
Law Family, Silva Bay c. 1910
Settler Families
of Gabriola Island
Settler Family Histories
Rollo Family
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.
Robert Burrell
one story about him is tantalizing not only in what it tells, but also in what it omits….
Canessa
He and his neighbour, Alexander Hoggan, began a six year dispute over who owned the land on which John Canessa had built.
Chapple
A farmer, builder and Foreman of the Roads, he was charitable, a good dancer, and a good friend.
Dombrain Family
pre-empted 100 acres at the northwest end of Gabriola on March 26th, 1870.
Flewett Family
They were the only European inhabitants of DeCourcey Island, southwest of Gabriola.
Robert Gray
One of the first keepers of the Entrance Island lighthouse, which began operating in 1876.
Martin Family
Jonathan was a noted man in the community for years. The NFP noted him singing at the silver wedding of the Shaws in 1886.
LeBoeuf Family
The LeBoeufs were among the earliest pioneers on Gabriola Island.
McGuffie Family
`It was announced in last evening’s Free Press that an Indian had discovered the body of a white man on the beach on Gabriola Island.’
James and Catherine McLay
Settled on Gabriola Island by 1874, where they grew produce for the Nanaimo market, according to “scientific principles”.
David Samuel Reece Roberts & family of Mudge Island
His apples were “magnificent”, some weighing-in at 22 ounces, with 14 inch diameters
Robert Stubbin(g)s
The following letter received by Chief Constable Stewart from R. Stubbings of Lasqueti Island, indicates that Ignatio Millan, generally known as Miller the Chilanian, has lost his life.
Captain Baldwin A. Wake and Family, Settlers of Valdez Island
“It was the mystery of the year 1880! All Vancouver Island talked of it: everyone had his own solution.”