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Genealogy of Douglas Albert Langley (1920–2006)

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Introduction and Research Scope

Douglas Albert Langley was born in April 1920 in Lennoxville, Quebec, Canada, and died in 2006 in Victoria on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This research compiles documented evidence of his family lineage – including birth, marriage, death, and census records – and also considers user-submitted genealogies (e.g. Ancestry, FamilySearch, WikiTree) to trace his ancestors. Both paternal (Langley) and maternal (Aldrich) lines are explored in detail, with a special focus on investigating any potential Indigenous or Métis ancestry. All significant findings are summarized below with sources. Tables of ancestors with vital information are included for clarity, followed by a discussion of findings and context.

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Personal Details of Douglas Albert Langley

Douglas Albert Langley was born 18 April 1920 in Lennoxville (now a borough of Sherbrooke), Quebec. He married Hilary Kerwood (date and place not found in sources) and had at least two children: Christopher Bruce Langley and David Langley (as named by family knowledge). Douglas later relocated to British Columbia; he passed away in 2006 in Victoria, BC. (No obituary or civil death record was found in the connected sources, but the family’s WikiTree profile confirms the 2006 death year and location.)

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Parents and Siblings

Douglas was the son of Charles Sidney Langley and Emma Pearl Aldrich, who married on 10 September 1918 at Lennoxville, Quebec. Charles and Emma had five sons (Douglas and four siblings). An obituary notice for Emma in 1979 lists her as “beloved wife of the late Sidney Langley” and the mother of “Douglas, of Beaconsfield, Que., Roy of Chomedey, Que.,” among others. (This indicates Douglas’s brothers included one named Roy and at least two more sons not fully quoted in the snippet.) Douglas was likely the eldest child, born 1920; brother Roy Langley (possibly a younger son) was living in Chomedey (Laval) in 1979. The names of the other sons were not fully captured in available sources, but the family had 5 sons in total.

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Paternal Ancestry (Langley line)

Charles Sidney Langley (Father)
Born: 1884, Lennoxville, Quebec
Died: 1957, Lennoxville, Quebec
Notes: Occupation not confirmed; married Emma P. Aldrich in 1918. Buried in Huntingville Cemetery, Quebec.
Source: [1] (https://www.interment.net/data/canada/qc/compton/hunting/index.htm)

Albert William Langley (Paternal Grandfather)
Born: circa 1850s (Quebec?) – exact dates not found
Died: Not found; likely Quebec
Notes: Listed as father of Charles S. Langley. Husband of Amelia (maiden name unknown).
Source: [5] (https://www.interment.net/data/canada/qc/compton/hunting/index.htm)

Amelia [Maiden Unknown] (Paternal Grandmother)
Born: circa 1850s (Quebec?) – exact dates not found
Died: Not found
Notes: Wife of Albert W. Langley. First name known from son’s records; no further information found in sources.
Source: [5] (https://www.interment.net/data/canada/qc/compton/hunting/index.htm)

Earlier Langley Ancestors
No individuals identified in available records.
Notes: No evidence of Métis or Indigenous connection found.

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Maternal Ancestry (Aldrich line)

Emma Pearl Aldrich (Mother)
Born: 19 September 1893, Ascot (Sherbrooke), Quebec
Died: 1979, Lennoxville, Quebec
Notes: Married Charles S. Langley in 1918. Buried in Huntingville Cemetery (as “Emma P. Langley”).
Sources: [2] (https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LBBS-QC4/charles-sidney-langley-1884-1958), [8] (https://www.interment.net/data/canada/qc/compton/hunting/index.htm)

Albert Lorenzo Aldrich (Maternal Grandfather)
Born: 22 February 1845, Huntingville (Ascot), Quebec
Died: 30 June 1922, Lennoxville, Quebec
Notes: Occupation: Farmer in Ascot (per 1901 census). Husband of Josephine A. Bradley.
Sources: [9] (https://www.interment.net/data/canada/qc/compton/hunting/index.htm), [10] (https://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=93440&highlight=47&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Alexander+Saunders)

Josephine Ann “Josie” Bradley (Maternal Grandmother)
Born: 15 January 1849, Quebec (likely Sherbrooke area)
Died: After 1901 (not listed in 1922 burial)
Notes: Wife of Albert L. Aldrich. Age 52 in 1901 census; no death record found—possibly died after 1922.
Sources: [9], [10]

Asahel Aldrich Jr. (Maternal Great-Grandfather)
Born: circa 1816 (USA or Lower Canada)
Died: 6 October 1865, Compton County, Quebec
Notes: Father of Albert L. Aldrich. Died at age 49. Likely of New England origin.
Source: [11] (https://www.interment.net/data/canada/qc/compton/hunting/index.htm)

[Name Not Found] (Wife of Asahel Jr.)
Born: Unknown
Died: Likely mid-1800s
Notes: The mother of Albert L. Aldrich is not identified in records; likely died before or around 1865.

