Thomas Cowman b.1898 England

[mazzie74]

Hi

I've posted a thread on the Common Room forum and have been advised to post on the Canada forum.

My wife's ancestor Thomas Cowman (born 23rd December 1898 High Spen, Durham, England) was the son of Harrison Cowman and Elizabeth Ann Hope.

The family (including several siblings) emigrated to New Zealand in 1913.

Thomas Cowman is in San Francisco, California in 1917 (WWI Draft Registration) and back in England as a merchant seaman in 1921.

However he seems to have moved to Vancouver, BC where he worked as a labourer.

He is last noted as living in British Columbia on his father's 1942 New Zealand probate record.

I can't find him after this, except his brother, Charles Hope Cowman is listed on a New Zealand passenger arrival in 1957 noted as leaving from Vancouver. I'm guessing he was visiting his brother.

Can anybody find Thomas Cowman in BC (probably Vancouver) as I can't find a death or burial.

I've found no evidence of him marrying, but I can't be sure.

Original thread:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=798542.new#new

Thanks

Darin (Newcastle upon Tyne, England).

[Lisa in California]

Hi Darin:

The following link may be helpful, if you haven't already tried it.  I did not see any vital records for Thomas (in British Columbia) but I only briefly looked. 
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/genealogy/places/pages/british-columbia.aspx#a

Perhaps this link may be helpful if you cannot find him in British Columbia?
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/genealogy/Pages/introduction.aspx

He is quite an elusive fellow.   

[mazzie74]

Thanks Lisa

I've had a look but I can't see him.

He Is proving difficult to find.

Thanks

Darin.

[eileenwilson]

He arrived in Victoria, BC from Auckland, New Zealand in May 1935. He had previously been in Canada from January 1925 to January 30, 1935. Address in Canada is 2617 Hershaw Avenue, New Westminster, BC.  He was working as a longshoreman and the address above is for a friend, Mrs. J. McAllister

[Lisa in California]

I can't find him after this, except his brother, Charles Hope Cowman is listed on a New Zealand passenger arrival in 1957 noted as leaving from Vancouver. I'm guessing he was visiting his brother.

You most likely have seen the following, but could this be Thomas' brother (possibly visiting Thomas in Connecticut)?  [Did Charles sail in 1957 and possibly this is "your" Charles in 1952; or, did you mean to type 1952 and instead typed 1957?]

New York Passenger List for ship Veendam, arrived 13 May 1952
Place of Origin - New Zealand
Port of Departure: Southampton, England
Port of Arrival, New York, New York
Charles Cowman, born c1895, married, nationality - New Zealand
Destination in U.S.: 25 Lincoln Ave, Greenwich, Connecticut

To further complicate things:
Aorangi sailed (first?) from Vancouver, B.C, then from Seattle, Washington to Honolulu, Hawaii, departed 17 Jun 1952
Charles Hope Cowman, age 57
Travel document no.: I-424 to New York on 7-8-52 (assuming it was July 8, 1952)

Perhaps he visited a friend in Connecticut, then visited Thomas in British Columbia before sailing to Hawaii? 

[mazzie74]

Thanks Eileen / Lisa

His father died in New Zealand in 1942, and on his probate it lists his children and amongst them it says:

Thomas Cowman of British Columbia, labourer.

So he was still in BC in 1942.

I thought I'd seen a passenger list from 1957 stating departure Vancouver for his brother

Thanks again

Darin

[Lisa in California]

Not really much help, but:

1934 British Columbia Directory
No listing for Thomas Cowman
McAllister, Jas (Christian G) stmftr  h 2617 Hersham ? [cannot read last word]

1943 New Westminster Burnaby Names
No listing for Thomas Cowman (nor is he in the 1941 nor 1942 directories)
McAllister, Christian G wid J   h 2617 Hersham ? [maybe Bby, for Burnaby?]

Perhaps Thomas can be found in other directories?  (I did not search others.)  I don't know if Mrs. McAllister remained at the same address.
https://bccd.vpl.ca/

[mazzie74]

Thanks for looking Lisa.

Regards

Darin.

[Lisa in California]

You're welcome, Darin.  One more to add...

I don't know if this could be of any help?
http://www.nwheritage.org/
New Westminster Heritage and Local History

Perhaps if you have a general question their "Ask Us A Question" feature may be useful?
https://www.nwpl.ca/your_library/email_us_a_question.php
[Note:  I've run across a few libraries that charge a nominal fee for their services, so you might want to ask if they have any fees.  Also, it may not hurt to add that you do not live in Canada and cannot easily obtain information.  ]