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Research in Other Countries => Canada Lookup Request => Canada => Canada Lookup Requests Completed => Topic started by: ems girl on Tuesday 28 August 07 13:02 BST (UK)

Title: Accidental death 1911
Post by: ems girl on Tuesday 28 August 07 13:02 BST (UK)
I am hoping someone can shed some light or point me in the right direction with this puzzle.
I have James Birkett Checkett born 1891 in Lancaster, Lancs. In 1901 he is aged 9 living with his parentsin England (Lancs)
On his Mothers' monumental inscription it states with her is James Birkett Checkett aged 21 accidently killed in Canada 7th Nov 1911.
We can find no trace of him going to Canada, there is a James Checkett aged 10 arriving in Portland USA in 1907, but this is not my James.
Has anyone any ideas where I can look for information?
His sister Catherine did go to Quebec in 1921, but didn't stay as she left England again in 1925 for New York.
Very grateful for any help.
Title: Re: Accidental death 1907
Post by: PaulineJ on Tuesday 28 August 07 13:34 BST (UK)

I'd start by searching local newspapers for the story, or an obituary.
If he were say, posted there on military service he wouldn't be on pasenger lists..

Pauline
Title: Re: Accidental death 1907
Post by: ems girl on Tuesday 28 August 07 13:40 BST (UK)
Hi Pauline,
Only problem with local newspapers is I have no idea which would be local, as there is no sign of him arriving there. Plus, living in Essex and not being geographically minded I'm pretty stumped.
As for military, again another stumbling block for me...have yet to find an ancestor who wasn't coal/tin mining or farming...grrr!
Title: Re: Accidental death 1907
Post by: aghadowey on Tuesday 28 August 07 14:16 BST (UK)
Try searching local newspaper from wherever the family lived in England. Might be a death notice or small article that will give clues as to what happened or when he went to Canada.
Canadian records are separate by Province so without a location you will have to look in each Province. What is available, both online and in archives, varies greatly.
Title: Re: Accidental death 1907
Post by: ems girl on Tuesday 28 August 07 14:24 BST (UK)
Thank you Aghadowey,
Shall google for newspapers and libraries and keep fingers crossed. I never even thought to try his parents locality.
Title: Re: Accidental death 1907
Post by: aghadowey on Tuesday 28 August 07 14:29 BST (UK)
Should have said also try on 1st anniversary of dead for Memorium notice as many families would have done this in the early 1900s.
Title: Re: Accidental death 1907
Post by: alison64 on Tuesday 28 August 07 14:33 BST (UK)
If he was born in 1891,  how was he aged 21 in 1907?
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: ems girl on Tuesday 28 August 07 14:37 BST (UK)
Aghadowey,
Have mailed Lancs library so fingers crossed.

Alison, it was my stupid mistake...he died 1911...I keep getting the 7th stuck in my headas it was 07/11/11. Huge apologies!!!!

I have amended dates on 1st post...sorry again Alison.
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: aghadowey on Tuesday 28 August 07 18:39 BST (UK)
1911 makes all the difference- think I found him!!!
Only one Checkett (thank goodness for an uncommon name) in Canada at time of 1911 Census (on automatedgenealogy):
James Checkett age 14 servant born Feb.1897 living at Amaranth, Dufferin, Ontario.
If you click split view on census result page you can see scanned original: James was a farm labourer, born England, Methodist, and came to Canada in 1907.

