I’m trying to sort out the relationships among three MacGillivray women who lived in Springhill, all of whom came from Antigonish, and who might tie together the Caulfield and MacDonald families:
My Great Grandmother Ella MacGillivray (23 Oct 1877 – 26 Oct 1958) married Tommy Caulfield (22 Jul 1873 – 24 May 1955) on 19 May 1903 in Springhill. Their NS Marriage Registration (mis-filed under Canfield) gives Annie Ellen McGillvrary’s birthplace as Antigonish and her parents Alex McGillvary [sic] and Mary McDonald. Witness was John R. McDonald.
That’s likely John Rory MacDonald (16 Oct 1885 – 28 Mar 1972) who married Christina McNeil on 18 Oct 1904 in Springhill. His Halifax Herald obituary says he was born in St. Andrews, Antigonish Co. The NS Death Registration for his mother, Flora (17 Mar 1848-22 Apr 1933), shows she was Flora McGillivray, daughter of Angus McGillivray and [no first name] Smith.
My Grandfather Johnny Caulfield (17 Feb 1916 – 7 Jan 1986) always referred to John R. MacDonald’s son John Willie MacDonald (21 May 1917-12 Oct 1956) as his cousin but it was never exactly clear how they were related, since each of them had both MacDonald and MacGillivray ancestors from Antigonish.
The third McGillivray was my Grandfather’s Aunt Cassie, Catherine MacGillivray (24 May 1872-15 Jun 1961) who married his Uncle Jim Caulfield (18 Oct 1870-18 Oct 1961) on February 11, 1896 (referenced on p. 251 of Jean Heffernan’s Recollections of a Nova Scotia Town). Catherine’s NS Death Registration shows her parents were John M. MacGillivary [sic] and Mary McPherson of Antigonish. There’s a family tradition the two women were related, but again it’s not clear exactly how.
Many thanks if you're able to help,
-- jk