Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

ELISE & MARY WHITTAKER

Mary Thompson Whittaker was born on 5 March 1887 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to John Francis Whittaker and Elizabeth (Eliza) Thompson. Her siblings were Francis John (Frank) (b 1885), Joseph Thompson (b 1886), Lavinia (b 1888), William James (b 1890), Robert Alexander (b 1892), Henry (b 1893), Eliza Catherine (Elizabeth) (1895-1976), Margaret Annie (b 1897) and Harry (1899-1959). From 1891 to 1906 she lived in Winnipeg with her parents and siblings. In 1911 she was a school teacher boarding with the William and Mary Leston family at 514 4th Ave N in Saskatoon. The Saskatoon Henderson City Directory for 1918 had her listed as a teacher living at 514 Queen St. By 1921, she was living at 537 5th Ave N with Jane Thorpe and her daughter, Ethel, who was also a teacher. Melville McGeary, his 5 year old son, Donald, and Ralph C Geddes were also boarding with the Thorpes. Mary died in Vancouver, British Columbia on 10 March 1957. Although her birth date was given as 11 February 1887 in the 1901 census and February 1888 in the 1911 census, a Manitoba birth record and a British Columbia death record confirmed that she was born on 5 March 1887.

Elizabeth (Eliza) Thompson was born in Ireland on 19 November 1859. The year of her birth varied on almost every record and ranged from 1854 to 1861, but her death record supported 1859, so that was the date chosen. According to several census records, she came to Canada in 1879. She married John Francis Whittaker on 26 March 1884. He was bo rn on 27 September 1853 in Ireland and came to Canada in 1883. They lived in Winnipeg for the rest of their lives and had the following children: Frances John (Frank) (b 1885), Joseph Thompson (b 1886), Mary Thompson (1887-1957), Lavinia (b 1888), William James (b 1890), Robert Alexander (b 1892), Henry (b 1893), Eliza Catherine (Elizabeth) (1895-1976), Margaret Annie (b 1897) and Harry (1899-1959). Elizabeth died on 26 January 1921 and John on 25 February 1931.

Eliza Catherine (Elizabeth) Whittaker was born on 4 March 1895 in Winnipeg and died there on 15 January 1976. It is not known if she married.

It is believed that the Mary discussed above was very likely the Mary Whittaker signer of the quilt as the middle initial T was associated with her name in Saskatoon Henderson listings and her Saskatoon census birth information was a close match. Although Elise Whittaker did not sign close to Mary on the quilt and no document could be found where Mary’s mother or sister, Eliza, was referred to as Elise, we decided to suggest her mother or her sister as the most likely Elise Whittaker signer. It seemed reasonable to conclude that one of them may have been visiting when the quilt was being made and that perhaps one of them went by the nick name Elise. We could not find an alternate person to suggest as the signer.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Whittaker Tree.

Elizabeth (Eliza) Thompson,
wife of John Francis Whittaker

Eliza Catherine (Elizabeth) Whittaker,
daughter of John Francis Whittaker

There are two possible candidates for Elise Whittaker; the mother and the daughter.

If you can help us confirm one or the other, please let us know.