William Dow Keith was a physician and surgeon who lived at 778 Gilford Street from 1916 to 1920.
He was born in Toronto, Ontario, on December 9, 1872. His father was George Keith, who was a merchant. His mother was Agnes Dow.
After William finished high school in Toronto, he went to the University of Toronto, where he obtained an M.D. in 1895. He then went to study in England, where he received a “conjoint degree” of M.R.C.S. and L.R.C.P., followed by about a year and a half of practicing medicine in England.
He first came to Vancouver in 1898, although he stayed only about eight months. He then moved to Texada Island, where he practiced medicine until 1902.
He then went to Baltimore, Maryland, to do post-graduate work at Johns Hopkins University.
By 1904, he was back in Vancouver. He lived at the following addresses in Vancouver:
| 1904 | 1500 Robson Street |
| 1905 | 805 Nicola Street |
| 1906 and 1907 | 1631 Robson Street |
| 1908 to 1912 | 636 Dunsmuir Street |
| 1913 | 1547 Comox Street |
| 1914 | 1076 Nicola Street |
| 1915 | 1373 Nicola Street |
| 1916 to 1920 | 778 Gilford Street |
| 1921 to 1930 | 839 Jervis Street |
| 1931 to 1940 | 5730 Chancellor Boulevard |
| 1941 to 1951 | 5729 Cartier Street |
| 1952 to 1959 | Number 52, 2046 Beach Avenue |
| 1962 | 3714 West 17th Avenue |
On November 15, 1911, in Vancouver, he married Agnes Isabella Hall. She was born in Peterborough, Ontario, on September 3, 1878. Her father was Adam Hall, who was a merchant in Peterborough. Her mother was Elizabeth Thomas. The wedding took place at the home of Agnes’s sister, Catherine Mary Burns (née Hall) and Catherine’s husband, William Ernest Burns, who was a prominent lawyer in Vancouver.
William continued to practice medicine in Vancouver for the rest of his career.
He may have served with the Canadian military forces during the First World War. However, although the 1917 Vancouver directory says that he was on active service, the Canadian Expeditionary Force database does not have an entry for him.
William belonged to the Shaughnessy Heights Golf Club and the Jericho Country Club.
Agnes died in Vancouver on November 1, 1959. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.
William died in Vancouver on March 20, 1962. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.
William and Agnes had the following children.
William Dow Keith
William Dow Keith was born in Vancouver on August 17, 1912.
On March 2, 1935, in Penticton, British Columbia, he married Evelyn Alice Jamieson, who as an assistant postmistress. She was born on February 25, 1912, in Vancouver. Her father was John Jamieson. Her mother was Ann Knowles.
William worked for the Aluminum Company of Canada, and he was living in Kitimat, British Columbia in 1962.
He died in Comox, British Columbia, on December 22, 1984.
Evelyn died in Comox on August 30, 1989.
Catherine Elizabeth Keith
Catherine Elizabeth Keith was born about 1914, probably in Vancouver.
In 1962, she was married to Ian Robertson. She was living in Welland, Ontario.
Agnes Isabella Hall (“Nan”) Keith
Agnes Isabella Keith was born in British Columbia, probably in Vancouver on September 22, 1916.
In 1962, she was married to William Lindsay, and was living in Edmonton, Alberta.
Sources
William Dow Keith
William Dow Keith, M.D., British Columbia from the earliest times to the present, by Scholefield, E. O. S. (Ethelbert Olaf Stuart), 1875-1919; Howay, Frederic William, 1867-1943; volume 3, pages 701-702; https://archive.org/stream/britishcolumbiaf00schouoft#page/701/mode/1up; https://archive.org/stream/britishcolumbiaf00schouoft#page/702/mode/1up
“Ontario, Births and Baptisms, 1779-1899,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLYS-6FJ : accessed 15 September 2015), William Dow Keith, 09 Dec 1872; citing Ontario, Canada; FHL microfilm 1,845,039.
