Grandfather in Canada

[Pejic]

My Grandfather Henry Howell Clark was born 23-2-1880 in Cardiff, South Wales.
Family stories say he went to Canada "to make his fortune" but that while there he was involved in an armed hold-up (as victim or perpetrator not known).
He was unmarried in Cardiff in the 1891, 1901 and 1911 censuses.
Using FindMyPast and Ancestry at my local library I have found a record of him at the Tenby, Wales Lodge of the United Grand Lodge of England with the note 'Raising GL Ontario'.
It seems possible that he may have gone from UK to Canada and back again between April 1911 and March 1912, but I have been unable to track down either voyage or any account (newspaper, court or otherwise) of his time in Canada (this could well be because of my lack of experience with these facilities or the records they contain).
Any clues or suggestions of how I should be proceed would be welcome.
Thanks in anticipation, pejic.

[Lisaw]

Hi Pejic,

What part of Wales did your Grandfather come from & is it possible he was in Canada even earlier then what you think & went back & forth?

Lisa

[rosie99]

The Grand Lodge records have

1912 May 25 / 'Passing'  from No 11 / 'Raising' G.L Ontario

Further down the page
1914 28 Sept / 'Rejoined' entered under Passing/Raising

Against the first entry where 'fees' are being paid it says Resd (Resigned?) 30 June 1913 Rejoined 28th September 1914

[Pejic]

To Lisaw, He was born in Cardiff, he married (1914) enlisted (1917) from and demobilised (1919) to Tenby then moved back to Cardiff. It is entirely possible that he went back and fore to Canada between the Censuses when he was in Cardiff.
Before I found the Grand Lodge of Ontario information the family rumour/gossip was that he had gone to Canada after the War and his wife (died 1930) drank away the family fortune while he was away.

To rosie99: Thank you for this extra information.

[rosie99]

Probate index says he left £1203 5s 9d 

the family rumour/gossip was that he had gone to Canada after the War and his wife (died 1930) drank away the family fortune while he was away.

He was a wine merchant, perhaps it was too easy to get hold of it.  Sadly we will never know what actually made her take to the drink 

[Lisaw]

He may have been in Canada as early as 1905.

Lisa

[Pejic]

Lisaw: yes but why pick on 1905? have you found something?

[Lisaw]

There is a Henry H Clark arriving in Canada in 1905. Appears to be a good match. He's 25 yrs old, from Glamorgan, he's a clerk & is bound for Montreal, Quebec.

Looking for an article is going to be tough searching without at least a year. If you think this is him, could it be possible this incident took place between 1905 & 1911?

Lisa

[Pejic]

Thank you. Yes - good match indeed, he was recorded as a 'Shipping Clerk' in 1901 and a wine and Spirit merchant in 1911. Where/How did you find it?