Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

Mrs J S VASSAR née BERNIS, ALFRED and EDWIN VASSAR

Elinore Louise (Nellie) Bemis was born on 17 March 1880 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Albert G Bemis (b 1842) and Alice G Baker (1863-1937). Her siblings were: Harry J (b 1878), Mary Jane (b 1887) and May (1892-1958). The Bemis family was living in Salt Lake City in 1880.

Elinore married John Saliste Gusty on 14 March 1900 in Sandon, British Columbia. The fact that her sister, Mary Jane, was married in the same location in 1903 hinted that the Bemis family may have moved to Sandon by 1900, but of course, it was also possible that just the two sisters lived there. A 1901 census record could not be located for the Bemis family. John Gusty was born on 29 November 1875 in Kirkfield, Ontario to Andrew Gusty Vassar (b 1837) and Margaret McDonald (1855-1916). His siblings were: Charles N (1873-1933), Antoine Winfred Gusty (Wynn) (1877-1943), Allan (b 1880), Alexander M (1882-1918) and Roderick L (Rodney) (b 1892). It was interesting to note that the surname for this family was sometimes given as Gusty and sometimes as Vassar in various records. For example, the family was enumerated Vassar in 1881 in Eldon, Victoria, Ontario, Gusty in 1891 in the same place, Gusty in 1901 in Kootenay, British Columbia, Gusty in Victoria, British Columbia in 1911 and Vassar in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1921.

Mrs S G, Alfred and Edwin Vassar were added to the roll of 3rd Ave Methodist Church in Saskatoon in 1916. Mrs S G was removed in 1917. The 1918 Saskatoon Henderson City Directory listed J S Gusty Vassar at 252 2nd Ave S, manager of Vassar Bros Meats. From 1918 on, any records found used the Vassar surname. Alfred Andrew Vassar was born on 28 February 1903 in Sandon. He married Eleanor Lenora Bancesco whose mother's name was Elizabeth and had at least one daughter. He died on 8 January 1971 in San Diego, California. Edwin Cornelius Vassar was born on 6 June 1905 in Fernie, British Columbia. The 1921 census listed only John and his two sons. It was hard to tell, but there may have been a W for widow in the marital status box. As Elinor likely signed the quilt in about 1918, this would mean she likely died between 1918 and 1921 in Saskatchewan.

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