James is listed as a shoemaker in the 1861 census for Huntley Township, Ontario, age 45 (so, born around 1816). His wife and 6 kids (William, Elizabeth, Sarah, May, John and Henrietta) are with them a the time. They are living in a log house. Their surname is spelled “Garvin” in this census.

By the 1871 census, they are living in the city of Ottawa, and James is still listed as a shoemaker. Kids with them at this time are: Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary, Henrietta,John, Joseph, and Ernest B.