Notes Parents: John Thomas Brand and Elizabeth Ellen Percival.
Bessie's mother died in childbirth on January 28, 1886, at the age of 36 years. Her father was recorded as John Thomas Brand, aged 41 years, who was employed as a blacksmith and lived in West Thurrock, Essex, England.
Their brothers were recorded as Herbert Percival, aged 16 years, who was living with Mr. Hetherington, a blacksmith at Plaistow, East London, and William Henry, aged 14 years, who was living with Inspector Ellis at 14 St George's Terrace, West Thurrock, Essex,
On February 24, 1891, Bessie and her sisters, Daisy and Annie, were admitted to Barnardo's and entered the Receiving House, Stepney Causeway, East London. On March 26, 1891, they went to the Girl's Village Home, Barkingside, Essex.
In 1892, Bessie M. Brand, 12 (along with sisters, Daisy E. Brand, 13, and Annie M. Brand, 8) with a group of 127 Barnardo girls en route to Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
On September 29, 1902, at Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, a marriage was registered between Bessie Violet Brand, 22, born in England to John Thos. Brand and Eliz. E. Percival; and Harry Herman Avery, 26, dairyman, born in New York State, United States, to Chauncey Avery and Lena Wood. Annie M. Brand was one of the witnesses to the marriage.
Harry and Bessie Brand Avery had 4 children: Gordon Chauncy Avery; Elmer John Avery; William Henry Brand Avery, born March 30, 1912, Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada; and Daisy Violet Avery.