Finding the right George Wallace

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]

This space page was created as a resource page to help sort out and identify the many individuals named George Wallace located in Ontario, Canada (Canada West) The profile George Wallace (1826-1905) is part of a WikiTree Challenge. It was first created by David Wallace in 2014. It contained the following information, at that time:

George was born in 1826. George Wallace ... He passed away in 1905. ^[1]

Birth: 1826-12-07, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Death: 1905-05-01, Ontario, Canada

There were no parents listed.

Contents 1 What We Know 2 What we can conclude 3 What we don't know 4 Research Notes 5 Sources

What We Know

• He died 1 May 1901. At the time, he was living on Lot 13, Concession 13, Reach Township, Ontario County, Ontario, Canada.^[2] The record further indicates he was a retired farmer and widower who was born in Scotland. He died of intestinal obstruction (duration: 6 weeks). The information was provided by Robert Wallace (relationship not stated).

• His will and one codicil were administered by Robert Wallace and William Wallace, his executors.^[3]Summary of the content:
  • his son, Allan received the North half of lot 19, Concession 13 in the Township of Reach, subject to the payment of two thousand dollars to the estate, as set out in payment instructions.
  • his son, John received the sum of one thousand seven hundred dollars.
  • his daughters, named Mary McMillan and Ellen McKay, each the sum of eleven hundred dollars
  • to his Baird daughters, B? and Annie, each the sum of five hundred dollars
  • to the children of his late daughter, Margaret, he left them each $150 to be deposited in a chartered bank, in trust.
  • The residue of his estate was left to his sons, namely: William, James, Robert, David, Adam, Allan and John,
  • he states in the will that his daughters and son George have been sufficiently provided for.
  • In the codicil to his will, he revokes the appointment of his son in law as an executor and in his place appoints his son, William.
• Children identified in the Will and Probate record transcription:
  • Robert
  • William
  • John
  • Mary
  • Ellen
  • Margaret
  • B?
  • Annie
  • James
  • David
  • Adam
  • Allan

• The 1901 Census of Canada provides the following information:^[4]
  • George Wallace is living with his son, Allan and daughter in law, Annie, in Reach Township, Ontario.
  • His date of birth is given as 7 Dec 1826.
  • He is the father of the the Head of Household (Allan)
  • He is 74 years old
  • He's a farmer
  • He was born in Scotland
  • He emigrated to Canada in 1832 (calculated age: 6 years old) - Note: The handwriting looks like it could be 1852.

• Margaret died in 1891.^[5]

• The 1891 Census of Canada provides the following information:^[6]
  • George Wallace was living with his wife, Margaret in Reach Township, Ontario
  • His age is given as 64 (1891-1826 = 65)
  • Children listed: Robert, John, David, Ellen, Adam, Allen
  • His birthplace, and those of his parents is given as Scotland
  • He is a farmer and can read and write

• The 1881 Census of Canada provides the following information:^[7]
  • George Wallace is living with his wife, Margaret, in Reach Township, Ontario
  • His age is given as 55 (1881-1826 = 55)
  • His birthplace is given as Scotland
  • He's a farmer

• In 1875, his daughter Mary, married William McMillan. Her mother's name is documented as Margaret Gordon,^[8]

• The 1871 Census of Canada provides the following information:^[9]
  • George Wallace is living with his wife, Margaret, in Reach Township, Ontario
  • His age is given as 47
  • His birthplace is given as Scotland
  • He's a farmer

• The 1861 Census of Canada West provides the following information:^[10]
  • George Wallace is living with his wife, Margaret and children, in Reach Township, Canada West.
  • His age is given as 35
  • His birthplace is given as Scotland
  • He emigrated in 1852

