Sunday Strays and Surnames - Brandt, Neil - Markdale, Ontario, Canada

A very sweet stray photograph from my collection! And for once, some identification of the little ones. 

So often, 'we' forgot to add their names.

On the back pencilled on a short strip of masking tape are the names:

Marguerite Neil

Cecil Neil       Leo Brandt

The children are dressed up for their photograph, and Marguerite has on what looks like a flower corsage. Might this mark her birthday? Or possibly the boys’ christening, although they look a little older than I’d usually expect for that.

Could the children be close cousins or half siblings?

I'm not certain, of course, but the 1911 Canada census does show a Marguerite, age 3, and a Cecil Neil, 10 months old, in Euphemia Township, Grey County, Ontario. The parents of that family are Milton and Ellen. Do contact me if you know this family. 

The photographer was J. C. Kentner, Markdale, Ontario, Canada.