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Hetti Keeler was possibly one of the Home Children who travelled from UK to Canada. I’m trying to help my Canadian Cousin (CC) in Ontario to research his maternal grandmother’s (Hetti’s) family (not even my side of the family, but I have got so engrossed in this. I thought it would be straightforward, but of course it isn’t ...).

I’m wondering whether any GR researchers have some fresh ideas or similar experience that they would share, as to where I can look next, please? Sorry this is a long post, but am trying to include as much info as possible.

CC has no documents for his grandmother, all he has to go by are his (and his late mother's) past recollections. Apart from these memories, this is the one piece of evidence we have about his grandmother:-

Marriage record: Ontario, Canada, Marriages 1801-1926.
Name: Henrietta Gladys Keeler, age abt. 24 in 1910.
Father: Daniel Keeler; Mother: Matilda Caster (Castle?).
Spouse: Frank James Moore, b. abt. 1889
Marriage: 01 Jun 1910 in York, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

As far as CC knows, his grandmother was known as Hetti for all of her life in Canada – he has a book, in which she wrote ‘Hetti Keeler, 1908’ - she was then living in Ontario. CC knows that Hetti died c. 1953 in Canada.

Apparently born abt. 1886, probably in Kent UK, Hetti always said she came from the Folkestone area. Her parents’ names on marriage record suggest this Keeler family of Barham, Kent, UK:-

Daniel Keeler (b. Barham 1846, d. Bridge 1904) and Matilda Jane Castle (b. Barham abt. 1854). They married Bridge, Kent, 1868 and had at least 9 children between 1870-1887. All girls, except Margaret Amelia, can be accounted for on 1901 census.

But ... there is no Henrietta Gladys, or anybody with variations of this name.

The above family is well-researched & documented, with matching trees on Ancestry & GR. I have contacted all GR members with these matches, and received helpful replies. But nobody has a Henrietta Gladys or any variation in their tree.

CC understands from family stories that both Hetti and her (half?) sister Margaret worked as domestics after arriving in Canada, Hetti possibly for a doctor in Cherry Valley, Prince Edward County (Ont.). He’s currently researching this. He estimates their arrival in Canada (not necessarily together) as 1890-1900.

CC feels that the girls would not have had enough money to travel to Canada by their own means, so his theory, held for a long time, is that they were Home Children.

A possible match for Hetti (apart from her name!) is:-
Surname: KEELER Given Name: Elizabeth Age: 6 Sex: F (birth year abt. 1885.)
Ship: Circassian
Year of Arrival: 1891
Departure Port: Liverpool
Departure Date: 26 August 1891 Arrival Port: Quebec
Arrival Date: 06 September 1891
Party: Miss Rye's
Destination: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Comments: To Niagara-on-the-Lake via Toronto; Miss Soffe matron.
Source: Library and Archives Canada
Type of Record: Passenger Lists

I have searched IGI, FreeBMD & Ancestry for variations of Henrietta, Hetti (various spellings) & Gladys. Found no Henrietta Gladys (any surname) born in Bridge 1885-1900; found 5 Henriettas with different surnames in that period.

Have had little success with births for the Elizabeth Keeler recorded above.

Have briefly searched:- Canadian census 1911 (Ontario); Collections Canada Home Children lists; passenger lists: many Keeler females, but few given names or even initials.

I have some details about Margaret, Hetti’s half sister, who seems equally mysterious. But feel this is enough info for one thread.

Many thanks for reading this,

Liz

connection? 1881

Daniel KEELER Head M Male 35 Barham, Kent, England Ag Lab
Matilda KEELER Wife M Female 32 Barham, Kent, England
Daniel KEELER Son Male 11 Barham, Kent, England Scholar
Matilda KEELER Daug Female 9 Barham, Kent, England Scholar
Elizabeth KEELER Daug Female 6 Barham, Kent, England Scholar
William KEELER Son Male 3 Barham, Kent, England
Susannah KEELER Daug Female 1 Barham, Kent, England


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Source Information:
Dwelling Gravel Castle
Census Place Barham, Kent, England
Family History Library Film 1341227
Public Records Office Reference RG11
Piece / Folio 0955 / 74
Page Number 20

1881

Daniel KEELER Head M Male 67 Barham, Kent, England Ag Lab
Elizabeth KEELER Wife M Female 63 Barham, Kent, England


