Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

NELLIE FOSTER

May Ellen (Nellie) Foster was born on 4 February 1876 in Elderslie, Ontario, Canada to James Foster (1840-1933) & Lucy Ann Livingston (1846-1918). Nellie had three sisters, Elizabeth Harriet (1869-1960), Sarah Jane Carmen (Sadie) (1877-1965) & Lucy A (b 1895) and four brothers, twins, Hugh Edmund Blackstock (1874-1950) & James Ellis Livingston (1874-1958), William Thomas (1879-1965) & Samuel John (1882-1952). James farmed in Elderslie until his retirement when many of the family came west to Saskatoon. The two elder boys, the twins Hugh & James stayed in Elderslie probably taking on the family farm.

Nellie at first found employment as a live-in domestic servant for Joseph Ellis and his family at 423 8th St E, Saskatoon in 1912. The same year her brother, Samuel was a carpenter, living at 206 27th St W, Saskatoon. From 1915, the extended family lived at 210 26th St W; Nellie was a dressmaker, Samuel a farmer and their parents lived with them. After her mother died, Nellie became the house keeper of the family for a year or two, but then returned to her business as a dress maker, working from home.

Samuel married about 1924 and moved to 541 5th Ave N. His wife was Isabel. We have been unable to determine her maiden name. However there was an Isabel Lipsett lodging with the family at 210 26th St the previous year, so this may be his wife. Samuel died on 18 November 1952 and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon. Isabel (known as Belle on her gravestone) died on 2 November 1956 and is buried alongside her husband.

Nellie worked as a dressmaker throughout her life and remained at 210 26th St - letting out more rooms after her parents died and as her siblings moved on. She died on 16 January 1959 and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.

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

Candidate 1

Candidate 2

Nellie Foster was born in Shettleston, Lanarkshire, Scotland in about 1894 to John Foster (b 1859) & Maggie (b 1860). Nellie arrived in Canada about 1913 and travelled on westwards to Saskatchewan.

In 1916 Nellie was working as a live-in servant for Dr Switzer at Listnadill Apartments, at the corner of 23rd St E and 5th Ave N, Saskatoon. Dr & Mrs Switzer also signed the quilt. In 1921 Nellie was working as a tailoress and lodging with Mrs Jean Innes at 1215 Ave F North. Although her neighbours on both sides were also called Foster neither of these families were related to Nellie nor did they sign the quilt.

In later life Nellie seems to have lived with her sister, Elizabeth in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. There is an electoral roll record for both of them in 1968 when Nellie would have been 74 years old. This is the last record that we have found.

This sparse family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Foster 1 Tree.

There are two candidates for the Nellie Foster signature. The first one May Ellen (Nellie) Foster was a dressmaker who spent her adult life in Saskatoon along with several of her siblings. The second candidate worked as a live-in domestic servant for a couple who were themselves signers.

Without any documents which include sample signatures, we have no way of knowing.