Person Record

Metadata

Name

McKinlay, Francis

Othernames

Francis James McKinlay

Born

01/14/1920

Birthplace

Lot 13, Con. 6, Collingwood Twp. Grey Co

Places of residence

RR#1 area of Ravenna, Collingwood Township, Grey County (Lot 13, Concession 6, known as "Silver Springs Farm"

Father

Duncan McEwen McKinlay

Mother

Mary Alma McKinlay (née James)

Nationality

Canadian

Notes

Francis James McKinlay was born in Grey County on January 14, 1920. He lived his entire life at the McKinlay family farm, which was known as "Silver Springs Farm." When he was a lad of 2 to 3 years of age, he had a pair of leather boots that he wore around the farm. These well-worn boots are now in the Grey Roots Museum collection. He likely did chores while wearing them.

He participated on a Ravenna baseball team in the 1930s and 1940s.

His wife, Jean McKinlay (nee McMurchy) was born Jan. 23 1921. They were married on June 5, 1954. Jean was a member of the Ravenna Women's Institute group circa 1974. Their children attended S.S.#6 Collingwood (the Sixth Line School). Francis served as Secretary-Treasurer for the 6th Line School (S.S. #6) for several years, beginning in 1949 or 1950. In 1952 or 1953, the Collingwood Township School Area # 2 was formed, consisting of Second Line, Gibraltar, Kolapore, Sixth Line, Egypt, and the Upper Sixth Line Schools. Francis remained Secretary-Treasurer throughout the existence of Collingwood Township School Area #2.

Francis McKinlay served as a Secretary-Treasurer for Collingwood Township School Area No 2 for the duration of its existence from January 1, 1950, until December 31, 1964. When the Collingwood Township School Board came into existence between January 1, 1965, to December 31, 1966, Francis served as one of five of its Trustees. Francis was re-elected to serve as one of eleven Trustees on the new Grey County School Area No. 2 (North-East Grey) which was formed on January 1, 1967, and was in existence until the formation of the Grey County Board of Education on January 1, 1969.

Francis and Jean McKinlay are buried at the Thornbury-Clarksburg Union Cemetery. Francis passed away on December 26, 1993. Jean passed away on May 28, 1997.

Occupation

Baseball Player
Farmer
School Board Trustee

Publications

AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF COLLINGWOOD TOWNSHIP, 1979, p. 280 (has image of Jean McKinlay and W. I. women in 1974 p. 196).

Relationships

Brother: Harvie Duncan McKinlay
Sister-in-law: Grace Alma McKinlay (nee Fraser)
Sister: Bessie Jean McKinley (b. Jan. 29, 1924-d. March 20, 2005)
Grandfather: Thomas McKinlay (formerly of Dumbarton, Scotland, emigrated in 1884 with wife and children)