RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => Canada => Topic started by: JenkinsFamilyHistory on Saturday 03 March 18 23:41 GMT (UK)
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Hi,
I'm hoping to find any information on my great grandfather Thomas MacDonald(1892-1967).
He was a Machinist who worked for Firestone in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Some people in my family say he came over with his family from Scotland when he was a boy and others claim he was much older and met his wife on the boat coming over.
He served in Canada's 19th infantry battalion and fought and was wounded in the battle of Somme. His wifes name was Jean but all I know about the last name is that it was short..... very helpful I know. She was also much younger than him, at least 15 years.
He was a member of many choirs including a Welsh choir which competed in Utica, NY where they came in second.
He said that he traveled the world going to North and South Africa, China, Japan and other countries surrounding the Mediterranean.
They were very much Catholic 4 boys and 2 girls.
Cecelia Mary MacDonald(also went by Sheila) 1931 - 1985
Dennis MacDonald
Marylou MacDonald
Patrick MacDonald
Harry MacDonald
Thomas MacDonald
This is unfortunately all that my family collectively knows so if anyone could shed some light on this I would be incredibly grateful.
Thanks in advance!
Trevor
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Trevor,
Do you know where your great-grandfather was buried? If so, have you contacted the cemetery in question to ask what info they have on file for him? If not, have you contacted the cemeteries in Hamilton to enquire about same? This info might include his parents' names and his wife's maiden name. (The same goes for your great-grandmother's burial info.)
Do you have an obit for your great-grandfather? If not, and if you have his exact date of death, have you contacted the library in Hamilton to ask for a look-up in the local newspaper? This might contain helpful information. (Ditto re. your great-grandmother.)
Have you found his military record online (for free) at https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pages/personnel-records.aspx ? His date of death might be noted somewhere.
The info gleaned from these record sources should help you determine whether any marriage or birth records you subsequently find belong to him.
Good luck in your search!
Regards,
Josephine
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Whoops, looks like this query has been posted in two places:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=789092.msg6447285
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3 places
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=789093.msg6447273
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;D
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https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/hamilton-on/dennis-macdonald-4714882
Obit for Dennis Herbert
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Popping over from the Scottish board... ::)
There is an entry in the Detroit Border Crossings from 1943 for a couple from the Hamilton area:
Thomas Macdonald age 51
Born 25 May 1892 Liverpool, England
Arrival 30 Jul 1943 Port Huron, Michigan
Accompanied By: Wife Jean (born Glasgow, not sure on year)
Arrival Contact: Cousin Annie Tatrei living in Chicago
Address they give is 222 Tragina Avenue Hamilton?
There are some details which I can't make out. I wonder if someone could have a look and see.
From a possible death for a child in 1933 (some notes on the Scottish post), the parents showed as Thomas from England and Jean from Scotland.
Monica
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Couldn't see anything else on the border crossing which you hadn't covered Monica.
In case it helps this is Annie Tatro - according to Ohio marriage records - Mrs Annie Davies - Mrs Annie McDonough born 1891 England. Aged 37 years - Parents Daniel McDonough - Mother Mary Girard - Spouse Guy E Tatro - aged 28 years - married 31 October 1928 -
Guy lived at 3807 Carneia Avenue. Jamaica VT, occupation carpenter - mothers maiden name Minnie Reed - had been married once previously.
Annie Davies - aged 37 years - 9137 Broadway Egland. Landlady - had been married once previously.
Sandra
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1930 census W. Congress St. Chicago Illinois.
Guy Tatro 40 Born MA. Parents France. Carpenter.
Annie Tatro 40 England. Boarding House. Working on own account. Parents born Eng. Imm 1908. Naturalized.
Dan Mcdonough 55 born 1875 England. Brother-in-law. Widowed. Imm 1905. Labourer.
Helebert Davies 19 born Ohio. Step-son.
Celia Davies 12 born Ohio. Step-daughter.
George Bell 60 boarder.
Miller 28 boarder.
Carl F Roesch 53 boarder.
Edward Mcguire 60 boarder.
thomas McGrath 51 boarder.
Sandra
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1940 census Fairfield Avenue Chicago Cook Illinois
Guy E Tatro 49 Cutter- Steel Works.
Annie Tatro 51
Herbert P Davis 29 Single. Step-son. Roofer.
