My Father's Father's Family
James Wilfred Estey & His Ancestors
by John W. Estey

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This book traces the remarkable journey of the Estey family across five centuries, from its earliest recorded origins in England in the sixteenth century to the diverse paths that eventually converged in New Brunswick and beyond. It follows the migrations of ancestors shaped by religious persecution, economic necessity, colonial upheaval, and the search for opportunity—from the English refugees in Leiden and the Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam to the New England Planters and Loyalists who rebuilt their lives in maritime Canada. These intertwined stories reveal the perseverance, ambition, and resilience that defined generations of Esteys as they crossed oceans, carved out new communities, and worked tirelessly to secure better futures for their children. The narrative ultimately follows James Wilfred Estey’s journey from a New Brunswick farm to the Supreme Court of Canada, reflecting the culmination of centuries of determination and aspiration. This story is the result of considerable research using the genealogical tools available at the time of writing. It is, however, subject to the complexities and gaps inherent in current genealogical work. In that way, it offers future generations a foundation on which to build, refine, and expand the story of the Estey family. Above all, it invites readers to appreciate the rich legacy of those who came before—individuals whose courage and hard work shaped the family that exists today—and to take pride in a heritage that continues to evolve.

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JOHN W. ESTEY a grandson of Justice James Wilfred Estey, was born and raised in Toronto. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from Queen’s University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. Over more than fifty years with a Chicago-based manufacturer of high-voltage electrical equipment, he held a series of leadership roles, ultimately serving as president and chief executive officer. Estey’s interest in family history was sparked by work his father, Willard Zebedee “Bud” Estey, began many years earlier to assemble family trees and recollections gathered from relatives. Inspired by those early efforts — and by family anecdotes involving witchcraft accusations, royal connections, and Pilgrim voyages — Estey undertook the extensive research that gives full shape to this volume, drawing on archival sources in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. His aim is to help present and future generations better understand the paths their ancestors followed and to inspire them to continue exploring the family’s rich and varied history.

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Contributors

Author

John W. Estey