As of Census 1921 the only Burke Family closely associated with Port Hood, NS is that of one Whitfield Burke residing at Dunmore. (N.B. There are other Burke families elsewhere in Inverness Co.). As enumerated, the family of Whitfield Burke consists of:
- Whitfield, age 45
- Maggie, age 40
- Willard, age 21
- Hughena, age 19
- Joseph, age 18
- Nellie, age 16
- Laura, age 13
- Hilda, age 10
- James, age 8
- Mabel, age 6
- Shirley, age 1
Recorded in the marriage registers of Guysborough, Co. of 1898, dated 2 November of that year, is the marriage of Whitfield Burke, age 23, occupation fishing, born and residing at Drum Head, son of George and Mary; the bride is given as Maggie E. Reynolds, age 17, born and residing at Port Hood, Cape Breton, daughter of Isaac and Ellen.
Based on this information Whitfield is almost certainly the Owen W. Burke born 4 April 1876 at Seal Harbour, Guysborough Co. to George Burke and Mary Davidson (whose marriage date is given as 1 February 1864 at Isaac's Harbour)
There is a headstone found in Port Hood Union Protestant Cemetery for Whitfield Burke (1875-1947) and Margaret Ellen (Reynolds) Burke (1882-1939).
It seems quite possible that your "Merrill" Burke could be the son Marcel Burke identified in the Will of Whitfield Burke (other descendants mentioned: a) grandson Calvin and b) daughter Nellie who is appointed executrix).
Whitfield Burke of Port Hood also appears in a number of Canadian government lists of fox farmers (as do many of the family remaining in Guysborough Co.).
From a cursory search the details of the *parents of* Whitfield Burke are: George Burke (1840-1919) son of John Burke and Agnes Ann Purcell and Mary Jane Davidson (1841-1907) daughter of James Davidson and Isabella MacMillan.
