William j McDonald

[daisymac64]

Hi there im trying to find out some more info on my Great Grandfather William John McDonald he was born in Newlyn Cornwall around 1873 from there he travelled with his wife Elizabeth Ann to Toronto,i have no record of his wifes surname before they married.The only info i have is that around 1912 they were living at St Clair avenue,york south,Toronto this was written on the back of an old photo i also have a bit of paper that says he was in the 234th peel battalion in ww1.I also know they had a son also called William who would be my Grandfather.This is all the info i have on my Grandfather and grt Grandparents could anyone trace the family and if possible let me know Elizabeths surname before marriage and when they left for Canada and if poss give any of there occuptions on arrival ,as my Grandfather returned to Canada after ww2 i have no info on any of his family history,not sure if i need to post this on the Cornwall section as well?kindest regards
Daisy

[AMBLY]

Hi Daisy

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-100.01-e.php
You can find his WW1 Attestation form here.
Search for his full name - he is 2nd to last on the results list, born 1872

Cheers
AMBLY

[AMBLY]

Hi Daisy

They are in York South in 1911 at the address you have
You can look up the Census here:
http://automatedgenealogy.com/

1)  1911 > ONTARIO>  enter Surname McDONALD & click Search

2) On next page, Enter in boxes provided for Filters
Given contains (type in): William J
Age/Year (choose)  39/1872  +/- 1
And click "Filter"

Scroll down, and see - 1 matching result.
Click on the live link in that result :   Page 6

3) On the Transcript page, see "Split View" link at top. Click it to see the actual image

Cheers
AMBLY

[AMBLY]

I just realised the DoB on the 1916 attestation form (14 Jun 1872 Newlyn, Cornwall) and the stated birth (May 1873) on the 1911 Census are not a match  - but I still think it's probably the same man. It's not uncommon to have unmatching birth date statements like this, either on Census or on Army records!

http://cornwall-opc.org/
Cornwall Parish Registers

Have a transcription of a William John McDONALD baptised in Newlyn St Peter in Feb 1882.
Parents : William McDONALD, Labourer  and Mary Anne

I wonder if this is him? Either baptised as a 10 year old, or a mistranscript?

The 1911 Census doesn't have a Year of Immigration for either of them!
It says Elizabeth was born in England in April 1874.

Cheers
AMBLY

[AMBLY]

If they married in the England/Wales prior to going to Canada:

There is only one result if searching for a marriage of William J McDONALD and bride: Elizabeth A in all counties on FreeBMD:
http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl

Mar Qtr 1904, Penzance, Ref: Vol 5c, Page 353
On same page is:
William John McDONALD (or MacDONALD)
Elizabeth Anna MATTHEWS

Cheers
AMBLY

[daisymac64]

Hi Ambley
Thanks for such a fast reply i really appreciate it, im sure the William McDonald mentioned in 1882 baptism would of been Williams parents funnily enough he named his son William and its also my Dads first name!Now i know that between 1904 and 1911 they travelled to Canada so i can try and find out when and i can also trace my Great grandmothers family of Matthews,if i look on the free bdms 1904 marriage would it show Williams occupation i wonder?
Thanks again
Kindest regards
 Daisy

[AMBLY]

Hi Daisy

They immigrated to Canada in 1904:

SS Bavarian, departed Liverpool, Arrived Montreal Quebec on 4 Aug 1904
Steerage
Wm John McDONALD 32, Grocer, Native of England
Eliz A McDONALD 30, wife, Native of  England

For both it says:
Counties in British Isles from whence came:   CORNWALL
Destination: TORONTO

I believe Anc***estry is giving  free access to Immigration records at present (just abt to finish)
Try see if you can get in  and find the image 

Cheers
AMBLY

[daisymac64]

Hi Ambley
Thats really great! I cant wait to show my Gramp the info he,ll be over the moon!i can now try and trace Elizabeths family now  i know her surname,many thanks i really appreciate you taking time to look this info up for me
Kind regards
Daisy

[AMBLY]

Hi Daisy

Seeing as Elizabeth was age approx 31 when she married (assuming it's the right marriage, which it looks likely) caution on the maiden name. At that age she could have been married before and MATTHEWS may be her first married name, not a maiden name.

William & McDONALD are common names - possibly not so much in Cornwall but even  so the fact there are 2 descandant William's may or may not be significant in regards to the 1882 baptism - which at this stage is a long shot.

Will see what else I can find for you, but the marriage certificate may be the best way forward.

Also, you mentioned " my Grandfather returned to Canada after ww2 "
Was he a soldier stationed  in England?

Cheers
AMBLY