Seems his date of birth was also wrong. Now you can go back to passengers lists with the correct age and see if he's there going to Canada in 1907.
There might be someone in Ontario who can find more details now that a place has been found.
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: ems girl on Tuesday 28 August 07 20:52 BST (UK)
Aghadowey,
That James is the one I mentioned in my 1st post, who at the age of 10 in 1907 left Liverpool fpr Portland USA, then onto Canada.
He joined the army and it states on his papers he is the one from Birmingham, a distantly related cousin of mine.
I had found the younger one on aotomatedgenealogy and hoped it was mine with a mistranscribed age...sadly not.
Thank you for looking though :0)))
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: aghadowey on Tuesday 28 August 07 21:14 BST (UK)
An here I though I found the right one. He seems to be the only one on 1911 Canadian census. Think it'll have to be fingers crossed for an obituary in local newspaper.
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: ems girl on Tuesday 28 August 07 21:23 BST (UK)
I have had a reply from Lancs archives and the lady says there is no mention of James death in the papers.
I'm suprised at the speed of her reply and wonder if she's looked in the weeks following as I'd asked :0(((
She has given me another web address to try for Canada deaths, so I will look there.
Thanks again.
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: aghadowey on Tuesday 28 August 07 21:36 BST (UK)
Possibly they have an index of deaths in the local newspaper.
Next question- any possiblity that death information for other James Checkett has gotten on tombstone by mistake?
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: ems girl on Tuesday 28 August 07 21:48 BST (UK)
No mistake there as mine was James Birkett Checkett. Birkett was his mothers' maiden name. MI says James Birkett Checkett :0((

Just tried the web address given and it's a link to Ancestry...grrrr!!!!

Well, I must be away for the night, start work at 5am...not that I'll sleep now with all this mystery!!
Your time has been much appreciated :0))
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: Daisypetal on Wednesday 29 August 07 14:43 BST (UK)
Hi,

This really looks right but same date wrong year ???

Ontario Canada Deaths 1869-1932
County of Lincoln, Division of S Catherines

Jas Burkett CHICKETT
Male
English
Date of Death: Nov 7th 1912
Date of Birth: 1889
Age & place of birth: 23years  England
Place of Death: G & M Hospital S Catherines
Occupation:    -------
Single
Father: CHICKETT Benjamin
Mother: CHICKETT Mary
Both parents born England

Name of Physician who attended deceased: Dr Greenwood
Certified by: John BUCKETT
Address: S Catherines
Date: Nov 7th 1912
Cause of Death: Fracture of Skull, Accidental, 4 hours.


Regards
Daisy
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: ems girl on Wednesday 29 August 07 15:13 BST (UK)
Daisy,
Thank you sooo much xxxx
This has to be him, same parents...d.o.b.slightly out, but I feel it in my bones.
How did you find this, can I get this information anywhere...i.e.death cert?

I am wondering if he was added to my G.grandmothers' MI by my Grandfather and he got the year wrong.

I cant thank you enough, am over the moon.
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: Daisypetal on Wednesday 29 August 07 16:13 BST (UK)
Hi,

I found it at Ancestry, it had this which I forgot to put, sorry,

Source Citation: Roll: MS935_177.


This is the source info that might help,

Original data: Archives of Ontario. Registrations of Deaths - 1869-1932. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Archives of Ontario. MS935, 455 reels.

Civil registration began in Ontario on 1 July 1869. The Office of the Registrar General maintains the records and issues certificates for all vital events. Each year an additional year of vital records are transferred from the Registrar General to the Archives of Ontario where the records are then closed for a year while being microfilmed. The Archives of Ontario currently has deaths on microfilm from July 1869-1933. They received the death records for 1934 in 2005 and are in the process of microfilming them. These records should be available for research sometime in 2006.

In addition to the Archives of Ontario, these records are also available on microfilm at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Hopefully someone else here will be able to translate this into where you could get a cert. :)

Daisy
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: Janice M on Wednesday 29 August 07 16:37 BST (UK)
Great Work Daisy!  ;D

Here is a link that will show you how to locate the death

Ontario Archives
http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/interloan/vsmain.htm

Janice
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: ems girl on Wednesday 29 August 07 16:46 BST (UK)
Daisy and Janice....superb!!!!

