I am researching the history of the Avery family. My grandfather, Duncan Avery II, was born September 23, 1869 in Arnprior, Ontario. He was one of a family of seven most of whom spent their lives in the Parry Sound area. As a young man he rode the logs on the Magnetawan and French Rivers. On November 27, 1889 he married Sarah HARGREAVES ( whose mother was a HUDSON from Parry Sound ). They were married in a Sundridge Ontario hotel by a travelling Methodist minister. In 1900, after the birth of their third child, they decided to move to Lamoreaux, Alberta ( near Fort Saskatchewan). They settled on a homestead in the same area as the CALVERT and WHITE families who had come west with the Parry Sound Colony. My father was born in Alberta in 1901, the fourth of a total of 9 children that Duncan and Sarah were blessed with.
We know that Duncan II’s father was named Benjamen and that he was married to Ann Katherine Elizabeth (nee WEISBERBER) who had come from Germany via the U.S.A. We do not know, however how many brothers and sisters Benjamen had, nor for that matter if he had any.
Benjamen’s Dad was Duncan I who we are told was born in Ontario and was one of a family of 6 boys and 6 girls. Benjamen’s mother was Margaret DUNCAN born in Scotland.
We have read in an encyclopedia of a “Long John” AVERY who was a pirate off the east coast during the mid 1600’s and we do know there were many Avery families in Newfoundland and the Maritimes. Perhaps this is where the Avery family history started it’s North American odessy, but then, perhaps this discourse will trigger a response which will show a much different and interesting lineage to the Avery name.
In an interesting aside, the Avery name is believed to have come from the Latin ‘ AVERAY “, or counsel. My research has uncovered an amazing number of Averys who were or are teachers ( including my father, Albert) and indeed a large number of educational institutions that bear the Avery name.
I would be pleased to hear from anyone who could help to fill in the blanks in the above portion of the Avery history.
I have also heard that there is an annual AVERY RE-UNION held somewhere in Ontario. Again, any information would be greatly appreciated.
Mr. Arthur Avery, Box 5148, Fort McMurray, Alberta. T9H 3G2