Blackie Book - Separated by Oceans

Separated by Oceans

Hey Everybody. I am proud to say that the Blackie Book “Separated by Oceans” was completed in time for the 2010 Reunion! Only 70 copies were printed, and they have now been distributed.  I hope that this book will be a treasured keepsake for years to come. 

Denny

denny647@gmail.com

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Book Overview: 

Introduction - (pages 1 to 5) Includes dedication, in memoriam, and editor's note.

Section 1 - Blackie Ancestors (pages 6 to 18) includes William JC & Catherine Blackie, Walter & Helen Blackie, John & Catherine Hogg, and more!

Section 2 - Blackie Descendants (pages 19 to 103) includes Kathleen Arthur and descendants, Walter Blackie and descendants, Hellen Fleming and descendants, William Denholm Blackie and descendants, Jean Harper and descendants.

Section 3 - Memories & Pictures (pages 104 to 114) includes memory submissions and some great pictures!

Appendix - (pages 115 to 122) Includes write-up and Blackie surname, details on the Blackie tartan, some information on Fleming Ancestor's and more!

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Book Excerpts:

Dedication - This book is dedicated to: William Denholm Blackie who wrote: “I hope some of the younger generation will be interested enough in their family origins to pick up the threads and keep the story alive.”  Hopefully this book will help keep the story alive and inspire future generations as well.  Denny

In Memoriam - “I feel truly blessed by the family that I have and I am truly thankful for the family members who, though they are no longer with us, they live in our hearts and our memories forever more.” Quote by: Donna Letourneau