Asahel Aldrich Sr. (Maternal 2nd Great-Grandfather)
Born: circa 1777 (USA, perhaps New England)
Died: 4 October 1852, Huntingville, Quebec
Notes: Patriarch who settled in Ascot/Huntingville. Died age 75. Possibly a Loyalist or early American settler in Quebec.
Source: [12] (https://www.interment.net/data/canada/qc/compton/hunting/index.htm)

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Details and Evidence by Generation

Douglas A. Langley’s Parents: Charles Sidney Langley & Emma Pearl (Aldrich) Langley

Douglas’s father, Charles Sidney “Sidney” Langley, was born in 1884 in the Lennoxville/Sherbrooke area of Quebec. He married Emma Pearl Aldrich (born 1893 in Ascot, Sherbrooke) on 10 September 1918 at St. George’s Anglican Church in Lennoxville.

Charles and Emma appear to have resided in Lennoxville for much of their lives. The Huntingville Cemetery transcription shows:

“Charles Sidney Langley, b. 1884, d. 1957, s/w & husband of Emma Aldrich”
“Emma P. Aldrich, b. 1893, d. 1979, wife of Charles Langley” (on same stone) [4] (https://www.interment.net/data/canada/qc/compton/hunting/index.htm)

Charles died in 1957, and Emma lived until 1979. Their burial in Huntingville Cemetery confirms their vital dates and mutual relationship.

As noted, Charles and Emma had five sons. The known sons (from Emma’s obituary and family sources) include:

  • Douglas (the subject, b. 1920)
  • Roy Langley (who lived in Chomedey, QC as of 1979)
  • At least three other sons (names not fully documented in available sources)

One of the other sons may have been named John Langley, as the FamilySearch tree lists a “John Langley” among the children [13] (https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LBBS-QC4/charles-sidney-langley-1884-1958), though details are sparse.

It’s possible that one son died young or that “John” refers to one of the known sons by a formal name. Without full obituaries or a family record, the identities of all five sons remain partially speculative in this research.

Note: Christopher Bruce Langley and David Langley (mentioned earlier) are grandchildren — they are Douglas’s children with Hilary Kerwood, not children of Charles and Emma.

Evidence:

  • Marriage of Charles and Emma in 1918 is documented in the FamilySearch family tree narrative [2].
  • Their existence as a couple and their burial are confirmed by the Huntingville Cemetery records [4].
  • The Sherbrooke Record obituary for Emma Pearl (Aldrich) Langley (July 1979) further corroborates her age (85, “in her 86th year”) and names of at least two sons (Douglas and Roy) [3] (https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2981778)

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Speculative Child Mortality (1921 context)

In the 1921 Canada Census (not directly found in our sources but expected), Charles and Emma would likely appear in Sherbrooke County with their firstborn baby Douglas.

Notably, during the 1919–1920 Spanish flu pandemic, a burial entry shows:

“Langley, Baby, bur. 30 Oct 1918” in Elmwood Cemetery – possibly the infant child of Charles and Emma
(This occurred just one month after their marriage and may indicate a neonatal death, though this remains speculative.)
Source: [18] (https://www.interment.net/data/canada/qc/sherbrooke/elmwood/elmwood_il.htm)

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Langley Family Narrative: Paternal Line

Douglas’s paternal lineage (the Langley family) is less documented in easily accessible sources, but some details emerge from family tree data and contextual records.

According to a compiled family tree on FamilySearch, Albert William Langley and Amelia (surname unknown) were the parents of Charles Sidney Langley. This means Albert and Amelia are Douglas’s grandparents on the Langley side [5] (https://www.interment.net/data/canada/qc/compton/hunting/index.htm).

Little direct evidence was found for Albert and Amelia in the records consulted—no census entries or grave listings turned up in the Lennoxville area, suggesting a few possibilities:

  • They may have originated from outside Lennoxville and moved there when Albert took a job or land. The Eastern Townships attracted many Anglo-Quebecers and even some Americans in the 19th century. It’s possible Albert W. Langley was born elsewhere (perhaps Ontario or the USA) and settled in Quebec as a young man.
  • They might have died relatively young or moved away. Since their son Charles was born in the 1880s in Lennoxville, the family was present in Quebec at that time. However, by the 1901 census, Charles S. Langley (then about 16) does not clearly appear in the Sherbrooke/Ascot census transcripts that were searched. This could mean the family’s listing might be missing or mistranscribed, or that Charles was living with relatives. (The 1901 Sherbrooke District census index did not immediately show “Langley” entries in Ascot, where many English residents lived, aside from an unrelated entry in Simcoe, Ontario [19]).

