Alexander Harold Douglas was a lawyer. He lived at 1890 Alberni Street in 1913 and 1914.
Family Background and Early Life
Alexander (“Sandy”) Harold Douglas was born in Surrey, England, on June 29, 1882. His parents were Robert Douglas and Mary Miller. Robert Douglas was an ironmonger.
Alexander became a clerk in the accounting department of Middlesex County.
In 1908 he was called to the bar in England, and he became a member of the Middle Temple.
![Register of Admissions to the Middle Temple, page 741; October 31, 1908; http://archive.middletemple.org.uk/Shared%20Documents/MTAR/updated/1886-1909.pdf [page 44/65 in PDF document].](https://westendvancouver.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/alexander-harold-douglas-register-of-admissions-to-the-middle-temple-page-741-october-31-1908.jpg)
For a time he practised as a lawyer in London and in Cairo, Egypt.
To Canada
Alexander travelled to Canada in December 1908. He first appeared in the Vancouver directories in 1909.
He and his family lived at the following addresses in Vancouver
| 1909 and 1910 | 727 Hornby Street |
| 1911 and 1912 | 836 Cardero Street |
| 1913 and 1914 | 1890 Alberni Street |
| 1915 to 1924 | 1645 Beach Avenue |
| 1925 to 1927 | 1630 Harwood Street |
| 1928 to 1961 | 2154 Southwest Marine Drive |
| 1962 to 1979 | 2154 Southwest Marine Drive (Ruth Alice Beatrice Douglas) |
Marriage to Ruth Connon
On September 17, 1912, in Vancouver, Alexander married Ruth Alice Beatrice Connon. She was born in Vancouver on April 13, 1891. Her parents were Henry Edmund Connon (1859-1920) and Jane Fortune Black (1868-1954). (Jane’s sister, Maude Marion Black (1866-1962), was married to Herbert Mahlon Burwell (1862-1925), who lived at 913 Denman Street from 1900 to 1912, and at 1821 Barclay Street from 1913 to 1925.)
Alexander and Ruth appeared in the Vancouver society directory in 1914.
Later Life
Alexander practised law in British Columbia, much of the time with Reginald Symes, who lived at 1950 Haro Street in 1913 and 1914.
Alexander retired about 1959. He died in Vancouver on August 9, 1961.
Ruth died in Vancouver on May 1, 1979.
Alexander and Ruth had the following children.
Robert Alexander Connon Douglas
Robert (“Bob”) Alexander Connon Douglas was born in Vancouver in 1913.
After graduating from Shawnigan Lake School in 1930, he studied at McGill University.
In 1934, he became an articled student-at-law in his father’s law firm. In 1937 he became a member of the British Columbia bar.
During the Second World War he served from 1940 to 1945 with the Royal Canadian Navy.
After the war, he returned to Vancouver, and he became a partner in his father’s law firm in 1945.
Bob married Maria Milus.
He died on Mayne Island, British Columbia, on February 6, 2002.
Bob and Maria had two sons: A. Robin G. Douglas (married to Suzanne), who lived in Vancouver in 2002; Timothy J. Douglas (married to Sharon), who lived in Seattle in 2002.
Denis Craig Douglas
Denis Craig Douglas was born in Vancouver, on July 2, 1914.
In 1934, he was a student at McGill University.
In 1955 he was living in Vancouver. He was a captain in the Canadian Army.
In 1961 he was living in Ottawa, Ontario.
He worked as a mining engineer.
He married Mary Rowena Bradford.
Denis died in Nanaimo, British Columbia, on April 6, 1991.
