This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: allanatoo Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.canada.novascotia.pictou/3688.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: After searching thru our family information and the 1881, 1901, and 1911 Canadian Census I now have a THEORY about our Gillis roots. So based on what we know & what I'm guessing at, I think this family is the one we connect to - TEXT Extract: 1881 Canadian Census 5 CONT Census Place: Albion Mines, Pictou, Nova Scotia 5 CONT Source: FHL Film 1375811 NAC C-13175 Dist 20 SubDist O Page 62 Family 299 5 CONT Simon GILLIS 5 CONT Male M 46 Scottish Nova Scotia 5 CONT Occ: Collier Religion: Catholic 5 CONT Mary GILLIS 5 CONT Female M 45 Irish Ireland 5 CONT Religion: Catholic 5 CONT Martha GILLIS 5 CONT Female 21 Scottish New Brunswick 5 CONT Religion: Catholic 5 CONT Daniel GILLIS 5 CONT Male 19 Scottish New Brunswick 5 CONT Occ: Carpenter Religion: Catholic 5 CONT Emma GILLIS 5 CONT Female 17 Scottish New Brunswick 5 CONT Religion: Catholic 5 CONT Alex'r. GILLIS 5 CONT Male 16 Scottish Nova Scotia 5 CONT Occ: Teamster Religion: Catholic 5 CONT Angus GILLIS 5 CONT Male 13 Scottish Nova Scotia 5 CONT Occ: Laborer Religion: Catholic 5 CONT John GILLIS 5 CONT Male 11 Scottish Nova Scotia 5 CONT Religion: Catholic 5 CONT Duncan GILLIS 5 CONT Male 8 Scottish Nova Scotia 5 CONT Religion: Catholic 5 CONT Simon GILLIS 5 CONT Male 7 Scottish Nova Scotia 5 CONT Religion: Catholic 5 CONT Mirrah GILLIS 5 CONT Female 2 Scottish Nova Scotia 5 CONT Religion: Catholic Martha from this family married Joseph Mooney in Antigonish in 1896. Confirmed thru NS records now available on-line. My great-grandfather was Alex Simon Gillis, born in Antigonish, NS in 1865. He married Flora MacDonald (daughter of Anna Boyd & Lewis MacDonald of Antigonish)& their first child, Mary, was born in Stellarton (Albion Mines) in 1896. Their 3rd child was named Martha - my grandmother, named for her Aunt Martha Gillis. My mother, Emily, was named for an aunt whose version of that name was Emma. It was always "said" that Alex's mother was Irish and all the references I can find in the Census info and the various on-line BMD records all indicate that Mary Gillis (above) was Mary McHeffey (possibly McKeffey or other variation in spelling)born in Ireland. The birth record for one of their children, information supplied by the father, Simon, states that Simon & Mary were married in Sydney in 1958 - have not seen any confirmation of that as yet. So, can anyone burst my bubble? I'll post this to Pictou & Antigonish sites as well. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.