RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => Canada => Canada Lookup Request => Topic started by: oly on Monday 04 May 15 15:51 BST (UK)
-
Albert Downing a singer musician left England in 1922 and worked in Canada - we have Alberts death certificate which states he died at 74 Main West, Hamilton, Ontario. 21st May 1938. He attended and was the musician for the First United Church. His total length of stay was 27 years this was broken with a visit back to England in 1921, so it states his last length of stay was 3 years. A memoriam in his English home town newspaper says that Albert died in Pennsylvania, USA at the home of his sister, we have no knowledge of a sister in America and no idea of who posted the article.
Is it possible to find out who was living at 74 Main West at the time Albert was there or if a memorial tribute was posted in a local Hamilton newspaper or Church Magazine
Thank you in anticipation
Oly
-
For clarification. Ontario death registration states that he had been in Canada for 27 years and Ontario for 27 years. He had been in the city of Hamilton for the last 3 years of that 27.
-
Yes - I am seeing ads for his teaching services --- in Toronto. Also, just had a look in the 1917 Toronto Directory and he is there. Musical Director of Dovercourt College of music and soloist for the Bloor Street Presbyterian Church
1914 - Dovercourt. Also the Riverdale Academy of Music on Gerrard (Toronto)
in 1921 (directory) he is 42 and a vocalist. Living at 220 Yonge Street Toronto
Looks like he spent a lot of time in Toronto. I am looking for an obituary in the Toronto papers, but I don't see one yet. :'(
He was a tenor...
RK
-
IN 1935, looks like he is living in Buffalo.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01f97/
See top right. Says he has lived in Cleveland and Toronto
RK
-
I don't see any online Hamilton Directories.. Also, I can't access the Hamilton Spectator newspaper for that time period.
You could try the Hamilton Library.
http://www.hpl.ca/
RK
This man seems to have had a very long and interesting career!!
-
He seemed to have had a number of sisters. The oldest sister Amelia "might" have gone to the United States. There is an Amelia V. Rainey and husband Victor found on the 1940 census in Philadelphia. Her given age of 59 supports a connection as does her place of birth - England. Victor is younger, 46 and born England. However the same couple in 1930 shortens the age difference. He is 36 and she 40. Immigration year for Amelia is 1919 and Victor 1913. They have been married 11 years. The couple is together on the 1920 census in Brooklyn, New York.
Victor died in 1972 in Pennsylvania but so far I can't definitively connect Amelia to the Downing surname.
-
The 1891 British census for Mexborough, Yorkshire there are 2 sisters to Albert.
Amelia born 1881 and Eva born 1887
1901 census shows another sister Lavinia born 1891
1911 census shows a sister Ruth born 1901
There were also 4 brothers Joseph b 1884, Richard b 1881,Eli b ?, Eric b 1895
Albert performed both in U S and Canada and probably in England also.
I keyed in his name and found several hits online for him, several on Google News.
The one thing I did not find for him was a photo.
I have sent off a request to the Hamilton Public Library asking if they might have a obituary for him.
Will pass on any info they can provide.
Will keep looking
Cheers
Lilybell
-
He seemed to have had a number of sisters. The oldest sister Amelia "might" have gone to the United States. There is an Amelia V. Rainey and husband Victor found on the 1940 census in Philadelphia. Her given age of 59 supports a connection as does her place of birth - England. Victor is younger, 46 and born England. However the same couple in 1930 shortens the age difference. He is 36 and she 40. Immigration year for Amelia is 1919 and Victor 1913. They have been married 11 years. The couple is together on the 1920 census in Brooklyn, New York.
Victor died in 1972 in Pennsylvania but so far I can't definitively connect Amelia to the Downing surname.
There are some family trees at Ancestry which indicate Amelia married a Horace Greenfield in 1903. There is a passenger list for the Missanabie with Amelia and a 11 year old son named Albert arriving in Quebec on 23 Sep 1916. There is a definite connection to the Downing family here as there is a border crossing document dated 24 Jun 1923 for Albert Pearson Greenfield who was 19 and born in Burnsley, England. His last permanent residence was Hamilton and he was going to visit his father, Horace Greenfield, in New York for 2 weeks. He listed his nearest relative in Canada as Albert Downing, Dominion Bank Bldg, Toronto. He was a year out on the date of arrival in Canada (not uncommon) but the month and ship match.
The family trees indicate Albert Greenfield died in 1977. This is a picture of a possible grave marker for Albert at Eastlawn Cemetery in Hamilton:
http://geneofun.on.ca/names/photo/289423 (http://geneofun.on.ca/names/photo/289423)
There is a Record of Registry dated 28 Aug 1931 for a Amelia Rainey Greenfield. It says she arrived in the US on 21 Feb 1919 at Niagara Falls, NY. At that time, she was 36 and her last residence had been in Toronto. At the time she entered the registry, she was 48 and her address was Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It also indicates she was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire.
I've also seen documents where the Amelia with Victor Rainey is referred to as Amelia Victoria Rainey.
In some ways we're further ahead and in other's we are not.
Jacquie
-
Hi,
There are Canadian WW1 Attestation papers for Albert Downing - these are in the process of being digitalised and unfortunately they have not got as far as "D" yet. Keep an eye on them and you should be able to down load his complete military file. Dated 19 July 1918
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=364169
Click on the image to view page 1.