Sources
Robert Douglas (father of Alexander Harold Douglas)
“England and Wales Census, 1891,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QWQ7-TT2 : 15 October 2015), Robert Douglas, Islington, London, England; from “1891 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, London county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X98T-2YW : 29 August 2015), Robert Douglas, Islington, London, Middlesex, England; from “1901 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Highbury subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
Mary Miller (mother of Alexander Harold Douglas)
“England and Wales Census, 1891,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QWQW-M3Z : 15 October 2015), Mary Douglas in household of Robert Douglas, Islington, London, England; from “1891 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, London county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X98T-2Y4 : 29 August 2015), Mary Douglas in household of Robert Douglas, Islington, London, Middlesex, England; from “1901 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Highbury subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
Alexander Harold Douglas
“England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2XVG-TTB : 1 October 2014), Alexander Harold Douglas, 1882; from “England & Wales Births, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, St. Saviour Southwark, London, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England. (possible connection)
“England and Wales Census, 1891,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QWQW-SPZ : 15 October 2015), Alexander H Douglas in household of Robert Douglas, Islington, London, England; from “1891 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, London county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X98T-2YH : 29 August 2015), Alexr Harold Douglas in household of Robert Douglas, Islington, London, Middlesex, England; from “1901 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Highbury subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
“Canada Passenger Lists, 1881-1922,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2Q9Y-42K : 27 December 2014), A Harold Douglas, Dec 1908; citing Immigration, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, T-4734, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-3MMK : 2 March 2015), Alex H Douglas in entry for Wm John Bowser, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 51-76, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,663; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=63636&highlight=4&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Alex+H.+Douglas.
“Canada Passenger Lists, 1881-1922,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HGN-CX9 : 27 December 2014), Alexander Harold Douglas, Oct 1920; citing Immigration, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, T-14711, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JD8Z-NMZ : 21 January 2016), Alexander Harold Douglas and Ruth Alice Beatrice Cannon, 17 Sep 1912; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11376, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,704.
Ruth A.B. Connon and Alexander Harold Douglas, wedding description, Vancouver Province, September 19, 1912, page 8: “On Tuesday, September 17, the marriage was solemnized by the Rev. F.A.P. Chadwick at St. Paul’s church of Miss A.B. Connon, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Connon to Mr. Alexander Harold Douglas, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Douglas of Threave, Finchampstead, Berks, England.”
1921 Canada Census, Alexander Douglass; Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 12; Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
Original data: Library and Archives Canada. Sixth Census of Canada, 1921. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada, 2013. Series RG31. Statistics Canada Fonds.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLTS-S4T : 30 September 2015), Alexander Harold Douglas, 1961.
Alexander Harold Douglas, death notice, Vancouver Province, August 11, 1961, page 23; Vancouver Province, August 12, 1961, page 25; Vancouver Sun, August 11, 1961, page 30; August 12, 1961, page 32: “Douglas—On August 9, 1961, at home, Alexander Harold Douglas of 2154 Southwest Marine Drive in his 80th year. Survived by his wife Ruth, two sons, Robert, Vancouver, and Denis, Ottawa; a sister, Mrs. D.M. Rattray of Vancouver, and six grandchildren. Private service in St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Vancouver, on Friday, August 11, at 2:30 p.m., and cremation. In place of flowers any gifts to Central City Mission would be appreciated.”
Alexander Harold Douglas, obituary, Nos Disparus, The Advocate, (1961) Volume 19, page 224 (includes photograph of Alexander Harold Douglas). “Alexander Harold Douglas, Queen’s Counsel, Author, celebrated and respected lawyer and business executive. On August 14th, 1961 after an illness of some duration died at Vancouver at age 79. Born and educated in England where he was admitted to practice after a brilliant novitiate. His authorship, in collaboration with Douglas Rorie, of a work on British Columbia Company law, justly accorded him authority and is assured of an indelible place in the memory of those who knew him as a distinguished lawyer. Mrs. Douglas survives as does also his son, Mr. R. A. C. Douglas of the B.C. Bar.”
Robert Alexander Connon Douglas, obituary, The Advocate, 2002, volume 50, page 3, page 436-437.) “Bob was born in Vancouver in 1913 and named Robert after his paternal grandfather of Locherbie, Scotland; Alexander was his father’s Christian name (but he was consistently referred to as Sandy); Connon was Bob’s mother’s family name. Bob’s father, who exercised a great influence over his career, was a lawyer and a founding member of the firm initially styled Robertson, Douglas and Symes and subsequently Douglas, Symes & Brissenden (which was recently dissolved). Bob’s adult career in the law was inextricably bound up and involved with the firm his father founder near the beginning of the last century. (Sandy was called to the bar in England in 1908 and was a member of the Middle Temple. After practising in London and Cairo, he moved to Vancouver where he joined forces with Reginald Symes.)”
