Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

IDA MAY MacDONNELL

Ida May MacDonnell was born on 30 December 1888 in Pembroke, Renfrew, Ontario to Angus MacDonnell (1849-1914) and Philmene "Mary" Benoit (1857-1926). Her siblings were: John A (b 1874), William Henry (b 1876), George (b 1878), Elizabeth A (Lizzie) (b 1881), Mary (Minnie) (b 1884), Louisa (b 1886) and Teressa "Winnifred" (b 1896). The MacDonnell family lived in Pembroke, Ontario until at least 1901.

In 1912 and 1913 there was a listing for MacDonnell Brothers (Angus and Roderick), shoemakers at 303 20th St W in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In the 1914 Saskatoon Henderson Directory, Mary MacDonnell was listed as a widow. In the same year, Ida and Winifred were listed in separate entries at the same address. Ida was a stenographer working at the Sheriff's office and Winnifred was a stenonographer working for Security Lumber Company. Ida continued to live with her mother and work as a stenographer for the Sherriff's office until 1921. They lived in several different locations in Saskatoon during this time: 25 Morton Block, 267 3rd Ave S (1916), 411 3rd Ave N (1916) and 627 25th St E (1918-1921).

Ida married John "James" (Jim) Connaghan on 5 July 1922 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Jim was likely born on 7 September 1888 (taken from enlistment papers - date varies in other sources) in Eganville, Renfrew, Ontario to Patrick Connaghan (b 1863) and Margaret (Maggie) McLean (1864-1901). His siblings were: Ann Jane (b 1886), Mary C (1889-1983), Margaret Florence (1891-1967) and Francis (b 1893). Jim was raised in Eganville (1891) and Grattan Township, Renfrew, Ontario (1901). His mother died in child birth in 1901.

James had enlisted for WWI in Winnipeg, Manitoba on 10 April 1917 and named his father as next of kin and his marital status as widowed. Ida and Jim had six children, two boys and 4 girls. In the obituary for their son, John Robert James (Bob) (1929-2008), it was mentioned that a brother Graham had predeceased him and that he was raised in Winnipeg. He had also lost a sister, Mary "Teresa" Clothilde (1927-1976). Ida died on 17 December 1959 in Victoria, British Columbia and Jim on 25 February 1958 in the same city. On Jim's death registration it was recorded that he was a retired teacher who had lived in British Columbia for the preceding nine years. Both Ida and Jim were buried in Royal Oak Burial Park in Saanich, British Columbia.

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