James Tyson immigrated to the U.S. in 1888 Later he travelled to the Cremona district in Alberta from Byrn Mawr, Pennsylvania to find homestead land. James was joined by his wife Mary, and their four daughters, Isabella, Elsie, Eleanor and Mildred in 1904. A son, Reginald, had died in Pennsylvania in 1901. It took five days and nights for the family to reach Carstairs on the Homesteaders Train. The cars consisted of wooden benches with a stove in one corner for everyone to cook their own meals. Owing to heavy rains, James was unable to get into Carstairs for four days after his family arrived, and only then, with the help of a good neighbour and a wagon and four horse team. During the four day wait, Mary and her daughters stayed in the Carstairs hotel. Upon the arrival of James, all the essentials were loaded into the wagon, and with his family, they started home. Flour, yeast, beans, rolled oats, baking powder, syrup, jam, dried fruit and pork and salt would be their main diet for most of the year. Daughter Eleanor loved her first glimpses of this new country, and she still did seventy years later. There were no roads, fences, or people, only the unmarred beauty of the countryside.
See Under the Chinook Arch. Van Haaften/Tyson family story written by Mrs. A (Lorna) Gano

Alberta Death Reg. #1947-08-004430
---
Name: Mrs. Mary Jane Tyson
Age: 85 yrs
Birth: Forres, Scotland
Death: 15 Apr 1947, at residence
Residence: Cremona, Alberta; since 1903
Previous residence: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; from 1888, 15 yrs
Predeceased by:
- husband, James Tyson; d. 1942 (Cremona, Alberta)
Survived by:
- daughter, Mrs. J. McBain; Cremona, Alberta
- daughter, Mrs. G.H. Van Haaften; Cremona, Alberta
- daughter, Mrs. D.E. Wheatcroft; Calgary, Alberta
- daughter, Mrs. Frank Grummett; Courtenay, BC
- 14 grandchildren
- 8 great-grandchildren
Funeral service: 18 Apr 1947, Cremona United Church, Cremona, Alberta
Interment: Cremona cemetery

References:
- "Deaths", The Calgary Albertan, 17 Apr 1947; page 12. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Mrs. Mary Tyson", Calgary Herald, 18 Apr 1947; page 7. Newspapers.com. Web.
---