Alisemon Agnes Gilby
Matthew Bradshaw was born October 21, 1889, in Staining, County Lancashire, England, and died April 19, 1956, in Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada, at age 66. Buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada. He is the son of Evan Bradshaw of Pilling, County Lancashire, England, and Nancy Unknown of Little Eccleston, County Lancashire, England.
Alisemon Agnes Gilby was born May 7, 1880, in Ontario, Canada, and died March 26, 1955, in Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada, at age 74. Buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada. She is the daughter of John Straw Gilby of St. John Parish, City of York, Micklegate, County Yorkshire, England, and Elsie Reid Young of Berlin, Canada West.
Matthew Bradshaw and Alisemon Agnes Gilby were married 1915 in Drumheller, Kneehill, Alberta, Canada.
Matthew Bradshaw and Alisemon Agnes (Gilby) Bradshaw had two children:
John Ferguson Bradshaw: Born 1918 in Alberta, Canada; Died August 17, 1938, at the Red Deer Hospital, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada (age 19). Buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada. Never married.
Elsie Agnes Bradshaw: Born March 31, 1920, in Millarfield, Hanna Census Division, Alberta, Canada; Died November 7, 2002 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (age 82). Buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada. Married to Henry Gordon Killick: Born March 25, 1912, in Evarts, Red Deer Census Division, Alberta, Canada; Died July 28, 2000, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (age 88). Buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada.
Matthew Bradshaw and Alisemon Agnes (Gilby) Bradshaw adopted two children:
Isabel Freda "Izzy" Merrick: Born March 25, 1918, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Died April 21, 2007, at Rosedale Hospice, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (age 89). Buried in Queen's Park Cemetery, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Married July 18, 1945, in Alberta, Canada, to Thomas Joseph "Tom" Kenny: Born August, 1909, in Liverpool; Died March 6, 1990, at Calgary General Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (age 80). Buried in the Field of Honor at Queen's Park Cemetery, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Stephen J. "Steve" Merrick: Born February 14, 1920, in Berry Creek, Alberta, Canada; Died 2002 - 2007 in Unknown. Married 1950 in Unknown, to Eunice E. Voysey: Born about 1928 in Unknown. Lived in Australia in 1972.
Both Stephen and Isabel are children of Dorchester James "Chester" Merrick (born April 4, 1888, in Shelby, Polk Co., NE; Died November 24, 1960, in Oliver, Alberta, Canada), and Frances Mills (born about 1891 in England). They were married December 25, 1916, at Knox Church, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
TIMELINE
Matthew Bradshaw and Alisemon Agnes (Gilby) Bradshaw are buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada. Thanks to Find-A-Grave for making these images available.
John Ferguson Bradshaw is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada. Thanks to Find-A-Grave for making this image available.
Henry Gordon Killick and Elsie Agnes (Bradshaw) Killick are buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada. Thanks to Find-A-Grave for making this image available.
Isabel Freda "Izzy" (Merrick) Kenny is buried in Queen's Park Cemetery, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Thanks to Find-A-Grave for making this image available.
The Elisamon Saga, provided by Andy Straw, as a PDF file.
Dear Leigh:
I recently found your website while looking for information about an ancestor of mine, Alisemon Gibly (nee Straw).
My relationship to Alisemon is that she was a first cousin of Thomas Straw (born 1828 in Lincoln, England) who was my Great Grandfather and emigrated to Australia in 1853, the same year as the Giblys emigrated to Canada.
Although I had previously found that Alisemon Straw married John Gibly in York, I had very little information as to what became of them after they arrived. I found your website very interesting and have used the information about Alisemon in developing my records of the Straw family.
My particular interest in Alisemon is because of her uncommon name which with different spellings has been used in many generations and the original Elisamon was a "fairy godmother" to my Great Grandfather. This is explained in a story I have written in the attached document (The Elisamon Saga). I have attached two different formats of the same story
My reason for writing to you is to let you know that I have a great deal of information about Alisemon's ancestors in England which I could send to you if you are interested. Also I would be very interested to know if in your family research you have come across any information which may help in me finding more about why the name Elisamon or Alsemon has been so popular in our history.
Regards,
Andy Straw
Sydney Australia
The 1851 UK Census as of March 30, 1851 shows John Gilby (age 36) born in Kirton, County Lincolnshire, England is a Grocer Master employing one man and living at 6 New Bridge Street, St. John Parish, City of York, Micklegate, County Yorkshire, England. Living with him is his wife Elizaman Gilby (age 34) born in the City of Lincoln. Also living there are their children, all born in York: Emily Gilby (age 6); James Gilby (age 5); Emma Gilby (age 3); and John Straw Gilby (age 1). John's widowed father also lives there: Jas. Gilby, Sen., (age 70) a Retired Farmer born in Willsby, County Lincolnshire, England. The assistant grocer and two house servants also live there.
In 1855 John Gilby was still listed as a Grocer at 6 New Bridge Street.
