Elizabeth (Weeks) Kirkland (abt. 1814 - 1858)

Descendants

Died 26 Jan 1858 at about age 44 in Newcastle, New Brunswick

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Biography

Elizabeth Weeks was married to John Kirkland. See his profile for details on their children, including some unresolved issues.

The biography of Charles Leonard Kirkland on Encyclopedia Titanica says that his mother, Elizabeth Sarah Weeks was born in England and her family emigrated to New Brunswick abt 1820.

Daughter Lavinia^[1] Kirkland's birth certificate says Elizabeth was 47 at the time of her birth in 1849, which would make her birth year 1802. However, Lavinia was more likely born in 1844, which could make Elizabeth's birth year as early as 1797. This document also says she was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick.^[2]

On the 1891 Census, son John W. Kirkland's mother is said to be born in the US.^[3] Likewise, on the 1880 census, son Charles Kirkland's mother is said to be born in Minnesota.^[4] On the 1891 Census, daughters Emma and Lavinia both have their mothers' birth places as Prince Edward Island. On the 1900 US Census, sons James and Charles have their mother's birthplace as Canada.

Elizabeth died on 26 Jan 1858, in Newcastle, New Brunswick.^[5] Her obituary states that she was 44 at the time of her death, which would make her birth year 1814.

So the mystery remains... was Elizabeth born in England, the US (perhaps Minnesota?) New Brunswick? Prince Edward Island? Was she born in 1802 or 1814? Or somewhere in between? Was her middle name Sarah? Who were her parents?

Sources

1. ↑ Name is Leavinia on birth certificate, but it is more likely "Lavinia"
2. ↑ New Brunswick, Canada, Provincial Archives, Late Registration of Births, York County, Fredericton, 1849-K-2, Microfilm F18749 – Lavinia Kirkland, 1849
3. ↑ 1891 Canada Census, Library and Archives Canada, New Brunswick, Kent, Richibucto, Division 3, Pg 27 – John & Helen Kirkland and family.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," index and images, FamilySearch, Charles Kirkland, Penobscot, Hancock, Maine, United States; citing sheet 149D, NARA microfilm publication T9 – Charles & Rachel Kirkland and 7 children
5. ↑ Daniel F Johnson, New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistics, Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, Vol 17, No 1471 York, Fredericton, New Brunswick Reporter and Fredericton Advertiser, February 12 1858 - Death of Elizabeth Kirkland