The truth about Harry Gordon

[RedMystic]

Oh goodness, manawakian! That's a super find. Thank you.

[dbree]

Hi,

Nice one manawakian

Cheers,
DB

[manawakian]

There were 6 Gordon children shipped to the Fairknowe Home in 1889, almost certainly siblings, 2 separate batches all on the Siberian.  The first to arrive in Halifax on 11 June 1889 were:
John age 13
James age 12
William age 8
Next to Quebec City on 11 June 1889 were:
Barbara age 11
Alex age 7
Henry age 6
A family matching the 4 oldest (but not by age) is found in the 1881 census of a place called Fort George Fortified Garrison in Ardesier reg. dist. Inverness.  Mother Margaret age 28, no father listed, children John 4, Barbara 2, William 1 & James newborn.  Father maybe away on manuevers?

[RedMystic]

Wowzers, Manawakian! I'm on the road until Wed night. I can't wait to purchase a few ScotlandsPeople records to see if the lock can be picked.

My Mum has no memory of Harry ever mentioning coming to Canada with siblings. I wonder if they were separated at the orphanage in Ontario?

I'm soooooo excited. Thank you.

[J.J.]

Now that these children have been mentioned I feel compelled to find them as well... The two with harry/Henry on the ship's list are listed first, the other 3 ( 4 sadly can't tell which is correct one)  boys next...but haven't yet found your lad...will look further...*


Sandy Gordon age 9 ( nickname for Alex)  in Kenyon, Glengarry, Ontario 1891 is a domestic...  urgh, way too young to be in service, religion Free Church
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1891/jpg/30953_148139-00035.jpg

Barbara Gordon age 13 with Mckee family Elmsley South, Leeds and Grenville North, Ontario 1891( down as adopted, not as a servant ) http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1891/jpg/30953_148151-00423.jpg

adding there are 2 Johns, see * below
John Gordon age 16 farm labourer for Robert Gamble  Elsmley, Lanark South, Ontario
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1891/jpg/30953_148151-00268.jpg

2 william Home children from Scotland!
William Gordon age 13 domestic 1891 with farming Ferrier family, Burgess North, Lanark South
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1891/jpg/30953_148151-00104.jpg

Wm Gordon age 12 farm labourer with Hugh (Divlin?)  Drummond, Lanark South, Ontario
note also a David McRory home child in same household
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1891/jpg/30953_148151-00227.jpg

James Gordon age 13 farm labourer with the Bishop family, Fitzroy, Lanark North
Sub-District Name: Fitzroy
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1891/jpg/30953_148150-00467.jpg

* Frustrating as I just found the orphan's home, Fairknowe, and he's not in there although he's too young for domestic duty... But there is a John Gordon age 14 in there
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=284296.msg5459229#msg5459229

Making me wonder if perhaps someone has "adopted" him, using a new surname,  but he went back to his own surname once he left the home....??   Note that just because the home children are listed as "adopted " on censuses, they weren't always legally so.

[Janice M]

Great find manawakian!

Here are some links to try.

http://canadianbritishhomechildren.weebly.com/william-quarrier--brockville-ont-7200-immigrated.html

Possibly he served in the First World War
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Pages/home.aspx

Janice

[manawakian]

Oops, first batch arrived Halifax 26 March 1889 not 11 June 1889.

[Janice M]

Forgot one thing.

Scotlandspeople
http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/

You have to pay for this site, (not expensive) but you can order the birth registration through them. They contain, birthdate, place of birth, mother / father / occupations - (if the parent's were married it will say when & where), also if the father is deceased it will say so.

Janice

[manawakian]

>Redmystic;  I have burned up hundreds of credits at ScotlandsPeople over the years and my mostly Scottish blood boils every time I do so.  Have to admire someone who will spend some pounds creating a family for an almost total stranger.
Manawakian