Henri Elmer Blake (abt. 1909 - 2001)

Born about 9 Jul 1909 in St. Brides, Alberta, Canada

Ancestors

Husband of Marie Alphonsine (Laderoute) Blake — married after 31 Dec 1932 in Wabamun, Alberta, Canada

Husband of Jean Camille (Laderoute) Blake — married 7 May 1938 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Descendants

Died 24 Nov 2001 at about age 92 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Arlene Dykstra [send private message]

Biography

Henri was born to Elmer Alfred aka 'George' Blake (Irish American, aged 22) and Louise Chalifoux (Métis, aged 21) on July 9, 1909, in St. Brides, Alberta. He told the story that he was born near St. Lina on a trap line and had a twin who died during or shortly after birth. Even as a babe he had incredibly thick bright red hair and the nickname 'Harry' was given and stuck. His younger sister, Rosie, also sported the same head of thick hair, as did his daughter, Helen. His daughter, Betty, and his adopted son Garry, both had a tremendously thick hair as well, but black. This mop of hair seems to have been handed down as a family trait through generations following, including some red heads.

His father left the family early on and Harry never knew him, but knew of him and a second family. The 1911 Census shows Harry and his sister, Rosie, an infant, living back with Louise's family, her mom, and her sister's and half brothers. Her half brother William used the anglicized surname of Shelford which was then adopted in some paperwork by many of the family members.

Louise later married 'Charlie' Rene Coutines.

Harry spent his formative years with his extended family which included his mom, his grandmother Angele, and his step uncle William. They initially settled in the Lac La Nonne area on William's homestead, but later Harry moved with mom and step dad to the Coronado area, sometimes taking the train back and forth to Edmonton. This lifestyle continued when he raised his family as he never did have a car or drive. Harry worked as a carpenter, and the family's summers were spent, often in the Coronado area, hunting and trapping where they had built cabins, and where his mom, Louise, lived full time. As he was gregarious and loved music he was a sought after weekend fiddle player.

Harry was widowed twice as a young man, and found himself on his own with two toddlers to raise. Rose, his third wife, was initially a nanny to Betty and Helen. Rose and Harry also took in and raised two sons, Garry and Clifford. Harry's children and grandchildren knew Louise affectionately as 'Old Nanny', and Rose (Rosanna) was always known as Nanny. He died on November 24, 2001, in Edmonton, Alberta, at the age of 92.

Henri sits on the path between DNA matches to his grandson, and common ancestors to those matches.

Sources

• Christening certificate - [1]
• Marriage certificate, 1941, of Harry Blake and Rosanna Paquette - [2]
• 1911 Census of Canada, Alberta, Library and Archives Canada, Enumeration District 2-Edmonton, Sub-District 31, Households 220 and 221, page 20 lines 28-36; Shelford, William (head-34), Angelia (mother-widow-56), Louisa (sister-legally separated-27), Delpha (sister-16), Clara (sister-18), Lewis Louis (head-28) Rosie (wife-22) Blake Harry (2 ) Blake Rosie (2 months) [3] (Blended Chalifoux family in tents at Jasper House, Edmonton. Louise's half brother, William, is head of household 220. Her other half brother, Louis, is head of the second).
• 1916 Census of Canada, Alberta, Library and Archives Canada, Enumeration District 37-Edmonton West, Sub-District 11, page 11, Family 109, lines 10-15; Shelford, Angele (head, widow), William (son-service corps), Elizatha, Clara, William (s-6), Elizatha (d-4) [4] (Blended Chalifoux family on the homestead property of Angele’s stepson, William Chalifoux aka William Shelford, close to Lac La Nonne, a few miles west of Dunstable, Alberta).
• 1921 Census of Canada, Alberta, Library and Archives Canada, Enumeration District 6-Edmonton West, Sub-District 16, page 9, Family 99, lines 19-23; Shelford, William (head-50), Angela (mother-widow-64), Clara (sister-28), Harry (nephew-11), Lena (niece-11). [5] (Blended Angele Chalifoux family on the homestead property of William Chalifoux aka William Shelford).
• 1926 Census of Canada, Alberta, Library and Archives Canada, Enumeration District 51B-Peace River South, Sub-District 9, page 12, Families 155-156; Shelford, William (head-52), Clara (sister-30), B. Harry (brother-16), Louis (brother-46), Emily (sister-5), Coutine, Rinie (head-34), Louise (wife-34), Rosie (daughter-15) [6] (On the homestead property of William Chalifoux aka Shelford)

Testimonial

This is a known and remembered family member.