Salt Spring Island Archives

 

 

 

Generation No. 1

 

1.  BITTANCOURT¹ was born in Spain.  He married X.  She was born in Spain.

     

Children of BITTANCOURT and X are:

2.                  i.     ESTALON JOSE² BITTANCOURT, b. 09 September 1845, Azores, Portugal; d. 07 May 1917, Ganges, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

3.                 ii.     MANUEL ANTON DE BITTANCOURT.

 

 

Generation No. 2

 

2.  ESTALON JOSE² BITTANCOURT (BITTANCOURT¹) was born 09 September 1845 in Azores, Portugal, and died 07 May 1917 in Ganges, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.  He married (1) MARY.  She was born Abt. 1852.  He married (2) CATHERINE MADDEN 1901.  She was born 18 October 1841 in Ontario, and died 04 December 1911 in Ganges, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

 

Notes for ESTALON JOSE BITTANCOURT:

Gulf Islands Driftwood

May 27, 1981

 

FATAL HEART ATTACK IS CRASH CAUSE

A heart attack claimed the life of a 49 year old after causing him to lose control of his auto and to strike a large cedar tree alongside a Mayne Island road last Wednesday. John Aitken of Mayne Island died shortly following the single car accident in which his 1980 Chevrolet station wagon was completely destroyed. The accident occurred on Village Bay Road at about 10:20 pm. Corp. Harry Danyluk of Pender Island RCMP said that a coroner's report indicates that the man's death was caused by the heart attack and not injuries sustained during the accident. Damage to the car is estimated at about $8, 000.

 

THE BITTANCOURTS AND THE NORTONS

Early Salt Spring home builders

By Morton Stratton

Four very young Portugese youth (two sets of brothers) were among the earliest settlers on Salt Spring Island, arriving about 1860 just after Willis and Sylvia Stark, the Jones brothers and other pioneer families. Estalon and Manuel Bittancourt established claims on the shores of Vesuvius Bay and the fertile land to the cast; John and Delarvo Norton (the family name was adopted from the captain of the ship bringing them from Portugal) took up their claims on the gently rolling uplands between the present golf course and Lady Minto Hospital. Manuel and Delarvo disappear from the record; but Estalon Bittancourt, Manuel's son, Reid and John Norton put their roots down on the island, raised their huge families here, and erected some of the substantial homes which graced central Salt Spring Island at the turn of the century. It is particularly unfortunate that three of the finest homes built by the Bittancourts no longer exist (One demolished and two destroyed by fire) and hence cannot be represented in the photographic exhibit of old homes scheduled by the Canadian Arts Council for June 20 in Mahon Hall. But happily, several others are still well preserved, as are two houses built by John Norton.

ROMANTIC CAREER

Estalon Bittancourt had a particularly romantic and interesting career. Born in the Azores about 1845 he developed a roving disposition and a longing to go to sea. At the age of about 15 or 16 he swam out to a sailing ship bound for the goldfields of Australia. Soon after, the lure of the sea brought him to Vancouver Island. Refused shore leave by his captain he waited until nightfall and swam ashore at Royal Roads. Purchasing a sloop, he did a good business for several months carrying sawdust from Mill Bay to Victoria. Then disaster struck; a driving gale piled his frail craft on the rocks at ten mile point just north of Cordova Bay; but fortunately his ability as a swimmer saved him after a hard struggle with the swift running current. Perhaps tiring of his adventures on the sea he took the advice of his fellow countryman, John Norton, who already knew something of Salt Spring, and established his land claims behind Vesuvius Bay.

STORY OF THE FAMILY

For a full generation, from the 1860's until death in 1917, the story of Vesuvius is in a real way the story of the Estalon married, raised a large family of nine children, became a substantial businessman and farmer and developed the agreeable habit of building substantial homes for himself and his family. The earliest and the finest, his own home above the docks at Vesuvius, existed in its later days as the Vesuvius Bay (An annex was built in 1886 for son, Fred, and wife, Annie). This big house was the centre of Estalon's enterprise. Hero he ran a general store (supplied by a sloop with which he delivered goods to and from Victoria) and a friendly little neighborhood pub (a decent enough establishment, but still off limits to the strict Methodists at Central Settlement.) Later he developed the store into the Vesuvius Bay Hotel. A major source of income for the growing Bittancourt family came from the operation of the sandstone quarries at Vesuvius, originally developed in 1860-61 by five partners who took of for the goldfields of the Cariboo in 1861.

AT FULL STRENGTH

In the 1880's the sandstone quarry was running at full strength and the family operated three sloops carrying stone to Victoria and Esquimalt. The Esquimalt dry dock, the original causeway in front of the Empress Hotel and several churches in Victoria were constructed of Vesuvius sandstone. Coal was also mined at the Bittancourt place; especially at nearby Dock (now corrupted to Duck) Bay. Bea Hamilton tells us this coal retailed for 25 cents a bag! Since the Vesuvius docks were the principal window on the world for settlers north of the Divide, the Bittancourts were often the first to welcome newcomers to the island. One of the early priests working this mission field, Father Kremera, was once flung from his canoe into the waters at Sansum Narrows. He made it to shore and staggered through the bush where he was found by Bittancourt. Years later (1894) it was Bittancourt who greeted the Rev. E.F. Wilson upon his first arrival at Salt Spring on a cold February morning and directed him on his way to Mrs. Stevens; Boarding House. Meanwhile, over the years the Bittancourt land holdings were expanding (some of the acreage farmed with the help of his son, Charlie) until at the time of Estalon's death in 1917 at the age of 74 there were 437 acres registered in his name.

FIVE HOUSES

The family home - turned hotel was destroyed by fire on 1975 but five houses still attest to the prosperity of this enterprising pioneer. Best known are the three "dowry houses" that ringed Vesuvius Bay (photo in Toynbee's Snapshots), built by Bittancourt for three of his married daughters (one house has since been moved to the top of the hill where the road descends to the bay). A house built across the road from the wharf for his son, Fred, about 1892 was recently moved to the Farmer's Institute property on Rainbow Road and will serve the community as Salt Spring Island's first museum after remodeling is "The Ark" the jewel of them all. The Bittancourt family was Catholic and had originally installed a chaplin in the attic of the old family home where once a month a Catholic priest attended to celebrate mass. Later, Estalon built a small chapel up the road from son Fred's home. This pretty little building, now a residence, still stands with a bell in the gable, a fitting testimonial to the devout Catholic family whose legacy lives on at Vesuvius Bay.

HIS NEPHEWS

Equally well known to the next generation on Salt Spring, including many now living were Estalon Bittancourt's nephews, Reid and Arthur Bittancourt. After he moved here in the 1880's Reid's life was intimately related to the development of the Ganges area. Arthur, on the other hand, made his name in Alaska but he is remembered locally for the meticulous care with which he dismantled the Methodist chapel at Central board by board and window by window and reassembled it on Hereford Avenue. Here the structure now stands as the street side portion of the Legion Hall. Complete with a new roof, the operation cost $300. Arthur also did some exceptional carpentry work in the early 20's in the home of Dick Toynee on Churchill Road. Abraham Reid Bittancourt was an outstanding carpenter and builder. (See Valerie Richards comment on his craftsmanship in a recent Driftwood). He apparently developed his skills before moving to the island. In 1890 he worked with Mr. Herd of Somenoa in the construction of the T. W. Mouat house which still stands on the ridge west of St. Mary Lake.