• There are two land transactions pertaining to George Wallace and his wife dated 1857.These appear to be for the purchase of 100 acres of land in Reach Township, namely the East Half of Lot 18, Concession 13. The sale was recorded as occurring on 27 Feb 1857.^[11] The second document appears to be the mortgage agreement for said property, dated 14 Feb 1857. The mortgage is recorded as discharged in Instrument No. 20971, dated February 19th 1863. Discharge of the mortgage (from memorial #7742) Film # 008637076, Image 478 of 636. He later purchased the adjacent property described as Images 48-49, which record the transfer of land in Reach Township to George Wallace. It appears George Wallace was the highest bidder at $800 at an auction in Whitby for the purchase of foreclosed property, the north half of Lot # 19 in the 13th concession of Reach Township (adjacent to his existing land on Lot 18 of the 13th concession). See: Lot 19, Conc. 13

In 1851, both George,^[12] and Margaret^[13] are listed as living at South Ednie, Banffshire. They were both farm employees and likely met while working here.

• George's birth location is stated as New Deer, Aberdeenshire.
• Margaret's birth location is stated as St. Fergus, Banffshire

From New Deer to St. Fergus

What we can conclude

• George's birth location is recorded as New Deer, in 1826, according to the 1851 Census of Scotland.^[14]
• As he appears to be on his own at a young age, it is possible that his parents died when he was very young. There is no documentation to prove this one way or the other yet.
• ScotlandsPeople has two marriage documents for George and Margaret. By purchasing the actual documents, it is clear they pertain to the same couple and indicate that Banns were read in Peterhead parish and the marriage occurred a few days later, in St. Fergus. Digital copies of the documents are in the possession of Kathy (Urbach-13). Due to copyright requirements they cannot be added to the profile.
  • WALLACE, GEORGE MARGARET GORDON/FR1150 (FR1150), 21/04/1852, 166 40 / 378, ST FERGUS Transcription: 21st April 1852 - George Wallace and Margaret Gordon after due proclamation were married here this day.
  • WALLACE, GEORGE MARGARET GORDON/ 19/04/1852, 232 30 / 383, PETERHEAD - Transcription: April 19th - George Wallace, farm servant, in this parish and Margaret Gordon in St. Fergus.

What we don't know

• When he and his wife emigrated to Canada West. We can be certain that it was after their marriage at St. Fergus in 1852, and before the purchase of their farm in Reach Township, in 1857. Census documents record the year as 1852, but no other immigration information has been found yet.
  • His FamilySearch profile provides information indicating that the birth record for the George Wallace born at St Fergus, Banffshire dated 14 March 1825 is the correct one. How do we know this? No documents have been found to support a birth location.
• Who his parents were

Research Notes

• John Wallace and his wife Agnes can be ruled out as parents of this George, as they have a son, age 3 (in 1851) named George.^[15][16]
• Elizabeth (a widow) can be ruled out as a mother. The George listed in this census (1851) was a printer and compositor.^[17]
• Susan Wallace (a widow) is a possibility for George's mother, however she's living alone at the time of the 1851 Census.^[18]
• George Wallace and his wife Jean are also good candidates as parents of this George. In 1841, he would have been 15 and an acceptable age to have left home for work.^[19]
  • George (error in birth date) is found in the 1841 Census working as a farm labourer in Old Deer, Aberdeenshire.^[20]
• Robert Wallace and his wife, Jane (Jean Dargie) can be ruled out as parents as their George was born in Banffshire.^[21] The birth record for this George is in the possession of Amy (Crawford-15512) Gilpin.