William John Chamberlain & Catherine Hall (Hogg) Blackie

William was born June 10, 1886 at Ardlamont, Kilfinan, Arqyllshire in Scotland.A005  William “was employed at Colton House, Dunfermline, Fifeshire in 1906.  His wife to be (Catherine Hall Hogg) of #27 James Place, Leith was engaged as a housemaid by the same employer.”1  Catherine was born May 7, 1884A003 in South Leith, Scotland.  William and Catherine were married at “The Manse” (Parish Church of St. John’s) South Leith, Scotland on October 17, 1906.0  In 1908 William and Catherine had their first child, a daughter named Catherine (Kitty) Hall; followed by a son named Walter in 1909A006, and another daughter named Helen in 1912.A007  William was a soldier and “had joined the reserved army prior to 1914 (The Fife & Forfar Yeomanary)   He was in France and in the trenches in 1914.”1  After that  he “transferred to (The Royal Scots Greys) a cavalry regiment, which he thought would be much better than foot soldiering with the yeomanery.  He was soon to be disappointed.  The days of the cavalry charge were almost over and the “greys” fought most of their battles in dismounted action.  He was also in the illfated Gallipoli Campaign.”1  The Gallipoli campaign took place at Gallipoli  peninsula in Turkey from 25 April 1915 to 9 January 1916, during the First World War. A joint British and French operation was mounted to capture the Ottoman capital of Constantinople, and secure a sea route to Russia. The attempt failed, with heavy casualties on both sides.”3  William returned from the war in 1918, but “like many ex-servicemen he was unable to settle down in any one place.”1  In 1921 William and Catherine had a second son named William Denholm.   In 1926 “the family prepared for their departure from Scotland.  Daughter, Kitty had commenced her nursing training so it was agreed that she would stay in Scotland to complete the program and obtain her nursing certificate.”1  The rest of the family embarked on a 9 day journey aboard the ship Mont Calm was apparently not very calm as “most of the passengers were very ill at sea.”2  The Mont Calm sailed from Greenock, Scotland on April 24, 1926A008 and arrived in Montreal, Quebec on May 3, 1926.A009  According to the ship passenger list their passage was paid by the government and they were heading to Edmonton, Alberta under the “3,000 Family Scheme”.  “Under the 3,000 Family Scheme, the Canadian government offered assisted passage, the sale of land on a credit basis, and agricultural training and supervision.  The British government agreed to provide each family with a loan for the purchase of stock and equipment.  The loans were repayable in yearly instalments over a period of twenty-five years at a low rate of interest.”4  “After a few days in Montreal the family left by train for Edmonton, Alberta.”1  They then proceeded by train to the farm they had been assigned in Cherhill, Alberta; approximately 100 kilometres North West of Edmonton, “where they were met by a neighbour, with a team and wagon (grain box) to transport them to the farm.  It was early in the springtime and the roads were very nearly impassable even with horses and wagon.  The family were not well equipped for such a rigorous journey.  The wagon box was piled high with all the goods and chattels.”1  Catherine was not happy in Cherhill and shortly after arriving William “decided that the farm (land & buildings) were not to his expectations, the land, he thought would not produce sufficiently to support the family.”1  After some negotiation “the family made the move from Cherhill to Bon Accord and settled into farming.”1  It was in Bon Accord, Alberta where their youngest child, a daughter named Jean was born in 1927.  The family stayed in Bon Accord until 1930.  After that they “arranged to rent a farm near Grassland and in the spring of 1930 the family moved, “lock, stock, barrel, horses and cattle”1,  where they stayed until 1936.  Catherine was “suffering from cancer”1 and “was ill in hospital in Athabasca.”1  William took the family south in April 1936, and arrangements were made “that Jean should stay with George & Helen to wait until Catherine was well enough to be released from hospital”1 and then Catherine and Jean could rejoin the family.  “By the time the family reached Pincher Creek in SW Alberta, funds were getting dangerously depleted.”1  William “found employment as a farm manager on the “Allison Place” south of Twin Butte. Walter was employed on the McCrae farm south of Pincher and William (Denholm) was employed on the James Taylor farm east of Pincher.  Catherine and Jean arrived by train before the end of May and joined William on the Allison Place”1, where the family settled for awhile.  “In 1938 the Allison place was sold and William was required to move.”1  William held various jobs over the next few years but Catherine “was not well and William wanted to get her a place that would offer some of the amenities and be closer to a medical facility.”1  In 1940 William “got a position as a manager on the Anchordown Ranch near the village of Priddis, a few miles SW of Calgary”1 and Catherine and Jean joined him there.  Catherine died July 27, 1942 in Calgary, Alberta.A004  For a number of years it had been in remission but, in 1942 it ravaged her system and she passed away in July of that year.  Catherine had been happier during the years at Priddis than at any other place in Canada.  She enjoyed the district and the friends they made there.  She loved Calgary and the shopping.  It was a blessing that her last years were gentler and happier for her.”1   William married the widow May Lowe on October 20, 1950, and they settled on a farm in Priddis.  “They were comfortable at Priddis and among friends.  There were children and grandchildren on both sides and there was time to visit and enjoy them.  The “kids” liked to see Grandpa and Grandma at the farm.”1 “Kitty Arthur came from Australia to visit the Canadian Blackies in late 1962.  The visit of Kitty Arthur was a highlight for William.  He had not seen his eldest daughter since his departure from Scotland in 1926.  Kitty Arthur was on an extended visit to the family in Canada.  This was most fortunate as she was able to spend a lot of time with him until his death”.1 William died March 19, 1963 in Calgary, Alberta.A010  Both William and Catherine “had requested cremation.  Catherine’s ashes had been in safekeeping at Jacques Funeral Home in Calgary.  Shortly after the death of William, Walter and Jean took the two urns containing the ashes and scattered the contents on a hill overlooking the Anchordown Ranch, near Priddis, an area in Canada that William and Catherine had both learned to love and enjoy.”1,A001,A002 May died December 9, 1972 in Calgary, Alberta.

Original References:

1 – Line of Ancestry of: William John Chamberlain Blackie by William Denholm Blackie

2 – Dreams & Determination – Page 224

3 – Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallipoli_Campaign

4 – The Making of the Mosaic by Ninette Kelley, M. J. Trebilcock – Page 190

0 – Image of Certificate of Marriage for William John Chamberlain Blackie and Catherine Hall Hogg included in book

Extra information not included in original write-up:

W (age 4) was listed in the 1891 Scotland Census as living at 3 Gillsland Road in Edinburgh St Cuthberts, Midlothian with his family: W (age 32 - Coachman), H (age 28) and J (age 8) as well as J Cowper (age 21).E001

Catherine H (age 6) was listed in the 1891 Scotland Census at address 19 Rosevale Pl in Leith South, Midothian, Scotland with her family: John (age 31 - Dock Company Porter), Catherine Hogg (age 29), John (age 5), James H (age 3), Margaret H (age 2) and Jane C (age 4 months).E002

William (age 14 - Groom) was listed in the 1901 Scotland Census as living at 3 Gillsland Road in Edinburgh, Midlothian with his family: Walter (age 42 - Coachman), Helen (age 38) and Jane (age 18 - Bootmaker's Saleswoman).E003 

Catherine Hall Hogg (age 16 - Nurse) was listed in the 1901 Scotland Census at address 22 Heriot Row in Edinburgh, Midlothian with the Mackenzie Family.E004

Additional sources and references not included in original book are designated in purple and specified in the table below.