Sidney and Jessie Stroud, Toronto, 377, Margueretta.

[atropina]

My Grandparents, Ernest Gibson and Lilian May Withers emigrated to Canada in 1912 and 1913 respectively.  Grandad died of war wounds in 1918 and Grandma returned to Leicester, UK in 1919 with my father and aunt.  For the rest of her life she trawled around a suitcase packed with photos and documents, some of which were of friends and neighbours in Toronto.

The first attached photo I believe is of Sidney and Jessie Stroud who must have been sponsors/employers of Ernest and May. They were witnesses at their wedding in Toronto

The second is of a soldier pal, probably also killed. And there are several more.

There are also wreath cards from Mrs. Pordage and family, Mrs. Ollis and Mrs. Brogden.

I would love to have more information on these people and would welcome ideas as to how I might find their descendants.

Many thanks,

Sondra over here and in the dark.   

[jorose]

I couldn't find any Pordages on the 1911 census (could be mistranscribed, though) There was only one Pordage who served in the Canadian army - a John William Pordage from Faversham (b. Nov 19 1885), who served in WWI and was resident in Toronto (88 Bucks??? Avenue). His wife was Clara.

Among the Brogdens who served was Edward Brogden whose wife Mary Ann lived in West Toronto at 15 Chambers Avenue (not all that far from where the Gibsons lived).

http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~maryc/tor06.htm
 - there is a mention of a Pordage marriage here.

(I think they are on the 1911 census in Toronto on automatedgenealogy.com under 'Portage'. They had a son Ernest, who died in 1911).

http://www.ontarioroots.com/1911/index.html shows where Margueretta st was in 1911, if you want to check who was at that address in 1911.

Do any of the photos mention where they were taken/a photographer's name?

www.canada411.com shows there is now only one person with the surname Pordage in the Toronto area.

[J.J.]

similar request to avoid duplication
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,346838.0.html

1911 & 1901 census for John W. Pordage (birth matches) http://www.automatedgenealogy.com/uidlinks/Links.jsp?uid=150277527

[Janice M]

You might already have these on your Grandfather, but thought I would post just in case.

Attestation Papers
http://data2.archives.ca/cef/gpc004/347272a.gif

You can order the full file
http://www.rootschat.com/links/052r/

Other Links:

Toronto Directories
http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=toronto%20directories

The only "Pordage" I could find for the 1st World War

John Pordage
http://data2.archives.ca/cef/gpc014/581641a.gif

For Brogden (Toronto address):

Edward Brogden
http://data2.archives.ca/cef/gpc001/262074a.gif

Henry Brogden
http://data2.archives.ca/cef/gpc001/262076a.gif

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Ernest Gibson
http://www.rootschat.com/links/052s/

Janice

[Janice M]

The Toronto directories are very large files, so to make it easier, 

1914
Ernest can be found on page 822 (817 of pdf)

"Brogden" can be found on page 551 (542 of pdf)

William "Olles" on page 1237 (1234 of pdf)

"Pordage" on page 1286 (1283 of pdf)

[Janice M]

38th Battalion - Eastern Ontario Regiment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/38th_Battalion,_CEF