Peach Farms in Canada

[Jacquie in Canada]

CConingsby seems to indicate they are two separate memories that are only linked by a recollection of peaches. The train trip was Ted's experience as a young man in the British Navy during WWII while Ted's uncle emigrated when Ted was a child.

The peach farm that Henry William Smith may have had could have been anywhere as there are/were peach farms in areas other than Ontario and British Columbia (Quebec and the Maritimes for example).

Ted's memory of being given peaches "on the plains" doesn't seem to fit the description of the Okanagan Valley since it is in the Rocky Mountain chain however the CPR main line does run through that area. I don't know whether the CNR or CPR had rail lines that went through the US in the 1940s and I don't think either railway's main line goes near the area that Karen referred to. I think it is much more likely that Ted's peach experience was in BC given the location of the CPR main line.

Jacquie

[CConingsby]

CConingsby seems to indicate they are two separate memories that are only linked by a recollection of peaches. The train trip was Ted's experience as a young man in the British Navy during WWII while Ted's uncle emigrated when Ted was a child.

Yes two separate memories both jolted by the name of Teds Uncle.  Both Ted and his sister remember their uncle being discussed as having a peach farm in Canada and are fairly sure their local vicar maintained contact with him via post.  It would seem that Ted may have been getting confused between Henry and another uncle who left for the USA when Ted was about 10 according to his elder sister, so it is possable that Henry was in Canda for the 1911 cesus and could be either of the ones found by Lydart in the BC records.  Given that Nan is generally more reliable about these things I'd be inclined to follow her view.

Henry is listed as 15 in the 1901 census in the UK and is an aggricultural labourer, according to fenland historians many of the young men found it hard to find work on the farms, there were simply too many workers and not enough work (sound familiar?)  so many upped sticks and left.  Nan seemed to think there were quite a few from Oakington who left, I don't think she was born when Henry left but she is 5 years older than Ted so her memory of her parents discussing Henry and his friends may be more reliable.

[nickgc]

Henry Smith aged 25/26, is in Kootenay, listed as .... I don't like to say this ... a horse thief !

Just wanted to point out that "Horse Thief" was not the occupation of all of these people, rather their "place of residence" - aka Horse Thief Creek.  Henry Smith listed was a laborer.

Nick

[Lydart]

Phew !    Thank goodness for that ... !