Joseph Francis 1862-1917

[Dean Wells]

Hello,I hope someone can help me,I am looking for information on my great great uncle Joseph Francis born in folkestone,Kent in 1862 to Frederick George Francis 1820-1906 and Elizabeth collinson 1819-1886,I know Joseph moved to Canada and died in Toronto on 12/4/1917,could anyone please tell me if he married in Canada and had any children,thank you for any help anyone can give me,kind regards Dean

[CaroleW]

When did he emigrate?  There is an 1891 entry matching his profile - still single

[CaroleW]

Is this him in Canada in 1901?

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KH5Z-3TS

[rutht22000]

Hi Dean

His death notification has a Mrs Francis on it so suggests he was married but not to who!

1911 Census has Joseph with a wife Agnes (nee Reekie - I think until I can find the marriage) with two sons - Joseph aged 13 (born in England) and Frederick aged 12 (born in Ontario)

Joseph Jnr's subsequent marriage names the mother as Agnes Reekie and him being born in England might suggest parents married in England

EDIT : Joseph Jnr's WW1 attestation papers for the Canadian Expeditionary Force give a date of birth of 10 August 1895 and born in London

[CaroleW]

The 1901 entry above shows immigration 1895.  No birth for Joseph or marriage for Joseph snr in England. Wonder if Joseph jnr was Agnes’s son before marriage??

[rutht22000]

Maybe not married in England...

Wedding of Joseph Francis and Agnes Jane Reekie on 18 November 1897 at St John The Evangelist, Montreal so Joseph born before they married or belongs to another relationship

Neither parent recorded as being married before.

[CaroleW]

1901 census image refers - dates of birth given which is helpful.  Agnes only arrived in Canada 1897 so “son” Joseph is as suspected - either not born as Francis or born shortly after Joseph snr emigrated

Birth in Dorset 1858 for an Agnes Jane Reekie

[rutht22000]

Son Frederick died at the Grace Hospital, Montreal on 31 July 1916, aged 17.  His cause of death is given as Heat Exhaustion

His date of birth from the census is 18 December 1898 so he was born post the parents marriage on 18 November 1897. 

[rutht22000]

Joseph Jnr married a Maud Seeley on 28 August 1923 at York, Ontario.  His marriage certificate repeats his place of birth as England

1931 census records 3 kids for Joseph and Maud - 1924, 1925 and 1927 - won't post names until I can ascertain they are deceased even though they would be in their 90s if still alive now