Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

JOSEPH JAMES, MARY ELLEN JAMES née THOMPSON,

ADA MARGARET JAMES and LILLIAN (ELLA) JOSEPHINE JAMES

Joseph James was born on 1 February 1883 in Manchester, Lancashire, England to Joseph James (139-1920) and Margaret Atkinson (1846-1921). Joseph had five siblings, Charles Atkinson (1872-1943), William (b 1875), George Henry (b 1876), Bella (b 1879) and Ada (b 1885). In 1901, Joseph was a solicitor’s clerk and living with his parents at 77 Withington St, Gorton, Lancashire.

According to his obituary, Joseph came out to Canada in 1904 and lived in Rapid City, Manitoba. He then moved on to Winnipeg in about 1906. On 24 December 1912 Joseph married Mary Ellen Thompson. Mary was born on 18 March 1888 in Glamis, Ontario to David Thompson (1859-1941) and Margaret (Maggie) Taylor (1867-1941). Mary had three siblings, Annie B (Ena) (1893-1967), William James (1899-1952) and Lillian Marie (Daisy) (b 1904). The family came west to Manitoba by 1901 and settled at Portage La Prairie.

After their marriage, Joseph and Mary lived in Winnipeg. They had four children, Ada Margaret (1913-2002), Lillian (Ella) Josephine (b 1914), Kathleen E (b 1915) and Joseph David (1925-1947). The family moved to Saskatoon in 1917 and lived at 415 23rd St E until 1920 when they moved to 306 Queen St. This became the family home and Ada lived her after her parents died.

Joseph first worked for Retail Merchants Mutual Fire Insurance Co in Saskatoon and then for Butler Byers Bros for twenty-five years. Mary Ellen died 18 August 1949 and Joseph on 5 June 1955, both in Saskatoon. They are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Ada began her working career as a stenographer and later became a cashier at Eatons Departmental Store in Saskatoon. She lived with her parents at 306 Queen St for many years. In about 1956, Ada married Douglas Sandys Cameron (1898-1980) and continued to live in the family home on Queen St. Douglas was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia to William Cameron (b 1868) and Emma (b 1878). He had three siblings, Donald McLeod (1893-1915), Wilsie J S (b 1896) and Jean A (b 1903).

Douglas worked for CNR beginning in Winnipeg and then coming to Saskatoon in 1925. He was chief clerk Motive power & Car Equipment department when he retired. Douglas died on 7 January 1980 and Ada died on 2 October 2002 both in Saskatoon. They are buried alongside Ada’s parents in Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon.

Douglas’ brother, Donald McLeod Cameron enlisted in CEF on 23 September 1914 in Winnipeg. He died on 22 April 1915 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium.

Ella used the name Lillian when she grew up. She lived with her parents at 306 Queen St and worked as a typist for various companies during 1945-1947. She married Lloyd Taylor in about 1948. Lloyd and Lillian lived at 202 Hillyard St W in 1949. Lloyd was a clerk with Post Office. They moved to British Columbia in 1950; living at Ontario St, Vancouver and then 411 W Broadway.

Lillian and Lloyd separated and Lillian worked again as a typist - for Canadian Liquid Air between 1951 and at least 1955. Lloyd died about 1958. Lillian married George Churcher. No further information has been found for Lillian, Lloyd or George.

A tree on Ancestry has been created for this family under the title 3rd Ave James Tree.