Genealogical Profile: Jane Louisa D'Eye (1868-1905)

Genealogical Profile: Jane Louisa D'Eye (1868-1905)

Birth and Baptism Jane Louisa D'Eye was born on 20 March 1868 in Watton, Norfolk, England. She was baptized shortly after, on 24 March 1868, in her hometown [D01885].

Parents and Family Background Jane was the daughter of George Hastings Rust-D'Eye (1836-1885) and Henrietta Fox Addison (1838-1921). Her family’s lineage connects to English roots, with her father’s death in her teenage years marking a significant moment in her early life.

Early Life In 1871, Jane resided at Wick Lane, Watton, Norfolk, England, and was recorded as a scholar in the census. By 1881, she had moved to Market Place, Swaffham, Norfolk, England, where she was attending a ladies' school as a boarder, continuing her education.

Immigration to Canada On 13 May 1883, Jane immigrated to Canada, arriving in Quebec City, Quebec aboard the SS Oregon. This marked the ship’s second voyage with the Dominion Line. The journey began in Liverpool on 3 May 1883, with a stop in Belfast before crossing the Atlantic. The SS Oregon was a notable ship, launched in 1882 with accommodations for over 1,300 passengers, predominantly in third class. Jane's move to Canada was part of a significant wave of British migration during this period [D02319].

Religious Life Jane’s faith journey saw changes over time. Initially recorded as Church of England in the 1891 census while residing in Toronto Junction, York, Ontario, she converted to Roman Catholicism in February 1897, shortly before her marriage.

Marriage and Family Jane married George Forbes on 27 February 1897 at St. Michael's Cathedral, Toronto, York, Ontario [D01887, D07127]. The ceremony was officiated by Father James P. Tracey. The couple had three children:

1. George Edgar Augustine D'Eye Forbes (b. 1898)
2. James P. Basil Forbes (b. 1899)
3. Gertrude Ellen Forbes (b. 1901)

Life in Canada As a young wife and mother, Jane resided in Toronto Junction, where George worked as part of the C.P.R. dispatching office. Jane’s primary role during these years was that of a housewife, supporting her family.

Health and Death Jane battled phthisis (tuberculosis) and general exhaustion for two years before passing away on 20 January 1905 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada [D07120, D07122]. Her death was reported in the Calgary Herald on 24 January 1905, which noted her lingering illness and the subsequent transport of her remains to Toronto by her husband. She was 36 years old [D07122].

Historical Context and Legacy Jane’s life offers a glimpse into the experiences of young women migrating to Canada during the late 19th century. Her story of resilience, religious conversion, and early death reflects the challenges faced by many settlers during this era. Her descendants, through her three children, carried forward her legacy in Canada.

Conclusion Though Jane’s life was brief, her journey from Norfolk to Canada highlights a narrative of adaptation and endurance. Her story remains a testament to the lives of many women who left their homeland in search of new opportunities and contributed to the fabric of Canadian society.

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Sources:
[D01885] (Watton, Norfolk, England), Norfolk, England, Church of England Births and; digital images, ancestry.com

[D01887] Ontario Archives of Ontario, Ontario, Canada Marriages, MS932; Reel: 91: 121, 1368, Forbes-D'Eye; digital images, Ancestry.ca, "Ontario, Canada Marriages".

[D02319] Canada, "Passenger List - SS Oregon 1882"; C-4532 C-4532, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa.

[D07120] Alberta Provincial Archives of Alberta, Alberta Canada Deaths Index, 1905: 227; digital image, "Alberta Deaths,".

[D07122] "Local and General," Calgary Herald, 24 Jan 1905, p. 8, col. 3; digital images, newspapers.com.

[D07127] (Ontario, Canada), Ontario, Canada, Roman Catholic Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, "Marriage - George Forbes and Jane D'Eye,"; digital images, FamilySearch.org.