Lillian Snook

Lillian Snook (about 1903 - after June 1960) was the sister of Anna Currie, somewhat mysterious because she isn't mentioned in her father's 1930 obituary and is missing from the 1911 census at age 8 when she would have been with her family.

We know about her from five independent pieces of evidence:

1. The 1921 census (establishing her year of birth as 1903)

2. Her mention in a news article about the wedding of her uncle Joseph Parsons. (in 1911 or 1922)

3. The recollection of Bill Currie, who remembers personally meeting Lillian when he moved to Port Arthur in 1954; and she was specifically said to be an aunt of his father Jack Currie.

4. The recollection of Marilyn Hermiston, who also remembers a Lillian, although more vaguely.

5. Her brother George Jr.'s obituary (establishing that she married a Don McLeod and lives in Fort William as of June 1960).

Early life

She was born circa 1903 to George Snook and his wife Anna Parsons, according to the 1921 census.

In 1911 strangely she does not appear in the census listing with the rest of her family. In this census, it's just George, Anne, their namesake children, and George Sr.'s brother Edward Langley Snook living together.

At the wedding of her mother's brother Joseph Parsons in Port Arthur on 20 April 1911 or 1922, a "Miss Lillian Snook" is cited as accompanying the bride:

"The bride... was attended by Miss Lillian Snook, who wore a dress of negre brown trimmed with cream point lace and beads, with a corsage bouquet of pink carnations"

— Port Arthur News-Chronicle, April 1911 or April 1922

In the 1921 census she reappears in the record: an 18-year-old girl, working as a tailoress, living at 230 Algoma Street, Port Arthur, with her father and mother. Her father's income is $1550. All three are listed as Methodists; he is an Engineer at a "Powerhouse", his wife has no job, and his daughter is a "Tailoress" at a "Tailor shop".

Stranger still, in her father George's 1930 obituary there is no mention of her! She is not listed as a surviving child, or at all.

Marriage

She married a Don McLeod and moved to Fort William at some point prior to June 1960. In June 1960 her brother George Jr. died, and his obituary mentions that he is survived by two sisters: "Mrs. Alex Currie" of Winnipeg, and "Mrs. Don McLeod" of Fort William.

Other evidence

1. Other possible references to her are a Mrs. Lillian McLeod living at 290 Argyle Street on two voters' lists in 1935 and 1949, as a widow, with Mr. and Mrs. Lorne McLeod, the Mr. being a truck driver in 1935 and a fireman in 1949. (possibly her brother-in-law).

Lillian at her uncle's wedding

2. At the wedding of her mother's brother Joseph Parsons in Port Arthur on 20 April 1911 or 1922, a "Miss Lillian Snook" is cited as accompanying the bride.

3. Bill Currie, great-grandson of George Snook, remembers:

There were a number of my Grandma Currie's relatives living in Thunder Bay (Port Arthur) when my family moved there in 1954 and whom I met but, unfortunately, never clarified their exact relationship. Lillian, whom I believe my Dad referred to as his Aunt (which would make her Anna's sister - I don't recall any mention of what happened to George Jr.), was one. I can imagine census taking in 1911 missing or losing details so that could explain Lillian's absence in that edition.

4. Marilyn Hermiston, great-granddaughter of George Snook, remembers this: "Besides Annie Snook's brother George, I’m not sure [she had other siblings]. Think Dad had a relative by name of Lillian but that could have been his Uncle George’s wife, or the baby that died. Just know the name Lillian mentioned sometime. Sorry I can’t give you anything more"

Future research

5. About 10 "Don McLeod" entries appear in the Thunder Bay obituary index. Searching these might find a man with a wife Lillian and a story of their life.

6. A Mrs. Lillian McLeod, age 63, died 2 February 1953, appearing in the Port Arthur newspaper on 3 February 1953, on page 3. Looking at this article might reveal something, although this Lillian appears to be about 13 years too old to be our Lillian (and this might also exclude our 290 Argyle Street evidence above as well). Furthermore, if Bill Currie met Lillian after 1954, this would also not work.

7. Her putative mother, Anna Parsons, had an obituary on Page 6 of the Port Arthur newspaper on 4 February 1924, and an "In Memoriam" entry the following two years on the same date and page. These entries might mention Lillian.

8. Perhaps George Jr.'s mention of a "sister" Mrs. Don McLeod meant a sister-in-law. Checking the siblings of his wife Pearl Cunningham would help to exclude this possibility.