James Douglas Helmcken 1858 - 1919

James decided to follow in his father's footsteps and become a medical doctor.  He attended the Nest Academy at Jedburgh Scotland from 1871 and thence studied medicine at Edinburgh University.  He completed his medical studies at Bellevue Medical College in New York before becoming a registered practitioner in British Columbia in 1886.  In 1886 he married Mary Halliday, who unfortunately passed away in 1887.

In 1888 James married Ethel Margaret Mouat.  They had five children:  Cecilia Mary (1889-1973); Edith Helen Douglas (1892-1981); Ethel (1893-1976); John Sebastian (1896- ?) and Ainslie James (1900-1987).  Ainslie became well respected as the Victoria City Archivist.