Rollo Family

James ROLLO – First Generation

James¹ ROLLO, son of George Wemyss ROLLO and Margaret WATERS, was born Wemyss, Fife, Scotland 15 Feb 1832. James died 24 Apr 1916 in North Gabriola Island, BC, at 84 years of age.

He married twice. He married Christian WILSON Wemyss, Fife, Scotland, 08 Jan 1856.  Christian was born Wemyss, Fife, Scotland Feb 1825. Christian was the daughter of Alexander WILSON and Margaret DUNCAN. She was christened Wemyss, Fife, Scotland, 20 Feb 1825.

He married Janet (Betsy) WESTWOOD Wemyss, Fife, Scotland, 21 Apr 1862. Janet was born Wemyss, Fife, Scotland Sep 1826. Janet was the daughter of John WESTWOOD and Janet HUTTON. Janet died Bef 1891 in Wemyss, Fife, Scotland ?. She was christened Wemyss, Fife,
Scotland, 24 Sep 1826.

James arrived Gabriola Island, near Nanaimo, British Columbia about 1875. Was able to read. Had a scraggily beard and did not mix much with people.

Alberni-Nanaimo Assessment Rolls for 1884-5 shows James Rollo as owner of: #335: the east half of the northeast quarter of section 19 (80 acres) #341: the east half of the southeast quarter of section 22 (80 acres) The total was valued at $500.00, taxes for the year were $3.50. No livestock were listed.

Aug 13, 1884 – J Rollo is listed as contributing $2.00 in aid of the widows and children of those killed in the late explosion at the Wellington Colliery.

25 Dec 1986 – Nanaimo Free press
J. Rollo is listed as one of the two nominators of Colin Campbell Mckenzie as local representative in a by-election. Colin Campbell Mackenzie, proposed by David Hoggan and James Rollo. [The Hoggans were also from Fife].

1909 – Vancouver Island Directory – James Rollo – Farmer.

• George² ROLLO was born 12 Oct 1857.
• John ROLLO was born 19 Mar 1859.
• Christian ROLLO was born 22 May 1860.

• Janet ROLLO was born Wemyss, Fife, Scotland 28 Jun 1863. Believed to have died young.
• Margaret ROLLO was born 29 May 1865.
• James ROLLO was born Wemyss, Fife, Scotland 16 Jan 1868. James died Abt 1869 Wemyss, Fife, Scotland.

Second Generation

Poem on Tombstone

Anither freen, Another Scott Anither Living, Dearly Bought

Anither Sob, Anither Tear Anither Loss of friendship Dear

An Geordie, How wo miss Yer Face Yer Pleisint Smile,

Your Winning Grace We’ll no forget as days go bye

To mourn yer loss wi’ tearful eye

• James³ ROLLO was born 20 Feb 1885.
• Christina Wilson ROLLO was born Wellington, BC 26 Feb 1887. Christina died 11 Sep 1887 in Gabriola Island, BC, at less than one year of age. Nanaimo Free Press of Sep 14, 1887. Notice of the death and funeral, on Gabriola Island of an infant ROLLO girl.
• Isabella Christie ROLLO was born Wellington, British Columbia 26 Feb 1887. Isabella died 22 Apr 1890 Wellington, BC, at 3 years of age. Her body was interred 1890 in Nanaimo, BC, Nanaimo Cemetery.
• George Dalrymple ROLLO was born in Nanaimo, BC 05 Feb 1890. George died 29 Jun 1891 in Nanaimo, BC, at 1 year of age.

Obituary – One of the largest congregations ever to assemble on Gabriola Island gathered at the family residence Sunday afternoon to attend the last rites of John Rollo well known and popular farmer of the Island for 40 years who was burned to death on Thursday last on his farm while he was engaged in clearing land.

Rev. J.H. Wright of the United Church of Canada officiated and interment was in the family plot Gabriola Island Cemetery. under the direction of the Westood Hirst Funeral Home and the pall bearers all personal friends and neighbors of Mr. Rollo for many years were Robert Degnen, Dan McConvey, John Eashom, Richard Easthom, Henry Howie and Joseph Chappel.

In the profusion of floral offerings a lovely pillow from the family was noticeable.

John was caught in the brush fire and burned to death.

Christian² ROLLO

Christian² ROLLO (James1) was born Wemyss, Fife, Scotland 22 May 1860. (Did not come to Canada)
She married Alexander CHRISTIE.

