who are the descendants of Richard Brown of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

*********

Source:  Family History Library films, Salt Lake City, Utah. Estate files 1871-1930, Index ca. 1884-1930, Manitoba, Canada.

1.  Estate Files 1871-1930; index ca. 1884-1930, Surrogate Court of Manitoba, Eastern Judicial District, Index Vols. 1-5, FHL#1381814, Vol. 4 (1921-1922).

2.  Estate Files 1871-1930; index ca. 1884-1930, Surrogate Court of Manitoba, Eastern Judicial District, Estate Files #14633, FHL#1411851 (Estate files 14595-14751, 1922).  Copy in possession of the compiler of this blog.

He and Emma raised three children: Charles, Ethel and Arthur and lost one son Alvin. Emma died in 1905 as I have already written about in a past post “Emma Ward Brown – Passes!” dated June 10, 2011.

I did not know that much about my mother’s side of the family.  I knew about the Brown’s up to Richard and Emma thanks to my Aunt Aileen, my mother’s older sister.  It was sheer dumb luck that I broke through with the 1871 Canadian census and found Emma and Richard living near each other in Petrolia in Lambton County, Ontario.  Once I made that connection and discovered George’s marriage a brother of Richard, I knew I had something! I then went to the web and found the website at Ancestry done by Peter Cunningham titled the “Cunninghams of Sudbury,” I knew I was on the right track.  I was then introduced to Robert Hayes a Brown descendant.

The Manitoba Vital Statistics:  Official Notice of Death for Richard Brown July 12, 1922, Winnipeg Vital Statistics Agency, Province of Manitoba, Canada

Death Record for Richard Brown died July 12, 1922, Residence: 106 Niagra St., Sex male, Irish origin, widower, born at Rowdon, Ontario on 10 March 1846. He was 76 yrs 4 mos and 2 days old at death. He had lived in the area 41 years (1881). Retired carpenter. Arthur Brown, son, signed the death record and he did not know the name of Richard’s father or mother but he did indicate that Richard’s father was born in Ireland. Arthur was living at 106 Niagra St. Cause of Death: Angina Pectoris, secondary myocarditis. Burial in St. John’s Cemetery on July 15, 1922.

Please note regarding the birth location for Richard.  There is no “Rowdon” instead it is called “Rawdon” and it is in Hastings Co., Ontario.  It is a historic township per Wikipedia.  It is now known as a municipality called Stirling-Rawdon, Ontario. 

The following obituary was provided by my cousin Bob Hayes.  It comes from the Manitoba Free Press dated July 14, 1922:

Obituary of Richard Brown

Another of Winnipeg’s old-time citizens in the person of Richard Brown died suddenly yesterday at the residence of his son, Arthur, 106 Niagara Street. Mr. Brown was a member of Court Rupert Canadian Order of Foresters, having been a member for thirty-two years. He was born in the township of Rawdon, Hastings County, Ontario in 1846 and at the age of four moved with his parents to Wyoming, Ont. in 1881 he came to Winnipeg where he has since resided. For over thirty years he was employed in the Canadian Pacific Railway shops here and about five years ago retired. He leaves one sister, Mrs. Isabel MacIntosh, Grand Rapids, Michigan; two sons, Charles W. Brown of the Brown-Clark Agency this city and Arthur W. Brown of Clark Bros & Co. Ltd. and one daughter, Mrs. Robert Boardman, Seattle, Washington. The funeral will be held from his late resident 106 Niagara Street, at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

The photograph in the newspaper of my great-grandfather is very special.  There is another which I have featured on this blog in a past post:  “A Possible Picture: Richard Brown?” dated August 13, 2010.  I will repost it here so that you can compare the two. 

I believe it is him?  I know the lady he has his arm around, she is my grandmother Ethel Adella Brown Boardman.  The way he holds her makes me feel that it is her father, just remove the beard and age him a little?  The other part of this photograph is my grandmother is smiling in a very happy way.  She was not that open of a person but here she is just beaming.  I place this photograph around about 1915 because of the clothes that grandmother is wearing and other photographs that give that time period in the same type of outfit.

Ethel with her father?

A cousin kindly provided me with an obituary notice from the Manitoba Free Press a Winnipeg newspaper that also included a picture of Arthur, dated April 1, 1968. 

Obituary for Arthur Ward Brown

Most of the information I have obtained for Arthur was due to my cousin Robert Hayes’ research work and a researcher by the name of Rick McLellan in Winnipeg.  I am indebted to both of them. 

This is one of several portraits of Arthur I have from a large group of photographs given to me by another cousin.  My Aunt Aileen had shown me a shoe box of photographs of the family at her home in West Seattle overlooking Lincoln Park back in 1987 but they disappeared to resurface with this cousin who lives in California.  I have been sharing them with you on this blog.  

Portrait of Arthur W. Brown