Alexander Harold Douglas and George Rorie, A Manual of British Columbia Company Law : Being a Practical Handbook for the Legal Profession, Directors, Secretaries and Shareholders on Formation, Management and Winding Up of Companies; Calgary, Burroughs & Co., Ltd., 1913.
Henry Edmund Connon (father of Ruth Alice Beatrice Connon)
Henry Edmund Connon, in Elizabeth Kathleen Black (née Kemp), Vancouver Voters, 1886; Richmond, British Columbia, British Columbia Genealogical Society, 1994, page 103.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDZ6-7BD : 21 January 2016), Henry Edmund Connor and Jane Fortune Black, 25 Jun 1889; citing , British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11372, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,529.
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWKS-J4D : 13 November 2014), Henry E Connon, Vancouver City, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148093.
B.C. Voters List 1898 – Co to Cq; http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canbc/vote1898/voteco.htm: “Connon, Henry Edward, 101 Kingston St, Agent N.P.S.S. Co., VicC.”
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-3MWH : 2 March 2015), H E Causion [sic] in entry for C A Causion, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 51-76, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,663; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=63639&highlight=23&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+H.E.+Cannon.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLKN-8PL : 30 September 2015), Henry Edmund Connor [sic], 1920.
“Old-Time Resident of Vancouver Dead; Late H.E. Connon Came to City Thirty-five Years Ago,” Vancouver Sun, July 3, 1920, page 4; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SiRlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fIgNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4494%2C112322:
“The funeral of the late H.E. Connon, widely known old-time of Vancouver, who passed away yesterday morning at his residence in the Denham apartments, will be held on Monday at 2 p.m. from the parlors of Nunn and Thomson, under the auspices of Cascade Masonic Lodge No. 12, of which he was a member.
The late Mr. Connon came to Vancouver thirty-two years ago as superintendent of the Canadian Pacific railway sheds. Later he was with the firm of Dodwell and company leaving to take up a position with the Pacific and Great Eastern.
He was sixty years old and a son of Professor C.W. Connon, L.L.D., of Upper Canada college. He married the second daughter of Dr. Black of New Westminster and they had two sons and three daughters. Both sons served during the war. Charlie, the elder, was killed at Givenchy, and Stanley was for four years a prisoner of war, and is now residing in Winnipeg. The daughters are Mrs. A.H. Douglas, Vancouver; Mrs. Goldsmith, Montreal, and Molly, at home.”
Henry Edmund Connon, death notice, Vancouver Sun, July 3, 1920, page 14; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SiRlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fIgNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3358%2C162424; (link leads to column 2; death notice is in column 1): “Connon—Passed away July 2nd, 1920, Henry Edmund Connon, Denham Court, 725 Jervis street. The funeral will take place Monday, July 5th, at 2 o’clock from Messrs. Nunn & Thomson’s chapel, 531 Homer street, under the auspices of the Cascade lodge No. 12, A.F. & A.M. Interment in family plot, Masonic cemetery.”
Jane Fortune Black (mother of Ruth Alice Beatrice Connon)
Jane Fortune Black, in Elizabeth Kathleen Black (née Kemp), Vancouver Voters, 1886; Richmond, British Columbia, British Columbia Genealogical Society, 1994, page 103.
British Columbia Baptisms; Jane Fortune Black; date of baptism: February 29, 1868; place of baptism: New Westminster; date of birth: January 26, 1868; father: Arthur Walter Shaw [Black]; mother: Elizabeth
Kathleen [Kemp]; denomination: Church of England: church: Holy Trinity Cathedral; BC Archives Microfilm Number: B16234.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDZ6-7BC : 21 January 2016), Henry Edmund Connor and Jane Fortune Black, 25 Jun 1889; citing , British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11372, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,529.
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWKS-J46 : 13 November 2014), Jane E Connon, Vancouver City, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148093.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHV2-1KX : 13 November 2014), Jane Connon, F, Yale & Cariboo, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 21, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-3MWC : 2 March 2015), Jenie F Causion in entry for C A Causion, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 51-76, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,663; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=63639&highlight=24&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Jessie+F.+Cannon.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLR8-83F : 30 September 2015), Jane Fortune Connon, 1954.
