Individual 657: Ida May Hancock

Individual Record 657

Name} Hancock, Ida May

Family History} Hancock

Title}

Race} White

Sex} Female

Birth: Date} Exa 28 Aug 1896

Place} Strathroy, Middlesex, Ontario

Marr.: Date}

Place}

Death: Date} Cir 23 Dec 1902

Place} , , Ontario

Burial: Date} Exa 24 Dec 1902

Place} Strathroy Municipal Cemetery, Strathroy, Middlesex, Ontario

Grave Marker} Yes

Source 1}	988 = Birth record
Source 2}	832 = 1901 CAN cen
Source 3}	114 = Newpaper
Source 4}	179 = Church recrd
Source 5}	178 = Cemetery rec
Source 6}	1617 = Cemetery rec
Source 7}	837 = Photographs
Source 8}
Source 9}
Source 10}

Parents: } George Joseph Hancock & Mary Catherine Whitlock
Relationship No.} 209

1st Household No.} 125 = Municipal Cemetery, Strathroy, Ontario

Occupation 1}
Occupation 2}

Religion/Church} Anglican Church of Canada

Spouses: First} (None)
Total Number of} 0

Notes: A sad ending to the Sunday School's annual Christmas feastival occurred in the building used as the parish house of the Anglican Church of St. John the Evangelist in Strathroy on Monday evening, 22 Dec 1902. During the entertainment, Ida May, then six years old, stood up on a chair to get a better view of Santa Claus. Her head came in contact with a large Rochester oil lamp which she lifted from its resting place, the lamp then falling with a crash upon the floor, and instantly the oil took fire. Ida May was enveloped in flames, but the prompt action of her mother and others near at hand quickly extinguished the fire. Mr. E. J. Wright, who had the part of Santa Claus, seized the burning lamp and threw it out the window, thus preventing a greater loss of life. Ida May was fatally burned about the legs and arms. Her mother, Mrs. Hancock, was also severely burnt trying to save her daughter. In the rush to get out of the building many others were hurt but none seriously.

The disaster resulted in the building of St. John's Parish Hall, one of the best appointed buildings in the Anglican diocese at that time. A beautiful stained glass window depicting Christ with a lamb in His arms was placed there in memory of Ida May.

Time of Birth}

Time of Death}

Fraternal/Social}

Baptism Date}

Place}

Confirm. Date}

Photo} None

Immigr'n Date} N/A

Port} N/A

Education: Grade} or Top 2 Degrees}

Military: Service} None

Health Condition}
Cause of Death} Fire burns

Last Updated
by} Karen Hancock

Date Updated} 7 Feb 2023
Date Created} 3 Sep 1994

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