The Story of
Annie Dorsey
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Elizabeth Ann Dorsey, Annie, was born on November 16, 1859 in Toronto Township (most likely Burnhamthorpe, now Mississauga) Peel, Ontario, Canada.  She was the third child to Robert Dorsey and Margaret McKay.  In 1871 her father was a waggon maker, but later in life made his living as a hog farmer and won many provincial awards.

Annie had an older sister Mary Elizabeth Dorsey, an older brother William Henry Dorsey, and a younger half sister Florence M. Dorsey.

Margaret McKay Dorsey died sometime before 1865 and by the year 1871 we know that Annie was living with a couple named Joseph Siddall and Catherine McKay Siddall.  The Siddall's only child, a son William had died at the young age of 5 years.  According to the census of that year, Annie was living with them while going to school.  The Siddalls must have lived near to her biological parents because their listing in the census is quite close to the Dorsey's listing.  (I wonder if Catherine McKay Siddall and Margaret McKay Dorsey were sisters... )

In her own family bible, Annie listed Joseph and Catherine Siddall as her 'parents', rather than Robert and Margaret Dorsey.  The Siddalls must have been very dear to her.  Annie named her firstborn son 'Joseph', possibly after her 'father' Joseph Siddall?  We may never know, but it seems odd that she wouldn't have named him after either her husband or her father.  Her second son's name included 'Robert'.

Also listed on the 1871 census was a 'servant', 17 year-old Margaret Ralph but, like Annie, she must have been much more than a servant to the family ~~ Annie took the time to list her with the "children" in her own family bible.

Annie Dorsey married William Albert McKay in Burnamthorpe, Ontario on December 29, 1880.  William McKay was born in the United States, I suspect Mansfield Ohio as he had family living down there, but this hasn't been confirmed yet.  They had ten living children:  Joseph Albert, William Robert, Henry Ernest, Margaret Agnes Gertrude, Nellie Violet Everleigh, Jessie Olive Irene, Clarence Gordon, Myrtle Alma Theresa, Percy Stanley and Elizabeth Emma Lauretta.

Annie and William raised their family in Cooksville, Ontario.  She was Methodist and he was Presbyterian.  They raised their children Methodist.  They were farmers.

By the 1901 Ontario census, her two oldest boys were not listed with the family... had they left to make their way in the world?

Annie was very ill for a long time and finally died at the age of 54, leaving her older daughters to raise young Elizabeth Emma Lauretta who was 9 years old at the time.  Myrtle took most of the responsibility for little "Lizzie"... and it was very sad when Myrtle too died at the young age of 18.  Lizzie, later known as Liz, loved her dearly and named her first daughter after Myrtle.

Annie was buried in the Burnhamthorpe Primitive Methodist Cemetery (Mississauga, Ontario) in the same plot as her 'parents' Joseph and Catherine Siddall.  Later her husband William Albert McKAY was buried with her.  Their daughter Myrtle is in the same plot.