Person:Ann McNiven (1)

Name and Relationships

Name: Ann Isabella McNiven. Source is her 1874 birth registration as well as that of Mary Josephine Thom (her eldest daughter). She was called Annie in various documents. On her grave marker in Wadena Cemetery, her first name is spelled with an 'E'.

Parents: John McNiven and Mary McLean. Source is Annie's 1874 birth registration.

Spouse: Alexander Kennedy Thom. Source is their 1899 marriage registration.

Personal History

1874 - Birth: Ann Isabella McNiven was born September 10, 1874 in Oro Township, Simcoe County Ontario. Source is Annie's 1874 birth registration, Reg #020790.

1881 - Census: Annie McNiven 6 was living with her parents John 39 and Mary 39 in Oro Township along with her younger sister Barbara Matilda McNiven, 4. Source is 1881 Census of Canada.

1891 - Census: On May 19, 1891, Annie (incorrectly spelled Anney in this census) McNiven 16, was living with her parents John 50 and Mary 50 in Oro Township, along with her younger sister Barbara (incorrectly spelled Barbar in this census) 14. Source is 1891 Census of Canada.

18?? - Work: Annie McNiven taught school at Penetanguishene Indian School. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

18?? - Work: Annie McNiven taught school at Emsdale and probably met Alex Thom there. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1899 - Marriage: Annie McNiven (age ??) married Alexander Kennedy Thom (age ??) on April 19, 1899 in Morden, Manitoba. Source is their 1899 marriage registration.

1901 - Census: Annie Thom 26 was living with Alex 30, and Henery (HARRY?) Thom 25 in Lisgar Manitoba. He was listed as Alex's partner. Source is 1901 Census of Canada.

1904 - Birth of Child: Mary Josephine Thom (Mamie) was born on May 24, 1904 in Orillia, Orillia TWP, Simcoe. Annie 29 and Alex 33 listed their permanent residence as Quill Lake, Saskatchewan. Source is Mamie's 1904 birth certificate. NOTE: It appears that they came back to Ontario for the birth of their first child.

1905 - Annie Thom filled out the birth registration form for Mamie on May 4, 1905 (almost a year after she was born) in Archerwill Sask (about 55 km north of Wadena). The informant was Mrs. Isabella Thom, Archerwill, Sask. NOTE: This was Isabella Mitchell, John Thom's wife and Annie's sister-in-law. WHY WERE THEY IN ARCHERWILL?

1906 - Census: On July 14, 1906, Annie Thom 31, was living with Alex Thom 35, and their daughter, Mary J. 2 (born in Ontario) in Humbolt Dist, Saskatchewan. They are listed on the same page and right next to the George Thoburn family. NOTE: Typically indicates they were living next door. Source is the 1906 Census of Canada.

1909 - Death of Sister: On November 1, 1909, Annie Thom's brother-in-law, George Thoburn, her sister, Barbara Matilda Thoburn and her mother, Mary McNiven (nee McLean) were all murdered by their hired man, John Mescei 20. Source is The Wadena Herald, November 4, 1909, #45 page 1. Their two children, Mary McLean Thoburn, almost 2 and her brother George Thoburn, almost 4 were taken to live with Alex and Annie Thom in Wadena, Saskatchewan. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished. John Mescei was tried in Saskatoon and executed on March 10, 1910 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Source is National Archives Canada, 1994.

1910 - In March, 1910, Annie Thom's sister-in-law, Ruth Harper came to Wadena and took Mary McLean Thoburn 2,(the daughter of her best friend, Barbara Thoburn) back to Sundridge to live with her and her husband, John Harper in Sundridge, Ontario. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1911 - Census: Annie Thom 36, was living with Alex Thom 40, and their two daughters, Mary 7 and Edith 4 on Railway Ave in Wadena. They were acting as foster parents for George Thoburn, 6. Alma Thom 18, niece (daughter of John Thom) is living with them. Source is 1911 Census of Canada.

1911 - Birth of Child: Their third daughter, Agnes Isabella Thom was born in October 1911. Source is article written by Edith Hewitt about her parents. CANNOT LOCATE BIRTH REGISTRATION

1916 - Census: On June 6, 1916, Annie Thom (listed as Annie Isabell) 41 was living with Alex 45, and three daughters Mary Josephine 12, Edith Sarah (listed as Sarah Edith) 9 and Agnes (listed as Agnes Isabell) 4 on 2nd Street E, Wadena. George Thoburn 10 is listed as an adopted son. Source is 1916 Census of the Prairie Provinces.

1921 - Census: In June, 1921, Annie Thom 46 was living with her husband Alex Thom (listed as AK Thom) 51, Publisher, son George 14, apprentice (NOTE: listed as son with last name Thom), and daughters Edith 13 and Isabella 9 at 2nd St. East, Wadena, Saskatchewan. Source is 1921 Census of Canada.

19?? - Residence: Alex sold The Wadena Herald because of failing health and bought land about 15 miles from Archerwill near Stoney Lake and resumed farming. Source is article written by Wade Wirtz, page 960. NOTE: Archerwill is about 35 miles due north of Wadena.

19?? - Retirement: Eventually, they sold their land and moved to Wadena to permanently retire there. Source is article written by Wade Wirtz, page 961.

1954 - Death and Burial: Annie Thom died on March 19, 1954, about one month after her husband died. Source for date is article written by Edith Hewitt, page 819. Annie was buried in Wadena Cemetery. Source is internment records for Wadena Cemetery, Wadena, Saskatchewan and grave marker.

Grave Marker: THOM Father ALEXANDER K 1871-1954 Mother ANNE I 1874-1954 EVER REMEMBERED EVER LOVED. Wadena Cemetery, Wadena, Saskatchewan.