BULLOCK MANSION

Certainly the biggest commission was building the impressive Henry Bullock mansion in 1892 for a contract price of $2,000. Subsequently, he erected several houses in the village of Ganges; for example, the home at the corner of Rainbow Road and Lower Ganges Road across from the health office. But better known was the splendid home and store put up in 1904 at the foot of Ganges Hill, known more recently as the Dr. Francis nursing home (demolished in 1967). Reid's career as a storekeeper boat operator and patrol officer for Canada Customs are beyond the scope of this article. In concluding these comments on the Portugese pioneers, mention must be made of John Norton (born Delavera). Like Reid Bittancourt, he raised a fine family on Salt Spring. His children were contemporaries and playmates of some of Salt Spring's older living residents (see Toynbee's school snapshots). John Norton was a prosperous farmer in the area west and north of the present Valcourt Centre.

ON NORTON ROAD

Here he constructed for his second wife the family home which stands on the left up Norton Road and is now surrounded by so many lovely flowers and overgrown shrubs. Incidentally, this house, owned by a granddaughter of John Norton, is the only house in the Heritage House Committee's survey which is still in the hands of a descendant of the builder. John Norton also built a house for A.J. Smith about 1903 which stands on the left of Blain Road above Greenwoods, commanding a panoramic view of Ganges Harbour. The Nortons and the Bittancourts, only recently so well known on the island are gone now. But the houses they built stand as a tribute to the contribution they made to the growth and diversity of our fascinating island.

 

1891 Census

Bittancourt, Agnes  4 

Saltspring North, Thetis & Kuper Islands [3 m-1 13]   13  

Gender Female 

Marital Status  Single 

Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada 

Building  House 

Father  Portugal 

Construction  Wood 

Read/Write  No / No

 Mother  Canada (unspecified) 

Floors/Rooms  2 / 6 

Religion  Roman Catholic 

Relation to head  Daughter of Head 

 

 

Bittancourt, Charles  17 

Farmer 

Saltspring North, Thetis & Kuper Islands [3 m-1 13]   13  

Gender Male 

Marital Status  Single 

Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada 

Building  House 

Father  Portugal 

Construction  Wood 

Read/Write  Yes / Yes 

Mother  Canada (unspecified) 

Floors/Rooms  2 / 6 

Religion  Roman Catholic 

Relation to head  Son of Head 

 

Bittancourt, Elizabeth  7 

Saltspring North, Thetis & Kuper Islands [3 m-1 13]   13  

Gender Female 

Marital Status  Single 

Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada 

Building  House 

Father  Portugal 

Construction  Wood 

Read/Write  Yes / Yes 

Mother  Canada (unspecified) 

Floors/Rooms  2 / 6 

Religion  Roman Catholic 

Relation to head  Daughter of Head 

 

 

Bittancourt, Estalone  51 

General Merchant/Store Keeper 

Saltspring North, Thetis & Kuper Islands [3 m-1 13]   13  

Gender Male 

Marital Status  Married 

Birthplace  Portugal 

Building  House 

Father  Spain 

Construction  Wood 

Read/Write  No / No 

Mother  Spain 

Floors/Rooms  2 / 6 

Religion  Roman Catholic 

Relation to head  Head of Household 

Comments  dual occ: merchant and farmer 

 

Bittancourt, Frank  16 

Farmer 

Saltspring North, Thetis & Kuper Islands [3 m-1 13]   13  

Gender Male 

Marital Status  Single 

Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada 

Building  House 

Father  Portugal 

Construction  Wood 

Read/Write  Yes / Yes 

Mother  Canada (unspecified) 

Floors/Rooms  2 / 6 

Religion  Roman Catholic 

Relation to head  Son of Head 

 

 

Bittancourt, Fred  15 

Farmer 

Saltspring North, Thetis & Kuper Islands [3 m-1 13]   13  

Gender Male 

Marital Status  Single 

Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada 

Building  House 

Father  Portugal 

Construction  Wood 

Read/Write  Yes / Yes 

Mother  Canada (unspecified) 

Floors/Rooms  2 / 6 

Religion  Roman Catholic 

Relation to head  Son of Head 

 

Bittancourt, George  14 

Farmer 

Saltspring North, Thetis & Kuper Islands [3 m-1 13]   13  

Gender Male 

Marital Status  Single 

Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada 

Building  House 

Father  Portugal 

Construction  Wood 

Read/Write  Yes / Yes 

Mother  Canada (unspecified) 

Floors/Rooms  2 / 6 

Religion  Roman Catholic 

Relation to head  Son of Head 

 

 

Bittancourt, Laurence  19 

Saltspring North, Thetis & Kuper Islands [3 m-1 13]   13  

Gender Male 

Marital Status  Single 

Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada 

Building  House 

Father  Portugal 

Construction  Wood 

Read/Write  No / No 

Mother  Canada (unspecified) 

Floors/Rooms  2 / 6 

Religion  Roman Catholic

Relation to head  Son of Head 

 

 

Bittancourt, Lauretta  1 

Saltspring North, Thetis & Kuper Islands [3 m-1 13]   13  

Gender Female 

Marital Status  Single 

Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada 

Building  House 

Father  Portugal 

Construction  Wood 

Read/Write  No / No 

Mother  Canada (unspecified) 

Floors/Rooms  2 / 6 

Religion  Roman Catholic

Relation to head  Daughter of Head 

 

 

Bittancourt, Mary  39 

Homemaker 

Saltspring North, Thetis & Kuper Islands [3 m-1 13]   13  

Gender Female 

Marital Status  Married 

Birthplace  Canada (unspecified) 

Building  House 

Father  United States 

Construction  Wood 

Read/Write  Yes / Yes 

Mother  Canada (unspecified) 

Floors/Rooms  2 / 6 

Religion  Roman Catholic 

Relation to head  Wife of Head 

 

 

Bittancourt, Mary  12 

Saltspring North, Thetis & Kuper Islands [3 m-1 13]   13  

Gender Female 

Marital Status  Single 

Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada 

Building  House 

Father  Portugal 

Construction  Wood 

Read/Write  Yes / Yes 

Mother  Canada (unspecified) 

Floors/Rooms  2 / 6 

Religion  Roman Catholic 

Relation to head  Daughter of Head 

 

 

Bittancourt, Melicia  11 

Saltspring North, Thetis & Kuper Islands [3 m-1 13]   13  

Gender Female 

Marital Status  Single 

Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada 

Building  House 

Father  Portugal 

Construction  Wood 

Read/Write  Yes / Yes 

Mother  Canada (unspecified) 

Floors/Rooms  2 / 6 

Religion  Roman Catholic  Employment 

Relation to head  Daughter of Head 

 

 

Bittancourt, Rossa  9 

Saltspring North, Thetis & Kuper Islands [3 m-1 13]   13  

Gender Female 

Marital Status  Single 

Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada 

Building  House 

Father  Portugal 

Construction  Wood 

Read/Write  Yes / Yes 

Mother  Canada (unspecified) 

Floors/Rooms  2 / 6 

Religion  Roman Catholic 

Relation to head  Daughter of Head 

 

 

Kee, Sing (China)  25 

Cook, Domestic 

Saltspring North, Thetis & Kuper Islands [3 m-1 13]   13  

 

1901 Census

Bittancourt, Agnes  14   Victoria North (Saltspring Island) [3 H 1]   2  

  Gender Female  Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada  Record  census.1901:38305 

Marital Status  Single  Nationality  Canadian  Employment  Unknown 

Infirmities  Blank or None  Race  Portugese  Earnings  $Unknown 

Birthdate  August 10, 1887  Colour  White  Extra earnings  $Unknown 

Read/Write  No / No  Mother tongue  Missing/Not Given  HISCO Code  None 

Months in school  Unknown  Speaks English/French  No / No  Immigration year  Unknown 

