Missing Grandad

[Swampduck]

Hi everyone,

My grandad George Robert Ayre was born in Stockton on Tees in July 1864. I have him on the 1871 and 1881 census', still living in Stockton, but then he disappears until 1905 when he married my grandma in New Wortley, Leeds.
My grandma was a widow when they married but he was described as a bachelor aged 40.  Even so, I have checked to see if he did in fact marry when he was younger - but found nothing.    He was an iron moulder by trade.

I've used various spellings, swapped his names around and searched the whole of England but still drawn a blank.   I've even tried looking at the local jail census but still nothing.  Where was he???   Can anyone help.. if so it would be greatly appreciated!!!

regards
Swampduck

[CaroleW]

The 1881 shows surname as AYRES - can you confirm correct spelling as your message shows Ayre

[CaroleW]

The incoming passenger list shows a George Ayres arriving Liverpool September 1904 from Philadelphia,  No birthyear shown occupation labourer.  No other Ayres on the same list

[Swampduck]

Hi Carole,

Usually it's spelt Ayre but sometimes an 's' is added. There are many variations -  I found George's mother's death under the name of Hares!  

That's interesting - I had wondered if maybe he had tried his luck abroad but no-one in the family has ever mentioned that.  Do know how I could find out if and when he did sail to America.

Many thanks for your help.

swampduck
 

[CaroleW]

Hi

Ancestors Onboard only starts from 1890 and their free index shows no trace and there is nothing on the Ellis Island website.  I don't have access to any other passenger lists

[Swampduck]

Thank you anyway CaroleW.

Could you tell me how and where do I get access to passenger lists and which would you suggest I try?  Sorry to be a nuisance but I've not searched in that direction before.

Swampduck

[CaroleW]

Hi

Unfortunately - neither have I apart from the Ellis Island website.

I think you have to have the Premier/Worldwide Ancestry membership but to be honest - I'm not really sure

www.findmypast.com have a register of passport applications covering the period 1851-1903

You could try posting a request on the Emigrants to USA board asking for a passenger list search and a 1900 census lookup

[mim]

Hi,

You can search entry into the US free on the following sites:

http://www.castlegarden.org/

http://www.ellisisland.org/

mim

[Swampduck]

Carole + Mim,

Many thanks for these links - let's hope I can now find Grandad and fill in the missing 24 years!


swampduck.