Grace Hamilton Kelly

[valeriec]

Do you know if Albert served with the Canadians or Australians in the South African War. The database at LAC has an A. E. Kelly, Reg. # 1687, South African Constabulary, Type of Records on file - Other Records. Other Records could be Western Land Grants. Veterans were able to apply for land grants and there are 2 for an Albert Kelly. I am not sure how to follow up on these records but someone else on this forum may have that knowledge. There is an A. Robinson that also served with the South African Constabulary. This may only be a coincidence but may be worth following up. Hanna, Alberta is close to Fenner and this is an area where some of the land grants were issued. I wish we could find the name of a male relative of Isabel as it would be so much easier to trace on any of the records. Farming on these land grants was extremely difficult and many farmers left the farms after only a few years. This may be how Isabel and Albert met. California isn't all that far south of Alberta. They may have decided to marry in California on the way to Australia. There may have been more opportunity for ships out of California as well.

As your main research is for Grace Hamilton Kelly, I would contact the cemetery in New Westminster to see if they have a date for the death of Grace Hamilton Pride. Then I would contact the local newspaper for an obituary. In some cases, the cemetery can give you a lot of information so it is worth a try. I would ask for information on the McNair's as well. It is possible they are in the same plot.

[Rossk]

Gooday all,
       I will direct this to SRK as we are both Aussie's.
There is a lot of revelant info in these posts, [thanks to all who posted]
I suspect I spoke to your Father by phone from Queensland some months back.
 Albert was part of the Aust contingent in the Sth African war and I do have some details on that. He actually was part of the WA Mounted infranty.
 I have checked with many of the Church organization in Canada about Grace being either in Ministry or a Missionary but they all have said they have no record. May be she did marry.
I have some Photos of the family and would like more and I am happy to share.
Keep on searching!!!
      Cheers
          Ross K

[valeriec]

You should be able to get Albert Edwin Kelly's complete military files for both the South African War and The First World War. You may find information in the files that could help in your search. I know that in the Canadian files, there is a lot of information as to pay documents, next of kin, injuries, debarkation, when and where served and sometimes piecing the information together gets you closer to the info that you are really searching.

www.ancestorsonboard.com
has
I. Robinson, b. 1883, female, 1892 Liverpool to Montreal
traveling with
J. Robinson, b. 1857, male
Mary Robinson, b. 1861, female

It is a stretch but someone may have access to the passenger list and be able to give you more information. I checked the National Archives in Ireland for the 1901 census and couldn't find and Isabel or Isabella (common spelling in Northern Ireland) for Isabel born in 1883 or 1884 in living in Antrim.

(I think I found the family above on the Vancouver - lists Joseph age 35, Mary age 31, Ivy (joy) age 9 so I think you can rule out)

I also went to
http://pilot.familysearch.org

to search for a birth for Isabel/Isabella Robinson and there are a few possibilities but the parents aren't listed so that would mean ordering certificates. I tend to try all other sources before ordering certificates especially in Ireland.

[stevemk]

I was doing some internet research on my mother - Grace Hamilton Kelly and I ran across this trail of conversation.   Needless to say I my jaw dropped to see so much information on Grace.   I can confirm most of the information provided in the trail of Grace's past from 1970 to present.     Grace started looking after me as a child in Calcutta India where she was a missionary.   In 1972 I came to Vancouver Canada to live with her.  She eventually was successful in adopting me when I turn 13.   I am happy to share more about Grace's later days.   I can confirm that she passed away peacefully in Vancouver June 2007.   

I visited Grace's relative (her brother Ned (Albert) and wife Peg as well as their children) in 1981.  Grace and I and our storey and her reunion with her brother (after apx. 33years) were exposed in the local Melbourne or Geelong paper (I still have a copy of the story to date).   If the Aussie Kelly's are following this conversation - I do encourage you to reach me as I would very much like to know more of Grace's life and also reconnect with my adopted extended family.

[*Sandra*]

Hi Steve,

Welcome to Rootschat

If you post 2 more message then you can use the personal message system to contact Rossk.
Unfortnately, the site don't allow us to post our e-mail addresses (spamming etc.,) so you will have to remove your e-mail address - before a moderator comes along and does it for you.

Sandra

[stevemk]

Sandra, thank you for the tip.   I have edited the post.   

[*Sandra*]

That's good.  Is your weather good ? Just noticed Rossk hasn't been online since September 2011, hopefully he will get a notification of this post.

Sandra

[blueballoon]

Hi Steve,

I guess that makes us related somehow...

I've sent you a PM.

SRK

[sarah]

Hi Steve and blueballon

Welcome to Rootschat

RossK emails are currently not working, but I think I have managed to find him (fingers crossed) I have just sent an email with a link to your new replies so hopefully he should be back soon.

Regards

Sarah