Baggs/Beggs

[argyllshiregirl]

Hello! Trying to solve a 91 year old Canadian mystery which has its beginnings somewhere (maybe Middlesex) in England. Thomas Baggs/Beggs was a single man who came to Canada about 1903 (according to 1921 census) and worked for CNR railway in the town of Barrie, north of Toronto. Even though he bought and furnished a house, and squirreled away money, he lived in a rented hotel room in the town for over a decade. He died there suddenly on December 27, 1929. Every attempt was made to find any family but none were discovered. The hotel keeper knew little except Thomas was born in England around 1875, and was reported to be a war veteran - Boer War? Somewhere, a family in England has long wondered what became of their relative. It would be wonderful to solve the mystery for any interested Baggs/Beggs family historians. Thank you for any clues.

[heywood]

Hello,
Canada Find A Grave shows a headstone fir Thomas Ernest Cecil Baggs , died 27th December 1927 in Barrie Union Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/116934972/thomas-ernest_cecil-baggs

There is a birth:
Thomas Ernest C Baggs, September quarter 1873
GRO shows Ernest Cecil Baggs with mmn Harrison

[CaroleW]

Per baptismal record - parents were Alfred Edgar & Martha

[heywood]

Yes, I saw that in Free BMD - good to see the baptism

In 1881 57/106/9 they are transcribed as ‘Baffs’ in Ancestry.

Alfred E is described as a railway clerk 

[CaroleW]

Per freebmd marriages - Alfred E Baggs/Martha Harrison 1866 Chelsea

www.freebmd.org.uk

[heywood]

1891 37/16
Alfred Edgar Baggs 58 Yrs
Harold Edgar D Baggs   20 yrs
Thomas Ernest C Baggs 17 Yrs Accountants clerk b Hammersmith
Alfred Evelyn Baggs   6 yrs

Alfred died 1892 Administration of effects granted to Harold.

[argyllshiregirl]

Oh my! This is very exciting! I can't thank you folks enough for those extremely quick replies! Having the middle names sure helps. Off I go to see what else I can find armed now with your helpful information!

Mary
Barrie, Ontario, Canada

[amondg]

Brother Harold Edgar Duppa Baggs born 17 October 1870 baptized 23 November 1870 St Stephen's Shepherd's Bush
He married Ada Dimbleby 21 September 1895 at Addiscombe Surrey
Ada was born 6 November 1866

Electoral Directories they lived at 38 Swindon Road, Wroughton Wiltshire
He died 24 April 1944 of 38 Swindon Road, death at St Margaret's Hospital.
He left a will probate to Alfred Evelyn Baggs (younger brother?)

ADDED
It doesn't appear they had any children.

[amondg]

Brother Alfred Evelyn Baggs born 13 January 1885 died 23 December 1968 at 134 Weir Road Wandsworth.
He married Josephine Frederica Teresa Duffner 24 November 1915  she was born 29 October 1890.

There is a Canadian WWI  file for him 5' 10" , blue eyes, brown hair. Service number 7933. When he signed up 22 September 1914 states he has already served 7 years with the Army Service Corp.
He was assigned 2 Battalion as a Lance Corporal
His next of kin is Harold Baggs, Bank Clerk -brother of 51 Leander Road Thornton Heath Surrey.

By 1918 his brothers address is now 209 High Street Wandsworth. In red is written notify Mrs A E Baggs, 194 Wandsworth Road.
There are records of WWI medals awarded him in England.

All this is on ancestry.
Did he go to Canada prior to 1914 sign up with the Canadian Forces and was then sent to England where he married and stayed this time.

More investigation for you.

ADDED
They had one daughter Evelyn Patricia M Baggs born 12 July 1920 she died unmarried 1989 registered Greater London.