Ruth Alice Beatrice Connon (wife of Ruth Alice Beatrice Connon)
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JD8Z-NM4 : 21 January 2016), Alexander Harold Douglas and Ruth Alice Beatrice Cannon, 17 Sep 1912; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11376, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,704.
“Canada Passenger Lists, 1881-1922,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HGN-CXS : 27 December 2014), Ruth Alice Douglas, Oct 1920; citing Immigration, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, T-14711, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
1921 Canada Census, Ruth Douglass in household of Alexander Douglass; Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 12; Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL1M-NLK : 30 September 2015), Ruth Alice Beatrice Douglas, 1979.
Robert Alexander Connon Douglas (son of Alexander Harold Douglas)
“Canada Passenger Lists, 1881-1922,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HGN-CX3 : 27 December 2014), Robert Douglas, Oct 1920; citing Immigration, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, T-14711, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
1921 Canada Census, Robert Douglass in household of Alexander Douglass; Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 12; Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
Robert Alexander Connon Douglas, McGill University Archives, 0000-0481.01.1.e3122; http://www.archives.mcgill.ca/public/exhibits/mcgillremembers/results.asp?id=3123.
Lieut. . . . R.C.N.V. R.
1-11-40: R.C.N.V.R., Esquimalt, B.C. (Seniority, April 15, 1940)
10-5-44: Seniority amended to April 15, 1939. Serving H.M.C.S., “Orangeville,” February 29, 1944 (Corvette)
7-2-46: Has now retired from active service. Served 1940-1945.
Robert Alexander Connon Douglas, obituary, The Advocate, 2002, volume 50, page 3, page 436-437 (includes photograph of Robert Alexander Connon Douglas.)
Robert (Bob) Alexander Connon Douglas, death notice, Vancouver Province, February 8, 2002, page E4; Vancouver Sun, February 8, 2002, page B7: “Douglas—Robert (Bob) Alexander Connon of Mayne Island, B.C., former resident of Vancouver, passed away on February 6, 2002. He is survived by his wife Maria Milus; his sons A. Robin G. (Suzanne) of Vancouver, Timothy J. (Sharon) of Seattle and six grandchildren. Bob was a member of a pioneer B.C. family and a descendant of Arthur Black, the first doctor in New Westminster. He graduated from Shawnigan Lake School in 1930. After obtaining a Commerce degree from McGill University, Bob articles with Douglas Symes and Brissenden, later becoming managing partner. As a member of the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserves he was called to active service during World War II, serving in the North Atlantic. Bob also served with the R.C.M.P. reserves in the 1960s. He was a member of the Capilano Golf Club, The Vancouver Club and the Vancouver Lawn Tennis Club. By request there will be no service. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Mayne Island at a later Date. If desired, donations to the Mayne Island Clinic, Mayne Island, B.C. V0N 2J0 or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.”
Denis Craig Douglas (son of Alexander Harold Douglas)
“Canada Passenger Lists, 1881-1922,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HGN-CXQ : 27 December 2014), Denis Douglas, Oct 1920; citing Immigration, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, T-14711, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
1921 Canada Census, Denis Douglass [indexed as Dessie Douglass] in household of Alexander Douglass; Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 12; Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
Montréal, McGill University, The McGill Daily, Students newspaper, February 22, 1934.
Vancouver and New Westminster City Directory, 1955, page 226; Douglas, Dennis C. capt Can Army r 2154 SW Marine.
Canada, Voters Lists, 1935-1980, Census & Voter Lists; Name: Denis C Douglas; Residence: 1963 – city, British Columbia, Canada
British Columbia Death Registrations; Registration Number: 1991-09-006668; Denis Craig Douglas; date of death: April 6, 1991; place of death: Nanaimo.; http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Image/Genealogy/8c89bbe7-50a1-4115-af15-2550fcd3b64c; medical certificate of death: http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Image/Genealogy/77e57038-f91f-45ec-9904-777d70201db3.
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