Alisemon Agnes Gilby was born May 7, 1880, in Ontario, Canada.
Matthew Bradshaw was born October, 1888, in Staining, County Lancashire, England.
The 1891 Canadian Census taken on May 11, 1891, shows John Gilby (age 41) born in England to English-born parents is a Rail Way Station Agent living in Tilbury West, Essex North, Ontario, Canada. Living with him is his wife, Elsie Reid Gilby (age 39) born Ontario, Canada, to Scottish-born parents. Also living there are his five children, all born in Ontario, Canada, to English and Ontario, Canadian-born parents: John Reid Gilby (age 15); Marguerite Gilby (age 13); Agnes Gilby (age 11); Isabella. Gilby (age 4); and William Gilby (age 2).
The 1901 Canadian Census shows John S. Gilby (age 51) born April 1, 1850 in England and emigrating in 1853 is a Station Agent living in Ekfrid Twp., Middlesex Co., Ontario, Canada. Living with him is his wife, Elsie R. Gilby (age 49) born March 13, 1852 in Ontario, Canada. Also living there are his four unmarried children, all born in Ontario, Canada: Margret Gilby (age 23) born March 20, 1878; Alisemon A. Gilby (age 20) born May 7, 1880; Elsie I. Gilby (age 14) born September 8, 1886; and Wm. J. Gilby (age 12) born September 2, 1888.
The 1901 UK Census taken on 1901 shows Evan Bradshaw (age 36) born in Pilling, County Lancashire, England is a Farmer on his Own Account living in the Village of Great Eccleston, County Lancashire, England. Living with him is his wife, Nancy Bradshaw (age 37) born Little Eccleston, County Lancashire, England. Also living there are his two sons: Matthew Bradshaw (age 11) born in Staining, County Lancashire, England; and Richard Bradshaw (age 8) born in Darwen, County Lancashire, England.
The 1911 Canadian Census taken on June 1, 1911 shows William J. Gilby (age 22) born September 1888 in Ontario, Canada is an unmarried Head of Household Farmer living in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Living with him is his unmarried sister, Alisemon A. Gilby (age 31) born May 1880 in Ontario, Canada, who is a Housekeeper.
The 1911 Canadian Census taken on June 1, 1911 shows Matthew Bradshaw (age 23) born October 1888 in England and having emigrated in 1906 is an unmarried Farmer living in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Evn. Bradshaw (age 66) and two other Bradshaws live nearby.
Alisemon Agnes Gilby.
Matthew Bradshaw and Alisemon Agnes Gilby were married 1915 in Drumheller, Strathmore Census Division, Alberta, Canada.
John Ferguson Bradshaw was born 1918 in Alberta, Canada.
Isabel Freda Merrick was born March 25, 1918, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Elsie Agnes Bradshaw was born March 31, 1920 in Millarfield, Hanna Census Division, Alberta, Canada.
Stephen "Steve" Merrick was born about 1921 in Alberta, Canada.
John Ferguson Bradshaw died August 18, 1938, at the Red Deer Hospital, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, at age 19. Buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada.
The Calgary Herald, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Friday, August 19, 1938
Rocky Mtn. House Resident Killed
Red Deer (Special) - John Bradshaw, aged 19, suffered fatal injuries in an unusual accident near Ponoka, yesterday morning. The youth was a passenger in a truck, driven by Willis Teskey, aged 17. The gas feed on the engine failed to operate, and Bradshaw volunteered to pour gasoline from a can into the carburetor while the truck was in motion. As Bradshaw leaned over the front fender and poured the gasoline, it exploded. As the gasoline flared up, he jumped to the ground but failed to clear the vehicle. He slipped beneath the rear wheels and was run over. The youth died from his injuries seven hours later at the Red Deer hospital. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Bradshaw of Rocky Mountain House.
The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Friday, August 19, 1938
Jumps as "Gas" Explodes, Dies
RED DEER, Aug. 19. - Injured when he jumped from a truck as a can of gasoline ignited, John Bradshaw, 19, died in a hospital here Thursday. A companion, Willis Teskey, escaped injury. When the feed line failed, Bradshaw crawled out on the fender and was pouring gasoline from a can when the fluid ignited. Teskey jumped clear but Bradshaw was caught under a rear wheel. The youth's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Bradshaw, of Rocky Mountain House, were at his bedside when he died six hours after admission to the hospital. The truck was not damaged, the burning gasoline escaping through a hole in the engine pan.
Alisemon Agnes (Gilby) Bradshaw died March 26, 1955, in Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada, at age 74. Buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada.
