WILLIAM Swain was born October 18, 1819 in Cape Porcupine, Guysborough,

He married  CAROLINE C. HOLM, daughter of GEORGE HOLM and ANNE DAVIS.  He married a second time to MARGARET JAMIESON in 1865 at Port Mulgrave, NS, daughter of KENNETH JAMIESON and ANN LANGILLE

William is about the earliest Swain in this area we have any information on. He is of Irish decendant, a Catholic and his occupation was a mason

In the 1861 census, William Swain as a head of household. 

States family consisted of 4 males & 3 females (total of 7).  There were two other Swains listed as head

of household - John M. SWAIN -  Cape Canso Polling Distr.  (5 males & 1 female) & Lemuel SWAIN -

Cape Canso Polling Distr -  (3 males & 2 females).  I do not know if they are related.

1871 census, for Guysborough Co., Sub-District Melford, lists William Swain age 52, born NS, Catholic,

Irish origin, and a Mason & married to Margaret age 32, born NS, Catholic, and Scotish origin.  Margaret

may be William's second wife as other records list him married to Caroline Holm or Holms.  5 children are

listed - George 16 (a fisherman), Mary 11, John 7, Thomas 5, & Charles 2.  The children are all listed as

born NS, Catholic, Irish origin.

The 1871 - Lovell's Province of Nova Scotia Directory (P-368) lists "William Swain, Mason" as a resident

of Steep Creek.  Two other Swain's "George Swain, Farmer" and "James Swain, Farmer" are also listed

as residing in Steep Creek.  It al;so lists an "Edward Holm, Fisherman" as residing in Steep Creek.  The

Directory describes Steep Creek as "A fishing settlement in the township of Melford, County of

Guysborough.  Distance from Port Mulgrave 5 miles........Population about 180."

1881 census for Guysborough Co., Sub-District Melford, lists William Swain age 62, born NS, Catholic,

Irish origin, and a Mason & married to Margaret age 44, born NS, Church of England, and Scotish origin. 

6 children are listed - Mary 20 (a servant), Thomas 15, Charles 12, Ann 10, James 6, & Robert 2.  The

children are all listed as born NS, Church of England, Irish origin.  George & John are no longer listed,

(see below)

1881 Census

 Name  Marital Status Gender Ethnic Origin Age Birthplace Occupation Religion

 William SWAIN   M   Male   Irish   62   Nova Scotia   Mason   Catholic 

 Margaret SWAIN   M   Female   Scottish   44   Nova Scotia      Church of England 

 Thomas SWAIN      Male   Irish   15   Nova Scotia      Church of England 

 Charles SWAIN      Male   Irish   12   Nova Scotia      Church of England 

 Ann SWAIN      Female   Irish   10   Nova Scotia      Church of England 

 James SWAIN      Male   Irish   6   Nova Scotia      Church of England 

 Robert SWAIN      Male   Irish   2   Nova Scotia      Church of England 

 Mary SWAIN      Female   Irish   20   Nova Scotia   Servant   Church of England 

Source Information:

  Census Place Milford, Guysborough, Nova Scotia

  Family History Library Film   1375803

  NA Film Number   C-13167

  District   8

  Sub-district   N

  Page Number   31

  Household Number   136         

1891 census for Guysborough Co (Distr 2), Sub-District (#21) Melford, polling Station Mulgrave, lists

William Swain age 73, born NS, Catholic, Irish origin, and a Carpenter & married to Margaret age 49,

born NS, Church of England, and Scotish origin.   5 children are listed - Thomas 25 (a fisherman),

Charles 22 (a general labourer), Ann 19, James 17 (a farm servant), & Robert 13.  The children are all

listed as born NS, Church of England, Irish origin.  Mary is no longer listed,

1901 census for Guysborough Co., Sub-District Mulgrave, lists William Swain age 82, born NS, Catholic,

Irish origin, and a fisherman & married to Margaret age 64, born NS, Church of England, and Scotish

origin.   1 child is listed - Robert, age 22, Birthdate 31 Mar 1879.  He is listed as born NS, Church of

England, Irish origin & a fisherman.