James Steppings - Manitoba

[Decker21]

I've just got my head in order and yes Eliza Fields had a younger sister Edith. So she married Charles Hinton and Alvin and James were indeed cousins.

The thing that puzzles me is the names of James wives. His first wife was Elizabeth Blowes who died 1915. In the 1921 census it says wife Ann, when he dies in 1938 his wife is said to be Elizabeth one day and Adelaide the next day.  When Adelaide died in 1948 it says she lived in Canada 24 years which would mean since 1924 after the 1921 census. So did James have a second wife Ann and Adelaide was his third wife? Gets a bit confusing.

The connection with Mary Scott m. George Blowes seems to lead back to Ontario where James lived when he first came to Canada. The railroad connection with his work could be the reason he decided to settle in Manitoba as I read something about the railroad through Manitoba being completed around 1887.

The misspelling of Steppings goes way back to 1780 and beyond. The name has been spelt Steppings, Steppens, Stephens, Stebbings and Stebbins at various times. 

You've certainly given me a lot of information for which I am very grateful.

[*Sandra*]

You're very welcome.  It would be good if we can unravel the mystery of the wives.  Alvan was exactly the same, with his marriages.

1921 Mackenzie Saskatchewan

George Blowes  40 Born Eng. Immigrated 1891. Farmer.
Mary Blowes  35 Immigrated 1891. Farmer.
Lorne Blowes  12 Born Sask.
George Blowes  1 Born Sask.
Doris Blowes  10 Born Sask.
Lorane Blowes  4 Born Sask.
Alfred Blowes  65 Born 1856 Eng. Widowed. Gentleman.



Sandra

[*Sandra*]

Think this link shows Alfred and Elizabeth (Stepping) were brother and sister -

Alfred Bowles worked on the Canadian Pacific Railway between Albert and British Columbia about 1880.

To Canada c. 1891 direct to Shoal Lake to Mrs Steppings (his sister Betsy).

http://sprague-database.org/genealogy/getperson.php?personID=I295273&tree=SpragueProject

Sandra

[RunKitty]

Hi,

I think James was married twice - the first wife was Elizabeth Blowes and the second wife was Elizabeth/Adelaide Dillon.  Adelaide's obit says she was in Winnipeg for 24 years, so she certainly could have lived in other parts of Canada before that.  Also, I found a couple of memorial notes in the paper from Adelaide mentioning her husband James Steppings who died on Feb 23, 1938.  The memorial notes are signed Adelaide.  In fact the only place I see her listed as Elizabeth is in James' obituary.  Perhaps she was Elizabeth Adelaide Dillon -- or Adelaide Elizabeth Dillon??

RK   

[Decker21]

Forgot to ask, you mentioned a photo of James in the Winnipeg Free Press of 1835. Can you tell me where I can access it.

[*Sandra*]

Also found an obit for a Mary Scott, wife of George Blowes.   I expect George is related to Elizabeth Blowes Stepping...Mr and Mrs Jas Stepping were among those who sent flowers.   

Mary died on Sept 12, 1928. She was the daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Innis of Shoal Lake.  Granddaughter of Duncan McRae, M.P. of Toronto and niece of Reverend Dr Wm Wallis of Toronto.  She married George Blowes in 1907.  They lived in Lavinia district, then to Shoal Lake.  In 1914, they moved to Theodore, Saskatchewan, then came back to Shoal Lake in 1926.  She leaves her husband and 6 children - Lorne, Lorraine, Mervyn, Doris, Verdun and Evelyn. 

RK

Well done RK.  Have a date of death for  for George Blowes born 1879 died 30 May 1962 in  Shoal Lake, Manitoba which might help locate an obituary. (Source Anc tree)
Another private members entry says "Obituary 8 June 1961 Shoal Lake Manitoba" and a Memorium 4 June 1964 Shoal Lake Manitoba.

Sandra

[RunKitty]

Hmm

From the 1921 census, I might infer that Alfred was George Blowes father - so also Elizabeth's father.  BUt, George's obituary (June 8 1961) says that he was the only son of Richard Blowes.  He died on May 30, 1961.  He was 84.  He is buried in Shoal Lake cemetery.  George was born in "Lancastershire" England on Nov 10 1876.  In 1888, he came to Canada with his parents and two sisters - Florence and Nellie. They first came to the Lavinia District.  Then they moved to the farm previously owned by Jim Martin - now known as Blowes farm.  IN 1907, George married May Innis.  Later, they moved to Springside, Saskatchewan. They returned to Shoal Lake in 1926 and took up farming on the Steppings farm.   This was where, in 1928, Mrs Blowes died.  He is survived by a sister Mrs J O Rae.  Also, children Lorne, Lorraine (Mrs I Dellar), Evelyn (Mrs J Park), all of Shoal Lake, Doris (Mrs R Brown) and Verdun of Winnipeg, Irvin of Kent England. 

RK

[RunKitty]

Maybe that was Lorraine - Mrs J Dellar?  I found a note in the Shoal Lake paper from 1933 saying the Mr and Mrs J Steppings were up from Winnipeg visiting Mrs J Dellar. 

I looked at it again, and the obit says Mrs I Dellar.  But, in any case, this is another connection between the Steppings family and the Blowes/Dellar families.

I hope I haven't muddied the waters for Decker21 with this . 

RK

[Decker21]

Thanks for all that, it's certainly building up a lot of information to explore. Somewhere it said Alfred Blowes was known as Dickie so perhaps that's where the son of Richard comes from in George's obit. The Dellar surname is interesting as James' uncle William had a son b. 1849 at Lambeth, Surrey called Edward Deller Steppings. His mother's maiden name was Guilford so I don't know where the name came from. He joined the army, married in Ireland and had a son b. 1877 in India called William Deller Steppings. Edward died 1898 in Camberwell, Surrey and William was married and living in Gloucestershire in 1911. I'll do some exploring to see if there is a connection.