Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

ALMA BLANCHE FANJOY

Alma Blanche Fanjoy was born on 26 August 1896 in Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan to Christopher “Allan” Fanjoy (b 1870) & Margaret Jane (Madge) Greenaway (1871-1963). Alma had one brother, D'Lisle Elbert (1893-1896) & one sister, Mary California (1900-1999). Alma’s father, Alan Fanjoy was a photographer particularly celebrated for his photographs of boats at Sault Sainte Marie. See McCord Museum. He and Madge were divorced by 1916 and Alan probably died about 1916-1919 as Madge was widowed by 1920.

Madge, Alma & Mary arrived in Canada in 1914 and in 1915 were living at 609 6th Ave, Saskatoon. Alma was employed as a stenographer, initially with Murray Munro & Morrison, lawyers, then Murray Munro & Morrison, also lawyers and later National Trust Co in Sasktoon. In 1917-1918 the family were living at 308 Connaught Block, 247 3rd Ave S.

Alma went to Victoria, British Columbia in 1921 and married Harold Oscar Plommer the following year. Harold was born on 19 January 1893 in Weymouth, Dorset, England to Harry Plommer (1856-1925) & Mary Miller (1858-1923). Harry & Alma had one daughter, Elizabeth Jean (Betty) (b 1924). Harry was an egg salesman when he signed his naturalization papers in 1927. By this time he and Alma were divorced.

The same year Alma and Betty sailed on SS ‘City of Los Angeles’ from Los Angeles to Honolulu, Hawaii on 10 September, arriving six days later. They appear to have remained in Hawaii for two years, departing on 3 February 1929 and arriving on 9 February at San Pedro, Los Angeles. The same day Alma signed her naturalization papers. In 1930 census, she is recorded as living at 2719 Orchard Avenue, Los Angeles and working as a stenographer for a labour organization.

About 1933, Alma married William J Bryan (Maje) (1890-1979), also a divorcee and they continued to live at 2719 Orchard Avenue. Maje was a radio & refrigeration repairman and Alma was a teacher in the city schools.

Maje & Alma continued to live in Los Angeles until Maje died on 13 July 1979 and Alma died on 20 February 1988.

Alma’s sister Mary California became a ballet dancer and was a dance double for silent film star Colleen Moore see Arts Meme. Her career on the film screen was cut short when she shattered a knee at the age of twenty-five. See AZCentral. She married Raymond C Dexter (1900-1988).

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