Bryant & Potter from West Ham

[Robertb99]

I am trying to find information on my maternal grandparents, Fred Bryant (who was a carpenter by trade) and his wife, Rose Ellen Potter, who came to Canada in the early twentieth century. 

My mother and some of her sibs were born in West Ham, although others were born in Bristol. 

I remember my mother making up packages of goodies to send to "Aunt Potts" in England during WWII, and hope to make contact with someone who remembers that side of the family. 

I have applied to the Ontario Gov't to obtain a copy of Fred and Rose's death certs, so that I can begin to make the necessary links.  However, although they cashed my cheque in October, I'm still waiting for the requested certs to arrive. 

If anyone on this list can give me a leg up on my research on this side of the family (while I'm waiting for the gov't to get its act together), it will be greatly appreciated.

Robert in Kanata

[casalguidi]

Hi Robert

Welcome to Rootschat.  Have you any idea of Fred and Rose's birth date/place?  Marriage date?  When your mother and her siblings (names please) were born?

Were Fred and Rose married prior to 1901 - just hoping that they may be easily found in the 1901 census?

Were any of the family in the Canadian army WW1?

You'll get plenty of help on rootschat I'm sure - just so long as you can get enough together to get started.

Best wishes

Casalguidi

[Robertb99]

Good idea, casalguidi!

Here is the family data that I have gathered so far; some of it has been validated from reliable sources; some of it is still tenuous.

Grandmother Rose Ellen was probably born in April of 1872 in Westminster to George & Elizabeth Potter (not yet confirmed).  Rose Ellen may have had a brother, John R. (b. Marylebone, 1863) another brother, Fred (b. Chelsea abt. 1871) and a sister, Emily E. (also b. Chelsea abt. 1871) - but these are not confirmed. 

I believe that Fred Bryant and Rose Ellen Potter were married in Farnham in 1890, but have not confirmed that - waiting for death certs before I start to spend money on cert copies!

The UK-born children of whom I am aware are:

Fred b. Mar 1895 in London

James A. b. Apr 1896 in Bristol.  He served with the CEF and was killed at Ypres on Jul 25, 1916. 

Mary b. Aug 1897 in Bristol

Caroline D. b. Nov 1899 in Derby

Olive G. b. Mar 1904 in West Ham (confirmed by Birth cert - my mom)

Ellen I. b. jul 1906 in West Ham

There were also four other sibs, including a George, but they may have been born in Canada, following their emigration. 

If these data trigger any links to families being worked on by researchers in Glous or Essex, I will be ecstatic!

Robert from Kanata

[casalguidi]

Hi Robert

I've been having a dig around in the 1901 census - so many BRYANT/BRIANT/BRIENTs but nothing that matches your family I'm afraid.  That's not to say that they're not there - just haven't found them yet!

That 1890 marriage that you are contemplating - it says Frederick MILLETT BRYANT.  Can you confirm the Millett?

I would guess that the Frederick Millett BRYANT birth registered June quarter 1895 Wandsworth RD, Surrey is probably the son Frederick?  Ref 1d 624

Have you any idea why they appear to have moved around so much? 

What is the actual address on your mother's birth certificate?

Best wishes

Casalguidi

[Robertb99]

Actually, I think that I was able to find them in the '01 Census.  They are stuck at the end of the sheet, and are listed only by their prenominal initials for some weird reason.  I can't remember which District they were listed under and don't have the copy I ran off near at hand, but I'm guessing that it was E. Ham.  The ages fit what I already knew, which is what made me think that those people were in my tree.  (Otherwise I would really be up the creek without a paddle!)

I can't verify my g'father's middle name as I'm waiting for the death cert to provide it; however, what you have suggested is a distinct possibility as what I heard was interpreted by my ear as Wilfred.   

My mother was born at 81 Bessborough Road, Manor Park North, EAST Ham (oops! - I must have had a Senior's Moment there). 

As a journeyman carpenter, he probably moved his family to wherever the work was found.  Even after he came to Stratford, Ontario, Canada, he did not stay there for too long before moving them to London, Ont., where he died. 

Once I have the two death certs in hand, I'll be better positioned to sort out the many Bryants and Potters that I've turned over via 1837Online, I hope!   

Thanks for your help so far!

Regards,

Robert