As trick-or-treaters prepare for the most frightening night of the year, Ancestry.ca, Canada’s leading family history website, has dug deep into the millions of records on its site to uncover the spine-chilling names and spookiest occupations in Canadian history.
Terrifying occupations:
For some Canadians, the Halloween spirit was part of their everyday lives.
Witch Man – Found in the Voters Lists, 1935-1980, John Inglls Boyd worked as a ‘Witch Man’ and lived in Medicine Hat, Alberta in 1940.
Boogeyman – It turns out the Boogeyman was real! Josephe B. Doff, a 32-year-old resident of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario listed his occupation as the ‘Boogeyman’ in the 1901 Census of Canada.
Magic Lantern – This 40-year-old husband and father of four from Hope, Ontario was a shining beacon of light for his family, listing his occupation as a ‘Magic Lantern.’
Cat Skinner – According to the Voters Lists, 1935-1980, Ralph Johnson lived in Macleod, Alberta in 1963 and spent his days as a ‘Cat Skinner’.
Haunting names:
While many kids grew up afraid of the goblins in the closet, these Canadians could no doubt depend on their monikers to keep them safe from monsters in the night.
Harry Monster – Residing in Burin, Newfoundland in 1962, Mr. Harry Monster is listed as a labourer, with his wife Mrs. Harry Monster in the Voters List 1935-1980.
Skull Goodman – In 1940, Skull Goodman is listed as a labourer in Humbolt, Saskatchewan in the Voters Lists, 1935-1980.
Skeleton Boles – From Sussex, New Brunswick, Skeleton Boles is listed in the 1861 Census. At the time, he has two horses, one cow and three swine to his name.
Goblin White – This two-year-old boy’s loving parents named him Goblin White. He was born in February, 1909, in Nova Scotia according to the 1911 Census.
Some parents were more into the Halloween spirit than others. In fact, they were so excited about having a baby on or near Halloween they named their child after the eerie occasion.
Halloween Clary – Daughter of William and Emily Clary, 17-year-old Halloween Clary was listed as living in Brandon, Manitoba in the 1916 Canada Census of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
Halloween Codnere – Born on Oct. 31, 1892, Halloween Codnere is a wife and mother who appears in the Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1954.
Halloween Gallagher – Born to William Gallagher and Agnes Allen, Halloween Gallagher was born Oct. 31, 1892 in Simcoe, Ontario.
“Strange names are nothing new and it is clear that modern day celebrities aren’t the only ones to call their children something unusual,” said Lesley Anderson, a genealogist with Ancestry.ca. “People can discover some truly amazing, interesting and fun things by searching through historical records like these. What names were popular or what occupations existed during various points in history really helps paint a rich picture of the world our ancestors lived in.”
Visit www.ancestry.ca to discover if your ancestors were this into Halloween or any other holidays.
