Beecroft/Becraft Ancestors

Wellesley Allan Becraft and Emeline Janette Parks

Husband Wellesley Allan Becraft [2875] ¹
           Born: 24 Oct 1863 - Charlotteville, Norfolk, Ontario, Canada ¹ ²
     Christened: 
           Died: 28 Aug 1892 - South Norwich Township, Oxford, Ontario, Canada ¹ ³ ⁴
         Buried:  - Milldale Burial Grounds, Norwich South Township, Oxford Co, Canada ⁵
FamilySearch ID: 26LH-L38
Find A Grave ID: 202874232
         Father: William James Becraft [2853] (1824-1888) ¹
         Mother: Mary Margaret Sovereen [2874] (1843-1919) ¹
       Marriage: 4 Jan 1888 - Windham, Norfolk, Ontario, Canada
Events
• He appeared on the Canadian census in 1881 in Charlotteville, Norfolk, Ontario, Canada. Name Marital Status Gender Ethnic Origin Age Birthplace Occupation Religion
William J. BIGCROFT M Male 56 O <Ontario> Farmer Episcopal Methodist
Mary M. BIGCROFT M Female 39 O <Ontario> Episcopal Methodist
Welesley W. BIGCROFT Male 17 O <Ontario> Episcopal Methodist
Delila BIGCROFT Female 15 O <Ontario> Episcopal Methodist
Elnorah BIGCROFT Female 13 O <Ontario> Episcopal Methodist
Elgin BIGCROFT Male 11 O <Ontario> Episcopal Methodist
Ensely BIGCROFT Male 9 O <Ontario> Episcopal Methodist
Bertha BIGCROFT Female 6 O <Ontario> Episcopal Methodist
R. K. BIGCROFT Male 2 O <Ontario> Episcopal Methodist
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Source Information:
Census Place Charlottesville, Norfolk South, Ontario
Family History Library Film 1375898
NA Film Number C-13262
District 157
Sub-district C
Division 2
Page Number 61
Household Number 289
.
• He died on 28 Aug 1892 in South Norwich Township, Oxford, Ontario, Canada. Name: Wellesley Becraft
Event: Death
Event Date: 28 Aug 1892
Event Place: S. Norwich, Oxford Co., Ontario
Gender: Male
Age: 29
Estimated Birth Year: 1863
Father:
Mother:
Spouse:
Reference Number: yr 1892 cn 13532
Film Number: 1853576
Digital Folder Number: 4033002
Image Number: 859.
• His obituary was published in The Evening Sentinel Review on 31 Aug 1892 in Woodstock, Oxford, Ontario, Canada. We regret to record the death of Wellsley Beecraft, which occurred on Sunday morning. The deceased had been ill with typhoid fever for some time, and his friends had given up all hope of his recovery. His remains were taken to Milldale church on Monday at 2 p.m., and the services conducted by the Rev. Overpaul, after which they were interred in the Milldale cemetery. He leaves a young wife and two little children to mourn his loss.
The Evening Sentinel Review (Woodstock), 31 Aug 1892, page 2, column 3.
• His obituary was published in The Evening Sentinel Review on 1 Sep 1892 in Woodstock, Oxford, Ontario, Canada. HAWTREY
We regret to report this week the death of one of our most highly respected young men in the person of Wesley Beecraft, who died on Sunday last at the age of twenty-nine years. It will be remembered that about a year ago, Mr. Beecraft met with a severe accident while stumping, from which he never fully recovered but kept up until about two weeks ago when he was attacked with malarial fever. Although attended by two doctors and the kind assistance of friends and neighbours all was found to be in vain. The funeral took place Monday from his late residence to the Milldale church, where a very appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. Overpaugh from the text: "Therfore be ye also ready for in the hour that ye think not the Son of Man cometh, " after which his remains were laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery "awaiting the Lord's coming." Mr. Beecraft leaves a wife and two children to mourn the loss of a loving husband and a tender parent. Miss Nora Beecraft is home attending the
funeral of her brother, W.A. Beecraft.
The Evening Sentinel Review (Woodstock), Thursday, 1 Sep 1892, page 2, column 2
.