• Robert³ CHRISTIE (birth date unknown).
• Margaret CHRISTIE (birth date unknown).
• James CHRISTIE(birth date unknown).
  Janet (Nettie) CHRISTIE (birth date unknown).
• Alexander CHRISTIE (birth date unknown).
• Johan CHRISTIE (birth date unknown).
• George CHRISTIE (birth date unknown).
• Christina CHRISTIE was born 1883?.

Margaret² ROLLO

Margaret² ROLLO (James1) was born Wemyss, Fife, Scotland 29 May 1865.

She married William WALLACE.

Margaret ROLLO and William WALLACE had the following children:

• Elizabeth (Lizzi)³ WALLACE (birth date unknown).
• Belle WALLACE (birth date unknown). Belle died Abt 1983.
• Minni WALLACE (birth date unknown).
• Clark Walder WALLACE (birth date unknown).

Third Generation

James ROLLO

James³ ROLLO (George², James¹) was born Wellington, BC on 20 Feb 1885. James died 20 Sep 1955 in Nanaimo, BC at 70 years of age. His body was interred 22 Sep 1955 in the Nanaimo Cemetery.

He married Amelia (Mildred) DUGGAN in Nanaimo, BC, on 13 Sep 1909. Amelia was born Mountain Ash, Wales 21 Sep 1886. Amelia was the daughter of Unknown DUGGAN and Mary Louisa DOWARD. Amelia died 5 Mar 1964 in Nanaimo , at 77 years of age. Her body was interred 9 Mar 1964 Nanaimo. Amelia immigrated, 1888. Destination: destination unknown. Amelia registered to vote in Nanaimo, British Columbia, 1920.

James registered to vote in Nanaimo, BC, 1920. James’s occupation: Caretaker in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Abt 1941.
Signed ferry petition, Gabriola Jan 10, 1927

James ROLLO and Amelia (Mildred) DUGGAN had the following child:

• George⁴ ROLLO was born Naniamo, BC 31 May 1910. George died 1 Apr 1992 Naniamo,  at 81 years of age. He married Elizabeth (Beth) BEVIS in Nanaimo on 5 Oct 1933. Elizabeth was born in Nanaimo on 18 Jul 1915. Elizabeth is the daughter of George BEVIS and Ann WATSON.   George’s occupation: Logger Brish Columbia.

Annie Grieves ROLLO

Annie Grieves³ ROLLO (John2, James1) was born on Gabriola Island on 24 Jul 1893.  Annie died 1 Jan 1993 at 99 years of age. 

She married James (Jim) GALLAGHER in Nanaimo on 20 Mar 1914. James was born in Gore Bay, Ontario 1878.  James was the son of George GALLAGHER and Maria BAKER.  James died 03 Dec 1960 in Ladysmith, BC at 82 years of age. James’s occupation: Engineer 1914. James Grandfather was working carrying bricks in Scotland on a church. When they met with a minister they had to put down the bricks and doffed their hat. The grandfather ran away and went to Nova Scotia by boat. James parents were United Empire loyalists and had been offered land in Canada. His parents moved to Manitoulin Island, Ontario, James and family were farmers. James must have left in winters as he skated to Sault Ste Marie Ontario. Ashes were spread on Gabriola Island.

Annie Grieves ROLLO and James (Jim) GALLAGHER had the following children:

• Helen Verna4 GALLAGHER was born 21 Aug 1914. She married Harry WARGO 31 Dec 1936 in BC. Harry was born 1902. Harry died 29 Apr 1977 in Nanaimoat 74 years of age. Harry’s Mother and father came through Elis Island. (Czechoslovakia) Had grade 8 education. Started work at 14 in the mine, got hurt at 17 and felt that something was going to fall on him and quite mining. He worked in the lumber industry as a steam engineer and later as a log scaler. Verna and Harry had 2 children, 8 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
• George Harold GALLAGHER was born BC Sep 1916. George died 13 Jan 2000 in BC, at 83 years of age. He married Helen UNKNOWN 1959. George left school at the end of grade 11, Worked as a mechanic. He then joined the navy. Was on the north Atlantic during the worse part of the war of the Atlantic. Worked in logging camp then bought a logging truck. Moved into commercial fishing from which he retired.
• Lillian Dorothy GALLAGHER was born Feb 1919. Completed grade 8. Worked a housemaid till 1936. Entered the navy CWREN as a cook. She served for 4 years. She continued to work as a domestic cook then a industrial cook both in the Navy and afterwards until retirement.
• Stanley Russell GALLAGHER was born 1921. Stanley died 26 Jun 1925 in Nanaimo,  at 3 years of age.
• John Charles (Jack) GALLAGHER was born 21 May 1926. He married twice. He married Doris BROOKES July 27, 1950. He married Lyle in Jan 16, 1988. Worked in the woods then went into the navy RCMVR and served two years. Afterwards worked as a long shoreman. Jack has 4 kids and 7 grandchildren.

