Ralph Shepherd

[collin]

Hello. Ralph Shepherd was foreman of Liverpool Locomotive department in 1854 when he gave evidence at an accident enquiry.
 I can't find him emigrating but on 11 October 1858 he married Jane Childs at Hamilton Ontario. Is there any way of finding if his first wife Sarah went and died in Canada? There is a death in Liverpool in 1857 but the age is wrong, she might not have been dead? None of his children followed him.  Thank you

[CaroleW]

Why do you say Sarah's age was wrong?

In 1851 she was 39 & the 1857 death age was 45

I can't see sons William, Ralph & George on the 1861 census?

[*Sandra*]

Sadly, there is no comprehensive collection of passenger records for immigrants  to Canada before 1865. Just a few available, try this link

https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng/collection/research-help/genealogy-family-history/immigration/Pages/immigrants-before-1865.aspx

The 1861 Canadian Census is free on family search

https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1460164

Sandra

[bbart]

Hi Collin,

The name, occupation, and city is a good match....

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-ralph-shepherd/133528978/

[bbart]

The 1858 City of Hamilton Directory has the following, which could be a misspelling of them?

Shepard  Ralph, engine driver, G.W.R, b.J Hardman, Bay, n Concession
Shepard William, machinist,  G.W.R, b.J Hardman, Bay, n Concession
Shepard George, machinist,  G.W.R, b.J Hardman, Bay, n Concession

There is one other William with the same surname spelling working for the G.W.R, but at a different address.

In the 1863 City of Hamilton Directory there is:
Shepherd, Jane (wid Ralph) h Bay n York.

[*Sandra*]

Hi Collin,

The name, occupation, and city is a good match....

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-ralph-shepherd/133528978/

Well done bbart, good spot.

They do appear on the 1861 census

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ7B-SLM

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D483-SPS?view=index&personArk=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AMQ7B-SLM&action=view

Sandra

[collin]

Thank you all for these, you have solved the mystery, I hadn't followed up on William and George, they younger children Ralph and Elizabeth were with their married sister in 1861. Liverpool have confirmed that the 1857 burial is his wife as he bought the grave.
Thank you again