Duff Ancestry – Scotland to Canada

Flag of Scotland

The Duff family has a long history in Scotland. According to the 1881 England Census, Alexander Duff and his father, Archibald Duff, a shipfitter, were both born in Glasgow, Scotland. Alexander Duff (born in 1875) was married to Elizabeth McKenzie (1882-1954). His father, Archibald (1852) was married to Elizabeth Georgina Campbell (1852-1930), In turn, Archibald’s parents were Alexander Duff (1821-1876) and Janet Boyd (1824-1901). The 1881 Census suggests the two families were friends, since the Boyd family lived next door to the Duff family.

The Duff family migration to Canada begins with Peter Duff (born in 1898) and his wife Margaret Davies (born in 1901), who lived in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland. The Canadian Passenger List and Canadian Immigration Form dated April 25, 1928 states that Catherine Duff was 5 years old (born in 1923 at Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland). It also states that Catherine arrived on the ship Antonia departing from Greenock, Scotland and arriving at Quebec, Canada. The passenger list includes her mother Margaret (age 27, born 1901) and brother Alexander (age 4, born 1924). In addition, it notes that the immigration contact at arrival is Catherine’s father, Peter Duff (already settled in Toronto), who was married to Margaret. The contact at departure is the mother of Margaret, Catherine Davies (Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland).

Furthermore, the Canadian Passenger List and Canadian Immigration Form dated July 17, 1926 states that Peter Duff was born in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland and he was a miner by occupation. Peter arrived on the ship Letitia departing from Glasgow, Scotland and arriving at Quebec, Canada. The immigration contact at arrival is Peter’s father Alexander Duff. The contact information also lists Peter’s wife as Margaret Duff (Hamilton, Scotland).

Catherine (Kay) Boyd Duff (Apted), 1968

Catherine Boyd Duff (1923-) married Ralph Douglas Apted (1920-). They had two sons. The 1957 Canada Voters List states that Ralph Apted (a manager) and his wife Catherine lived in the Electoral District of Danforth, Toronto. By 1972, the Voters List states that Ralph and Catherine lived in Scarborough, Toronto. Their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren can now explore their Duff ancestry for the past 200 years back to Scotland in the early 1800s.