As I had mentioned in my blog post of December 30th, I’m following the program of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks wherein they provide weekly prompts to give ideas for genealogy writing. This week’s prompt is ‘Nickname’. This was a tough one for me as we do have several nicknames in our family tree but some are difficult to determine why they have those nicknames.
The first one that comes to mind is my great-grandfather, Thomas Albert Briggs. Newspaper articles I have found, use the nicknames ‘Dick’ and ‘Dixie’. Having asked a couple of family members if they knew why, they were just as stymied as myself.
All articles are from Newspapers.com: image numbers 63307641, 775512106, 775779796 (missing one)
Other family members I have found to have nicknames are the following:
Henry Clarendon Briggs: Harry
Beatrice Aileen Matthew: Lena
Stella Hartford: Tilla
Hazel Evelyn Veronica Tillman (wife of Alfred Penner (Pen) Briggs): Minna
Eliza Gregory (wife of John Thomas Herbert Matthew): Lila
Helen Frances Jackson (wife of William Irving Briggs): Nell
Margaret Henry (wife of Albert James Briggs): Mattie
There are several that have a shortened version of their Christian names:
Ernest → Ernie Stanley → Stan Ronald → Ron
We also have some that use their middle names instead of their given first names:
My Aunt Ev whose given first name is Irene after her mother
My Uncle Rich whose given first name is Stanley after his father
And finally, there is me! My given Christian name is Veronica and I go by Vicky – to this day, I’m still not sure how I received that nickname.
Nicknames are a part of every family – some you know why and some you just have to scratch your head.
If you know of others in our family, please let us know – bonus if you know why!
Yes, I know it’s September – I did put together this post to be published in August but actually forgot to hit the “Publish” button so you may be in for two posts in September for “Who Shares Your Birthday”. In the meantime, let’s look back at August.
Back to our monthly “Who Shares Your Birthday” installment. I really do enjoy doing these however it’s sometimes hard to find someone in our family that’s not too far down the line that we might be interested in getting to know. Thankfully, I was able to not go too far, and this fellow is very interesting, at least in my eyes!
So, to begin with, “Happy belated Birthday” to Maielle (Aug. 21) and Elijah (Aug. 23)!
Now, let’s see who shares your birthday. Henry Clarendon Briggs, also known as “Harry”, born August 27, 1877, in Victoria, BC. Harry is the second child and second son of Thomas Lasher Briggs and Mary Irving, and older brother of Thomas Albert Briggs (my great grandfather) which makes him my great granduncle.
ca 1884 (7 yo) With brother William, ca 1880
Harry lived with his family at Irving House, 302 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC until approximately 1904, as noted in Canada Census records for 1881, 1891 & 1901.
According to this newspaper article, on September 7, 1904, he married Jean (“Jeannie”) Craig McAlpine.
Newspapers.com; Victorian Times, September 8, 1904, pg 5
I have found another article dated September 11, 1904, noting they had married the day before. So far, I have not found marriage registrations to confirm the actual date of marriage.
In a newspaper article from Newspapers.com, The Province dated May 23, 1905, it looks like Harry and his wife were living in Revelstoke. I have been unable to locate any records confirming this information other than this article.
Interesting to note, Harry’s cousin Albert T. Briggs (son of Albert James Briggs) is listed in the 1908 Victoria City Directory as a clerk at R.P. Rithet & Company (his uncle Albert is listed as well as working at Lands & Works Dept.). Could be a good assumption that Harry moved to Victoria for a job sometime between 1905 and 1909, where he is listed in the 1909 Victoria City Directory as a manager at R.P. Rithet & Company.
Harry and Jeannie lived in Victoria up until October 1925. This information was found in another newspaper article. During this time, Harry’s main occupation was in sales. From 1911 to 1915, his occupation is listed as “Harvey & Briggs”. Harvey & Briggs were listed as liquor distributors for Vancouver Island. After that, Harry was a life insurance agent for a couple of different companies.
Through Newspapers.com, I was able to obtain several newspaper articles which showed how involved both Harry and his wife, Jeannie, with music with both noted as singers in the church choir. More notably, Jeannie, was a well-known soprano singer often attending garden parties, lunches and most interestingly enough, the Lieutenant Governor’s residence as a guest and performing for the guests on several occasions.
Below is an article from December 31, 1920, having a picture of Mrs. Harry Briggs, one of two pictures I’ve been able to locate, which shows her popularity as a singer:
The Victoria Daily Times · Fri, Dec 31, 1920 · Page 6
So far, I have found nothing to indicate that Harry had any children with Jeannie or anyone else. The couple seemed to love entertaining, especially so for Jeannie, as there were several articles which show they were hosting guests at their home for lunches, teas and dinners.
The Province · Mon, Jul 11, 1927 · Page 8
Some of Harry’s residences gleaned from Victoria City Directories 1909 to 1925 are listed as:
625 Niagara Street, Victoria (1909 – 1912)
1509 Gladstone Avenue, Victoria (Oak Bay) (1913 – 1914)
1513 North Hampshire, Victoria (1915 – 1925)
In 1926, Harry (and Jeannie) is listed in the Vancouver City Directory living at #202 – 1531 Davie Street. This building was once known as Gabriola Mansion, which holds a very interesting history. Originally built in 1900 – 1901 for industrialist Benjamin T. Rogers (founder of B.C. Sugar and its refinery). After his death in 1918, his widow sold the property. In 1925, Gabriola House became a 20-unit apartment building known as the Angus Apartments. Over the years, the building has housed many people and restaurants, and has been empty since the mid-2000s. It is known one of the most haunted places in Vancouver. The building is a Vancouver Heritage site which is currently being restored into apartments once again, and townhomes built adjacent to the original building. It is known one of the most haunted places in Vancouver.
Sometime between 1932 & 1933, Harry and Jeannie moved to 1386 Nicola Street, Vancouver, up until 1941, when they moved back to the Victoria area (#6 – 1370 Beach Dr., Victoria – Dorchester Apartments).
For much of his life, Harry was a salesman with some directories noting his occupation as a stockbroker later in his life, and up until his death in 1946. Interesting to note, his death is recorded as June 1, 1946, however, he was listed in the 1947 Victoria City Directory. I guess they put it all together before his death or it’s an oops!
Harry passed away June 1, 1946, from carcinoma of the bladder (bladder cancer), as indicated on the Registration of Death.
It seems Harry and his wife, Jeannie, were the “talk of the town” in society circles and society newspaper articles in Victoria, Vancouver and New Westminster noting over 200+ articles I have found showing their travel plans, tea parties, dinners, concerts, etc. – too many to show here!
ca 1920
Very handsome man indeed! I hope you have gotten a little glimpse into the life of Henry “Harry” Clarendon Briggs. There is much more to his story than shown here – maybe something for future posts.
We Are Family Briggs 