“Canada Births and Baptisms, 1661-1959,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLK4-VLZ : accessed 15 September 2015), William Dow Keith, 09 Dec 1872; citing Ontario, Canada, 09 Dec 1872, reference it 4 027160; FHL microfilm 1,845,039.
“Ontario Births, 1869-1912”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNLV-DNW : accessed 15 September 2015), William Dow Keith, 1872.
“Ontario Births, 1869-1912”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNLJ-Q65 : accessed 15 September 2015), William Dow Keith, 1872.
“Ontario Births, 1869-1912”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNLJ-QFM : accessed 15 September 2015), William Dow Keith, 1872.
“Canada Births and Baptisms, 1661-1959,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F2NC-B9G : accessed 15 September 2015), William Dow Keith, 09 Dec 1872; citing Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, 09 Dec 1872, reference 83; FHL microfilm 1,845,042.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVN-P9R : accessed 15 September 2015), William D. Keith, D1, Burrard, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 4, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=18600&highlight=20&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+William+D.+Keith; http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1901/z/z001/pdf/z000010158.pdf.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-3MSZ : accessed 15 September 2015), Wm D Keith in entry for Oscar Harman, 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=63637&highlight=5&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Wm.+D.+Keith; http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1911/pdf/e001942843.pdf.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDDQ-XBS : accessed 15 September 2015), William Dow Keith and Agnes Isabella Hall, 15 Nov 1911; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11375, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,703.
Social and Personal, Vancouver Province, November 16, 1911, page 5: “Dr. W.D. Keith of this city and Miss Agnes Hall of Peterborough, Ont., were married yesterday at the home of the bride’s sister, Mrs. W.E. Burns, at Shaughnessy Heights. The ceremony was quietly celebrated, only a small circle of friends being present. The bride and groom left for Southern California, where they will spend their honeymoon, after which they will return to take up their residence here.”
Torontoensia University Monthly, volume 12, 1911-1912, page 146; https://archive.org/stream/universityoftoro12univuoft#page/146/mode/1up: “KEITH—HALL.—On Nov. 15, 1911, at Shanghnessy [sic]Heights, Vancouver, B.C., William Dow Keith, M.D., ’95, of Vancouver, formerly of Toronto, to Agnes Isabella Hall of Peterboro.”
Society, Vancouver Province, May 8, 1915, page 8: “Dr. and Mrs. Keith have moved from Nicola street to 778 Gilford street, the residence formerly occupied by Miss Springer.”
1921 Canada Census, Willliam Down [sic] Keith; Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 1; Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLTZ-H8B : accessed 15 September 2015), William Dow Keith, 20 Mar 1962; citing Vancouver B C, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13256, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,033,377.
William D. Keith, death notice, March 22, 1962, page 20: “Keith—Passed away March 20, 1962, in hospital, Dr. William D. Keith of 3714 West 13th Avenue, aged 89 years. Survived by a son, William D. Keith Jr., Kitimat, B.C.; 2 daughters, Mrs. Ian (Catherine Elizabeth) Robertson, Welland, Ont., Mrs. William (Nan Agnes Hall) Lindsay, Edmonton, Alta.; 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren. Funeral service Thursday, March 22 at 1:30 p.m. in Nunn and Thomson’s Chapel, 10th Avenue and Cambie Street, Rev. W.P. Bunt, D.D., officiating. Honorary pallbearers, Dr. H.A. Des Brisay, Dr. W.B. McKechnie, Dr. R.A. Simpson, Dr. H.H. Pitts, Dr. H.H. Milburn, Dr. J.A. McDermot, Mr. L.W. Speer, Mr. John L. Burns, Mr. C.L. Fillmore. Active pallbearers; Dr. Paul Jackson, Dr. John H. Sturdy, Dr. Peter Bell-Irving, Mr. H.B. McIntyre, Mr. W.E. Pat Burns, Mr. Thomas Lindsay. Interment Mountain View Cemetery.”