Sources

1. ↑ First-hand information as remembered by David Wallace, Monday, October 6, 2014. Replace this citation if there is another source.
2. ↑ "Canada, Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JX23-13D : 2 March 2021), George Wallace, 01 May 1905; citing Reach Tp., Ontario, Ontario, yr 1905 cn 21033, Registrar General. Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,854,397.
3. ↑ Probate records, 1901-1930, Ontario. Surrogate Court (Ontario County). "Registers 14-16 (3537-4447) 1902-1909", catalogue with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-X3CK-69MG-B ). No. 2934, filed May 17th 1905, transcription of the probate of the will of George Wallace, farmer of Reach Township (will dated November 28th 1901, codicil dated March 30th 1905). Film # 008661613, Images 353 to 355 of 827.
4. ↑ Library and Archives Canada; "1901 Census of Canada"; Image; accessed 3 Feb 2023
5. ↑ "Canada, Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JNV3-NPL : 2 March 2021), George Wallace in entry for Mrs. George Wallace Sr, 14 Nov 1891; citing Reach, Ontario, Ontario, Canada, 11726, Registrar General. Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,853,537.
6. ↑ Library and Archives Canada; "1891 Census of Canada"; app=Census1891&op=img&id=30953_148160-00326 Image - 2nd Page; accessed 3 Feb 2023
7. ↑ Library and Archives Canada; "1881 Census of Canada"; Image - 2nd page; accessed 3 Feb 2023
8. ↑ "Canada, Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMN7-NZW : 8 March 2021), Margaret Gordon in entry for William Mcmillan and Mary Wallace, 20 Jan 1875; citing registration , Reach, North Ontario, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,862,896.
9. ↑ Library and Archives Canada; "1871 Census of Canada"; Image - 2nd page; accessed 3 Feb 2023
10. ↑ Library and Archives Canada; "1861 Census of Canada"; Image; accessed 3 Feb 2023
11. ↑ Digital Images; "Ontario County Land Records", Family Search database; accessed 3 Feb 2023
12. ↑ "Scottish General Register Office: 1851 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/59027dbce9379091b128101a : viewed 4 Feb 2023), George WALLACE in household of George WALLACE, South Ednie, Banffshire, Scotland; from 1851 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives /166, Folio 112, Page 11, Schedule 36, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
13. ↑ "Scottish General Register Office: 1851 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/59027dbce9379091b1281024 : viewed 4 Feb 2023), Margaret GORDON in household of George WALLACE, South Ednie, Banffshire, Scotland; from 1851 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives /166, Folio 112, Page 11, Schedule 36, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
14. ↑ "Scottish General Register Office: 1851 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/59027dbce9379091b128101a : viewed 4 Feb 2023), George WALLACE in household of George WALLACE, South Ednie, Banffshire, Scotland; from 1851 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives /166, Folio 112, Page 11, Schedule 36, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
15. ↑ "Scottish General Register Office: 1851 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5902666fe9379091b1c8ecf2 : viewed 4 Feb 2023), John WALLACE, On Inkhorn, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; from 1851 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives /225, Folio 174, Page 1, Schedule 1, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
16. ↑ "Scottish General Register Office: 1841 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a13ffe8f4040b9d6ee3ba4d : viewed 4 Feb 2023), John WALLACE in household of John WALLACE, Clofericford Savoch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; from 1841 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives HO 107/225, Folio 12, Page 7, Schedule , The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
17. ↑ "Scottish General Register Office: 1851 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5902666fe9379091b1c8ecf2 : viewed 4 Feb 2023), John WALLACE, On Inkhorn, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; from 1851 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives /225, Folio 174, Page 1, Schedule 1, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
18. ↑ "Scottish General Register Office: 1851 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5902666fe9379091b1c8ed02 : viewed 4 Feb 2023), Susan WALLACE, On Inkhorn, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; from 1851 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives /225, Folio 174, Page 1, Schedule 2, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
19. ↑ "Scottish General Register Office: 1841 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a13ffe0f4040b9d6ee3aa19 : viewed 4 Feb 2023), George WALLACE in household of George WALLACE, Farm On Little Auchoch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; from 1841 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives HO 107/225, Folio 6, Page 6, Schedule , The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
20. ↑ "Scottish General Register Office: 1841 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a140290f4040b9d6ee6bd4a : viewed 4 Feb 2023), George WALLACE in household of William DUNCAN, North Skillimarno, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; from 1841 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives HO 107/228, Folio 1, Page 6, Schedule , The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
21. ↑ "Scottish General Register Office: 1841 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a1427c1f4040b9d6e1295ad : viewed 4 Feb 2023), George WALLACE in household of Robert WALLACE, Corhill, Banffshire, Scotland; from 1841 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives HO 107/166, Folio 2, Page 1, Schedule , The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.