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Research in Other Countries => Canada => Topic started by: Firstcousin on Tuesday 07 February 23 23:49 GMT (UK)
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My great uncle, Charles Edward MEYERS, was born in Sligo, Ireland, in 1885 and migrated to Canada about 1909. In 1910 he married Gertrude Agnes WALKER in Moncton, New Brunswick, and about that time became a Catholic. By 1921 Census they had moved to Montreal. Family stories have it that he worked as an engineer on the railways. The next record I have is electoral rolls for 1963 and 1965, where he is living in Dollard, Montreal, with his wife shown as Anne, an accountant. Family letters show he died before his brother sometime between 1965 and 1968, and I can find no record of that nor of the death of his first wife and remarriage (unless she changed her name, of course). To the best of my knowledge Charles had no children.
I have looked in Ancestry, Family Search and FindmyPast, and the Canadian sources on Cyndi's List. Any help in finding further online records would be much appreciated.
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Hi Firstcousin,
Sadly there isn't much that we can do to help since the records are not public until 100 years after they happened. The only exception is the church records on Ancestry that go up to 1938 to 1942 depending on the church.
You might want to contact the Directeur de l'état civil at this address: https://www.etatcivil.gouv.qc.ca/en/default.html (https://www.etatcivil.gouv.qc.ca/en/default.html). They might be able to help you, but it isn't free and they might refuse to give it to you if they consider that the request is not legitimate.
I doubt that the Charles Meyers you found in the electoral rolls is the same person because he would be 78 years old and still working which is really unlikely for the time. If he were a retired engineer, it would simply be written "retired" or something similar.
The voters lists start in 1935. You would have better luck finding him in the 1935 list. Ancestry's search engine is not that great, so you would have to look at every page and it is a pretty tedious job especially if you don't know the address where they lived (I did it for some of my ancestors and there are some years that I can't find them). Here is all the information on them (the list of electoral ridings is particularly helpful): https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/Pages/voters-lists.aspx (https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/Pages/voters-lists.aspx).
The 1931 Canadian census should be available at the end of the year or at the beginning of next year because they are only made public after 92 years.
You can also try obituaries and newspapers, but I don't know any good websites and/or databases, so I can't really help you with this.
Best regards,
Martin
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Welcome to Rootschat, Firstcousin! :)
There is another candidate with the same name.
I noticed a border crossing (at Tacoma, so the very west side of Canada), for a Charles Meyers (married man), and looking deeper found that this man applied for citizenship to the USA.
His details are
Charles Edward Meyers
Born Bally Mote, Sligo, Ireland
DOB: 12 Jun 1886 (Irish records indicate it should be 1885, father James, Mother Frances Forsythe)
Occupation: electrical engineer draughtsman
Arrived from Canada via CPR from Moncton (New Brunswick)
Arrived USA on or about 14 June 1910
I suppose it could be the same man: a quick marriage, head out west for a job, then reappear back in Montreal 11 years later in the 1921 census?
Were those family letters definitely from Montreal? Is it a known fact he married a Gertrude?
Will poke around the American records a bit more, in case he is a good fit!
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In the following articles, Meyers is spelled Myers. (It's not my typo!)
The Gazette (Montreal) · Friday, November 23, 1923
The engagement is announced of Miss Madeleine Milcah Walker, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James J. Walker, of Moncton N.B., to Mr. Leo Patrick Bradley, of Montreal, son of Mrs. Margaret Bradley of New York, formerly of St. John, N.B. The marriage will take place in Montreal on December 27. Miss Walker is spending the winter in town with her sister, Mrs. Charles Edward Myers, Mackay street.
The article describing their marriage, in the Gazette dated December 27, 1923, it mentions Madeleine's brother-in-law; and his name is written as C.E.P. Myers. Gertrude is referred to as Mrs. C.E.P. Myers.
I can find one mention of a Charles E. Patrick Myers in the papers, but nothing solid on the genealogy sites...
P.S. I realize you are only after Charles' death, but we need to dig around for anyone that may have an obituary/news event, with him mentioned in it, to really narrow down the where and when for him.
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Hi Firstcousin, welcome to RootsChat from me, too.