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Source Information:
Dwelling Breach Downs
Census Place Barham, Kent, England
Family History Library Film 1341227
Public Records Office Reference RG11
Piece / Folio 0955 / 73
Page Number 18

1881

Daniel KEELER Male English 19 O Methodist Church C
Agnes KEELER Female English 20 O Methodist Church C
Sarah KEELER Female English 10 O Methodist Church C
Charles TUFF M Male English 60 O Laborer Methodist Church C
Sarah A. TUFF M Female English 50 O Methodist Church C


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Source Information:
Census Place Storrington, Frontenac, Ontario
Family History Library Film 1375871
NA Film Number C-13235
District 115
Sub-district G
Division 3
Page Number 25
Household Number 108+

1881

Joseph KEELER M Male English 37 O Sexton Methodist Church C
Elen KEELER M Female Scottish 36 O Methodist Church C
Barbary E. KEELER Female English 15 O Methodist Church C
Sarah C. KEELER Female English 13 O Methodist Church C
William KEELER Male English 11 O Methodist Church C
Daniel C. KEELER Male English 7 O Methodist Church C
Samule KEELER Male English 5 O Methodist Church C
Mary A. KEELER Female English 3 O Methodist Church C
Joseph E. KEELER Male English 2 O Methodist Church C
Christopher KEELER Male English Methodist Church C


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Source Information:
Census Place Storrington, Frontenac, Ontario
Family History Library Film 1375871
NA Film Number C-13235
District 115
Sub-district G
Division 3
Page Number 19
Household Number 84+

1881

William KEELER M Male English 33 O Farmer Methodist Church C
Suson KEELER M Female German 27 O Methodist Church C
Harmon KEELER Male English 9 O Methodist Church C
Samule KEELER Male English 6 O Methodist Church C
Daniel B. KEELER Male English 3 O Methodist Church C


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Source Information:
Census Place Storrington, Frontenac, Ontario
Family History Library Film 1375871
NA Film Number C-13235
District 115
Sub-district G
Division 3
Page Number 18
Household Number 80+

1881

Ephraim KEELOR M Male English 65 O Tanner Methodist Canada
Ann KEELOR M Female English 60 O Methodist Canada
Daniel KEELOR Male English 29 O Clerk Methodist Canada
Robert KEELOR Male English 20 O Merchant Methodist Canada
Flourance KEELOR Female English 16 O Methodist Canada


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Source Information:
Census Place Edwardsburg, Grenville South, Ontario
Family History Library Film 1375866
NA Film Number C-13230
District 106
Sub-district C
Division 2
Page Number 65
Household Number 293+

1881

George KEELER Head M Male 38 Alkham, Kent, England Bricklayer
Susana KEELER Wife M Female 36 Lydden, Kent, England
David KEELER Son U Male 16 Dover, Kent, England Bricklayers
Susana KEELER Daur Female 14 Dover, Kent, England Scholar
Minne KEELER Daur Female 12 Dover, Kent, England Scholar
George KEELER Son Male 11 Dover, Kent, England Scholar
Norah KEELER Daur Female 9 Dover, Kent, England Scholar
Henirietta KEELER Daur Female 6 Dover, Kent, England Scholar
Leve KEELER Son Male 4 Dover, Kent, England Scholar
Ernest KEELER Son Male 1 Dover, Kent, England


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Source Information:
Dwelling 5 Magdala Rd
Census Place Buckland In Dover, Kent, England
Family History Library Film 1341239
Public Records Office Reference RG11
Piece / Folio 1005 / 73
Page Number 20

1881
Thomas KEELER M Male English 63 England Farmer Church of England
Elizabeth KEELER M Female English 66 England Church of England
Alice B. GUTHERIE Female Scottish 4 O Church of England
John DENNE M Male English 52 England Farmer Church of England
Elizabeth DENNE M Female English 49 England Church of England
George DENNE Male English 25 O Farmer Church of England
Joseph DENNE Male English 23 O Farmer Church of England
Kezia DENNE Female English 19 O Church of England
Eliza DENNE Female English 17 O Church of England
William DENNE Male English 15 O Church of England
Thomas DENNE Male English 13 O Church of England
Elizabeth DENNE Female English 9 O Church of England


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Source Information:
Census Place Roma, Ontario North, Ontario
Family History Library Film 1375881
NA Film Number C-13245
District 133
Sub-district H
Page Number 10
Household Number 45

