Jen's Genealogy Pages

Amy Johnson Crow, on her blog No Story Too Small, has challenged her fellow bloggers to post 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. This is week twelve.

My great-great grandmother Alice Louisa Oakley was born on June 4, 1856. She was one of nine children born to Cornelius and Jane (Adams) Oakley. At the time of her birth, the family was living in Hove, Sussex, England.

By the 1861 census the family is in the parish of St. Mary’s Extra in Hampshire, England. Cornelius (45) and Jane (43) are listed along with children Cornelius (20), Alfred (16), Samuel (13), George (11), Thomas (8), Alice (4) and Emma (4 months). Eldest brother John William is already moved out of the family home and is married with a young child. Older sister, Sarah, was a servant working away from home.

Alice emigrated to Canada with some members of her family. They travelled on board the Ganges and arrived in Quebec on July 13, 1870. Cornelius (54) and Jane (52) were travelling with Alice (14), Emma (9) and Thomas (17). Older brother Alfred (26) and his wife Emily (26) were also on the ship, along with their three-year-old and 11 month old boys. It appears that 17-year-old Edward Pardoe Coulman was also travelling with the family. Edward would play a significant role in Alice’s life. Most of Alice’s siblings end up also emigrating to Canada.

The Oakleys are found in Montreal on the 1871 census. Stone cutter Cornelius (55) and Jane (53) are there along with Thomas (17), Alice (15), and Emma (10). Also with the family are Emily (26), Albert (4), Frederic (2) and Sarah (4 months).

On May 22, 1879, Alice Louisa Oakley marries Edward Pardoe. Edward was 27 years old and Alice was 22. Their marriage record says Edward was born in London, England to James and Mary Ann Coulman and Alice was born in Brighton to Cornelius and Jane Oakley. Edward is a commercial traveler. The marriage was witnessed by George Bailey and Emma Oakley.

The 1881 census shows Edward (27) married to Alice J. (24) and they have one son, James (1). They live next door to several Oakley relations in St. Stephen’s Ward in Toronto, Ontario.

By the 1891 census, Edward (39), Alice (35), and James (11) have been joined by Edward C. (8) and Walter (4). Edward Sr. is an undertaker supplies traveller. They are still living in St. Stephen’s Ward. Not listed on the census is daughter Katie, who was born in 1881 and, sadly, passed away in 1887.

In the 1901 census, Edward (48) and Alice (52) are living with three of their sons, James (21), Walter (13) and Norman (8). Edward is now listed as a photographer. Son Edward is married and has moved out.

Edward Pardoe died on December 16, 1908, leaving Alice a widow.

I am not sure where Alice is immediately after Edward’s death. I have not been able to locate her on the 1911 census. However, I have found a record from 1916 documenting Alice returning to Canada following a visit to her son Norman in Flint, Michigan. That at least raises the possibility that she was visiting the United States at the time of the census.

By the 1921 census, Alice (64) is living with eldest son James (34), his wife Elsie (31) and their son Ernest (4).

Alice Louisa passed away on October 10, 1947 at the age of 91 and is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.