Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

ELIZA "BLANCH" WATSON

Eliza "Blanch" Watson was born on 26 January 1892 in Uxbridge, Ontario to James Watson (1856-1919) and Elizabeth Ann Wagg (1856-1892). Her siblings were George Garfield (b 1884), Millie (1885-1885), William (1886-1886), David Russell (1887), James Edgar (b 1887) and Ruth (b 1890). Her father's second wife was Martha Sheffield (b 1862) and siblings from that union were Earla May (1895-1977), John Herbert (b 1897), James (b 1898), Harrison Murray (1901-1916), Frank Ray (b 1904) and Lewis Ross (b 1904). In 1901, the Watson family was living in Thorah, Ontario.

From 1909 to 1912 Blanch was an assistant to Dr Holme and was living at 116 4th Ave S, Saskatoon. The 1911 census revealed that she was a lodger with the James Oliver family at that same address. By 1911, her parents and siblings had moved to land in Winslow RM, Saskatchewan. The 1913 Saskatoon Henderson Directory listed Blanch and her sister, Earla, at 1005 Dufferin Ave. 1914 and 1915 directories listed Blanch at 810 5th Ave N. Although the 1916 census listed Blanch as a Methodist, stenographer living with the Thomas Fawcett family at 6th Ave N, the Henderson Directories for 1916 and 1917 listed her at 312 24th St W.

Blanch appeared on the roll of 3rd Ave Methodist Church in 1915 and was removed as a member in 1916. By 1921, Blanch, Martha (her stepmother) and two brothers Ray and Ross were living together in Beaverton, Ontario. Blanch married Godfrey Hilmer Halverson on 6 October 1926 in Ontario. Godfrey was born on 30 April 1900 in Norway to Edward Halverson and Anna Larson. Godfrey and Helen had three children: Lawrence Hilmer (1929-1959), Maurice Carl (1933-2003) and a daughter who will not be identified because she may still be living. In 1935, the Halverson family was living at Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Helen died on 9 December 1963 and Godfrey on 5 April 1964, both in North Bay, Ontario.

Although Blanch did not appear to be related to Eva M Watson and Helen Watson who signed the same square on the quilt, there is a good chance that the woman who signed Blanch Watson was correctly identified. Some Henderson entries used the Blanch spelling which is a bit unique. Earla is a rather uncommon name and Blanch and Earla were listed at the same address in one of the Henderson listings. No other candidate for the Blanch Watson signature could be found.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Watson 5 Tree.