Relation to head  Daughter of Head  Religion  Roman Catholic  Naturalization year  Unknown 

Address  Unknown  Comments  Age & Birthdate Inconsistent (Calculated at 13) 

 

  Bittancourt, Catherine  49   Victoria North (Saltspring Island) [3 H 1]   2  

  Gender Female  Birthplace  Ontario, Canada  Record  census.1901:38307 

Marital Status  Married  Nationality  Canadian  Employment  Unknown 

Infirmities  Blank or None  Race  English  Earnings  $Unknown 

Birthdate  October 18, 1841  Colour  White  Extra earnings  $Unknown 

Read/Write  No / No  Mother tongue  Missing/Not Given  HISCO Code  None 

Months in school  Unknown  Speaks English/French  No / No  Immigration year  Unknown 

Relation to head  Wife of Head  Religion  Roman Catholic  Naturalization year  Unknown 

Address  Unknown  Comments  Age & Birthdate Inconsistent (Calculated at 59) 

 

  Bittancourt, E J  61  General Merchant/Store Keeper  Victoria North (Saltspring Island) [3 H 1]   2  

  Gender Male  Birthplace  Azores  Record  census.1901:38298 

Marital Status  Married  Nationality  Portugese  Employment  Unknown 

Infirmities  Blank or None  Race  Portugese  Earnings  $Unknown 

Birthdate  September 9, 1839  Colour  White  Extra earnings  $Unknown 

Read/Write  No / No  Mother tongue  Missing/Not Given  HISCO Code  41030 

Months in school  Unknown  Speaks English/French  No / No  Immigration year  1863 

Relation to head  Head of Household  Religion  Roman Catholic  Naturalization year  1869 

Address  Unknown  Comments  None 

 

  Bittancourt, Elizabeth  18   Victoria North (Saltspring Island) [3 H 1]   2  

  Gender Female  Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada  Record  census.1901:38304 

Marital Status  Single  Nationality  Canadian  Employment  Unknown 

Infirmities  Blank or None  Race  Portugese  Earnings  $Unknown 

Birthdate  March 19, 1883  Colour  White  Extra earnings  $Unknown 

Read/Write  No / No  Mother tongue  Missing/Not Given  HISCO Code  None 

Months in school  Unknown  Speaks English/French  No / No  Immigration year  Unknown 

Relation to head  Daughter of Head  Religion  Roman Catholic  Naturalization year  Unknown 

Address  Unknown  Comments  None 

 

  Bittancourt, Francis  26  Farmer  Victoria North (Saltspring Island) [3 H 1]   2  

  Gender Male  Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada  Record  census.1901:38300 

Marital Status  Single  Nationality  Canadian  Employment  Unknown 

Infirmities  Blank or None  Race  Portugese  Earnings  $Unknown 

Birthdate  January 9, 1875  Colour  White  Extra earnings  $Unknown 

Read/Write  No / No  Mother tongue  Missing/Not Given  HISCO Code  61110 

Months in school  Unknown  Speaks English/French  No / No  Immigration year  Unknown 

Relation to head  Son of Head  Religion  Roman Catholic  Naturalization year  Unknown 

Address  Unknown  Comments  None 

 

  Bittancourt, Frederick  24  General Merchant/Store Keeper  Victoria North (Saltspring Island) [3 H 1]   2  

  Gender Male  Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada  Record  census.1901:38301 

Marital Status  Single  Nationality  Canadian  Employment  Unknown 

Infirmities  Blank or None  Race  Portugese  Earnings  $Unknown 

Birthdate  July 31, 1877  Colour  White  Extra earnings  $Unknown 

Read/Write  No / No  Mother tongue  Missing/Not Given  HISCO Code  41030 

Months in school  Unknown  Speaks English/French  No / No  Immigration year  Unknown 

Relation to head  Son of Head  Religion  Roman Catholic  Naturalization year  Unknown 

Address  Unknown  Comments  Age & Birthdate Inconsistent (Calculated at 23) 

 

  Bittancourt, George  23  Sealer  Victoria North (Saltspring Island) [3 H 1]   2  

  Gender Male  Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada  Record  census.1901:38302 

Marital Status  Single  Nationality  Canadian  Employment  Unknown 

Infirmities  Blank or None  Race  Portugese  Earnings  $Unknown 

Birthdate  January 19, 1878  Colour  White  Extra earnings  $Unknown 

Read/Write  No / No  Mother tongue  Missing/Not Given  HISCO Code  64952 

Months in school  Unknown  Speaks English/French  No / No  Immigration year  Unknown 

Relation to head  Son of Head  Religion  Roman Catholic  Naturalization year  Unknown 

Address  Unknown  Comments  None 

 

  Bittancourt, Lauretta  9   Victoria North (Saltspring Island) [3 H 1]   2  

  Gender Female  Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada  Record  census.1901:38306 

Marital Status  Single  Nationality  Canadian  Employment  Unknown 

Infirmities  Blank or None  Race  Portugese  Earnings  $Unknown 

Birthdate  August 17, 1891  Colour  White  Extra earnings  $Unknown 

Read/Write  No / No  Mother tongue  Missing/Not Given  HISCO Code  None 

Months in school  Unknown  Speaks English/French  No / No  Immigration year  Unknown 

Relation to head  Daughter of Head  Religion  Roman Catholic  Naturalization year  Unknown 

Address  Unknown  Comments  None 

 

  Bittancourt, Lawrence  28  Clerk, Dry Goods  Victoria North (Saltspring Island) [3 H 1]   2  

  Gender Male  Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada  Record  census.1901:38299 

Marital Status  Single  Nationality  Canadian  Employment  Unknown 

Infirmities  Blank or None  Race  Portugese  Earnings  $Unknown 

Birthdate  November 26, 1872  Colour  White  Extra earnings  $Unknown 

Read/Write  No / No  Mother tongue  Missing/Not Given  HISCO Code  45192 

Months in school  Unknown  Speaks English/French  No / No  Immigration year  Unknown 

Relation to head  Son of Head  Religion  Roman Catholic  Naturalization year  Unknown 

Address  Unknown  Comments  None 

 

  Bittancourt, Rosalia  19   Victoria North (Saltspring Island) [3 H 1]   2 

 

1 4   2 Bittancourt E.J. M   Head M Sep 9 1839 61

1 5   2 Bittancourt Lawrence M   Son S Nov 26 1872 29

1 6   2 Bittancourt Francis M   Son S Jan 9 1875 26

1 7   2 Bittancourt Frederick M   Son S Jul 31 1877 24

1 8   2 Bittancourt George M   Son S Jan 19 1878 23

1 9   2 Bittancourt Rosalia F   Daughter S Jan 3 1882 19

1 10   2 Bittancourt Elizabeth F   Daughter S Mar 19 1883 18

1 11   2 Bittancourt Agnes E. F   Daughter S Aug 10 1887 14

1 12   2 Bittancourt Lauretta F   Daughter S Aug 17 1891 9

1 13   2 Bittancourt Catherine F   Wife M Oct 18 1841 59

 

Source Information: 1901 Census of Canada

Subdistrict: Victoria (North/Nord), VANCOUVER ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA

District Number: 3

Subdistrict Number: h-1

Archives Microfilm: T-6429

 

1911 Census

British Columbia / Nanaimo / 13 Salt Spring Island / page 17

48    202 Bittancourt Estera Jose   M Head M Sep 1839 71

49    202 Bittancourt Marion   F Wife M Mar 1842 68 

50    202 Bittancourt Charles   M Son S Apr 1878 33 

 

Vital Event Death Registration

 

      Name:     Estalno J Bittancourt

 

      Event Date:     1917 5 7 (Yr/Mo/Day)

      Age:            74

      Gender:         male

      Event Place:    Saltspring Island

                                   

      Reg. Number:    1917-09-036434

      B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13083

      GSU Microfilm Number: 1927293

 

Salt Spring Street Names

Bittancourt Road Estalon José Bittancourt (1845–1917) and his brother Manoel Antoine Bittancourt arrived on the island in1860. This road is probably named after Manoel’s son, Abraham Reid Bittancourt, who ran a store on Ganges Hill from 1900 until it was purchased by Mouat’s in 1907.