Wife Emeline Janette Parks [4267]
           Born: 30 Dec 1867 - South Norwich Township, Oxford, Ontario, Canada ⁶ ⁷
     Christened: 
           Died: 28 Feb 1915 - South Norwich Township, Oxford, Ontario, Canada ⁶ ⁷
         Buried:  - Milldale Burial Grounds, Norwich South Township, Oxford Co, Canada ⁵
FamilySearch ID: 26LN-92Z
Find A Grave ID: 202874266
Events
• She appeared on the Canadian census in 1881 in Norwich South, Oxford South, Ontario. Name Marital Status Gender Ethnic Origin Age Birthplace Occupation Religion
George PARKS M Male Irish 56 Ontario Farmer Presbyterian
Catherine PARKS M Female English 44 Ontario Quaker
Abigal F. PARKS Female Irish 20 Ontario E. Methodist
Cornelius W. PARKS Male Irish 17 Ontario Protestant
Henry PARKS Male Irish 15 Ontario Protestant
Emeline PARKS Female Irish 13 Ontario Protestant *****
Tamerin PARKS Female Irish 10 Ontario Protestant
Alice E. PARKS Female Irish 6 Ontario Protestant
Anna M. PARKS Female Irish 5 Ontario Protestant
Alex'r. M. PARKS Male Irish 3 Ontario Protestant
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Source Information:
Census Place Norwich South, Oxford South, Ontario
Family History Library Film 1375903
NA Film Number C-13267
District 165
Sub-district C
Division 2
Page Number 28
Household Number 144
.
• She appeared on the Canadian census in 1901 on Oxford, Ontario, Canada. District: ON OXFORD (South/Sud) (#102)
Subdistrict: Norwich (South/Sud) d-1 Page 6
45 58 Ireland Elvia F Head, Widow, born Feb 6 1831, age 70
46 58 Beecraft Emma F Niece, Widow, born Dec 30 1867, age 33
47 58 Beecraft Burtha [Arthur] M Nephew, Single, born Jun 15 1890, age 10
48 58 Beecraft William R. M Nephew, Single, born May 12 1892, age 8
.
• Her obituary was published in the Sentinel Review on 13 Mar 1915 in Woodstock, Oxford, Ontario, Canada. DISTRICT NEWS
OTTERVILLE
The funeral of the late Mrs. Emmeline J. Beecraft, relic of Wellesley Beecraft, took place on Wednesday afternoon, March 3 at 1:30, at the Hicks. She leaves to mourn her loss two sons, her mother, four sisters and three brothers. Rev. G.C. Gaynor officiated. The floral offerings sent from Toronto were numerous and beautiful. Relatives attending the funeral from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. Ensley, Beecraft, Mr. and Mrs. R. K. Beecraft, Mrs. Fred Porter and sister, Miss Sarah Cooper of Tillsonburg. Mrs. and Mrs. Geo. Cooper of Norwich. The pallbearers were C. and E. Pennington, H. Treffey and E. Longstreet, H. Kent and D. Collver. Interment was made in Milldale cemetery. Much sympathy is extended to the bereaved relatives especially the two sisters who have returned to their home in Toronto.
Sentinel Review (Woodstock), Saturday, 13 Mar 1915, page 3, column 4
.
• Her obituary was published in the Sentinel Review on 16 Mar 1915 in Woodstock, Oxford, Ontario, Canada. OBITUARY
THE LATE MRS. BEECRAFT
The funeral of the late Mrs. Emmeline J. Beecraft, relic of Wellesley Beecraft, took place on
Wednesday afternoon, March 3rd at 1:30, at the home of her brother-in-law, Elmer Hicks, Otterville. She leaves to mourn her loss two sons, her mother, four sisters and three brothers. Rev. G.C. Raymer officiated. The floral offerings sent from Toronto were numerous and beautiful. Relatives attending the funeral from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. Ensley Beecraft, Mr. and Mrs. R. K. Beecraft and Mrs. Beecraft, mother-in-law of deceased, all of Hickson: Mrs. Fred Porter and sister, Miss Sarah Cooper of Tillsonburg. Mrs. and Mrs. Geo. Cooper of Norwich. The pallbearers were C. and E. Pennington, H. Treffey and C. Longstreet. H. Kent and D. Collver. Interment was made in Milldale cemetery. Much sympathy is extended to the bereaved relatives especially the two sons who have returned to their home in Toronto.
Sentinel Review (Woodstock), Tuesday, 16 Mar 1915, page 5, column 4
.

Children
1 M Arthur Elray/Ellwood Becraft [10768]
           Born: 3 Jul 1890 - South Norwich Township, Oxford, Ontario, Canada ⁸
     Christened: 
           Died: 1961 - Ontario, Canada ⁹
         Buried:  - Otterville, Oxford, Ontario, Canada ⁹
FamilySearch ID: LHQZ-RQT
         Spouse: Margaret "Maggie" Hanson [11651] (1889-1970)
           Marr: 21 Jun 1916 - Otterville, Oxford, Ontario, Canada
2 M William Ray Becraft [8990]
           Born: 19 May 1892 - Oxford, Ontario, Canada
     Christened: 
           Died: 1945
         Buried:  - Union Cemetery, Lansdowne, Leeds and Grenville United Counties, Ontario, Canada
FamilySearch ID: KLW2-BBD
Find A Grave ID: 189739625
         Spouse: Florence Maud Goddard [8991] (1892-1974)
           Marr: 7 Jul 1923 - Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada
General Notes: Husband - Wellesley Allan Becraft

Posted on genforum.genealogy.com/becraft

Wellesley Beecraft found in:
Ontario, 1887-1899 Marriage Index Volume 3
Spouse: Parks, Janette
Date of Marriage: Jan 4, 1888
Marriage Place: Windham Township
Source Code: 008131
Microfilm Reel Number: 61

She was the daughter of George R. Parks and Sarah Catherine Bowerman.

Notes: Marriage (Emeline Janette Parks):

Source Code: 008131, Microfilm Reel Number: 61, from Ontario, 1887-1899 marriage Index Volume 3

Sources

1 dhufft@aol.com, Hufft (rootsweb.com).

2 Janet Bessey [jan.bessey@rogers.com], Charlotteville.

3 Janet Bessey [jan.bessey@rogers.com], South Norwich Township.

4 LDS, Ontario Deaths 1869-1947.

5 http://www.islandnet.com/.

6 Janet Bessey [jan.bessey@rogers.com].

7 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : accessed 22 Nov 2025), entry for Emeline Janette Parks, person ID 26LN-92Z.

8 FamilySearch.org, Canadian Births and Baptisms, 1661-1959 (familysearch.org).

9 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : accessed 6 Nov 2025), entry for Arthur Elray/Ellwood Becraft, person ID LHQZ-RQT.

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