1881

Robert KEELER M Male English 39 O Farmer Bible Christian
Elizabeth KEELER M Female English 34 O Bible Christian
Susan E. KEELER Female English 12 O Bible Christian
John L. KEELER Male English 11 O Bible Christian
Robert J. KEELER Male English 8 O Bible Christian
William T. KEELER Male English 7 O Bible Christian
George H. KEELER Male English 5 O Bible Christian
Samuel P. KEELER Male English 3 O Bible Christian
Elizabeth A. KEELER Female English 1 O Bible Christian


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Source Information:
Census Place Hope, Durham East, Ontario
Family History Library Film 1375877
NA Film Number C-13241
District 127
Sub-district A
Division 3
Page Number 16
Household Number 80

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Husband's Name
James CASTLE (AFN:1K9P-HLB) Pedigree

Born: 1801 Place: Nonington, Kent, England
Married: Abt 1837/1838 Place: , , , England

Father:
Mother:

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Wife's Name
Ann (AFN:1K9P-HMJ) Pedigree

Born: 1816 Place: , Hampshire, England
Married: Abt 1837/1838 Place: , , , England

Father:
Mother:

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Children

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1. Sex Name
M Frederick CASTLE (AFN:1K9P-HNQ) Pedigree

Born: 1839 Place: Barham, Kent, England

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2. Sex Name
F Harriet Ann CASTLE (AFN:1K9P-HPX) Pedigree

Born: 1842 Place: Barham, Kent, England

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3. Sex Name
M Richard J. CASTLE (AFN:1K9P-HQ5) Pedigree

Born: 1844 Place: Barham, Kent, England

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4. Sex Name
F Martha M. CASTLE (AFN:1K9P-HRC) Pedigree

Born: 1846 Place: Barham, Kent, England

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5. Sex Name
F Matilda J. CASTLE (AFN:1K9P-HSK) Pedigree

Born: 1849 Place: Barham, Kent, England

Hi Anne,

Wow, thank you!

Daniel & Matilda Keeler whom you posted from 1881 census are the ones we believe to be the parents recorded on Hetti's marriage record.

Those Canadian census records are great finds. I have asked CC if there's any likelihood that Hetti and her sister were really born in Canada.

He says they were both dreamers, told fantastic stories, so he is not sure how much they made up and how much was true!

Thank you again,

Liz

my pleasure - I am sure others on here will find even more for you!!

On the 1911 Canadian census she says she was born 17 Sep. 1887 in Ontario, Canada.

Margaret,

That's very interesting - thank you!

Does it say where she's living, what work she's doing etc. - or how can I view this census myself, please? (Had a look at Can. census before, but missed this one).

Liz

Unable to see any birth info for your girl in the whole of Kent for the given timespan give or take 2 years.

Go to Automatedgenealogy here:

http://www.automatedgenealogy.com/index.html

Click on 1911 census.
Click on Ontario.
Type in Moore.
Then type in first name Henrietta.
She's the 23 year old one.
Click on the page no.
To see original click on "split view" at top.
I have to magnify up to 100%.
That's where it says born Ontario, mind you she could have lied. There was a time when people were ashamed of being a "Home Child". Not any more.

Hi Irish Gal,

Thanks for looking - yes, I have had the same problem! There aren't many Henriettas with different surnames born around that time, let alone any Keelers.

My cousin and I are beginning to think she invented the names Henrietta and Gladys because they sounded more interesting than her birth name (whatever that might have been).

But of course, if she was born in Ontario, which is a strong possibility, that puts a whole different light on everything.

After all, if she had moved to Canada from the UK I imagine she would have had naturalization papers. Must admit this is one search I haven't tried yet.

Liz

Margaret - thanks, that's most helpful.

Will have a look myself. I wasn't aware of that URL.

My cousin thinks that Hetti and her sister did try to cover up their past lives with all kinds of what he calls 'magical' stories.

I am beginning to think Hetti was a real-life Anne of Green Gables (the one in the book, not our heroic GR helper!!). Their lives seem to have a lot of parallels.

Liz

On the original of the marriage record it says:
Groom:
Frank James Moore
Printer
Age 21
Presbyterian
71 Salon? St.
Father-Frank John Moore, printer
Mother-Not known

Bride:
Henrietta Gladys Keeler
Age 24
Baptist
21 Spadina Rd.
Father-Daniel Keeler, fruit grocer
Mother-Matilda Caster or Castle?

Married by license by H.C. Dixon.
Witnesses Amy L. Dixon, Minnie McKnight.