Shivaun's Family Tree Website

Fraser family

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 Part 4: Jessie Amelia Fraser (1864 - 1943)

Jessie Amelia Fraser was the third child of Alexander Fraser and Agnes Stewart. She was born 17 August 1864 in Pointe St Charles Parish in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She was baptised 09 October 1864 in the Lévis Church of Scotland after her parents moved there. It is not known where Jessie went to school but she was listed as a student in the 1881 census. Jessie married William Edgar Raney (1859 - 1933) 29 December 1886 in Etobicoke Township. William was a journalist living in Maine at the time so it is not known how he and Jessie met. They had four sons: Edgar Fraser (1888 - 1975), Norman Alexander (1891 - 1987), Paul Hartley (1892 - 1917) and Hugh Alan (1903 - 1981) - more information appears about them in the Raney section.

William later became a barrister and entered politics. He was appointed the Attorney General of Ontario. As a politician's wife, Jesie accompanied her husband to many events, such as the opening of the Ontario Legislature and farewells to important figures like the Governor General. As was customary at the time, the women's outfits were described in great detail in newspaper articles, particularly those in the social sections. She also observed the accepted ettiquette of the time by maintaining a visiting 'season' when it would be announced in the paper when she would be 'at home' to receive visitors.

After William died suddenly in 1933, she conitnued living in Toronto. She died 11 June 1943, aged 78, and was buried in Riverside Cemetery where her parents, most of her siblings and her husband were buried.

Jessie Amelia Raney, née Fraser, date unknown