Sandra
-
The Geneva New York Times 4 February 1927 has an article showing a Seneca Falls Concert - The Imperial Recital Artists - taking part is Albert Downing. Albert had enjoyed Oratorto and orchestral appearances in the leading cities of the United States, Canada and the British Isles. He was a soloist with the famous military bands in England for 2 seasons.
http://fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html
Many other references
Sandra
-
The Niagara Falls Gazette - 16 March 1935 - Albert Downing to be heard at St Pauls Vespers Service
The vesper service of worship at St Pauls Methodist Episcopal Church tomorrow afternoon will present another of its popular musical services and will have as its guest Albert Downing, lyric tenor of Buffalo, formerly of Cleveland and Toronto etc etc
Mr Downing was heard a few weeks ago at St Pauls with the Jackson Glee Club of Buffalo and met such favour that he was prevailed upon to return in a concert program of his own. Mr Downing was for a number of years soloist in the Jewish Temple of Cleveland and for a time with the Eaton Memorial Church in Toronto. He is a vocal teacher and had been heard on the concert stage in a program of the masters. etc etc
http://fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html
Sandra
-
Zanesville Times Signal from Zanesville, Ohio · Page 21 - 8 June 1924
Scroll down to see a small except (full article is pay per view)
Naval Reserve band from the Great. Lakes Training station. This band will be remembered for its concerts during the World war when John Philip Sousa was the director and the numbers they will play for radio listeners should bring back many a thrilling memory, of the stirring days of the war. The program will begin, of course, with the usual bedtime story and cartoon talk. On Thursday evening 1 , beginning at 8 o'clock the Union Trust company has arranged a program which should attract the most discriminating audience. There will be piano selections by Marjorie Moyer, who last year won the prize offered by the Ohio State Federated 'clubs. Edward Ptteger - this year's winner of the prize offered by the same organization and Ross Ettari. All three of these pianists are pupils of Miss Clarice Balas, who has on several occasions delighted radio fans with her playing, over WJAK. Albert Downing, tenor, and singer of English ballads in a way that has won the favour of thousands of radio fans, will be on the program that evening with a few of the old- time favourites.
http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/9306781/
Sandra
-
Report of the Death of an American Citizen abroad - Amelia Victoria Rainey born Yorkshire England 31 December 1882 passed away 28 March 1972 Mendip Hospital Wells Somerset England.
Last known address - 21 F The Northgate, Camden, New Jersey.
Cremated at Weston-Super-Mare Crematorium - 5 th April 1972 - Ashes scattered at the Crematorium. Solicitor John Hodge & Co. Weston Super Mare England.
Copy of this report sent to solitors and Albert Pearson Greenfield 185 London Street South, Hamilton Ontario. (Son by previous marriage)
Was residing with Albert R Rainey "Rosemary" Shrubbery Road Weston-Super-Mare England (brother-in-law)
Other known relative was Ruth Enion "Cranleigh" 7 Westwood Avenue Ferndown Dorset. (sister)
Passport had been issued in Philadelphia 2 April 1969
Sandra
-
Thank you all for the wealth of information given to my request. I will now follow the links and suggestions.
Oly in England
-
Hello Sandra .
Apologies that I am using this post to reply to you , but I do not know how to other-wise , I posted the MORROW family on the U S A one because I was told , most live there now , but I will re-post on the Canadian one , Thank you Dave
-
There are some family trees at Ancestry which indicate Amelia married a Horace Greenfield in 1903. There is a passenger list for the Missanabie with Amelia and a 11 year old son named Albert arriving in Quebec on 23 Sep 1916.
Jacquie
I see a notice that judgement absolute (divorce) was granted for Horace Greenfield and Amelia Greenfield - Osgoode Hall, Weekly Court, Toronto. Globe and Mail Newspaper April 11 1946. Could this be them??
RK
-
There are some family trees at Ancestry which indicate Amelia married a Horace Greenfield in 1903. There is a passenger list for the Missanabie with Amelia and a 11 year old son named Albert arriving in Quebec on 23 Sep 1916.
Jacquie
I see a notice that judgement absolute (divorce) was granted for Horace Greenfield and Amelia Greenfield - Osgoode Hall, Weekly Court, Toronto. Globe and Mail Newspaper April 11 1946. Could this be them??
RK
I would think so. The death notice Sandra posted has finally connected Amelia Rainey to both the Downings and the Greenfields.
I think we should all give ourselves a pat on the back for this one. Good team effort.
Jacquie
-
An excellent set of results thank you again for the extra knowledge you have given me about the family.
Do they have such things as electoral rolls in Canada, itemising yearly the people in a property eligible to vote, just wondering, now you have given me the travels of Amelia was she residing in 74 Main West, Hamilton, Ontario in May 21st 1938. This is Albert Downings address on his death certificate. The Mexborough newspaper item has a conflicting statement, its just a niggle that I would like to get to the truth of. I must say I think the death certificate will be correct
-
According to border crossing Canada to the USA Amelia Victoria Greenfield born 1884 Sheffield and aged 48 years and unemployed arrived from Canada 28 August 1931 - last residence had been Toronto. First arrived in USA 21/2/1919 Niagara Falls. Address in USA - 518 Elm Street Upper Derby PA.
Sandra
-
An excellent set of results thank you again for the extra knowledge you have given me about the family.
Do they have such things as electoral rolls in Canada, itemising yearly the people in a property eligible to vote, just wondering, now you have given me the travels of Amelia was she residing in 74 Main West, Hamilton, Ontario in May 21st 1938. This is Albert Downings address on his death certificate. The Mexborough newspaper item has a conflicting statement, its just a niggle that I would like to get to the truth of. I must say I think the death certificate will be correct
There is no way Albert died in Pennsylvania. There would not be an Ontario death registration if he had. I suspect the newspaper should have said "news of the sudden death from Pennsylvania" rather than "in Pennsylvania".
Jacquie
-
What a good explanation of the mistake in the Mexborough newspaper, spot on, never thought of it that way, my niggle has gone. I am pleased with the results of all the finds - thank you Roots Chatters you certainly deserve a pat on the back.
Oly in England