- Name: Edmund Needham E. Handspiker
- Birth: 5-MAY-1820 in: Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Death: 1891 - 1901
- Father: Peter Handspiker
- Mother: Ferebee Fanning
Notes:
- Married: Bef 1871
- Name: Mae Keene
- Birth: Abt 1816
- Death: 03-AUG-1865 ???
- Father:
- Mother:
Notes: May not be a Keen(e) by birth. Seems her daughter, Mary E. Keen is listed with Edmund in 1901 Canada Census. He's, of course, listed as a widower. Mary "Keen" also listed in 1891, aged 43, with Edmund/widower.
May have had dau. Mary E, by previous marriage. Mary showing up as step-daughter to Edmund "E." Handspiker in the Digby (town) 1901 Census. Mary's b.d. is listed as 14-May-1834, age as 67.
A Margaret Keene married Edwin Bartlett, we see Margaret as wife of Edmund in 1881 Census... is this the possible confusion point? She was obviously married before, unless Edmund fathered his first child at 17 or earlier (depending on source) . I'm just not sure if Margaret and Mae are one and the same??? Need marriage records for all Handspiker males with "Ed" names, who were born 1815-1825 or so! Have also seen this woman listed as "Margaret Mae Keene" by other researchers, no t sure if that's because of her actual name, or because the wife of Edmund appears as both Margaret and Mae? Perhaps, they were sisters! (sorry, couldn't help myself)
Whether or not there was another Edmund of concern, here is an obit for Margaret Ann, wife of Edmund Handspiker (in case it is later determined to be THIS woman):
Digby Courier - June 8, 1888---At Digby on the 30th of May, Margaret Ann, beloved wife
of Edmund Handspiker, aged 72 years.
It surely fits with age and that she passed away prior to 1901 Census.
In 1881 Census, Mary E. Handspiker appears as age 44 and single, with Edmund as Head of Household, so I SUSPECT she was a step-daughter to Edmund Needham.
For Digby town, Digby County, NS, 1881:
Edmund HANDSPIKER M Male English 61 Nova Scotia Farmer Baptist
Margaret HANDSPIKER M Female English 64 Nova Scotia Baptist
Mary E HANDSPIKER Female English 44 Nova Scotia Baptist
If "Mae" Keene is Margaret Keene, it provides even more concern between Edmund Needham, Edward E. and Edwin Bartlett Handspiker. These three seem to have been confused over time, and/or, are to SOME degree, one and the same????
Much to be worked out with these three, thanks to common names of wives, children, occupations, etc.
Other Spouses
Children
