george harris born 1793 from ireland

[magslote]

please can you help found on FindMyPast, 1851 census for canada, george harris, male, 58 born 1793, from ireland,year 1851, mersea essex, western ontario, states w, was a mariner, thankyou so much, margaret.

[DonM]

Margaret

Mersea is what is now known as Point Pelee on Lake Erie.  He is is also in the 1861 Census and the originals can be found here for free. 

https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/Pages/census.aspx

There is quite a bit about its history on the internet.

The only wat to access Point Pelee prior to the 1860's was by boat and therefore not accessible during the winter months. 

He appears to have been single.  Why there...it was a favorite anchoring spot for boats navigating Lake Erie as it offered protection against the wild weather from fall to spring.

If you are looking for his death and burial best bet is here.

https://essex.ogs.on.ca/names-from-mersea-township-area

Don

[magslote]

wow thankyou for taking the trouble to find out for me, thankyou margaret.

[polarbear]

Here is George in 1871 courtesy of Library and Archives Canada...

https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1871&op=&img&id=4396600_00097

PB

[Maiden Stone]

Here is George in 1871 courtesy of Library and Archives Canada...

https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1871&op=&img&id=4396600_00097

PB

His country of birth on that census was England and his origin was English. I've occasionally seen England or English for an Irish-born person on an overseas census. They may have been using England and English as synonyms for Britain and British as Ireland was part of the United Kingdom or they may have preferred for some reason to be English.
He may have been born in Ireland to an English father.
What was his origin on 1861 census?

[magslote]

Thankyou both so very much for you help.Margaret.

[polarbear]

1861 courtesy of Library and Archives Canada...

https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1861&op=&img&id=4107404_00493

It says here that he was born in England as well.

PB

[eileenwilson]

In the 1851 census (actually taken in early 1852, ages given are as of next birthday), the page opposite the listing of names indicates: "It being impossible at this Season of the year to get to the island, the information in this sheet was obtained from a gentleman well acquainted with the persons there, but not properly qualified to give an agricultural description".  Seems to me that all of the info provided might be suspect.   George is noted as 58, and a widower, born in Ireland, religion Church of England.

[Maiden Stone]

"It being impossible at this Season of the year to get to the island, the information in this sheet was obtained from a gentleman well acquainted with the persons there, but not properly qualified to give an agricultural description". 

"agricultural description"?