 

E.J. Bittancourt (or Betancourt as it is sometimes spelled) was a pioneer in the Vesuvius area.

He opened the original store and post office on the site of the present Vesuvius Inn about 1886. One

of his five sons became Brother Francis Joseph Betancourt, O.M.I., usually known as Brother Joe.

He entered the Oblate novitiate in New Westminster in 1902 and was appointed supervisor of boys

at St. Louis College. His seaside picnics for children became famous, and he had to hire two interurban

trams to carry them all before the outings were discontinued. (Kay Cronin, Cross in the Wilderness,

p. 188-190)

 

Estalon Jose Bittencourt

 

Bittencourt was probably one of the first 40 settlers that arrived in Salt Springs or he may have arrived shortly after the first wave . The Victoria Gazette, on the 22nd of November 1859 reported: “ We are informed that the number of actual settlers now on Salt Spring is 40, a majority whom are putting up buildings and making other preparations towards permanently establishing themselves as agriculturists upon their claims.” There are sources mentioning the Bittencourt presence on the island as early as 1861.

 

Charles Khan in the “Story of an Island, puts the arrival of the Portuguese around 1860. “The Vesuvius-Central area was settled mainly by two groups: Blacks mostly from California, and Portuguese. Thirteen Black settlers arrived in 1859, and several others joined them the next year. The Portuguese—John Norton, Delarvo Norton, Estalon Jose Bittencourt, and Manoel Bittencourt—also arrived around 1860. “

 

Jose Estalon from Salt Spring Islands was one of the first Bittencourt to arrive in Canada (his brother Manuel Antoine may have come with him). He was born in the Azores on the 9 of September 1839. One of his ancestors said he was born in Ponta Delgado in Sao Miguel . Source: http://www.jenforum.org/bettencourt/messages/80.html

 

Jean Barman in “The Remarkable Adventures of Portuguese Joe Silvey” mentions: Estalon and Manuel Bittancourt came from the Azores via the Australian gold rush of the early1850s. Sometime thereafter they persuaded their fellow Azorean John Norton to join them on Salt Spring Island…”

 

The Bittencourts seemed that had a serious influence in bringing some Portuguese to the island. Although, Charles Khan, Pretends in his book that John Norton was the one who influenced in settling in the island. (Khan mentions on the advice of another Portuguese, John Norton, he moved to Salt Spring and became a successful entrepreneur).

 

If we had a doubt who influenced who, we know where E.J settled. “On Salt Spring, the intrepid Portuguese brothers, Manoel Antoine (Antonio?) and Estalon Jose Bittencourt, held prosperous sections in the vicinity of Vesuvius Bay.” Source Salt Spring Saga

 

Later on he may have acquired more land. We know that the Bittencourt family settled on the land of an Afro-American called William Robinson from New-Jersey who was murdered in 1868. We can assume that they took possession of the land after that year. We have to remember that they were already living in the island way before the murder we may assume they may just have expanded their land assets from their previous holdings. The land of both parties were near each other close to Vesuvius Bay. Source: http://www.albany.edu/jmmh/vol3/robinson/robinson.html

 

Charles Khan mentions that “Vesuvius Bay, in the north end of the Island, was largely dominated by Estalon Jose Bittancourt, a Portuguese born in the Azores in 1845.”

 

After many years it is hard to separate some facts from legend. Charles Khan writes; “ in some ways Bittencourt was a romantic figure. According to one story, he went to sea at about fifteen by swimming to a sailing ship. Whem he reached Vancouver Island, he was refused shore leave but swam ashore at Royal Roads.”

 

There is no denying all the influence that Bittencourt in the early development of the Island.

 

E.J Bittencourt played a major role in transporting people to the area “settlers brought sailing vessels with them, and some, such as E.J Bittancourt, provided transport service for their fellow Islanders. Most people, however, relied on the traditional Salish canoe… source “Story of an Island” It may be possible that E.J came to the island on his own schooner. How he was able to buy a big boat after only a few years in Canada shows his truly amazing entrepreunial spirit.

 

In the book of Salt Spring Saga we also learned that Bittencourt used his schooner also to transport arms to defend the island. The author mentions the numerous skirmishes between the settlers and the natives. The Bittencourt Schooner played a major role to defend the island from the antagonistic natives. “In 1861 the Bittencourt Schooner made the perilous run to Victoria, from Vesuvius Bay, It will include in the return cargo revolvers, rifles and ammunition.”

 

He also contributed to the building of the St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church. According to Bea Hamilton author of the book Salt Spring Island there were 4 catholic families in the island which seem to be a low number but there is five names who were mentioned as contributors to the building of this beautiful St. Paul’s rock church still standing today on Fulford Harbor, it was built between 1880-1885. “E.J Bittencourt, who had the first store in Vesuvius: John pappenburger, first mail carrier from Beaver Point: John King: Dick Purser and Michael Gyves Sr., of Burgogne Valley.”

 

He also had a stone quarry. Khan talks on his book about the Caldwell brothers working on the sandstone quarry of Estalon Bittancourt in Vesuvius. He also mentions about the quarry of Bittencourt which opened in 1886. He said the “sandstone going into the Esquimalt graving dock, the seawall of Victoria’s inner harbour, and the San Francisco mint. “ Bittencourt split his sandstone from the bedrock with wedges , placed it on six-wheeled carts, and winched it down a ramp onto scows. In 1913 the quarry still employed twenty-five East Indians…”

 

In the 1891 census E.J Bittencourt was listed as the only General Store of the island.

 

According to Khan the store opened in 1873 on the site of the today’s Vesuvius Inn parking lot. Thirteen years later he added a post office. He also notes, “During his life on the island, Bittancourt operated sandstone quarries, farmed, mined coal, and built several fine houses. In 1878, Father Gustave Donckele from Saanich Mission said the first mass on Salt Spring in a private chapel on the second floor of Bittancourt’s house. About ten years later, Bittancourt built a chapel in a separate building, which he called the “Ark.” This building was still standing in 1998. His zeal for his religion seems characteristic of the people from the Azores.