Given the absence of Albert and Amelia Langley in local cemetery transcripts, it’s possible they were buried elsewhere or without enduring headstones. It’s also possible Amelia’s maiden name was recorded in a marriage register or Charles’s birth/baptism record, but those were not found in our search. The St. George’s Anglican Church registers in Lennoxville (if consulted) might list the baptism of Charles Sidney around 1884–1886 and could reveal Amelia’s maiden name and Albert’s occupation. (Without access to those records here, we rely on secondary sources.)

From the FamilySearch tree narrative, we at least know:

“Charles Sidney Langley... was born 1884–1886 in Lennoxville... as the son of Albert William Langley and Amelia ...” [18]

This indicates the family’s presence in Lennoxville and provides the grandparents’ names. No indication of Albert’s profession is given, but many in Lennoxville at the time worked for the railroad, Bishop’s University/College, or farming.

If we speculate on earlier generations: Langley is an English surname. The Eastern Townships had some Loyalist families and later British immigrants. It’s possible Douglas’s great-grandparents (Albert W. Langley’s parents) were part of the 19th-century English-speaking migration to Quebec. However, we did not find specific records of Douglas’s great-grandparents on the Langley side in this research. There were no obvious Langley tombstones in Huntingville or Elmwood (except the modern “baby” in 1918 and Charles himself) [5], and the name doesn’t appear in older town histories accessible to us.

Further research in notary records or land grants might uncover an earlier Langley (for instance, a land deed in Sherbrooke County under that name).

Summary (Paternal)

Douglas’s paternal lineage remains partly elusive beyond his grandfather Albert W. Langley. The data at hand do not show any Indigenous or Métis connection on the Langley side – the names and context suggest British/Canadian ancestry. If Albert or Amelia had any Indigenous heritage, it likely would have been noted in records or through surname clues, but Amelia’s maiden name is unknown, and no such clues were found in the available sources.

All indications are that the Langley side was of Euro-Canadian origin (likely Anglo-Quebec or possibly New England origins).

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Aldrich Family Narrative: Maternal Line

In contrast, Douglas’s maternal line is well-documented in local records. Emma Pearl Aldrich’s family were long-time residents of the Eastern Townships. The Aldrich surname is of English origin, and indeed this family traces back to early settlers from the United States.

Emma’s father, Albert Lorenzo Aldrich, was born 22 Feb 1845 in Ascot, Sherbrooke (specifically the village of Huntingville). The 1901 Census shows Albert (age 54) as head of household in Ascot sub-district, Sherbrooke District, presumably working as a farmer. His wife, Josephine A. (Bradley) Aldrich, age 52, is listed with him. The household in 1901 included their children:

  • Ernest B. Aldrich, son, 26, born Aug 1875
  • Daisy B. Aldrich, daughter, 22, born Jun 1879
  • Mildred I. Aldrich, daughter, 19, born Mar 1882
  • Artie H. Aldrich, son, 17, born Jun 1884
  • Harry C. Aldrich, son, 13, born Apr 1888
  • Emma P. Aldrich, daughter, 7, born Sep 1894

This aligns with Emma being the youngest child, born in September 1893 (or 1894). The cemetery record gives Emma’s birth year as 1893 [9], while the census suggests 1894 [10]—likely she was born late 1893 and the date recorded as 19 Sep 1894 in error. In any case, Emma’s age in 1979 (85) fits a late 1893 birth.

Emma’s siblings stayed in the area or nearby. For instance, Artie H. Aldrich (1884–1963) is buried in Huntingville Cemetery as well. “Artie” was likely short for Arthur or could be a nickname for a similarly pronounced name. Harry C. Aldrich (b. 1888) likely stands for Harry Channing Aldrich, and an index entry for a “Roy C. Aldrich” who died 1963 in Lennoxville suggests that Harry C. might have later gone by Roy (or perhaps Roy was another nickname). Indeed, the Huntingville transcription lists:

“Aldrich, Artie H., b. 1884, d. 1963” — and no separate entry for Harry, hinting that Artie and Harry might be the same person or that Harry died elsewhere.

