Author Topic: Canadian obituaries - William MITCHELL  (Read 6881 times)

Offline Gram L

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Canadian obituaries - William MITCHELL
« on: Wednesday 01 July 15 17:49 BST (UK) »
I have not been able to find an obituary for my great uncle in Toronto, On.  His name was William Mitchell, d: 19 July 1918 in York County, Toronto, On.  He died on the job, there was an inquest on 23 July 1918.  Can anyone help?
Mitchell
Battle
Leeks

Offline polarbear

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Re: Canadian obituaries
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 02 July 15 17:17 BST (UK) »
Hello Gram L

You know the exact date of death so you could try contacting the Toronto Public Library. They have an ask a librarian service. There may also be a general newspaper article related to the event.

PB
We search for information but it is up to the thread owner to verify that it is correct.

British Census copyright The National Archives; Canadian Census copyright Library and Archives Canada

Offline RunKitty

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Re: Canadian obituaries
« Reply #2 on: Friday 03 July 15 03:07 BST (UK) »
Hi,

There is an article in the Globe and Mail newspaper that talks about the death of your great uncle.  He and another man were accidentally electrocuted while working. 

Globe and Mail, July 20 1918, page 8

There is also and article in the Globe on July 27th (page 2) about the inquest.

Toronto Star newspaper also has an article about the inquest.  July 27, page 8

If you have already emailed the Toronto Public Library, I expect that they will be able to find these for you.  If you haven't, I can PM you the details.

RK

Offline RunKitty

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Re: Canadian obituaries
« Reply #3 on: Friday 03 July 15 03:13 BST (UK) »
Hi again,

If you are in Canada, you might have access to the Star and Globe archives through your local library.   Have a look at the library's collection of online databases.

RK


Offline Gram L

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Re: Canadian obituaries
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 05 July 15 22:37 BST (UK) »
The answer from the Toronto Public Library told me that she did find a report on the Inquest in the Toronto Star: "Police Act Criticized".  The Library cannot provide the text of the article.  She also suggested that the family may have posted a death notice in the Toronto Telegram.  This paper has ceased publication in 1971 but it is available on microfilm at the Toronto Reference Library and the North York Central Library, but they cannot search the microfilm through their quick reference service.

So I guess I am looking for someone who may be able to look for a death notice in the Toronto Telegram at one of the above libraries.  I am hoping that the death notice will list other family that I am unaware of, like a wife, or child.

Regards, Gram L.
Mitchell
Battle
Leeks

Offline RunKitty

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Re: Canadian obituaries
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 05 July 15 23:11 BST (UK) »
Hi,

I took another look in the Star and I found one more article about your great uncle's death.  It says that he was a married man.  Unfortunately, no name is given. 

Will PM with details

RK

Offline RunKitty

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Re: Canadian obituaries
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 05 July 15 23:27 BST (UK) »
Hi again,

Some of the articles give his address - 20 Glasgow.   I will have a look in some Toronto directories to see if any other family members are mentioned.

The same article that says he was a married man also says he was a veteran of the Boer War.  It has a photo of him in uniform.  It also says that he came from Ireland 38 years ago (would be about 1880).   So, he was likely with the Canadian forces during the war?????  Perhaps there is a military record that mentions family .... have a look at the Library and Archives Canada site. 

Do you know when he was born?  If he has been in Canada since 1880, he should show up on Canadian censuses - hopefully with family :) 

RK

Offline RunKitty

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Re: Canadian obituaries
« Reply #7 on: Sunday 05 July 15 23:48 BST (UK) »
1919 directory show Wm Mitchell at 20 Glasgow.  I read through all of the other Mitchells - none are listed as living at 20 Glasgow :'(

The 1920 directory is not available through the library site.  In 1921, a Jeff Welch is listed as the resident of 20 Glasgow. 

Looks like the directories aren't helping out in the search...

RK


Offline Gram L

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Re: Canadian obituaries
« Reply #8 on: Monday 06 July 15 02:24 BST (UK) »
Hi RK,  I believe that he was born in Scotland (not Ireland) in 1880.  I was looking for his brother,  (David Grant Mitchell) for many years.  I finally found his grave site in England.  Now I am trying to find William, to complete their family tree.  I have been in touch with their relatives in Scotland and Australia.  Once the two brothers left home, they were never heard from again!  I knew they were living in Toronto, but not together.  I have their death certificates.  William's does not give any names at all.  He is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Toronto - an unmarked grave.  I wanted to find an obituary or a death notice hoping to find other family members of his.  I am beginning to think now that there isn't an obituary because his name and death have been mentioned so often in these newspaper articles.  I have never been able to find anything about William, I don't even know when he arrived in Canada, I only know when and how he died. 

So anything that anyone can find would be a great help to me.  I will try your suggestion of looking at the Library and Archives Canada site and see if I can find anything.  Thank you for that suggestion.

gram L.
Mitchell
Battle
Leeks