 

He was married to Catherine in 1901 who was born in Ontario. He was a dry good merchant. He died in Vesuvius Bay on May 1 1917. He had many sons and daughters. They were: Lawrence, Francis, Frederick, George, Rosalia, Elizebeth, Agnes, Laureta, Source and more detailed info: http://www.rootsweb.com/~canbc/1901vic_cen/divh1/divh1p01.htm (Victoria Census 1901)

 

continued on Catherine Madden's file

 

Notes for CATHERINE MADDEN:

Vital Event Death Registration

 

      Name:     Katherine Bittancourt

 

      Event Date:     1911 12 4 (Yr/Mo/Day)

      Age:            65

      Gender:         female

      Event Place:    Saltspring Island

                                   

      Reg. Number:    1911-09-027652

      B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13082

      GSU Microfilm Number: 1927292

 

Continued from Estalone Bittancourt's file

 

The author Eric A. Roberts talks about the giants of Salt Springs and he mentions the special contribution to the settling of the island by the Portuguese pioneers: “… it is easy to do less than justice to the many groups of which the pioneer community was composed. One such group deserving of special mention were the Portuguese brothers Manoel Antoine and Estalon Jose Bittencourt and Joao and Del’Arvo or Delarvo Norton. In View of the contribution they made to the progress of the island by hard work, personal industry, initiative and enterprise, a brief reference to the Portugal they left may not be out of place.” The author goes on to explain the poor economic and political state of Portugal left behind by the pioneers.

 

The author goes on and he said: “The Bittancourts and the Nortons made excellent settlers. In the initial phases, the Bittancourt schooner was the one link between Salt Spring and Victoria. The will and the resolution of the two families never weakened during the dark times of the Indian troubles and they won esteem and respect of the community, which their successors have retained most worthily.” Source Salt Spring Saga

 

In the back of the book cover the author also says: the Portuguese, the Kanakas (Hawaians) and the rich, warm story of the coloured people from strife-torn U.S.A, who carried the torch of learning on the island when times were perilious,”

 

According to Khan “ Until the thirties , only about 4 families lived in Vesuvius village. Some of Estalon Bittencourt’s children stayed in the Bittencourt homes near today’s Vesuvius Ferry terminal site. In 1918, Arthur and Nancy Inglis bought ten acres, put up cottages and tents, and took up tourists.”

 

One map drawn by a teacher in 1912 shows 4 houses owned by the Bittencourts three are listed as A. R. Bittencourt. One can ask himself if any of the Bittencourt kids had houses on the Island besides his nephew Abraham. There is also a Museum called the Bittencourt Museum on the island. I assume it is related to the same family.

 

 

More About CATHERINE MADDEN:

Burial: Central Cemetery, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

 

More About ESTALON BITTANCOURT and CATHERINE MADDEN:

Marriage: 1901

     

Children of ESTALON BITTANCOURT and MARY are:

                      i.     LAURENCE³ BITTANCOURT, b. 26 November 1872.

                    ii.     CHARLES F. BITTANCOURT, b. 23 September 1873; d. 07 September 1909, Victoria, British Columbia; m. TERESA MARY MORAES, 08 January 1900, Victoria, British Columbia; b. 26 December 1874.

 

Notes for CHARLES F. BITTANCOURT:

1901 Census

1 17   4 Bittancourt Chas M   Head M Sep 24 1873 27

1 18   4 Bittancourt Teresa F   Wife M Dec 26 1874 26

 

Source Information: 1901 Census of Canada

Subdistrict: Victoria (North/Nord), VANCOUVER ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA

District Number: 3

Subdistrict Number: h-1

Archives Microfilm: T-6429

 

Vital Event Death Registration

 

        Name:     Charles F Bittancourt

 

        Event Date:     1909 9 7 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Age:            36

        Gender:         male

        Event Place:    Victoria

                                           

        Reg. Number:    1909-09-022995

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13081

        GSU Microfilm Number: 1927291

 

 

 

Marriage Notes for CHARLES BITTANCOURT and TERESA MORAES:

Vital Event Marriage Registration

 

        Groom Name:     Charles F Bitancourt

        Bride Name:     Teresa Mary Moraes

 

        Event Date:     1900 1 8 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Event Place:    Victoria

 

        Reg. Number:    1900-09-009360

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B11368

        GSU Microfilm Number: 1983525

 

 

 

More About CHARLES BITTANCOURT and TERESA MORAES:

Marriage: 08 January 1900, Victoria, British Columbia

 

                   iii.     FRANCIS JOSEPH BITTANCOURT, b. 09 January 1875, Vesuvius Bay, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia; d. 1968, Youville Rest Home, St. Albert, Alberta.

 

Notes for FRANCIS JOSEPH BITTANCOURT:

Gulf Islands Driftwood

October 3, 1968

 

 

 

FUNERAL ON FRIDAY

 

Funeral service will be held on Friday for a Salt Spring Island man who had the biggest circle of men friends in the province. He was brother Joe Bittancourt, who taught for some 70 years. A Salt Spring Island woman who came to brother Joe’s birthplace many years after he left will attend his funeral. Mrs. Jack Winnl, of Ganges, formerly Mayor of New Westminster, will be at “home” on Friday to pay her last tribute to a man she knew and esteemed for many years. Keith Wood will bring back the story of the funeral of a notable island boy who lived on the mainland for nearly 100 years.

 

 

 

31-Oct-68

 

BROTHER JOE IS GONE – IDOL OF GENERATIONS

 

To hundreds of former students in the vicinity of New Westminster there is an acute sense of loss. Brother Joe had lived and worked and coerced and struggled with boys for many years in New Westminster. To the residents of Salt Spring Island today the news meant little. Few knew him as Francis Joseph Betancourt. Still fewer knew that a man of some fame in a small segment of the mainland had started out on Salt Spring Island. “He was a little man,” recalled Jack Wood, “but his heart was big.” The little man with the big heart set out from Salt Spring Island a lifetime ago to study with the Oblate priests on the mainland. “He was a fine chap and a devoted Catholic,” recalls W. M. Mouat. They grew up together as boys, even though Frank, as he was then known, was somewhat older. After advice from Fr. Donckele, Frank Betancourt went to St. Louis College in New Westminster, recalled the retired Ganges businessman. Richard Niemeyer, of Bellingham, remembered Brother Joe’s family as well as “that wonderful little man.” He was the son of Estalan Jose Betancourt, recalled Mr. Niemeyer, the third or fourth child in a family of nine. Mr. Niemeyer knew the old portugese settler well. He used to read to him in his home at Vesuvius. Estalan Betancourt raised a large family and operated a general store and a saloon at Vesuvius, but he never learned to read and write English and could only understand the newspapers through someone else’s agency. Brother Joe gave a legacy to New Westminster, the legacy of his own personality. He was a feature of the Royal City for many years and upon his death there were former students from all parts of the coast to pay tribute to a man they had loved. That was his character, that those who came into close contact with him idolized him. When he joined the Order, the Congregation of Oblates of May Immaculate, he was the first British Columbian to enter the order. Brother Joe was born at Vesuvius in 1875. He was nearly 30 when he decided to take up the life of a lay brother in a religious order. In 1902, he entered the novitiate, or training period, and went to St. Peter’s Church in New Westminster later that same year. A lifetime later, in May, 1968, he retired. After 66 years at St. Peter’s, he left due to ill health. He was teaching year after year for more than 50 years. He was 93 years old. He went to the Youville Rest Home in St. Albert, Edmonton and there he died. His life had been devoted to youngsters and when the funeral rites were observed it was the grown up children of a life time who came to pay tribute to the little man with the big heart. Brother Joe was five feet four inches tall and weighed 120 pounds. His stature afforded him no concern. When his former students gathered for his funeral they exchanged notes about their former mentor. They remembered him standing in the school yard with a telescope and a whistle. Everyone was in sight of his telescope and everyone was in earshot of his whistle. And he stood for no nonsense, irrespective of the size of his students. “If they sassed me,” he used to recall on many occasions. “I would box their ears.” His past life filed past his coffin at the funeral. There were representatives of every walk of life among his ex students. There were professional men and important professional men as well as the ordinary solid citizen, the important citizen of the province. The little lay brother taught at two schools during his contribution. Firstly he was at St. Louis College and later at St. Peter’s parochial school. “Brother Joe and children were always together.” Recalled Judge H. A. Swencinsky, of the Vancouver county court, “It reminded me of a Queen bee in a hive.” One of the little man’s project’s was the annual picnic for lower mainland children. He used to arrange each year for the hire of trolleycars and take the youngsters around the city before the picnic on the beach at Kitsilano. When hundreds attended the funeral in New Westminster on October 4 of Brother Joe, they were paying their last tribute to a man who had become a legend in his adoptive city during his 66 years’ residence. Mr. and Mrs. Wood attended his funeral. Both had known him for many years and wanted to pay their last tribute to an old friend. Of the 11 children of Estalon and Catherine Betancourt, only one sister survives. She is Mrs. Laura Carter, Portland, Oregon.