Filling in details to help us,
New Brunswick Marriages
Charles Edward Meyers of Moncton and [space left blank] Walker of Moncton were married by Banns at the RC Church of St. Bernard(?) Moncton. 2 June 1910.
By me Edward Savage
Signed by
Charles Edward Meyers
Gertrude Agnes Walker
In the presence of
John ? Walker. [looks like MeS.]
Madeleine Walker
Details from Anc*try.
I’m certainly not a handwriting expert, but if I had to choose, I would suggest that Gertrude was left handed. It’s not a relevant fact, but being a lefty myself, I thought I would mention it. ;)
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Searching for Gertrude, I found another form, on Anc*try
New Brunswick Marriages
Charles Edward Meyers, age 23, born Dublin, Ireland. Batchelor. Clerk.
Gertrude Agnes Walker, age 22, born Moncton. Spinster.
Both lived in Moncton. Both were RC.
John’s middle name now looks like McS
Charles was born in Dublin? ???
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Montreal City Directories are online and searchable at stevemorse.org
1940 shows a C.E.P. Myers, gen. agt., Am Credit Indemnity, 2076 Sherbrooke W., Apt. 7
Same info for 1950. The intervening years are available as well.
1960: C.E. Pat Myers, same employer, apt. 6, 2076 Sherbrook W.
If this is not your guy, you can browse through the directories using the various spellings.
1949 Voters' List shows Charles P. Meyers , insurance, living at the Sherbrook Street address (apt. 7) as well as Gertrude Meyers. There is also a L.P. Bradley, housewife, living at the same address.
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Montreal Gazette, 23 July 1924:
Mr. & Mrs. C.E.P. Myers, St. Mark Street, and Mrs. Myers' sister, Mrs. Leo P. Bradley, University Street, have been spending several weeks in Moncton, the guests of the Misses McSweeney.
Montreal Gazette, 25 December 1923:
Rev. Father Francis Walker, of St. John, NB, who is to officiate at the marriage of his sister, Miss Madeleine Walker, to Mr. Leo P. Bradley on Thursday is arriving in town tomorow and will be a guest at the Archbishop's Palace for a short time and will later visit his sister, Mrs. C.E.P. Myers, Mackay Street.
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Interesting about the "Patrick" name addition, and the vast differences in occupation.
The signatures are a match though. ???
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Link to Google Streetview of the apartment building where they lived:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/2076+Sherbrooke+St+W,+Montreal,+QC+H3H+1G5/@45.4931171,-73.5851251,3a,75y,146.76h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSdorNscwFx1Igk301Obf1w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cc91a134c3f2e01:0x94ca01fed0b940ff!8m2!3d45.4929836!4d-73.5849998!16s%2Fg%2F11c5q2m_y2
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This is the brother of Gertrude - Henry Yonge Walker - 1879 - 1955
Obituary The Montreal Star Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8 Jul 1955, Fri Page 21
Shows his sister Mrs Pat Myers still alive in 1955
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118293160/the-montreal-star/
FIND A GRAVE
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/106569124/henry-yonge-walker
Sandra
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Anglican tribute to Catholicism - signed L P Bradley - 27 April 1959
The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada
1 May 1959, Fri Page 8
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118293782/the-gazette/
Sandra
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When he converted to Catholicism, he likely took a "baptismal" name which may be how Patrick was added.
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Anglican tribute to Catholicism - signed L P Bradley - 27 April 1959
Glad you posted that! I wasn't sure if Leo was still around, based on the '49 electorals.
In the 1949 Mrs. L. P. Bradley is living with Gertrude Meyers, and Charles P Myers.
It does look like Charles uses the Myer spelling later in life, and prefers a middle name of Patrick!
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Following those great finds of you two :)
Brother Lawrence Walker
Obituary - The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington - 11 Apr 1964, Sat Page 12
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118294261/the-spokesman-review/
Sandra
So does this mean that Gertrude/ Mrs Pat Myers and Madeleine Bradley returned to New Brunswick ?
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Canada to U.S. border crossing at Sumas Washington Jun 1910
2nd page shows he was going to a friends in Tacoma Washington - F. Walker
He had a wife in Moncton but just used his initials not hers.
