John Forsyth (1881 - 1955)

Born 23 Jul 1881 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom

Husband of Elizabeth (Young) Forsyth — married 1909 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom

Died 14 Aug 1955 at age 74 in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

Biography

John Forsyth is/was a significant British Columbian.

John Forsyth was born in Edinburgh on 23 July 1881,^[1] the son of Robert Forsyth and Elizabeth Anderson.^{[2] [3]}

John married Elizabeth Young in the St Andrew district of Edinburgh in 1909^[4]

The couple had at least two children born in Edinburgh before they emigrated to Canada:

1. Helen Edgeworth Forsyth (born 1911)^[5]
2. John Anderson Forsyth (born 1912) ^[6]

John Forsyth was appointed British Columbia's Provincial Archivist in 1920^[7].

At the time of the 1921 Canada Census, John, Elizabeth, Helen, John, and Elizabeth Forsyth were listed as living in Victoria, British Columbia^[8]. At the time of the census, John's occupation was listed as "Librarian".

John died in Nanaimo, British Columbia on August 14, 1955^[2], and was buried in Royal Oak Burial Park, Victoria, British Columbia^[9]. On his death certificate, John's occupation was listed as "Librarian Archivist".

Sources

1. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTXJ-GNY : 12 February 2020), John Forsyth, 1881.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Registration of Death for John Forsyth, Event Type: Death, Registration Number: 1955-09-008783, BC Archives Mfilm Number: B13225, GSU Mfilm Number: 2032986, Event Date: 1955-08-14, Event Place: NANAIMO, Age at Death: 74, Person: JOHN FORSYTH, Vital Stat Images(s): 004437677_00293.jpg, BC Archives - Royal BC Museum.
3. ↑ Birth Registration: "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, Ref: 685/4/751, ScotlandsPeople (accessed 6 May 2024), Surname: FORSYTH; Forename: JOHN; Mothers Maiden Name: ANDERSON; Gender: M; Year: 1881; RD Name: St Giles.
4. ↑ Marriage Registration: "Statutory Register of Marriages," database, National Records of Scotland, Ref: 685/2/404, ScotlandsPeople (accessed 6 May 2024), Surname: FORSYTH; Forename: JOHN; Spouse Surname: YOUNG; Spouse Forename: ELIZABETH; Year: 1909; RD Name: St Andrew (Edinburgh).
5. ↑ Birth Registration: "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, Ref: 685/1/158, ScotlandsPeople (accessed 6 May 2024), Surname: FORSYTH; Forename: HELEN EDGEWORTH; Mothers Maiden Name: YOUNG; Gender: F; Year: 1911; RD Name: St George.
6. ↑ Birth Registration: "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, Ref: 685/1/251, ScotlandsPeople (accessed 6 May 2024), Surname: FORSYTH; Forename: JOHN ANDERSON; Mothers Maiden Name: YOUNG; Gender: M; Year: 1912; RD Name: St George.
7. ↑ History of the British Columbia Archives. Royal BC Museum, June 2018.
8. ↑ Census of Canada, 1921, British Columbia, Victoria (City) (24), Ward 1 (5), page 17, dwelling 188, family 194, John Forsyth; RG31 - Statistics Canada (http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1921/Pages/item.aspx?itemid=4758764 : Accessed October 4, 2018).
9. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #156867358

See also:

• 1931 Census: "Census of Canada, 1931"
  Page: 15; Line: 11; Family number: 270; Image number: e011765461; Item ID number: 85663735
  Library and Archives Canada (accessed 4 February 2025)
  John Forsyth (49), Retail Merchant, head of household in Victoria (City), Victoria (City), British Columbia, Canada. Born in Scotland.
• BC Archives: Forsyth, John, 1881-1955
• Luebbe, Erika, "Provincial Library Directors: A History and Timeline." Victoria: Legislative Library of British Columbia. Background Paper 2011:02 / March 2011.