How do I trace my family?

[*Sandra*]

I have the same question about my ancestor who migrated to Canada between 1839 and 1851. He did not like that country and returned with his family to England. Considering that a few years later he went to Darlingford in the Upper Goulburn country of Victoria - well known gold seeking area that the time was closer to 1851.
my George Thomas Gilbert was born 1806 in Shirehampton - a stones throw from the Port of Bristol. He married twice -
 m1.31.1.1837Midsomer Norton to Elizabeth FORD b1811d1844 m2.27.4.1845.S'hmptn. Elizabeth COXb1813S'hmptn.d1857.

I have no idea of ships or areas of settlement in Canada.
Any clues?

Cheers
Jack Gee

There are no comprehensive lists of immigrants arriving in Canada prior to 1865. Until that year, shipping companies were not required by the government to keep their passenger manifests.    Canadian passenger lists mostly cover the time 1865 - 1935 -

however, have a read here - Passenger Lists to Canada Before 1865

http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/articles/immcanpre1865.shtml

Sandra

[polarbear]

Hi Michelle56

The Toronto Star newspaper has its archives online. I can't find a link at the moment but someone will hopefully post one. One needs to look for marriage and birth announcements in the time frame you are working with. The initial search is free but there is a nominal charge to view full records.

PB

[saraslater]

Toronto Star and Globe & Mail have archives searchable for those with a Toronto Public Library card. Let me know if you want me to look something up.

[Michelle56]

I would love to know what happened to my relatives after they emigrated from England.
However I am not sure if they would want any contact with those who they left behind.
As they are still living I cannot post anything on here.
But as I am an amateur genealogist I have a need to know.

Michelle

 

[carol8353]

Michelle,have you tried looking for them on social media,Facebook or Twitter for example. Or just try googling their names. You can also try the Canadian phone books.

http://www.whitepages.ca/

[polarbear]

I think this link might work for the Toronto Star archives....fingers crossed....

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/search.html

PB

[Michelle56]

To be honest I haven't, mainly because I'm not sure where to start.

[JACK GEE]

Many thanks Sandra for thread #9.
This is the best clue that i have had for ages.

cheers
jack

[Josephine]

The Toronto Reference Library has copies of city directories. You could contact the library and request a look-up (there might be a fee involved). Here is a link to the website: http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?R=LIB018

You could also post a request here on the Canada board and ask if anyone is going to the downtown reference library and if they'd be willing to do a look-up for you. You'd have to send the names and details via RootsChat's private message system, since the people you are looking for are still living.

Good luck in your search.

Regards,
Josephine