In 1888, John Menarey (1850-1928) moved to Manitoba from Seaforth, Ontario. Arriving with his wife Catherine (1862-1909) and their four daughters, the family settled on a farm on the northeast quarter of 16-2-15W, about three miles east of Holmfield, in what is now the Municipality of Cartwright-Roblin. He broke land for growing crops and built a log house and barn on a small hill with a prominent view in all directions. A son and four more daughters were born here, and all nine children would eventually attend Hazeldell School.
In 1910, a fieldstone house with a metal mansard-style roof was constructed by mason John Henderson of Holmfield beside the original log house. Menarey sold the farm in 1920 and went to live with one of his daughters in Winnipeg.
The former Menarey residence, vacant at the time of a 2010 site visit, is a municipally designated historic site (1999).
Menarey House (July 2010)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Members of the Menarey family (circa 1901)
Standing L-R: Catherine Mabel Menarey (1887-?, wife of Walter Kidd), John Duncan “Jack” Menarey (1882-1919, unmarried), Margaret Ellen Menarey (1884-1939, wife of Walter Lewis and Hiram Hamilton), Bertha Maud Menarey (1890-1919, wife of Thomas Hay), Mary Ann Menarey (1891-1996, wife of Lee Wray). Seated L-R: Jane Isabella Menarey (1879-1919, wife of Thomas Phair), Martha Florence Menarey (1893-1931, unmarried), John Menarey (1850-1928), Susan Ida Menarey (1899-1972, wife of Dan McLeod), Emma Matilda Menarey (1896-?, wife of John McLeod), Catherine Mary Menarey (1862-1909).
Source: Hazeldell in Review, 1890-1960: Yesteryear, page 29 & Jeanne Wilkinson.Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.13111, W99.41660
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
Birth and death registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.
1901 and 1911 Canada censes, Automated Genealogy.
Hazeldell in Review, 1890-1960: Yesteryear by Elva McDonald and Hazeldell Book Committee, c1975, Manitoba Legislative Library, F5648.H38.
Menarey House, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.
We thank Vicki Wallace and Jeanne Wilkinson for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 18 March 2023
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