In 1890 in Ireland during a time of conflict between Ireland and Britain about religion and territory, there was a farmer named Thomas Henry Coulter.  He died while moving cattle across water on a barge when it capsized.  Unfortunately Thomas  didn’t know how to swim.  After Thomas and the cattles death, his wife Sarah Coulter had no reason to stay as the cattle were the family’s livelihood. Sarah had been talking with relatives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They told her of  new employment opportunities, religious freedom and safety.   

 In 1994 Sarah decided to immigrate to Canada along with 8 of her 12 children, 5 boys, James (Frank, David, Robert, and Richard), 3 girls (Mary Francis, Lizzie, Sarah), and a son in law plus first grandson.  The Coulter family settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

On all sides of the Coulter family, they immigrated from Ireland.   Some characteristics of Ireland include  their farming, picturesque landscape, Celtic music,  highland dancing,  St. Patrick's day celebration,  Gaelic language,  religious divide between the north and the south, and red hair.  Throughout the years the Coulter family have kept a few traditions going. Every year on saint Patrick's day the Coulters wear (all) green and dance to traditional music. As well, red hair is seen a lot in most of the 2nd generation, and some have taken on Irish dancing. Unfortunately there isn't much more cultural tradition in the family

Cultural Characteristics of the Irish 

Sarah and her kids benefited by immigrating as they were reunited with extended family, and  were able to start new jobs and live’s in Manitoba. Along with benefits, there were challenges. The environment around the area in Ireland and Manitoba could not be more different. Ireland is green and has rolling hills all over plus a temperate climate. While Manitoba, especially Winnipeg, is flat and the farmland being white during winter, black in spring, golden in summer, and brown in fall. As well, the Coulters were farmers. That's what they were good at. Unfortunately crops didn’t last very long with the freezing winter months. 

Meanwhile, in Elmonte, Ontario, in 1884 Elizabeth Jane Caskey was born, also known as Lily Jane (Jennie). She was one of 8 children, born to Elizabeth Duncan and James Caskey. As a young woman she moved to Winnipeg and worked for an accounting firm whose manager subsequently sponsored her to write the chartered accountants exam.  She was the first woman in Canada to do so. Although she was never granted the designation her boss was sure she was denied because she was a woman. 

In 1914 James Coulter and Elizabeth Caskey were married. The following year Elizabeth gave birth to Ina Coulter, who was the first of 6 children born between 1915-1927.  They were second generation Canadians.

Ina Coulter grew up in Winnipeg with her 5 siblings, mother, and father.  Her father worked as the pound keeper and her mother kept the books. The children went to school, played sports, joined clubs, etc… Ina was an honor student in high school but pursued one of the few occupations open to women at the time, which was to be a secretary.   

By 1930 Ina had met a boy in the neighborhood named  Eric Hughes, who later became her husband in 1938.  Eric, although a very smart man, did not complete high school but excelled in a great variety of sports (hockey, soccer, baseball, and boxing).  Eric and Ina continued their lives together in Winnipeg along with the rest of the family.  

In 1939 world war 2 began. Eric enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Eric was posted in several different places throughout the prairies and Ontario for basic training and duty. Ina would join him from time to time when there were Married Quarters available.  In 1941 Ina returned to Winnipeg to have her first daughter, Carol Hughes. Subsequently, on August 10th 1943 Ina had her second daughter Gail Patricia Hughes. They were third generation. 

Because the Coulters were a very close-knit family, it was difficult for Ina when Eric chose to move to Vancouver after being discharged from the Air Force.  The girls were just four and six years old.  Eric was seeking better employment opportunities and a milder climate.  The closeness of the Coulter family is exemplified by the photo on the right, which was taken many years later, at the celebration of Elizabeth’s 100th birthday.  The family had certainly grown and represented multiple generations.

Being a 35 year old divorced woman with children was unusual.  It was even frowned upon by some.  She realised she would prefer to extricate herself from the uncomfortable situation where everyone knows everyone else’s business. She took the girls and returned to Vancouver. She evolved into a very independent single mom who was the first woman on the block to be a working mom, the first to own her home, and the first woman to own a car.  She taught her daughters how to be self-sufficient and to respect themselves without necessarily being coupled with a man.

The move to Vancouver was especially difficult when the marriage ended when the girls were just eight and ten.  After giving moving back to Winnipeg a three month trial, Ina decided she preferred Vancouver.

Although Ina, Carol, and Gail enjoyed their life together as a, after a few years Ina met Ray. Ray had a daughter named Marlene who happened to be the same age as Carol. Ray and Ina married, and they became a blended family of five. 

When Gail turned 12 she began high school which in those days (1955)  went from grade 7 to grade 12. While Carol made her mark in academics, like her mother Ina. Gail excelled in sports, like her father Eric. Gail pursued softball, grass hockey, basketball, badminton, volleyball, track and field, and enjoyed ice skating in her freetime. Her athletic abilities lead her to win a special award as being the most athletic person in the school upon her grade 12 year.