Cecelia Davis 21 Single. Step-Daughter. Operator. Beauty Shop.
Sandra
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FIND A GRAVE
Annie P Tatro - Mothers maiden name mcdonough. 17 March 1889 - passed away 21 Jan 1971 -
he was born in Birkenhead, England. Survivors include her husband Guy - one son Herbert Davies - a daughter Cecelia Giuntoll.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69114914
Guy Tatro - 1890 - 1975
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69114895/guy-e-tatro
Sandra
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Popping over from the Scottish board... ::)
There is an entry in the Detroit Border Crossings from 1943 for a couple from the Hamilton area:
Thomas Macdonald age 51
Born 25 May 1892 Liverpool, England
Arrival 30 Jul 1943 Port Huron, Michigan
Accompanied By: Wife Jean (born Glasgow, not sure on year)
Arrival Contact: Cousin Annie Tatrei living in Chicago
Address they give is 222 Tragina Avenue Hamilton?
There are some details which I can't make out. I wonder if someone could have a look and see.
From a possible death for a child in 1933 (some notes on the Scottish post), the parents showed as Thomas from England and Jean from Scotland.
Monica
Jean was born 19/7/1904 Scotland.
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There's a birth of a Jane McFall 1904 in Port Glasgow
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Obituary of Patricia Anne Pletsch - Sunday, July 10, 2011 - (wife of Laurie) mentioned in the obituary of Dennis MacDonald
Suddenly, at the Juravinski Hospital, on Sunday, July 10, 2011. Beloved wife of Laurie Pletsch.
http://donaldvbrown.ca/tribute/details/1629/Patricia-Pletsch/obituary.html
Sandra
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MonicaL
Once again you are 100% correct!
My apologies for posting on multiple boards everyone, I didn't realize they were all connected and was hoping to get a wide variety of eyes on this mystery.
222 Tragina Avenue Hamilton is an address that I know for a fact Thomas and Jean lived. Dennis lived there for a long time before he died and now his son Dennis lives there.
Monica you're incredible and I thank you and everyone helping me out with this.
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We all work best on RootsChat as a team....that is why it is a pretty unique forum for genealogy ;) People research in different ways and have access to different sources sometimes. Hopefully we get some breakthroughs that way!
Great news that the address connects to give you confirmation.
You need to think now how you want to move backwards and research more Thomas and Jean's families back in England and Scotland.
Firstly, if I can advice, you need to try and confirm Jean's maiden surname. No idea how accessible death certs in Canada. Do they contain parents' names of the deceased? This may be the best start point. With this info, you can start trying to find out more about them.
I was thinking about what you said about Thomas 'seeing the world' when he was younger. Wondering whether he worked for the merchant navy or other shipping. There are numerous entries through the 1920s for a Thomas M(a)cDonald leaving and entering the UK and other ports such as NY as crew with a birth year that could fit for your g grandfather Thomas.
Monica
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In case it helps this is Annie Tatro - according to Ohio marriage records - Mrs Annie Davies - Mrs Annie McDonough born 1891 England. Aged 37 years - Parents Daniel McDonough - Mother Mary Girard - Spouse Guy E Tatro - aged 28 years - married 31 October 1928 -
With Sandra's earlier details, she found that Annie was born in Birkenhead, Lancashire, England. Birkenhead and Liverpool (which we now have Thomas' birthplace) are very close to each other. There is this possible 1891 census entry for her in Birkenhead, with parents' showing as Sandra mentions, Daniel and Mary:
Daniel McDonough 38 brickyard labourer b. Storeton, Cheshire
Mary McDonough 34 b. Liverpool
Daniel McDonough 10
Thomas McDonough 8
Christopher McDonough 5
Cecile McDonough 4
Anne McDonough 2 b. Birkenhead
Daniel McDonough and Mary Gerrard married in the Liverpool District in the 3rd Quarter of 1882.
Given that Thomas gave an Annie's details and named her as cousin, Daniel and Mary above Uncle and Aunt?
Monica
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Since you are a direct line descendant u should apply to Service Ontario for any applicable certificates that would give you details on names and places of birth.
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There is a 1940 border crossing at Buffalo for Thomas MacDonald born 14 Feb 1942 Hamilton showing father Thomas, racial origin English, and grandmother Jeany.