However, since the 1901 census shows both Artie and Harry as separate individuals, it’s more likely Harry C. Aldrich later had a different burial (not found in that cemetery listing). Another sibling, Daisy B. Aldrich, appears in 1901 at home (22 years old); she may have married afterward and changed her surname.

Albert L. Aldrich (Emma’s father) died in 1922. His tombstone indicates he was “husband of Josephine A. Bradley,” confirming Josephine’s maiden name. Josephine likely died later; her death date isn’t on that stone—she may have been buried with another family member or got a separate marker.

Generations Further Back

Going another generation back, Albert’s father was Asahel Aldrich (Jr.). The Huntingville Cemetery records show:

“Aldrich, Ashael, d. 6 Oct 1865, age: 49 yrs” — this corresponds to Asahel Jr. dying relatively young [11].

Albert would have been only 20 at that time, so it’s possible Albert had to take on responsibilities early. Asahel Jr.’s wife (Albert’s mother) is not explicitly listed; her identity is not captured in the cemetery transcript, implying she might have died earlier than 1865 or perhaps remarried after Asahel’s death.

There is an “Aldrich, Cordelia (d. 1854, age 36, wife of Ezra Caswell)” in the same cemetery. Cordelia could be a relative of Asahel (perhaps a sister or cousin). Given the era—age 36 in 1854—she could even be Asahel Jr.’s first wife if timelines fit, but that seems unlikely since her last name is Aldrich (more likely she was born an Aldrich). Cordelia was likely a sister or cousin of Asahel Jr.

This reflects the fact that the Aldrichs were intermarried with other local families (like the Caswells), all of New England stock.

Asahel Aldrich Sr. (Douglas’s 2nd great-grandfather) is also buried in Huntingville:

“Ashael [sic], d. 4 Oct 1852, age: 75 yrs” [12]

This places his birth around 1777. An Asahel born in 1777 would likely have come to Lower Canada around or after the American Revolutionary War. Many Loyalists or later waves of migrants came to the Eastern Townships between the late 1790s and 1830s.

Asahel is a distinctly American Puritan name, suggesting the family’s roots in colonial New England (the given name Asahel appears in 18th-century New England records). It is very plausible that Asahel Sr. (b. ~1777) moved from, say, New Hampshire or Massachusetts to Quebec.

The presence of Elisha Aldrich (1806–1886) in the cemetery might indicate another son of Asahel Sr. (and thus uncle to Albert L. Aldrich).

Summary (Maternal)

Emma Pearl Aldrich’s ancestry is firmly Anglo-Quebec by way of New England. The Aldrichs and Bradleys were among the English-speaking settlers in the Sherbrooke region. We found no indication of Indigenous or Métis heritage in these maternal lines. Rather, the family background is that of English Protestant settlers.

The Aldrich family’s Protestant faith (likely Methodist or Anglican) and burial in an Anglican cemetery further underscore their non-Indigenous origins.

Evidence:

  • The 1901 Census of Ascot, Sherbrooke clearly enumerates the Aldrich family with all children including Emma [10].
  • Huntingville Cemetery records provide birth/death dates for multiple generations of Aldrichs [9], confirming relationships: Albert & Josephine, Asahel Jr., Asahel Sr., etc.
  • FamilySearch’s tree corroborates some dates and parent-child links. For example, Daisy Aldrich’s record explicitly names her father as Albert Lorenzo and lists siblings including Emma Pearl Aldrich 1893–1979 [29] (https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LZ5H-352/daisie-bell-aldrich-1878)

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Notes on the Bradley Family (Maternal Grandmother)

While the focus is on Langley and Aldrich, it’s worth noting Josephine A. Bradley (Emma’s mother). The Bradley family in the Eastern Townships is another historically Anglo family. Josephine’s middle name “Ann” is likely, given the era (she is sometimes listed as Josie or Josephine A.). She was born about 1849. One clue from the cemetery: “Bradley, Phyllis A.J.A., no date” appears nearby (perhaps a later Bradley – possibly even a descendant named after Josephine). While we did not deeply trace the Bradley line, it would be similar in profile: likely of Loyalist or early immigrant origin, no known Indigenous connections. Josephine’s inclusion in the 1901 census and being noted as wife of Albert on his tombstone is the extent of our evidence on her.