Christina Wilson ROLLO

Christina Wilson³ ROLLO (John², James¹) was born Nanaimo, BC 07 Sep 1898. Christina died 14 Mar 1987 in Nanaimo at 88 years of age.

She married twice. She married Milton William WESTWOOD in Gabriola Island, BC, 6 Apr 1921.

Milton was born in Nanaimo, BC 7 Oct 1895. Milton was the son of Milton Tilley Charles WESTWOOD and Fannie Nannette SMITH. Milton died 30 Nov 1953 Vancouver, BC, at 58 years of age. Milton’s occupation: Steam Engineer, Logger, Miner 1922.

She married William (Bill) THOMPSON (Kelly) in Port Alberni, BC, 27 Mar 1954. William was born in Saskatchewan around 1905. William was the son of Unknown KELLY. William died 08 Feb 1976? in Port
Alberni, British Columbia, at 70 years of age.

Christina registered to vote in North Gabriola Island, British Columbia, 1920. Grew up on Gabriola Island, and met her husband when he was visiting the Shaws. Husband left when the children were
small. She raised children on her own, worked farming, ran a Rooming House, worked in plywood and house keeping type jobs.

Christina Wilson ROLLO and Milton William WESTWOOD had the following children:

• Nannette Helen (Nan) Westwood was born in Nanaimo, BC, 03 Jan 1922. Nannette died 03 Jul 1984 in Nanaimo at 62 years of age. She married Ronald Dennis ROWA in Nanaimo 14 Jan 1945. Ronald was born 20 Nov 1917. Ronald was the son of Charles John ROWA and Margaret KIDD. Ronald died 3 Nov 1999 in Nanaimo at 81 years of age.
• Velma Rose Westwood was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, on the l5th March 1924. After
  moving to Port Alberni she was firstly employed at the plywood plant and then obtained a job with the Post Office. She married Edmund David Howard on the 2nd of July 1947 They have four children, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. Edmund retired from Banking.
• Alma Marie Westwood was born in Nanaimo  on the 2nd Dec 1926. After moving to Port Alberni she was firstly employed at the plywood plant, and then obtained a job in the office of Tom Bros. Trucking. She married Thomas Miller Turner on the 11th Sept 1948. They have two children and three grandchildren. Tom retired from Contracting.
• Dorothy Rollo Westwood was born in Nanaimo, BC, on the 29th March 1930. After moving to Port Alberni she was firstly employed in a Dentist’s office, and the obtained a job with the telephone company. She married George Edwin Thomas Abbott on the 8th Sept 1951 George died on the 1st July 1992. They have four children, and seven grandchildren. George retired as a sales representative of Homelite Chain Saws.

Christina CHRISTIE

Christina³ CHRISTIE (Christian2 ROLLO, James1) was born 1883?. Christina died 1975 at 92 years of age. She did not come to Canada.

She married Daniel DARWOOD.

Christina CHRISTIE and Daniel DARWOOD had the following children:

• Alexander DARWOOD   (birth date unknown). He married Margaret Wallace (LEVEN).
•  Christina DARWOOD  (birth date unknown). She married William WINGATE.
• Henry DARWOOD was born on (birth date unknown). Died in Infancy

Elizabeth (Lizzi) WALLACE

Elizabeth (Lizzi)³ WALLACE (Margaret² ROLLO, James¹)  (birth date unknown).

She married Tom ANDERSON.

Elizabeth (Lizzi) WALLACE and Tom ANDERSON had the following children:

• William Anderson  (birth date unknown).
• John Anderson(birth date unknown).

Minnie WALLACE

Minnie WALLACE (Margaret² ROLLO, James¹) was born before (birth date unknown), Minnie died Abt 1992.

She married Alexander (Sandy) WALKER.

Minnie WALLACE and Alexander (Sandy) WALKER had the following children:

• William WALKER \(birth date unknown).
• Clark WALKER (birth date unknown).