Please help me find a London, Ontario 1950s death

[RedMystic]

Hi Chatters,

I know it's pretty recent, but my fingers are crossed that someone can help.

John Francis Wilson was born 1897 Gillingham, Kent, England; died in London, Ontario in the 1950s - but when in the 1950s is the question?

His estate was settled on his grown child who was in Edinburgh, Scotland. Family memory, therefore, provides the indicators of the death in the 1950s & the London, Ontario location.

He was married to Lizzie "Letta" Inkster Copland (1898-1987). He came to Canada in August 1923, leaving his wife & child - age 4. His 30A form says: married; final destination Winnipeg, Manitoba to work as a harvester; did not intent to return to the UK.

It is not beyond the realm of possibility that he remarried in Canada without the benefit of a divorce, but I have no indication of that. (If you find one, I'd love to know of it. )

There is a 1953 death date for a JFW on the FamilySearch site, but it can't be the right fellow as it indicates that he was married in 1921 in Canada (which was before my JFW came to Canada).

I'm not very good at it (admittedly pulling up mostly US deaths  ), but have checked Find A Grave without a discovery. I question whether he would have had a gravestone if there was no one in Canada to remember him. He also died in his 50s. I'm not sure of the cause, but if it was something sudden, one wouldn't think he would have made any pre-arrangements for a monument.

TX in advance for any help on finding the date of his passing.

[Lisa in California]

This doesn't help with his death, but in case you've not seen this:
1923 Detroit Border Crossing (October 2)
John F. Wilson, born Gillingham, age 26.
Last permanent address was Saskatoon, Sask.
His nearest relative (in Canada) was Mrs. Bessie(?) ?, living in Downsville, Ontario
His occupation:  Auto Mechanic
His destination was Detroit, Michigan for 4 months
It looks like he arrived in Canada 6/10/22 

[RedMystic]

Hi Lisa

That is very interesting. Thank you for giving me something else to look into.

The date of arrival may be explainable if he came in 1922, returned home for a few months, then came again. I'll check with family members to see if that raises any memories.

The border crosssing to the US may explain something else. His b-i-l travelled too the US for 6 weeks in late 1927. The though from two grandchildren is that he likely came looking for John Francis Wilson. I thought it was unlikely as the b-i-l went to New York. With what you've found, the assumption of these family members may be correct. (I know Detroit isn't near NY, but one never knows how long he actually stayed. )

The Canadian wife info is interesting. JFW's Scottish wife didn't die until the late 1980s.

Thanks once again for your find.

[Lisa in California]

Sorry, I think I have a mistake in my post!

I believe his nearest relative was a sister, Mrs. Bessie(?).  Surname was possibly Bruce.  I will check again.  Sorry for omitting critical information.

[Lisa in California]

Name and complete addess of nearest relative or friend in country whence alien came: Sister, Mrs. Bessie Bruce, Downsville, Ont.

Guessing at the name, as it is blurry.

Again, apologies for not including the relationship.

I'm leaving for work, but I will check back in tonight.

[RedMystic]

Hi Lisa

Thank you once again.

I'm heading away for the weekend so won't be able to follow-up on this until my return. I have forwarded the info to this relative's grandson to see if any more bricks fall into place based on the new information.

I'm delighted with your finds. My thanks.

[RedMystic]

Hi Lisa

Great find. I've been able to confirm that this is indeed JFW. We didn't know that he had joined family in Canada, but Bessie Bruce is definitely his sister!

Wow!

Have a great weekend, Jan

[RedMystic]

Hi Lisa,

Can you please tell me where you found this record? I'm looking on *A* to no avail.

Also, I don't know Ontario very well, but my Google maps search may indicate that Downsville should have been penned as Downsview. Thoughts?



NOTE: I found the record.

[Lisa in California]

Hi RedMystic:

The record is from the Border Crossings & Passenger and Crew Lists for Detroit, 1905 to 1957.

My apologies again.  You are correct, it is Downsview.  (I've been getting up around 2:00 a.m. this week, and by Friday morning, the lack of sleep apparently was starting to show.)

Looking at the image again, it looks like JFW was 5'11(?)", Med(?) complexion, and possibly Br hair and Br eyes.

On the bottom of the image is Montreal, 6/10/22, Saturnia(?).