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I think this is another brother Frederick Walker - born 1876
The Province Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
18 Aug 1955, Thu Page 2
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118294944/the-province/
Sandra
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Doesn't help but another Walker brother - passed in 1942
John Mcsweeney Walker 6 April 1890 New Brunswick - 6 August 1942 (aged 52 years)
Death Place Seattle, King, Washington
Burial Date 07 Aug 1942 Olympia, King, Washington
Father James Joseph Walker Mother Mary Mcsweeney
Spouse Veronica Meecham Walker
Sandra
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Montreal Gazette, 13 February 1937:
Miss Agnes McSweeney, of Moncton, NB, who has been visiting her sister, Mrs. E.L. Newhouse, at Hutton Park, West Orange, and her nephew, Mr. F.T. Walker, in New York, is now in Montreal, staying with her niece, Mrs. Pat Myers, 2076 Sherbrooke Street West.
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Just for interest - the Walker parents James Joseph Walker and Lucy McSweeney (passed 1913)
Lucie Mcsweeney Walker - 1853 - 9 June 1913 (aged 60 years)
died Shediac Westmorland, New Brunswick, Canada.
Sweeney Family - Page 46
https://newirelandnb.ca/images/client/shamrock/Jun-2015.pdf
Sandra
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Rev Francis Forester Walker 1893 may have passed in 1970 ??
Francis Forester Walker Birth Date: 9 Feb 1893 Moncton, Westmorland, New Brunswick, Canada
Father A J Walker - Mother Lucy F Mcsweeny.
St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish
1900 Second Saint Francis built on Church Avenue - 1940 - 1970
http://www.stfxsussex.ca/clergy.html
Another long servicing pastor was the Rt. Rev. Francis F. Walker, (from 1940 to his death in 1970)
Sandra
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Canada Voters List - Mrs Madeline Bradley - Marital Status Widow
Residence Date: 1962/1963/1965 - Residence Place Kings, New Brunswick, Canada
Street Address Sussex - Electoral District Royal.
Sandra
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On the birth registration for Francis Forester Walker, (New Brunswick archives) it looks like his father James was a clerk for a railway, but I cannot make out the railway initials?
I cannot direct link, but if you can look for him here: https://archives.gnb.ca/Search/FEDS/Results.aspx?culture=en-CA&fn=cyJFtw4/9/TF6Cp+TBZ3abdGj+569+Yx8baq1imQKgQ=&gn=HTFdZLK95Cp5+Ytn/PCHkaQwxycyaPb3wlUqQHdMDoM=&y1=1658&y2=2014
That might explain why there was family history of working for a railroad.
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Chief Clerk of the Intercolonial Railway in Moncton.
https://csce.ca/en/historic-site/intercolonial-railway/
Sandra
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The last entry i find for them in the Montreal directory is in 1961:
Myers, C.E. Pat. (Gert), gen agt, Am. Credit Indemnity, Apt. 6, 2076 Sherbrooke West
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As per transcription -
Canada Voters List - C E Myers and Mrs C E
Residence Date :- 1963 Kings, New Brunswick, Canada
Street Address gentleman, Sussex
Electoral District Royal
Occupation:- Pat
Sandra
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Chief Clerk of the Intercolonial Railway in Moncton.
https://csce.ca/en/historic-site/intercolonial-railway/
Sandra
Thank you! I was going cross-eyed staring at it.
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:) :) I think I'm going round in circles with C E/ CEP/ Charles Edward Patrick Myers etc etc ::) ::)
Canada Voters List - C E Myers
Residence Date: 1968 - Residence Place Fundy-Royal, New Brunswick, Canada
Street Address gentleman, Sussex - Electoral District Fundy-Royal
Occupation P
also at this address :- Clayton Myers - Grocer - Sussex and Mrs Clayton Myers Sussex.
No Gert or Mrs C E P Myers :-\
Sandra
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The actual image in 1963 gives the name as Myers, C.E. Pat. Gentleman. No occupation given.
Lists are alphabetical, not separated by households, so all the Myers are together which is why you are seeing Clayton and his wife listed above C.E.P. Myers, gentleman. No Gertrude or Mrs. C.E.P. noted so she must have passed away between 1963 and 1968.
