The author of the previous articles describing his pioneer history in Canada is Francis (“Frank") Cyril Bernard, born August 9, 1886 in Malaga, Spain. He died between 1960 and 1970 in London.
Frank was the second of five brothers and one sister born to an English father (Francis Wright Bernard, 1856-1935) and a Spanish mother (Luisa Nagel y Disdier, 1856-1897). Even though the family lived in Spain and Mr. Bernard worked for an electric company there, according to Spanish law, Luisa lost her Spanish citizenship the moment she married the Englishman.
The children, all born in Malaga, in order of birth were:
Philip Francis Bernard (1885-1939)
Francis Cyril Bernard (1886-1960s)
Joseph Frederick Bernard (1888-1967)
Louis George Bernard (1889-1975)
Henry Raymond Bernard (1890-1969)
Mary Elizabeth Bernard (1894-1960s)
Three years after giving birth to her daughter, Luisa died. The oldest, Philip, was 11 years old.
Francis Wright Bernard returned to England with his children, where they finished out their schooling. The youngest three, at least, did not speak English, and Louis recounted to his son that the adjustment (as well as the reception) to his new school was difficult.
At 15, Frank made the decision to seek opportunity in the Canadian frontier. The four oldest brothers would all end up in North America, Louis would eventually move on to Argentina.
There was some effort at homesteading in Alberta.
Philip would work for a time as a game warden during The Depression, before settling with his wife and five children in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Frank sought adventure, and returned to England along with Louis and Henry to serve their country in WWI. Frank retired to London. He married but had no children.
Joe settled in New York, where he was head of the Latín American Department in Macey's. He married and had two children.
Louis, in 1917, then 27 years old, and being experienced in ranch life, acquired in Canada, went to Argentina with a contract to work for "La Forestal Timber, Land & Railways Ltd" a very important English company in one of their "estancias" (ranches) in Còrdoba.
In 1923, and having risen to Manager and General Manager, he resigned and went on to administrate the Estancia "Los Yngleses" in Gral. Lavalle, prov. of Buenos Aires. In 1933 he married Emily van Domselaar, 22 years younger, and moved to the city of Buenos Aires. They had a son, born in 1937.
Henry served in WWI, settled in London, married and had one son.
Mary never married and settled in London.
Francis Wright Bernard was the son of Philip Noël Bernard. He followed his children, spending a good deal of time living in Vancouver, British Columbia, even serving as the Spanish and Argentinian Consul there. He died in London. His son, Philip, would continue as Spanish Consule, as would his grandson.
Francis Wright Bernard had six children, nine grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren. His descendants mainly reside in England, Buenos Aires, New York, and the west coasts of the United States and Canada.