 

 

 

 

 

4.                iv.     FREDERICK J. BITTANCOURT, b. 31 July 1877; d. 07 January 1952, Victoria, British Columbia.

                     v.     GEORGE BITTANCOURT, b. 19 January 1878.

 

Notes for GEORGE BITTANCOURT:

???

Vital Event Death Registration

 

        Name:     George Thomas Bittancourt

 

        Event Date:     1903 10 8 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Age:            28

        Gender:         male

        Event Place:    Victoria

                                           

        Reg. Number:    1903-09-016819

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13079

        GSU Microfilm Number: 1927289

 

 

 

                   vi.     ROSALIA BITTANCOURT, b. 03 January 1882; m. EDWARD HYPPOLITE ST. LOUIS, 16 April 1901, Victoria, British Columbia.

 

Marriage Notes for ROSALIA BITTANCOURT and EDWARD ST. LOUIS:

Vital Event Marriage Registration

 

        Groom Name:     Edward Hyppolite Stlouis

        Bride Name:     Rosalia Bittancourt

 

        Event Date:     1901 4 16 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Event Place:    Victoria

 

        Reg. Number:    1901-09-010273

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B11368

        GSU Microfilm Number: 1983525

 

 

 

More About EDWARD ST. LOUIS and ROSALIA BITTANCOURT:

Marriage: 16 April 1901, Victoria, British Columbia

 

5.              vii.     MARY DELPHINE BITTANCOURT, b. 12 April 1879, Vesuvius Bay, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

                viii.     MELISSA BITTANCOURT, b. Abt. 1880.

                   ix.     ELIZABETH BITTANCOURT, b. 19 March 1883.

                     x.     AGNES AMELIA BITTANCOURT, b. 10 August 1887; m. (1) MITCHEL EDWARD BEAN, 04 May 1907, Victoria, British Columbia; m. (2) GEORGE LEYBOURNE HARKER, 06 June 1912, Victoria, British Columbia.

 

Marriage Notes for AGNES BITTANCOURT and MITCHEL BEAN:

Vital Event Marriage Registration

 

        Groom Name:     Mitchel Edward Bean

        Bride Name:     Agnes Amelia Bitancourt

 

        Event Date:     1907 5 4 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Event Place:    Victoria

 

        Reg. Number:    1907-09-015707

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B11369

        GSU Microfilm Number: 1983526

 

 

 

More About MITCHEL BEAN and AGNES BITTANCOURT:

Marriage: 04 May 1907, Victoria, British Columbia

 

Marriage Notes for AGNES BITTANCOURT and GEORGE HARKER:

Vital Event Marriage Registration

 

        Groom Name:     George Leybourne Harker

        Bride Name:     Amilia Bittencourt

 

        Event Date:     1912 6 6 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Event Place:    Victoria

 

        Reg. Number:    1912-09-022408

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B11370

        GSU Microfilm Number: 1983527

 

 

 

More About GEORGE HARKER and AGNES BITTANCOURT:

Marriage: 06 June 1912, Victoria, British Columbia

 

                   xi.     LAURETTA BITTANCOURT, b. 17 August 1891; m. CARTER.

 

 

3.  MANUEL ANTON² DE BITTANCOURT (BITTANCOURT¹)

 

Notes for MANUEL ANTON DE BITTANCOURT:

Gulf Islands Driftwood

January 26, 1967

 

Mr. Manoel Bittancourt arrived 1859 – one of 3 brothers taking up extensive land in Vesuvius and Ganges.

 

 

 

February 2, 1967

 

CENTENNIAL NEWS

Mr. Manuel Anton de Bittancourt arrived 1859, one of two brothers taking up extensive land in Vesuvius and Ganges

 

 

     

Children of MANUEL ANTON DE BITTANCOURT are:

6.                  i.     ABRAHAM REID³ BITTANCOURT, b. 16 August 1867; d. 04 January 1944, Ganges, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

                    ii.     ARTHUR BITTANCOURT.

 

 

Generation No. 3

 

4.  FREDERICK J.³ BITTANCOURT (ESTALON JOSE², BITTANCOURT¹) was born 31 July 1877, and died 07 January 1952 in Victoria, British Columbia.  He married ANNIE MARIAN BOOTH 06 November 1901 in Victoria, British Columbia.  She was born April 1881, and died 10 October 1947 in Victoria, British Columbia.

 

Notes for FREDERICK J. BITTANCOURT:

1911 Census

 British Columbia / Nanaimo / 1 Esquimalt / page 24

47    200 Bittencouth Fredrick   M Head M Jul 1876 35 

48    200 Bittencouth Anne   F Wife M Apr 1881 30  

49    200 Bittencouth Victor   M Son S Mar 1902 8 

50    200 Bittercouth George   M Son S Dec 1908 2 

 

Vital Event Death Registration

 

      Name:     Frederick J Bittancourt

 

      Event Date:     1952 1 7 (Yr/Mo/Day)

      Age:            74

      Gender:         male

      Event Place:    Victoria

                                   

      Reg. Number:    1952-09-001331

      B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13210

      GSU Microfilm Number: 2032702

 

 

 

Notes for ANNIE MARIAN BOOTH:

Vital Event Death Registration

 

      Name:     Ann Marie Bittancourt

 

      Event Date:     1947 10 10 (Yr/Mo/Day)

      Age:            68

      Gender:         female

      Event Place:    Victoria

                                   

      Reg. Number:    1947-09-008621

      B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13195

      GSU Microfilm Number: 2032479

 

 

 

Marriage Notes for FREDERICK BITTANCOURT and ANNIE BOOTH:

Vital Event Marriage Registration

 

      Groom Name:     Frederic J Bitancourt

      Bride Name:     Annie Marian Booth

 

      Event Date:     1901 11 6 (Yr/Mo/Day)

      Event Place:    Victoria

 

      Reg. Number:    1901-09-010827

      B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B11368

      GSU Microfilm Number: 1983525

 

 

 

More About FREDERICK BITTANCOURT and ANNIE BOOTH:

Marriage: 06 November 1901, Victoria, British Columbia

     

Children of FREDERICK BITTANCOURT and ANNIE BOOTH are:

7.                  i.     BERNICE⁴ BITTANCOURT, b. 1907, Vesuvius Bay, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia; d. 29 May 1971, Santa Rosa, California.

                    ii.     GORDON BITTANCOURT, b. Abt. 1914; d. 02 October 1975, Haney, British Columbia.

 

Notes for GORDON BITTANCOURT:

Vital Event Death Registration

 

        Name:     Gordon Bittancourt

 

        Event Date:     1975 10 2 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Age:            61

        Gender:         male

        Event Place:    Haney

                                           

        Reg. Number:    1975-09-014994

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13345

        GSU Microfilm Number: 2050527

 

 

 

                   iii.     STEWART ALFRED BITTANCOURT, b. Abt. 1911; d. 23 July 1986, Victoria, British Columbia.

