Mary Olive "Maisie" Cranstoun of Antigua

Mary Olive Cranstoun, Antigua, British West IndiesMary Olive "Maisie" Cranstoun was born 10 May, 1900 in St. John's, Antigua, British West Indies, the fourth daughter of Langford Selly Cranstoun and Evelina Gibbons Harper.

Mary Olive "Maisie" Cranstoun married by licence to Leonard William McIntosh at Ebenezer Wesleyan Church in the Parish of St. John's, Antigua. Both were of full age. Leonard William McIntosh was a widower, an accountant, and resident in St. Thomas, USVI. Her brother, Arthur Herbert "Artie" Cranstoun was a witness. “Maisie” was the second wife of Leonard William McIntosh born on March 22, 1895 on Carriacou, Grenada and died on March 21, 1975 in St. John’s, Antigua.

They had four children, Alice Irene McIntosh who was born in 1928, Sybil Pauline McIntosh in 1930, Leonard William McIntosh born 1931, Arthur Herbert Cranstoun McIntosh PhD. born April 1, 1934, Alice Irene “Irenie” McIntosh.

Besides Dr. Susan Lowes, "Maisie's" son, William, my father's cousin, was a major source in piecing together the Cranstoun family history in Antigua. William knew everyone and had photo's and family stories which were invaluable in finding out who we are.

Mary Olive "Maisie" Cranstoun McIntosh died 3 December, 1991 in St. John's, Antigua, British West Indies and is buried along with her husband in the Cranstoun family plot in St. John's Cemetary in Antigua. In fact her headstone was the one that lead me to find the grave of Langford Selly Cranstoun, her father.

Leonard William McIntosh married and divorced Barbara Boldue and then married Jenny McLellan-Knox-von Buchstab. Just a quick point on William’s wife Jenny which demonstrates just how small the world is. When I first called William and he said his wife would email me the picture I had requested. The name on the email stuck out to me like a sore thumb. von Buchstab, I knew that name, I worked for ten years on a magazine with an editor named Victor. Being a rather uncommon name I asked Jenny if she knew him, turns out he was her ex-husband, tis a small world after all.

(click on pictures to enlarge)

Mary Olive Cranstoun, Antigua, British West Indies
Leonard William & Mary Olive "Maisie" McIntosh -- taken on the steps of their house in St. Thomas, USVI.
Mary Olive Cranstoun, Antigua, British West Indies
Florence Ethel "Florrie" Cranstoun,
Mary Olive "Maisie" Cranstoun,
Alice Anne Louise Cranstoun
Mary Olive Cranstoun, Antigua, British West Indies
Leonard William McIntosh and
Mary Olive "Maisie" Cranstoun
Mary Olive Cranstoun, Antigua, British West Indies
Leonard William McIntosh
Mary Olive Cranstoun, Antigua, British West Indies
Arthur Herbert Cranstoun McIntosh PHd.
Mary Olive Cranstoun, Antigua, British West Indies
Leonard William McIntosh

Maisie's Letters

After 4 years of research, two trips to Antigua, a trip to St. Kitts and Scotland I uncovered two letters from "Maisie" McIntosh addressed to my father proving he knew about his Antiguan family and as they showed "Maisie" knew my name and that I was attending university, the date had to be in the early 70's which they were, meaning I was in my twenties when these letters came.

The question became why did my father not remember this correspondance, his memory of his past had always been pretty good when he recounted old stories, why was this story never told. I also asked Maisie's son William about the letters as they mentioned him by name. Both my father and William insisted they knew nothing about each other and the looks on their faces when I questioned them made me believe they really did not remember.

Leonard William McIntosh (senior)

Leonard William McIntosh was married to Ilva Crook born 1899 - 1921 in Grenada, British West Indies. They had three daughters, Edith Rose, Elaine and Louise.

Again we are able to fill in the family tree further from this point on however as all children are living we will stop this branch here.

When my father became ill in late 2014 I was able locate some more family papers and the discovery was most shocking and made me wonder why I had spent the last few years searching for family, I had thought no one known about.

 

McIntosh Family Tree | Florence Ethel Cranstoun

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