I am thrilled with this. Shall now attempt the link Janice.
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: matildakin on Wednesday 29 August 07 17:50 BST (UK)
The Archives of Ontario has old St Catharines newspapers on microfilm.  I'll swing by there today and see what I can find.

mat
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: ems girl on Wednesday 29 August 07 20:32 BST (UK)
Mat,
How very kind of you.
I am so grateful to all of you that have helped.
This is my first attempt at anything outside the UK and I think it's been one of the quickest.
Many many thanks x
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: J.J. on Wednesday 29 August 07 22:23 BST (UK)
Ugh, have checked the Lincoln listings as well....name must have been SERIOUSLY spelled wrong / misstranscribed.
Births June Q. 1891
James Birkett Checkett 
Lancaster vol. 8e  p. 820
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: J.J. on Wednesday 29 August 07 22:30 BST (UK)
Now here is a John Beckett, 1911, as I assume that's who signed the death cert... ( speculation, of course, on my part  ::) Is this a rellie as well?...Was so hoping he was with them!) Phooey..
http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=58096&highlight=11
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: matildakin on Thursday 30 August 07 00:37 BST (UK)
The Daily Standard
ST. CATHARINES, ONT., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1912

YOUNG MAN FELL
       35 FEET AND KILLED
 -----------
He Was Employed at Interlake
     Tissue Paper Mills
 -----------
  The death of James Brukett Chick-
ett occurred at the G. & M. Hospit-
al at six o'clock last night from in-
juries received yesterday afternoon
by falling 35 feet and lighting on his
head at the Interlake Tissue Com-
pany Mills at Merritton, where he
was employed as a painter.
  The deceased was 23 years old and
leaves one sister in Toronto.
  The funeral will take place from
Butler's Undertaking Establishment
on Saturday afternoon at 4 o'clock,
to Victoria Lawn Cemetry.
  An inquest is being held today.


NOVEMBER 9, 1912
page 4, "CITY and VICINITY" column

  The funeral of the late James
Bruckett Chickett will take place
from Butler's Undertaking establish-
ment at 4 o'clock this afternoon, to
Victoria Lawn cemetery.

NOVEMBER 11, 1912
page 4, "CITY and VICINITY" column

  The funeral of the late James B.
Chickett, who died from injuries re-
ceived by falling at the Interlake
Tissue Company's [I maybe missed a word - probably "mills"], took dlace [sic]
on Saturday afternoon from Butler's
chapel to Victoria Lawn cemetery.
The Rev. L. W. Broughall officiated
at the chapel and graveside.

==================

I didn't come across anything about the results of the inquest. I did make a photocopy of the November 8 front page but the body of the article isn't very legible.

mat
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: J.J. on Thursday 30 August 07 00:50 BST (UK)
Wow, Mat...awesome...Was Merritton part of St. Catherines then? or a separate town, Janice?

Later....
ah, doesn't matter, as I went through the surname lists for both places and still no luck... :-\  J.J.
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: Janice M on Thursday 30 August 07 03:39 BST (UK)
Amazing Mat!

Here is a link that talks about the amalgamation with St. Catharines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merritton,_Ontario


Janice
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: J.J. on Thursday 30 August 07 04:01 BST (UK)
Oh, sure, after all that I find him in Toronto! ::)...Tried some Cl combinations and there he was under "Clackett" ...and then I realized I'd seen him before but saw a female with the same surname and so ignored it, I guess...silly me... Line 26
http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/Test16.jsp?id=83293
   Not much extra information....(after that great news clipping earlier...)
other than born April 1891,  he immigrated in 1910...and was a painter in a paint shop...
Likely was told jobs were available there by his sister, whom you now know was also in Toronto at the time of his death...
Nowadays those working up high must be tethered...but it would have likely been too much of an expense and a bother back then...Aren't we lucky that safety comes first in so many workplaces nowadays?

Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: ems girl on Thursday 30 August 07 06:00 BST (UK)
Wow!!!!
Mat that is the most amazing help and I am going to work now a very happy person.
J.J...thank you for finding when he emigrated, we haven't been able to find that. Or the fact that his sister was there before him. I know a sister ended up in Canada later.
I again can only send my thanks and very best wishes to you all xx

J.J...I cant get on that link:0(((....can I ask whicch sister he is with please?
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: J.J. on Thursday 30 August 07 15:03 BST (UK)
Sorry,  ems girl ...

