Dickson Genealogy

THE DICKSONS OF MAGDALEN ISLANDS, NOVA SCOTIA AND MAINE

I am taking this oportunity before we continue with my family tree to thank all those dear friends and strangers who have so graciously shared their information. I specifically want to thank Dennis Boudreau who has done years of research on the Magdalen Islands and has recently authored a CD in addition to four volumes of history he had published earlier. I also thank my dear friend Cathy who devoted her expertise, time and talent to this web page.

I started searching for my Great Grandfather,GEORGE H. DICKSON, born August 6, 1829. He owned and/or was master of several schooners: the "Ida F," the "Morning Light"(90044), the "Cottage"(5090), and the "Sangamon." One of his sons - My Grandfather, Edgar - was a pilot on various ships; my Father, Ernest, was a marine engineer. Neither my brother Walter, his son Richard nor I went to sea. Richard, is the last that will carry the Dickson name in our family. It seems that we should somehow preserve this legacy for our children and future generations that will have a link to this line.
Around 1947 I started asking questions about our ancestors. Little was known about GG George: "He just appeared." My Uncle Harry, living in Georgia, finally provided me with his parents names but had no further information and this is all the information I had up until about three years ago when I started my research again as a priority project. I found early maritime paperwork showing his name as "DICKERSON." I also obtained his 21 December 1856 marriage license, also "DICKERSON." After this period, most papers identified him as "DICKSON."
George Dickson, son of David and Nancy Cassidy Dickson was born August 6, 1829 on Entry Island, Quebec. George Dickson put ashore in Westport,Maine, somewhere between 1850 and 1855.

He married Mercy Ann Hodgdon in Westport, ME, Dec 21, 1856. They raised six children: Edgar P., Georgia Ann, Frances F., Harriet, Eva J., and Thomas F. They resided in Westport until their deaths in 1903/1905.

I have also included my Mother's side of the family. Lola M (Bevan) Dickson was born in Castine, Maine 12May1889, the first of two daughters of Joseph H. Bevan and Ella M.(Clements) Bevan Joseph and Ella both came from Penobscot, Maine and moved to Castine after their marriage. Joseph was killed at the age of 29 when a block of granite fell on him.( They were using huge blocks of granite to build a wharf in Castine).
Ella lived to a grand old age of 98 and died of natural causes in Hancock, Maine.
Joseph was the 4th child of John R. and Mary (Keeler) Bevan. John R. came from South Wales and Mary was born in Brooksville, Maine. All of the above, with the exception of Lola are buried in the Castine cemetery.
This is all I have found so far on the Bevan Line. Any information that anyone may have to share would be deeply appreciated.

I have also started researching my husband's family. His Great Grandfather was John Andrew Shires who married Florence Wright. Their son, William Jefferson Shires was born 29 June 1883 in Bermuda, Conecuh County, AL. Known as Will Shires, he married Minnie Viola Stinson 8 November 1906. Minnie was born 10 October 1890, in Monroe County, AL. She was the daughter of Reuben Isaac Stinson and Arrie Maridell Collins. Will and Minnie had nine children, one of whom was my husband's father: Wilton Reginald Shires. I am looking for the parents of John Andrew Shires and Florence Wright or any other information one might like to share.

"MIKE"