My great-grandmother, Nancy Ellen Reed, was born on this day in 1881. I have only recently starting delving into the Reed line in my family tree. But, others have done quite a bit of research already. I thought a nice way to celebrate her birthday was to build out her profile on Wikitree.
Nancy Ellen Reed was one of seven children born to Nathaniel and Harriet (Howard) Reed. The family lived in Glanford Township, Wentworth County, Ontario where Nathaniel was a farmer for many years. Eventually, they moved to Hamilton.
On April 23, 1903, Nancy married Jonathan Wesley Finch, my great-grandfather. Together they had five children: Margaret, George, Nile, Charity “Cassie”, and Eric Clifford (my grandpa).
Around 1910, Nancy and Jonathan – along with her parents – took the family west to Birtle, Manitoba. I’m not certain why they decided to go to what looks to me like the middle of nowhere. Perhaps cheap land and better job prospects influenced their decision. Clearly, though, they felt their future was brighter on the Prairies.
Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out the way they expected. Nancy’s mother, Harriet, died in 1911. Then, sadly, in 1917 Nancy Ellen died as a result of childbirth complications a week after my grampa was born. She was only 36 years old. Soon after, the family returned to Ontario.
I knew very little about my great grandmother growing up. I just knew that my grampa never knew his mother as she had died shortly after giving birth to him. My cousin shares her name, so it’s nice that her legacy lives on.
My Dad’s cousin Verna shared pictures with me of both Nancy Ellen’s and her mother’s grave markers, two monuments to remind us of our family’s brief presence on the Prairies. They’re buried in a small cemetery in Solsgirth, Manitoba. It looks like a very peaceful spot. One day I hope to visit this cemetery “in the middle of nowhere” and pay a visit to these women.