By the sister being in Toronto, I meant from Mat's entry...
Quote
The deceased was 23 years old and leaves one sister in Toronto.
Unfortunately, he was a roomer/lodger...but I am sure if you do some sleuthing you can figure out a surname ...( unless she's checkett still and also badly written or transcribed... :P   ;D  J.J.
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: ems girl on Thursday 30 August 07 15:16 BST (UK)
J.J,
No worries :0))
I did eventually get to see the entry...many thanks for the link.

Mat is going full out on this for me...I just cant stop saying thank you to you all.
I'll be doing the lottery this week and once I've won, shall be booking a flight to Canada!!
Lots of little family mysteries are now coming to light through this search.x
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: matildakin on Friday 31 August 07 01:39 BST (UK)
I just checked a few Toronto city directories.  Turned up nothing useful but did find a puzzle.

1910, 1911 - no Checketts or Chicketts

1912 - Checkett James B, wtr, b 739 King w
A check by address has "Tear Geo, rest" associated with 739 King St W where this Checkett is a boarder.

1913, 1914 - nothing

1920 - Checkett Jas, rms 444 Gerrard e
1922 - nothing
1924 - Checkett Jas, h 5 Currie pl

So there's no trace of the sister and no certainty that the Checkett at 739 King is yours.

Interlake Tissue Mills was started in 1912 according to http://www.cellutissue.com/about-interlakepaper.html.
There's a picture at http://www.nfpl.library.on.ca/nfplindex/show.asp?id=101111&b=1 which is dated as "ca 1910".

mat
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: ems girl on Friday 31 August 07 06:12 BST (UK)
Mat,
You are a treasure!!
Thank you for the time and effort you have spent on this.
I had planned on leaving James untill our 1911 census was released...glad I didn't now :0))
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: aghadowey on Friday 31 August 07 13:58 BST (UK)
I just checked a few Toronto city directories.  Turned up nothing useful but did find a puzzle.
1910, 1911 - no Checketts or Chicketts
1912 - Checkett James B, wtr, b 739 King w
A check by address has "Tear Geo, rest" associated with 739 King St W where this Checkett is a boarder.
1913, 1914 - nothing
So there's no trace of the sister and no certainty that the Checkett at 739 King is yours.

Wonder when the directory was actually published. When I was a librarian the directories came out say in Sept./Oct. dated with the following year (i.e.: 1975 directory might come out in Oct.1974 with details that were compiled much earlier in the year).
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: JDC on Sunday 02 September 07 23:32 BST (UK)
Hi Matildakin,

You may want  to try the Toronto immigration datadase at http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/db/hawke.htm.

I did a quick search on FindMyPast website and found the following in hope any of them may be your rellie.

CHECKETT Annie  Adult F 1910 Glasgow Canada Saint John Nb VIEW  VIEW 
CHECKETT Catherine  25 F 1921 Liverpool Canada Quebec VIEW  VIEW 
CHECKETT Eleanor  24 F 1908 Liverpool Canada Quebec VIEW  VIEW 
CHECKETT William  27 M 1924 Liverpool Canada Quebec VIEW  VIEW 

I am not a member so if you know one they may be able to get the records for you (not sure what the cost  of the info is on this website.

Hope this helps you out.

JDC

 
 
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: ems girl on Monday 03 September 07 06:20 BST (UK)
Hi JDC,
I have all those Checketts, plus a few more and the only one who is closely related is Catherine. I was hoping to find her going earlier than 1921. She also went in 1924 and then to Hong Kong in 1927!!

At least I now know with the fantastic help here...what happened to James.
Thank you for your post xx
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: ems girl on Tuesday 11 September 07 06:25 BST (UK)
Just wanting to put my thanks publicly for Mat for the wonderful post I received.
Truly superb and I'm so glad I posted this thread in the first place.
What a helpful lot you are on the Canada boards!!!
Title: Re: Accidental death 1911
Post by: mandmsports on Monday 28 January 08 14:02 GMT (UK)
At that time, Merritton was a town unto itself. It was amalgamated with the City of St Catharines on January 1, 1961, much to the dismay of the residents of Merritton. If you wish, I can get you a photo of the grave stone, (if one exists)m as I am within walking distance to Victoria Lawn Cemetery. Let me know.

Mike