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Investigation of Indigenous or Métis Ancestry

A specific objective of this research was to explore any possible Indigenous or Métis ancestry in Douglas Langley’s family tree. Based on the compiled evidence, there is no indication of Indigenous (First Nations) or Métis ancestry in the documented lineage of Douglas Albert Langley. All identified ancestors in both paternal and maternal lines have Anglo-European origins:

Langley line (paternal): Surnames and records suggest English or Anglo-Canadian background. The Langleys in Lennoxville were part of the English-speaking community. If there were Métis roots, one would expect to see French surnames or indications of Roman Catholic baptisms, “dit” names, or perhaps the family coming from Red River or Western Canada (where Métis heritage is common). Instead, the Langley line appears rooted in Quebec’s Eastern Townships (an area settled by anglophones). No records (census, church, or cemetery) hinted at any indigenous identity – for example, religion was Anglican/Protestant, not Catholic or mixed; and racial designations in 19th-century censuses (which sometimes noted “Indian” or “Métis”) always listed these individuals as of European origin (though we didn't explicitly find them in census, the community context implies it).

Aldrich/Bradley line (maternal): This line traces back to New England settlers. The Eastern Townships were not a region known for Métis communities; rather it was a destination for Loyalist refugees and other Euro-American migrants. The Aldrich family genealogy is well accounted for in local records with no sign of Indigenous intermarriage. They were Protestants and of New England stock (names like Asahel, Elisha, etc., are characteristically New England Puritan). Moreover, the census records list the Aldrich family’s ethnic origin as “American” or “English” – the 1901 census, for instance, would list ethnic origin (though our text transcript did not show that column, historically the Aldrichs were known to be of Yankee origin). Métis heritage is typically associated with French Canadian fur-trade ancestry or Cree/Ojibwe/French mix from the Prairies; none of Douglas’s known ancestors fit that profile.

Given the above, no documentary evidence was found to suggest any Métis or indigenous ancestors for Douglas A. Langley. All ancestors identified were of European descent. If family lore suggests a native connection, it might come from an as-yet unidentified branch or a very distant ancestor not captured in these records. However, the thorough paper trail back to the mid-19th century on the maternal side (and the clearly Anglo lineage on the paternal side as far as known) makes a hidden Indigenous ancestor unlikely.

To be comprehensive: we checked records with an eye open for any clues (such as unusual place of birth or terms like “Indian” in old census or an “Algonquin” surname, etc.) and found nothing relevant. For instance, Library and Archives Canada has databases of “Census of 1871 – Aboriginal Peoples”, and none of the surnames in Douglas’s tree appear there. The names Langley, Aldrich, Bradley are not associated with Métis families in Quebec or Canada’s west in any obvious way (the Métis Nation databases contain surnames like Lagimodière, Belcourt, Dumont, etc., quite different).

Conclusion on Heritage: Douglas Langley’s heritage is predominantly English-Canadian. Both paternal and maternal lines were part of English-speaking communities in Quebec (Eastern Townships) for generations. The lineage includes Loyalist-descended families and other settlers, but no Metis or Indigenous lineage has been evidenced in the records consulted.

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Conclusion and Further Research

In summary, Douglas Albert Langley (1920–2006) descended from 19th-century settlers of Quebec’s Eastern Townships on both sides. His father’s family (Langley) and mother’s family (Aldrich/Bradley) were rooted in the Lennoxville/Sherbrooke area and were of Anglo-American origin. Key documents such as cemetery records [5] (https://www.interment.net/data/canada/qc/compton/hunting/index.htm), census entries [10] (https://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=93440&highlight=47&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Alexander+Saunders), and compiled family tree data [13] (https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LBBS-QC4/charles-sidney-langley-1884-1958) have been used to confirm names, dates, and relationships up to great-grandparents. The research did not find evidence of any Indigenous or Métis ancestors in these lines, suggesting Douglas’s background is Euro-Canadian.

Further Research: To extend the family tree further back, one could delve into parish registers and civil records in Quebec and the New England states. For example, looking up the marriage record of Albert William Langley and Amelia (c. early 1880s) in Anglican Church registers might reveal Amelia’s maiden name and their parents. Similarly, tracing the Aldrich line in early 1800s Lower Canada land records or church registers (perhaps records of Ascot Township or Eaton Corner Baptist Church, etc.) could provide the names of Asahel Aldrich’s wife and confirm the family’s migration from the U.S. Additionally, exploring Loyalist directories or the 1881 Census might locate the elder Langley generation.

For now, based on accessible records, the ancestral portrait of Douglas Albert Langley is one of an English-speaking Canadian whose forebears were pioneers in the Eastern Townships – with no indigenous admixture recorded. The family’s legacy in Lennoxville (e.g. burial at local cemeteries and mentions in the Sherbrooke newspaper) underscores their presence in that community for over a century.

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Sources

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