Trying to find what happened to James Lawson!

[auntya]

Please could someone help me?
I've been searching for James Tierney Lawson for sometime now and think I've discovered him in Canada!
It's a long story but basically James (born 18/03/1883 Ayr, Scotland and Plasterer by trade) abandoned his pregnant wife and child in 1911 and disappeared!!!
I've now discovered a James Lawson in the Canadian WW1 Attestation papers, signing up in Montreal.
He states that his birth date is 18/03/1884 born Ayr, Scotland and is a Plasterer. He also states his next of kin is his wife Lillie Lawson??? This is not the wife he left behind in Scotland!
I would love to be able to find out what happened to him. Did he stay in Canada, have more children?
When did he die?
If any of you kind people out there could answer these questions I'd be so appreciative.

Many thanks
Andrea

[polarbear]

Can you tell who his parents were please?

PB

[bbart]

The full WW1 digital file for the James Lawson you mention is at http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B5470-S031  Free to view, and insanely slow to load.

The only relative mentioned in it, that I could see, was wife Lilly.
It states he died 15 Sep 1949.

[dbree]

Hi,

From Library and Archives Canada, Veteran's Death Card, Page 753
Lawson, James, #457331 died 15-9-49, Westminster Hospital, London, burial St. Peter's Cemetery, London, Ontario, grave 7, lot 27, sect. C., cause of death aortic aneurysm, no next of kin listed.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01kkc/

St. Peter's Cemetery gravestone,
http://geneofun.on.ca/names/photo/1872459

There are other Lawson's in that cemetery, but no Lillie/Lily.
http://geneofun.on.ca/cems/ON/ONMID12723?filter=lawson

Cheers,
DB

[dbree]

Hi,

An interesting note in his military file, a letter dated January 1956 addressed to Director, War
Services stating that an employee of the Windsor Star (newspaper), in Windsor, Ontario found
Jame's discharge certificate while going through old books purchased at an auction sale. It may
mean that he spent time in Windsor, Ontario or the book made it rounds in auction sales in
Ontario.

Cheers,
DB

[auntya]

Oh my goodness! I can't believe the speed at which you wonderful people of solved this mystery for me!

Polar Bear - his parents were Robert Lawson & Christina Tierney.

bbart & dbree - THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH! I'm sure this is my man.

One more question to all of you - would his death certificate give his parents names?
I doubt he actually married Lily as that would make him a bigamist ( but then again nothing would surprise me)

Regards
Andrea

[dbree]

Hi,

His death certificate information would depend on his next of kin, if there were any, and what the informant knew.

Cheers,
DB

[polarbear]

The public indexes for 1949 won't be available yet due to privacy laws.

http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/tracing/the_records.aspx

Here also is what you would need to order a cert.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-get-copy-ontario-death-certificate-online

PB

[dbree]

Hi,

You could try the London Library for an obituary and since you know his date of death you
may qualify for their quick lookup (no charge).
http://www.londonpubliclibrary.ca/research/genealogy/research-request-form

DB