Tompkins

[LynWood]

I am researching the family of two Tompkins brothers Walter and Leonard from Houghton Regis who went to Canada in the first decade of the 20th century.

[karenlee]

Hi

Welcome to Rootschat

I have done a search of the Canadian Passenger Lists and found them...

Into Halifax, Nova Scotia
Aboard "Tunisian"
January 1907
Port of Departure Liverpool England
Intended destination Montreal

TOMPKINS
Leonard aged 20 Able to read and Write Occupation Wheelwright
Walter aged 17 Able to read and Write Occuaption Farmer

I will see what else I can turn up on these two for you

Cheers
Karenlee

[karenlee]

This looks likely to be them back in England.  Without proof from certificates and other official documents, this is only suggestion of course...

1891 Census England Bedfordshire Houghton Regis
RG12/1270/32/22
Sewell

TOMPKINS
Edwin Head Marr 40 Farmer Bedfordshire  Dunstable
Charlotte Wife Marr 39 Bedfordshire Dunstable
Leonard Son Unmarr 3 Bedfordshire Dunstable
Walter Son Unmarr 3mths Bedfordshire Dunstable

1901 Census England Bedfordshire Houghton Regis
RG13/1513/24/6
72 High Street

TOMPKINS
Edwin Head Marr 50 Straw Hat Bleacher Bedfordshire Houghton Regis
Charlotte Wife Marr 49 Skirt Sewer Bedfordshire Houghton Regis
Leonard Son Unmarr 13 Grocer's Porter Bedfordshire Houghton Regis
Walter Son Unmarr 10 Bedfordshire Sewell
Florence Dau Unmarr 6 Bedfordshire Houghton Regis

Cheers
Karenlee

[LynWood]

Thanks Karenlee

That looks like the same family.  I had forgotten the sister named Florence who remained in England with her parents.  You certainly found them quickly. 

Now I would like to find out more about the family and background.

I know what happened to Walter and Florence but I cannot find Leonard in Canada.

I'm also interested in the history of Straw Hat making in Haughton Regis.

[karenlee]

Hi Again

Not sure, but I think this may be Leonard's marriage in Canada... father is given as Edward not Edwin, but that could have been misheard due to accents..

County of York
Division of Toronto

TOMPKINS Leonard
Occupation Floor Layer
Batchelor
Aged 26
Church of England
Usual Residence Toronto
Father Edward TOMPKINS Occupation Farmer
Mother Charlotte ALLEN

LEONARD Nellie
No Occupation
Spinster
Aged 27
Church of England
Usual Residence Toronto
Father John LEONARD
Mother Bessier MOKEN ?

Married 11th October 1910
By Licence

Witnesses
Walter James TOMPKINS
Thomas H BEETH

I will see what else I can come up with in Canada

Cheers
Karenlee

[LynWood]

Yes that must be the right Leonard since I'm sure you are right about the Edward/Edwin mixup and their mother was Charlotte Allen.  Walter James died in 1919 in Winnipeg Manitoba but I cannot find Leonard.  Perhaps I will try city directories next.  Unless he moved to the States.

I have discovered that straw hat making was a big industry in Luton (near Houghton Regis0 and am looking up information on that industry. 

I am also searching for info on nursing schools as I am trying to trace 2 nurses Mabel and Edith Bingham who graduated in England in the early 1900s.