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Hi Everyone! I could sure use some help with my Blackfoot ancestry. You see, my 13 year old son is an actor and has the opportunity to be cast in feature films and commercials because of his blood line. Certain production companies will only cast native Indians in certain roles, but, of course, they want some proof. Understandably. Anyway… this is what I’ve got – it’s not much. My great grandmother was a Blackfoot named Sarah Jane Smith. She was born in Essex County, Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada on January 10, 1853 – Died March 24, 1899 in Essex County. Her father was James Smith and her mother’s maiden name was Mary Underwood. Does anyone have any idea where I can start with this information? I would really appreciate any help, and so would my son.
Welcome to the forum, Kati,
A quick check of the 1881 Canadian census didn’t find her, probably married by then? Who did she marry?
You can find that census on the http://www.familysearch.org site under “census”. Let me know who she married and I’ll take a shot at it.
Bill
Thanks Bill, for the quick reply. I’ll definately look into who Sarah married and let you know what I find out. Also, thanks for the census link.
Kati,
I should have said that once at that site, look for “Search for Ancestors” (something like that) near the top banner and click on that, then you’ll get a page where on the left is a link to “Census”.
Bill
Hey Bill,
I got a little more info re my ancestry and I found my grandmother on the site you gave me but it didn’t give much info. Here’s where I’m at now: My grandmother was Mary Maude Foster, born October 7, 1885 in Essex, Ontario, Canada – her father was George Foster – her mother was Sarah Jane Smith. Mary Maude married Charles Jones (my dad’s dad). The batch no. on the record is C018111 – not sure what that’s for. Is there someone in Canada I should contact? If you have any more info for me I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanx
Well, that does give us a small lead.
On that 1881 Canadian census, I did find a James Smith (b.abt.1826) whose wife was named Mary (b.abt.1828) and they had a 6 yr old George H. Foster living with them. James and Mary Smith were born in the U.S., and lived in Amherstburg, Essex, Ontario.
I also found a George H. Foster (b.abt.1839 U.S.) with wife Sarah (b.abt.1853 or 4, Ontario), also living in Amherstburg, Essex, Ontario. George Foster was a “Mariner” as was James Smith and several of his sons.
It’s not a “lock”, but I’d call it a lead.
Where did Charles and Mary Maude (Foster) Jones live? Was your Dad born in the U.S. or Canada?
Bill
Awesome, Bill! Every bit of info gets us closer to finding out more about our ancestry. Here’s the answer to your latest question:
Charles and Mary Maude (Foster) Jones lived in Carrying Place, Ontario, Canada (2 Hours East of Toronto, close to Trenton) and my Dad (George Albert Jones) was born in Canada in Carrying Place, Ontario. They relocated to Toronto.
Hope this helps, and I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to look into it for us. If there’s something I can do to help please let me know. I’m finding the family tree to be very interesting!
Kati
Kati,
I was hoping Charles Jones’s family had relocated to the States in order to “luck out” and find some associative information that would shed some light on James Smith’s and George Foster’s origins in the U.S.
There are a lot of questions about how to trace this back in time in Canada for which I don’t have any answers and no specific information of where you would have to go or which agency/ authority would have the necessary records or even if those records would be considered to be in the public realm.
I’d start by finding out where records are maintained for Amherstburg, such as death certifcates which might list where these people were born in the U.S. and maybe even their parents’ names.
I’d also look for information on James Smith and George Foster’s Canadian immigration records. This might provide the needed information for us to find them and their ancestors in the U.S. There must be a record of that immigration since both of them were born in the U.S. and these records should list where they were born.
If you can find out where they came from in the States and about when they immigrated, we might be able to find their parents and some of their ancestors. Sorry I can’t do more,
Bill
Thanks Bill, it looks like I’ve got some work ahead of me. I’ve got some relatives in Canada that may know more but they are quite old and their memory is fading, but I’ll continue my search and let you know if I find something of interest.
Again, thanks.
Kati
Kati,
Ahh, you don’t live in Canada.
Okay, go to ancestry.com and see if they have any subscriptions that include Canadian Immigration records. Those records used to be part of the basic subscription but lately it’s dropped out of the basic package so I’m assuming they may be offering them as part of another “package” deal…. don’t know for sure, but it sure beats flying to Toronto – from whereever 🙂 But Toronto is pretty – no, I didn’t go up into the CN Tower – won’t, without a ‘chute!
Bill
I guess I didn’t mention I live in the US, although I’m Canadian – a very mixed up family tree you might say!
Thanks for the new tip – I’ll work on that.
And I agree with you, the CN Tower isn’t on my list to visit – even WITH a chute!
Kati
The addy for the Ontario genealogical archives:
http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/
then scroll down and click the “English” language version.
Then look to the left for “Genealogy…. “
and click on that or just roam the site.
Bill
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