 

Notes for STEWART ALFRED BITTANCOURT:

Vital Event Death Registration

 

        Name:     Stewart Alfred Bittancourt

 

        Event Date:     1986 7 23 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Age:            75

        Gender:         male

        Event Place:    Victoria

                                           

        Reg. Number:    1986-09-011457

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B16581

        GSU Microfilm Number: 1358021

 

 

 

                   iv.     VICTOR BITTANCOURT, b. March 1902.

                     v.     GEORGE BITTANCOURT, b. December 1908.

 

 

5.  MARY DELPHINE³ BITTANCOURT (ESTALON JOSE², BITTANCOURT¹) was born 12 April 1879 in Vesuvius Bay, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.  She married (1) JOB MASON 26 May 1897 in Nanaimo, British Columbia.  He was born May 1863.  She married (2) JAMES HARRIS 06 October 1912 in Victoria, British Columbia. 

 

Notes for MARY DELPHINE BITTANCOURT:

Vital Event Birth Registration

 

      Name:     Mary Delphine Bitancourt

 

      Event Date:     1879 4 12 (Yr/Mo/Day)

      Gender:         female

      Event Place:    Vesuvius Bay

                               

      Reg. Number:    1879-09-013007

      B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13804

      GSU Microfilm Number: 2115625

 

1901 Census

1 14   3 Mason Mary F   Head M Apr 12 1879 22

1 15   3 Mason Gerald M   Son S Jul 21 1898 2

1 16   3 Mason Theodore M   Son S Sep 15 1900 6/12

 

Source Information: 1901 Census of Canada

Subdistrict: Victoria (North/Nord), VANCOUVER ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA

District Number: 3

Subdistrict Number: h-1

Archives Microfilm: T-6429

 

 

 

Notes for JOB MASON:

1911 Census

British Columbia / Nanaimo / 13 Salt Spring Island / page 18

4    204 Mason John   M Head M May 1863 48  

5    204 Mason Mary   F Wife M Apr 1879 32  

6    204 Mason Gerard   M Son S Jul 1898 12

7    204 Mason William   M Son S Nov 1904 6   

8    204 Mason Margaret   F Daughter S Jun 1907 3  

 

 

Marriage Notes for MARY BITTANCOURT and JOB MASON:

Vital Event Marriage Registration

 

      Groom Name:     Job Mason

      Bride Name:     Mary Delphine Bitancourt

 

      Event Date:     1897 5 26 (Yr/Mo/Day)

      Event Place:    Nanaimo

 

      Reg. Number:    1897-09-094166

      B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B11380

      GSU Microfilm Number: 1983708

 

 

 

More About JOB MASON and MARY BITTANCOURT:

Marriage: 26 May 1897, Nanaimo, British Columbia

 

Marriage Notes for MARY BITTANCOURT and JAMES HARRIS:

Vital Event Marriage Registration

 

      Groom Name:     James Harris

      Bride Name:     Mary Delphin Bittencourt

 

      Event Date:     1912 10 6 (Yr/Mo/Day)

      Event Place:    Victoria

 

      Reg. Number:    1912-09-022428

      B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B11370

      GSU Microfilm Number: 1983527

 

 

 

More About JAMES HARRIS and MARY BITTANCOURT:

Marriage: 06 October 1912, Victoria, British Columbia

     

Children of MARY BITTANCOURT and JOB MASON are:

                      i.     GERALD⁴ MASON, b. 21 July 1898.

                    ii.     THEODORE MASON, b. 15 September 1900.

                   iii.     MARGARET MASON, b. June 1907.

 

 

6.  ABRAHAM REID³ BITTANCOURT (MANUEL ANTON² DE BITTANCOURT, BITTANCOURT¹) was born 16 August 1867, and died 04 January 1944 in Ganges, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.  He married EMMA BILLETT 02 July 1891 in Victoria, British Columbia.  She was born 03 January 1870, and died 13 October 1954 in Ganges, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

 

Notes for ABRAHAM REID BITTANCOURT:

1901 Census

 Bittancourt, Albert A  9   Victoria North (Saltspring Island) [3 H 1]   49   

  Gender Male  Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada  Record  census.1901:38523 

Marital Status  Single  Nationality  Canadian  Employment  Unknown 

Infirmities  Blank or None  Race  Portugese  Earnings  $Unknown 

Birthdate  March 12, 1892  Colour  White  Extra earnings  $Unknown 

Read/Write  No / No  Mother tongue  Missing/Not Given  HISCO Code  None 

Months in school  Unknown  Speaks English/French  No / No  Immigration year  Unknown 

Relation to head  Son of Head  Religion  Anglican/Church of England  Naturalization year  Unknown 

Address  Unknown  Comments  None 

 

  Bittancourt, Emma  31   Victoria North (Saltspring Island) [3 H 1]   49  

  Gender Female  Birthplace  England/Great Britain  Record  census.1901:38522 

Marital Status  Married  Nationality  Canadian  Employment  Unknown 

Infirmities  Blank or None  Race  English  Earnings  $Unknown 

Birthdate  January 3, 1870  Colour  White  Extra earnings  $Unknown 

Read/Write  No / No  Mother tongue  Missing/Not Given  HISCO Code  None 

Months in school  Unknown  Speaks English/French  No / No  Immigration year  1889 

Relation to head  Wife of Head  Religion  Anglican/Church of England  Naturalization year  Unknown 

Address  Unknown  Comments  None 

 

  Bittancourt, Reid  33  General Merchant/Store Keeper  Victoria North (Saltspring Island) [3 H 1]   49  

  Gender Male  Birthplace  British Columbia, Canada  Record  census.1901:38521 

Marital Status  Married  Nationality  Canadian  Employment  Unknown 

Infirmities  Blank or None  Race  Portugese  Earnings  $Unknown 

Birthdate  August 16, 1867  Colour  White  Extra earnings  $Unknown 

Read/Write  No / No  Mother tongue  Missing/Not Given  HISCO Code  41030 

Months in school  Unknown  Speaks English/French  No / No  Immigration year  Unknown 

Relation to head  Head of Household  Religion  Anglican/Church of England  Naturalization year  Unknown 

Address  Unknown  Comments  None 

 

  Bittancourt, Windlow  7   Victoria North (Saltspring Island) [3 H 1]   49

 

5 27   49 Bittancourt Reid M   Head M Aug 16 1867 33

5 28   49 Bittancourt Emma F   Wife M Jan 3 1870 31

5 29   49 Bittancourt Albert A. M   Son S Mar 12 1892 9

5 30   49 Bittancourt Windlow M   Son S Nov 3 1893 8

 

Source Information: 1901 Census of Canada

Subdistrict: Victoria (North/Nord), VANCOUVER ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA

District Number: 3

Subdistrict Number: h-1

Archives Microfilm: T-6429

 

1911 Census

45    144 Bittancourt Alacher   M Head M Aug 1867 43

46    144 Bittancourt Emma   F Wife M Jan 1870 41

47    144 Bittancourt Albert Arnold   M Son S Mar 1892 19   

48    144 Bittancourt Logndeth Arthur   M Son S Nov 1893 17 

49    144 Yctangiro Takaba   M Boarder M Dec 1873 38  

 

Vital Event Death Registration

 

      Name:     Abraham Reed Bittancourt

 

      Event Date:     1944 1 4 (Yr/Mo/Day)

