Blakely Genealogy

Thursday, 9 April 2015

Right Worshipful Brother Thomas A Blakely

My current genealogy mission is to find out more information on the Blakely's involvement with The Masons of Canada. Thomas Alberton Blakely and his brother Joseph were both members and it has me curious if any of the other brothers or sons joined.

Not the best copy. I did own an original but gave it to a family member many years so ( before those wonder digital scanners). There is supposedly an original that hangs in the lodge in Flesherton Ontario. (looking into that)

Saturday, 7 March 2015

Thomas Blakely - Part 2 - Work Life

Thomas Blakely had many different jobs and businesses over his lifetime. He was a house and carriage painter, a carpenter, he ran a grist mill ,sold farm equipment, was a town councillor and a police trustee, a farmer and inventor. Thomas was also a "Worthiful Master" of Hiriam Masonic Lodge.

1885

1886

1887

1888

1892

1905

1912

1914

1916

Friday, 25 July 2014

Catherine Elizabeth Blakely

Catherine Elizabeth "Cassie" Blakely was born on July 23,1874 in Flesherton Ontario to Thomas Blakely and Margaret Isabella Orr

In 1899 She married William Currie and moved to Ohio.

The couple had four children;

Ella Currie,

Walter Blakely Currie,

Samuel Robert Currie,

William Carl Currie.

Daughter Ella Currie Hancox

son Sam Currie

Thursday, 24 July 2014

Margaret Isabella Orr

Margaret Isabella Orr was born in 1837 in Streetsville,Ontario. She was the daughter of Joseph Orr and Margaret Donaughue.

Joseph Orr and Margaret Donaughue.

In the fall of 1854 at the age of 17, she married Thomas Blakely. The marriage entry gives Trafalgar, Ontario as the marriage place but the archives has it filed under York.

By 1955, the couple had moved to Grey county, Ontario and settled in the Artemesia area.

Thomas and Margaret had eleven children.

Joseph Alexander born 1855
George born 1857
Mary-Jane b 1858
William Guy b 1861
Thomas b 1863
John b 1865
Margaret b 1870
Ephriam b 1867
Catherine (Cassie) b 1874
Andrew b 1872
Walter b 1876

Thomas died in 1877 leaving Margaret a widow at a young age. In 1892 she married George Best of Flesherton.

Margaret died Feb 23,1913 in Toldeo Ohio.

Tuesday, 15 July 2014

William John Blakely

William John Blakely was born January 16, 1922 and was the only child of Aleath Leone Blakely.

The identity of his father has not been confirmed but some of his war records list him as William Welsh.

In 1941 at the age of 19 he enlisted with The Royal Canadian Air Force ,405 Sqdn. His regiment # was R/165968

Bill was killed January 3, 1944 in Germany.According to records from the 405 Squadron, he was part of a crew in a Lancaster that was shot down by a night-fighter and crashed into Schoonebeek He is buried in Hanover War Cemetery in Germany. Coll. grave 6. G. 2-7.

William had no spouse, siblings or children. He is the family member that I pay tribute to each Remembrance and D-Day so that he will not be forgotten.

Books of remembrance page from Veterans Affairs Canada

Sites that mention Bill Blakely
Lostaircraft.com - This page has more details of his lost flight

Sunday, 13 July 2014

Aleath Leone Blakely

Aleath and her son William Blakely

Aleath Leone Blakely was born Sunday May 24,1896. She was one of two daughters born that day to Thomas Alberton Blakely and Hannah M Lever. Her twin sister Leeta May died during the birth.

Birth Record of Aleath and Leeta Blakely - Flesherton Ontario

Aleath had one child whom she raised on her own. Sgt.William John Blakely 1922-1944. Bill was killed overseas in WWII while serving in the airforce.

Aleath and son Bill

Aleath on far right

Aleath died on September 7,1962 in Dunville,Ontario. She is buried in Flesherton Cemetery.

Hannah Margaret Lever

Hannah Margaret "Maggie" Lever was born on November 3,1861 in Artemesia Township, Grey County,Ontario.She is the daughter of Roger Lever and Rebecca Holley.