Mary Westwater (McVean) Giffard (1907)

Born 22 Feb 1907 in 6 Victoria Street, Alexandria, Bonhill, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, UK

Wife of Henry Agnew Giffard — married 11 May 1929 in Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada

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Biography

Mary was born on 22 February 1907 at 6 Victoria Street, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, Scotland. She was the daughter of Robert McVean, metal polisher, and Jeanie McIntyre Westwater, who married on 16 June 1905 at Renton, Dunbartonshire.^[1]

Mary's father died just a month later on 27 March 1907, again at 6 Victoria Street, Alexandria. (The death certificate notes the main cause of death as nephritis and also gives the infomation that he had been born illegitimate, the son of Susan McVean, deceased).^[2]

In 1910 Mary with her mother (Jeanie McVean), siblings of her mother, and her mother's father (J Andrew Westwater) emigrated to Canada. This is apparent from the Canada censuses of 1911 and 1921 and from passenger lists showing Mary and her mother arrived at Quebec aboard the "Hisperian", from Glasgow, on 18 June 1910 when Mary was 3.

In the 1911 census the extended family are recorded at 59 Strathcona (modern day Strathcona Avenue?), Toronto, Ontario. The data in this return is not straightforward and there appears to have been some alteration after it was first inputted. Head of the household is recorded as J Andrew Westwater (widower, age 57, born Scotland, immigrated 1910, bricklayer). Next is his daughter Agnes Westwater (single, aged 30, born Scotland, immigrated 1910, saleslady). Next is recorded Mary's mother Jeanie Westwater - omitting her married name McVean - noted to be a widow, aged 28, born July 1882 in Scotland, immigrated 1910, no occupation. Next are two sons, both born Scotland and immigrated 1910 - Robert Westwater (single, aged 21, labourer) and Thomas Westwater (Thomas, 19, labourer). Next listed is James Westwater (married, aged 25 and also born Scotland, immigrated 1910, bricklayer). James' relationship to the head of the household appears to have been overwritten and now also says head of household - it possibly said son origonally. After James is listed Annie McLean or McVean (aged 26, born Scotland, immigrated 1911). She is married and presumed to be James' wife, as she is listed as daughter-in-law. (Why is she not going by Westwater if married?). Finally in this census listing appears Mary with details - Mary McVean, grand-daughter, born February 1907, aged 4, born Scotland, immigrated 1910.

When Mary was aged 5 her mother Jeanie McVean remarried, marrying Richard McGibbon on 29 November 1912 in Toronto. Details from the marriage certificate include - both aged 30, groom a widower, bride a widow, father of groom Peter McGibbon (stonecutter), father of bride Andrew Westwater (bricklayer), maiden name of mother of groom Jeanie Donald and maiden name of mother of bride Jeanie McIntyre.

At the 1921 census Mary (14) is with her mother and step-father at 15 Gertrude Avenue, Toronto. The census lists her with her mother's new married name and describes her as the daughter of the "head of household". Listed are Richard McGibbon (39, born Scotland, immigrated 1910), wife Jennie McGibbon (39), "daughter" Mary McGibbon (14), son Richard McGibbon (8, born Ontario) and sister in law Agnes Westwater (40).

On 11 May 1929 Mary Westwater McVean (22, spinster) married Henry Agnew Giffard (30, bachelor) at Toronto. The marriage certificate notes Henry's occupation as shipper and Mary's as operator. Mary's parents are confirmed as Robert McVean and Jane Westwater. Prior to the marriage Henry was recorded as living at 132 First Avenue, and Mary was living at 15 Gertrude Avenue.

Thereafter Mary and Henry Giffard appear to have remained at Mary's family home (from at least 1921) at 15 Gertrude Avenue, Toronto.

The publically accessable Ancestry.com profile for Marilyn French ^[3] shows she was adopted by Henry and Mary Giffard. Marilyn (born 1932) is the daughter of her adoptive mother's aunt Agnes McLean McIntyre Westwater who married Henry French in 1922. Agnes died in 1936 and it is assumed the adoption took place after this.

In 1945, Voters' Lists note Henry and Mary Giffard at 15 Gertrude Place, Broadview, Toronto. Henry's occupation is sheet metal worker. Mary's mother Jean McGibbon, widow, is also listed at this address.

In 1949, Voters' Lists note Henry and Mary (misspelt as Gifford) still at 15 Gertrude Place, Broadview, Toronto. Henry's occupation is shipper. Miss M Gifford (sic), occupation bank teller, presumed daughter, is also resident here, as is Mary's mother, Mrs Jane McGibbon.

The 1965, 1968 and 1974 Voters' Lists each record Henry and Mary Giffard remaining at 15 Gertrude Place, Broadview, Toronto. Henry's occupation is sheriff's officer. The 1965 List also includes Jane McCibbon (misspelling of McGibbon) at this address. The 1968 List includes Jean Giffard (perhaps meant to read McGibbon), retired, as at this address. The 1974 List includes Jane McGibbon and Mary Macdonald.

Sources

1. ↑ Full birth certificate at ScotlandsPeople
2. ↑ Full death certificate at ScotlandsPeople
3. ↑ https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/74693933/person/36302560981/facts

• ScotlandsPeople 1907 MCVEAN, MARY WESTWATER (Statutory registers Births 493/ 82)

• ScotlandsPeople 1907 MCVEAN, ROBERT (Statutory registers Deaths 493/ 65)

• Canadian Passenger Lists, 1865-1935 for Jeanie McVean, Quebec, 1910, June (Ancestry.com)

• 1911 Census of Canada for Mary McVean, Ontario, Toronto East, Sub-District 4 - Ward 1

• Ontario, Canada, Marriages, 1826-1938 for Jeanie McVean, York, 1912

• 1921 Census of Canada for Mary McGibbon, Ontario, York South, Sub-District 46 - Toronto (City)

• Ontario, Canada, Marriages, 1826-1938 for Mary Westwater McVean, York, 1929