      Age:            76

      Gender:         male

      Event Place:    Ganges

                                   

      Reg. Number:    1944-09-637782

      B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13182

      GSU Microfilm Number: 1983205

 

 

 

Notes for EMMA BILLETT:

Vital Event Death Registration

 

      Name:     Emma Bittancourt

 

      Event Date:     1954 10 13 (Yr/Mo/Day)

      Age:            83

      Gender:         female

      Event Place:    Ganges

                                   

      Reg. Number:    1954-09-012107

      B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13222

      GSU Microfilm Number: 2032968

 

 

 

More About EMMA BILLETT:

Burial: St. Mark's Cemetery, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

 

Marriage Notes for ABRAHAM BITTANCOURT and EMMA BILLETT:

Vital Event Marriage Registration

 

      Groom Name:     Abraham Reid Bittencourt

      Bride Name:     Emma Billett

 

      Event Date:     1891 7 2 (Yr/Mo/Day)

      Event Place:    Victoria

 

      Reg. Number:    1891-09-005732

      B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B11367

      GSU Microfilm Number: 1983524

 

 

 

More About ABRAHAM BITTANCOURT and EMMA BILLETT:

Marriage: 02 July 1891, Victoria, British Columbia

     

Children of ABRAHAM BITTANCOURT and EMMA BILLETT are:

                      i.     LYNDELL ARTHUR⁴ BITTANCOURT, b. 03 November 1893, Victoria, British Columbia; d. 04 August 1974, Ganges, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia; m. (1) RUTH ADELIA WINNETT, 20 October 1915, Victoria, British Columbia; m. (2) NORA ELIZABETH ASHTON, 27 November 1923, Vancouver, British Columbia; b. Abt. 1889; d. 06 August 1972, Ganges, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

 

Notes for LYNDELL ARTHUR BITTANCOURT:

Gulf Islands Driftwood

18-Apr-74

 

DEATH OF LYNDELL BITTANCOURT

 

Lyndell Arthur Bittancourt, of Bittancourt Road, Ganges, died at his home on April 8. He was 81 years of age. The veteran islander came to Salt Spring Island at the age of two and had lived here ever since. He was a carpenter and contractor on the island for many years. He was a member of a pioneer Salt Spring Island family. Lyn Bittancourt was the son of Reid Bittancourt, colorful customs officer here in the 1920’s. He was predeceased by his wife, Nora, in 1972. Funeral services were held in St. George’s Anglican Church, in Ganges, on April 11, when Rev. Peter McCallum officiated. Interment followed in St. Mark’s cemetery. Arrangements were by Goodman Funeral Home.

 

 

Vital Event Birth Registration

 

        Name:     Lyndell A Bittancourt

 

        Event Date:     1893 11 3 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Gender:         male

        Event Place:    Victoria

                              

        Reg. Number:    1893-09-007307

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13810

        GSU Microfilm Number: 2114718

 

Vital Event Death Registration

 

        Name:     Lyndell A Bittancourt

 

        Event Date:     1974 4 8 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Age:            80

        Gender:         male

        Event Place:    Ganges

                                           

        Reg. Number:    1974-09-006183

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13332

        GSU Microfilm Number: 2050287

 

 

 

More About LYNDELL ARTHUR BITTANCOURT:

Burial: St. Mark's Cemetery, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

 

Marriage Notes for LYNDELL BITTANCOURT and RUTH WINNETT:

Vital Event Marriage Registration

 

        Groom Name:     Lyndell A Bittancourt

        Bride Name:     Ruth Adelia Winnett

 

        Event Date:     1915 10 20 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Event Place:    Victoria

 

        Reg. Number:    1915-09-029279

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B11371

        GSU Microfilm Number: 1983528

 

 

 

More About LYNDELL BITTANCOURT and RUTH WINNETT:

Marriage: 20 October 1915, Victoria, British Columbia

 

Notes for NORA ELIZABETH ASHTON:

Gulf Islands Driftwood

June 15, 1972

 

DEATH OF NORA BITTANCOURT

 

BITTANCOURT, Nora Elizabeth, of Bittancourt Road, Ganges, passed away on Tuesday, June 8 at her home. Mrs. Bittancourt was an authority on many aspects of island history and was scrupulous in her search for details of her own and other early Island families. She leaves her husband, Lyndell (Lyn), at home and a brother, Barney Ashtou of Ganges. Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 8 in St. George’s Anglican Church at Ganges. Archdeacon R. B. Horsefield officiated. Goodman funeral home was in charge of arrangements.

 

Vital Event Death Registration

 

        Name:     Emma Bittancourt

 

        Event Date:     1954 10 13 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Age:            83

        Gender:         female

        Event Place:    Ganges

                                           

        Reg. Number:    1954-09-012107

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13222

        GSU Microfilm Number: 2032968

 

 

 

Marriage Notes for LYNDELL BITTANCOURT and NORA ASHTON:

Vital Event Marriage Registration

 

        Groom Name:     Lyndell A Bittaucourt

        Bride Name:     Nora Elizabeth Ashton

 

        Event Date:     1923 11 27 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Event Place:    Vancouver

 

        Reg. Number:    1923-09-257876

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13745

        GSU Microfilm Number: 2074227

 

 

 

More About LYNDELL BITTANCOURT and NORA ASHTON:

Marriage: 27 November 1923, Vancouver, British Columbia

 

                    ii.     ALBERT ARNOLD BITTANCOURT, b. 12 March 1892, Victoria, British Columbia; d. 17 July 1947, Ganges, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

 

Notes for ALBERT ARNOLD BITTANCOURT:

Vital Event Birth Registration

 

        Name:     Albert Arnold Bittancourt

 

        Event Date:     1892 3 12 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Gender:         male

        Event Place:    Victoria

                              

        Reg. Number:    1892-09-006668

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13810

        GSU Microfilm Number: 2114718

 

Vital Event Death Registration

 

        Name:     Albert Arnold Bittancourt

 

        Event Date:     1947 7 17 (Yr/Mo/Day)

        Age:            55

        Gender:         male

        Event Place:    Ganges

                                           

        Reg. Number:    1947-09-006309

        B.C. Archives Microfilm Number:  B13194

        GSU Microfilm Number: 2032478

 

 

 

More About ALBERT ARNOLD BITTANCOURT:

Burial: St. Mark's Cemetery, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

 

                   iii.     WINDLOW BITTANCOURT, b. 03 November 1893.

 

 

Generation No. 4

 

7.  BERNICE⁴ BITTANCOURT (FREDERICK J.³, ESTALON JOSE², BITTANCOURT¹) was born 1907 in Vesuvius Bay, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, and died 29 May 1971 in Santa Rosa, California.  She married MCGINNIS. 

 

Notes for BERNICE BITTANCOURT:

17-Jun-71

 

DEATH OF BERNICE MCGINNIS IN CALIFORNIA

 

Native daughter of Salt Spring Island, Mrs. Bernice McGinnis died in Santa Rosa, California on May 29. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bittancourt, she was born at Vesuvius Bay in 1907. Her grandfather was E. J. Bittancourt, island pioneer who came here from Portugal to build a store and hotel at Vesuvius. Mrs. McGinnis was keenly interested in the island history and early pioneer of Vesuvius Hotel which were published last year in Driftwood were among her souvenirs of a past island era. Besides her son, Bob and two grandchildren in California, she leaves two brothers, Gordon and Stewart Bittancourt in Victoria.

 

 

 

 

     

Child of BERNICE BITTANCOURT and MCGINNIS is:

                      i.     ROBERT⁵ MCGINNIS.