Hello Wiki cousins,
My 3 x's g grandfather was born Roderick Matheson in 1824 in Perth, Lanark, Ontario, Canada. He died in 1896 in Burgess, Leeds, Ontario, Canada.
For many years there was speculation that our ancestor was the illegitimate son of the Honorable Roderick Matheson, Senator of Ontario. It is well-known that the Honorable Senator had an illegitimate son with his housekeeper (written in many books) prior to his marriage. I was not sold 100% on this, and this year found evidence of a play put on yearly in Perth, Ontario about the Senator and his affair, which is portrayed as happening in 1834, well after our ancestor was born, and after his second marriage (first wife died).
This play gives the name of the nanny (not housekeeper) and states she had a son, though this play shows that the Senator denied her acknowledgement of their son, no wages, and that the child died at the age of 2 from neglect from the mother. I believe she was charged with neglect of his death and that she, too, shortly died thereafter.
This is a different story in many ways from what I can find in historical accounts that never mention the woman's or the child's name.
My ancestor is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Perth, Ontario, along with his wife. Also buried in this cemetery is the Senator's son, Roderick Edward Matheson, 1825-1901, along with several other Matheson's born later than these two.
In a census, my ancestor claims both of his parents were born in Scotland, though they go unnamed. This means both of his parents emigrated to Canada. We know we are part of the Localsh Matheson's who emigrated to Perth, Ontario.
Other than traveling to Perth and going to all churches to look through baptisms, is there any other way to find these elusive parents? Is there any other way to discover who his parents were?
With the Covid virus, the bans of traveling, and the slow opening up of the States and Canada, I don't know when I will be able to travel to Perth, which I had hoped to do this year. Everything is up in the air.
I, along with at least 3-4 other cousins, we have been actively researching this side of our family for over 40 years. My grandmother and grandfather had written to a Judge in Perth in 1975 seeking answers and this judge assured them that our ancestors did not come from the Honorable Senator.
We've searched Ancestry and LDS Family Search with limited results. I've tried searching any Perth, Ontario records I could find online. Hiring a professional genealogist is out of the question due to costs- and now, many places would be quarantined for now.
Is there a site I am missing? Are there records I should look for? Is there a list of people who emigrated around 1800-1823 and on which ships, though I do not know if this would help as I know of no names or siblings?
I'm sorry this is so long, but any and all help is appreciated. Thank you,
Lori
