James was living in Ramsay, Ontario at the time of his marriage to Helen, working as a farmer. It was a Presbyterian wedding, with Mary Bennett of Almonte being the witness, and Rev. John Bennett performing the marriage.

James came out to Manitoba first, and his eldest son and wife arrived later in 1882. There is a mention in the May 30, 1900 “Western Canadian” (a Manitou based newspaper) of a James Rae coming from Medicine Hat to visit, which may be him.