“Rites today for veteran city doctor,” Vancouver Province, March 22, 1962, page 23: “The funeral of Dr. William D. Keith, 89, past president and life member of the Vancouver Medical Association and a life member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C., will be held today at 1:30 p.m. Nunn & Thomson Chapel.”
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVV5-QSZD : accessed 15 September 2015), William Dow Keith, 1962; Burial, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Mountain View Cemetery; citing record ID 26286024, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26286024.
Agnes Isabella Hall (wife of William Dow Keith)
“Ontario, Births and Baptisms, 1779-1899,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLTZ-B4P : accessed 16 September 2015), Agnes Isabaella Hull, 03 Sep 1878; citing Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,845,218.
“Ontario Births, 1869-1912”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMQC-899 : accessed 16 September 2015), Agnes Isabaella Hull, 1878.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL5G-YBZ : accessed 15 September 2015), Agnes Isabella Keith, 01 Nov 1959; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13244, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,033,301.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVV5-QS4D : accessed 16 September 2015), Agnes Isabell Keith, 1959; Burial, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Mountain View Cemetery; citing record ID 26286023, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26286023.
William Dow Keith (son of William Dow Keith)
British Columbia Marriage Registrations; Registration Number: 1935-09-423757, William Dow Keith and Evelyn Alice Jamieson; date of marriage: March 2, 1935; place of marriage: Penticton; http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=f03539cb-fe64-4cff-9612-7ee9f153bcc9
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGM9-PQ5 : accessed 15 September 2015), William Dow Keith, 22 Dec 1984; citing Comox, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13644, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,073,302.
British Columbia Death Registrations; Registration Number: 1989-09-015744; Evelyn Alice Keith; age: 77; date of death: August 30, 1989; place of death: Comox; http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=cf3c8ddb-be20-49b0-839f-c9b401d24739; medical certificate of death: http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=65f5f6a7-9c1a-4ddb-bb30-98bac56e8c67.
Catherine Elizabeth Keith (daughter of William Dow Keith)
1921 Canada Census; Katherine Elizabeth Keith; Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 1; Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
Agnes Isabella Hall (“Nan”) Keith (daughter of William Dow Keith)
Births, Vancouver Province, September 23, 1916, page 27: “Keith—On September 22, at 778 Gilford street, to Dr. and Mrs. William D. Keith, a daughter.”
1921 Canada Census; Agnes Isabella Keith; Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 1; Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
Catherine Mary Hall (sister of Agnes Isabella Hall)
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLL7-XDF : accessed 16 September 2015), William Ernest Burns, 01 Jan 1946; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13189, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,032,421.
William Ernest Burns, K.C., Bench and Bar, (1946) The Advocate, volume 4, pages 25-26: “Regret was profound and widespread at the news of the death of one of Vancouver’s most illustrious lawyers and counsel. While not young, he never seemed at all old, and preserved a youthful spirit to the end. Ernie Burns won and held for himself a deep place in the affections and respect of lawyers throughout the province. He enjoyed the honor of being a Bencher for over twenty years, one time Treasurer of the Law Society, and for years presided over the discipline Committee with understanding and sympathy. His shrine will be the distinguished place held by him in the hearts of those who knew and survive him.”
Benchers’ Meeting, Victoria, B.C., January 7, 1946; (1946) The Advocate, volume 4, page 27: “The Benchers of the Law Society resolved to place on record their keen sense of loss in the death of William Ernest Burns, K.C., for many years a Bencher of the Law Society. In his passing the legal profession has sustained a very great loss. The Benchers extend to Mrs. Burns and the members of his family their most sincere and heartfelt sympathy in their great bereavement.”
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLPS-P43 : accessed 16 September 2015), Catherine Burns, 16 Sep 1950; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13205, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,032,633.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLBP-M7Z : accessed 16 September 2015), William Ernest Burns, 17 Dec 1975; citing New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13347, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,050,529.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLBP-KL9 : accessed 16 September 2015), Cynthia Ferrier Burns, 03 Jul 1975; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13343, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,050,443.
WestEndVancouver 