The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Thursday, March 31, 1955
20-Year Resident Dies At Rocky
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE - Mrs. Matthew Bradshaw died suddenly here after a heart attack. Born in Peterborough, Ont., she was the eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Gilby. She took a nurse's training in the Toronto General hospital and served there a number of years before coming West with her family to Drumheller in 1910. She was married there in 1915 to Matthew Bradshaw and in 1934 they moved to Rocky Mountain House. Their only son, John, died in 1938 from injuries received in a motor accident. Besides her widower she is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Gordon Killick of Calgary; an adopted son and daughter, Stephen Merrick, Flin Flon, Man., and Mrs. Thomas Kenny, Bowness; a sister, Mrs. J. E. Day, Rocky Mountain House, and a brother, William Gilby, Victoria, B. C. The Presbyterian Church was filled Tuesday for the funeral, conducted by Rev. A. L. Sutherland and burial was in Pine Grove Cemetery. Here for the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Killick, Stephen Merrick and Mrs. Kenny. Mrs. Bradshaw was a first cousin of the Canadian painter, A. Y. Jackson, who visited her here a number of times.
Matthew Bradshaw died April 19, 1956, in Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada, at age 66. Buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada.
The Calgary Herald, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Monday, April 30, 1956
Matthew Bradshaw
Funeral services for Matthew Bradshaw, 66, was held in the Presbyterian Church recently, Rev. Dr. Wotherspoon of Willowdale conducted the service and all business places were closed. Mr. Bradshaw was born in Blackstone, England, and came to Carnduff, Sask., with his family as a young boy in 1910. He came to Drumheller where he was married in 1915 to Aliseum Gilby who predeceased him just a year ago. In 1933, they moved to Rocky Mountain House where Mr. Bradshaw handled an implement business until his death. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Gordon Killick, Calgary, and Mrs. T. Kenny, Bowness, and one son Stephen, in Vancouver, a brother Richard in Calgary and nine grandchildren. His eldest son John died in 1938 following a car accident.
The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Friday, December 18, 1959
Leaves Sydney for Cape Town
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE - Stephen Merrick, who has been an engineer on the staff of Mount Isa Mines, Northern Queensland, Australia, has written friends in his home town that he has accepted a position with the Rho-Anglo Mines Service at Kitwe, Northern Rhodesia. With his wife and two young children he sailed from Sydney, Australia to Cape Town, Africa recently. He grew up in Rocky Mountain House, the adopted son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Bradshaw, and after serving overseas for four years in the Second Great War trained at the University of Alberta. After working several years at Flin Flon, Man., he went to take his master's degree at the University of British Columbia, and from there he went to Australia in 1957. Rho-Anglo Mines Service is a research company working for a large group of companies in the African copper belt.
Isabel Freda "Izzy" (Merrick) Kenny died April 21, 2007, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, at age 89. Buried in Queen's Park Cemetery, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The Calgary Herald, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Kenny - Isabel Freda (nee Merrick)
Our dear mother passed away on April 21, 2007 at the age of 89. She was predeceased by her husband Tom; parents, Chester and Frances Merrick; foster parents, Alisemon and Matthew Bradshaw; brothers, John Bradshaw and Stephen Merrick; and her beloved sister Elsie Killick. She is survived by her children, Tom (Christina), Eleanor, Patricia and David; her grandchildren, Tom and Michael (Leanne) Kenny, David and Trish Parker, and Stephan (Karine) and Sam Chudleigh; five great-grandchildren and many dear nieces and nephews. She was Aunt Izzy to John, Bruce, Margaret and Doreen and Aunt Belle to Penny. Our mother was born on March 25, 1918 in Calgary and lived on the Berry Creek near East Coulee, Alberta, moving with her family to Rocky Mountain House during the Depression. In May of 1945, she graduated from the University of Alberta as a Pharmaceutical Chemist. She married our father on July 18, 1945 and together they settled in the small village of Bowness. They started a drug store which they ran for many years. She led an accomplished life and touched many people. Above all, her family was most important to her. She was simply the best mother and one of the best people to grace this earth.
Alisemon Bradshaw appears in this book:
The Days Before Yesterday, History of Rocky Mountain House & District - Clearwater
BRADSHAW, Alf BRADSHAW, Alisemon Agnes (Gilby) BRADSHAW, Matthew
Published in the Calgary Herald on 11/3/2007.
Doreen Elsie (Killick) West died December 23, 2004.
ELLIOTT Edith Vera (nee Killick) 94, born and raised in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, passed away on October 26, 2007, at Beaverbank, Nova Scotia. During her long life, and largely as a wife of a "CPR man", Vera lived in Victoria and Kelowna, BC; Rocky Mountain House, Banff, Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Ottawa, Ontario; and Bedford and Beaverbank, Nova Scotia. She accepted all her moves with great equanimity and made a warm and loving home for her husband and family in each location. Vera was an avid golfer, bowler and tennis player until late in life. Beloved wife of the late Donald Victor Elliott who predeceased her in February 1975, she is survived by her three daughters, Marjorie (Jim Gillick) of Stittsville, Ontario; Patricia (Dale Wishart) of Sackville, Nova Scotia; and Dianne Elliott (Doug Hunt) of Scarborough, Ontario; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Vera also is survived by six nephews and two nieces. She was predeceased by her parents, John H and Ada B Killick, sister Marjorie Killick and brothers Harold, Bernard and Gordon Killick. A Memorial Service for Vera will be held at Rocky Mountain House at a later date. Memorial donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.