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Gertrude died in 1968:
https://archives.gnb.ca/search/visse/141C5.aspx?culture=en-CA&guid=fdccdfd5-543a-4fbb-83db-b0d3535ee12e
NB deaths only online til 1971 and I'm not seeing Charles' death so he died after 1971.
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St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Cemetery, Wards Creek, Sussex, New Brunswick:
WALKER - Rt. Rev. Francis F., D.P. 1893-1975
Pastor pf St.Francis Xavier Parish
his sister, Madeline M. Walker 1891-1979
w/o Leo P. Bradley ...
Gertrude A. Walker 1883-1968
w/o Charles E. Myers 1885-1972
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Excellent!
So now we know the wife "Ann" in the opening post is another unrelated couple.
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St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Cemetery, Wards Creek, Sussex, New Brunswick:
WALKER - Rt. Rev. Francis F., D.P. 1893-1975
Pastor pf St.Francis Xavier Parish
his sister, Madeline M. Walker 1891-1979
w/o Leo P. Bradley ...
Gertrude A. Walker 1883-1968
w/o Charles E. Myers 1885-1972
New Part of the Cemetery
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~cannb/Cemeteries/Kings%20County/ki-l05.html
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Excellent!
So now we know the wife "Ann" in the opening post is another unrelated couple.
Yes, I agree with that.
Clayton Myers and his wife were perhaps not related. He was -
Clayton Molyneaux Myers 1908–1982
born 11 September 1908 - Norton, New Brunswick, Canada
died 12 October 1982 - Sussex, New Brunswick
Sandra
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St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Cemetery, Wards Creek, Sussex, New Brunswick:
WALKER - Rt. Rev. Francis F., D.P. 1893-1975
Pastor pf St.Francis Xavier Parish
his sister, Madeline M. Walker 1891-1979
w/o Leo P. Bradley ...
Gertrude A. Walker 1883-1968
w/o Charles E. Myers 1885-1972
Fantastic! So next January/February, his death record should be released!
*Gives a round of applause to everyone!*
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Yes, well done, nice team effort, usually the best threads :) :)
Sandra
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Thanks to all. Hope the OP returns soon to see what we've found. Can't wait for the 1931 Census to be released later this year!
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Did make a note of a death for Leo P Bradley - Leo Patrick Bradley
1880–1961 - Born 4 March 1880 - St John, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
died 21 November 1961 - Montréal, Québec.
Did have a New York Passenger List with a Leo Patrick Bradley aged 70 years / single - travelling Naples Italy departing 15 April 1950 to New York arriving 25 April 1950. Going to Broadway and 43 rd Hotel Astor New York. ??
Sandra
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The Montreal Star Montreal, Quebec, Canada
23 Nov 1961, Thu Page 31
Leo Patrick Bradley -
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118308529/the-montreal-star/
Sandra
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Thanks to all. Hope the OP returns soon to see what we've found. Can't wait for the 1931 Census to be released later this year!
Yes, OP was around a short while ago.
Sandra
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Thanks so much to all of you for your quick and informative replies. I have learned a lot about Canadian sources! I can fill in one or two of the gaps or queries. Charles was born in Ballymote, Sligo, but lived most of his early life in Dublin. His father was in the Army and his mother traveled with her husband round Ireland, so her children were born in many different places. There has been much cross-over or confusion in records and transcriptions between MEYERS and MYERS, so that discrepancy does not bother me too much. The marriage to Gertrude WALKER appears correct and the only family recollection I have of his marriage was so fanciful I discarded it long ago. Like poster Eileen, I suspect the name Patrick was added when he became a Catholic, with the custom being to add a saint's name at Confirmation (we had the same problem with my father!). Alternatively, as an Irishman he may have been referred to as Paddy or Pat so often that he adopted the name. He did live in Montreal probably until 1940s because my aunt can remember him sending food parcels to his brother in England during the War, but I think we can assume the 1960s electoral roll entries were another person. It seems that he and Gertrude may have returned to NB when he retired. The cemetery record seems conclusive about his death, although his brother (my grandfather) who died in 1968 thinks Charles had died before him. Possibly Charles was very ill at that time and not able to communicate, or Grandpa nay have been a little confused. I'll keep a look out for the next release of death records. Thank you all again.