Just for the benefit of everyone who took part in this thread ...
I just wondered if you are aware that a local organization, Ferndale Grassroots, is looking for descendants of those who died in Ferndale in 1867? The 150th anniversary is to be marked in Ferndale on November 8. As yet, they've only managed to find one (me), so I'm sure they'd love to hear from you. Here is the Facebook post on the subject, which I think is a public post so you should be able to see it I hope:
https://www.facebook.com/Ferndalegrassr ... 5147819493