Robert Crow in Saskatchewan

[ali]

Robert Crow was born in Hull in 1890, moved to East Ham before 1901 and then disappeared of the face of the earth after the 1911 UK census..until now.

I found a refence to him on the Canadian Veterans Affairs website commemorating their war dead.  The reference said that Robert had emigrated to Saskatchewan.  Robert didnt die but a nephew of his Harry Crow Clout died in WW11, nephew of Ellen Crow of Salter, Sask, Roberts wife I would have thought.  (Harry Crow Clout had emigrated in 1924 to work as a farm labourer in Senlac)

I found a record for a Robert Crow (right age frame) in 1911 who sailed to Quebec on the 'Lake Manitoba' bound for Saskatchewan. 

The next record I found was his Attestation Papers for the 53rd Battalion of the CEF signed in 1914 in Saskatoon, Sask.  This is definitely the right Robert because birth date, birth place and next of kin are right. 

Then I found a record for a private Robert Crow returning to Canada in 1919, his original regiment is listed as the 53rd and he was bound for Saskatoon.  (Got to be him, too many coincidences)

[ali]

Sorry about this split post folks but something went wrong and I couldn't write anything else on the other one.

Anyway, next reference to the Crow's I found was one for an Ellen Crow who was postmistress of Salter Post office in the 1940's.  Again too much of a coincidence for it not to be Harry Crow Clout's aunt.

Finally I found a reference to the buriel of a Robert Crow on 1st February 1937 in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Saskatoon, Sask.  I don't know if this is the right Robert of course but I believe it is. 

I wonder if there is any kind soul out there who lives in the area who could perhaps find out a bit more about this family.  If there are any local stories to tell and of course if Ellen really was Roberts wife and what happened to her after 1946/7 when she resigned from Salter post office.  Also if there is any way of confirming that this is indeed my Robert (he was my greatgrandfathers brother) buried in this cemetery.

Ali.

[ali]

Just to say thanks in advance if anyone can help out.

Ali

[lilybell]

Hello Ali,

I have contacted the Saskatoon Public Library and they will do a look up for Robert Crow's obituary if there is one.

If they find it they will email it to me and then I can forward it on to you if you send me a PM with your email address.

Lilybell

[ali]

Hi Lilybell.

Thank you so much for your time and your help. 

I have PM'd you as requested.

Ali

[jeffster]

Hey Ali,

    I am sorry I didn't reply to your query sooner, I am from Saskatoon and I hope I can help.  My dad is buried in Woodlawn cemetery as well, so I quickly went over to see about your Robert Crow.  It seems your gut was right about this particular Robert Crow.  The inscription simply reads "Private Robert Crow(e) 53rd Batt. CEF  January 30, 1937, Lest We Forget".  If you wish I can attempt to gather some information i.e. phone the cemetery office to see who is or who was the last owner of the plot.  I can also go to the library myself and see if there is any other information I can gather there as well, unless Lilybell has beat me to the punch .  There may be a local history book that may contain further information as well or the University archives may have more as well.

 TAke care keep me posted as to what I can do if anything

Jeff

[ali]

Hi Jeff.

Thanks you so much for that and the photo of his headstone too, which as you say confirms his identity, being as he appears to be the only Robert Crow in the 53rd Battalion CEF according to the Attestation papers. 

I am awaiting an email from Lilibell with the obituary report as the library machine was broken or something so they are sending it snailmail to her, but if you have the time and are going anywhere that may have any resources then I would love to have any information you may be able to find.  Would you like my email address or just keep an eye on this topic?

Thanks again Jeff.

Ali

[jeffster]

Alrighty...either way... library machine? Hmm well if I can get it before Lily does great....Are you interested in finding a living person or just wanting newer fresher material?  I won't be able to get to the library this week, since the only day I can would be tomorrow but it's closed for the holiday. 

If you want to PM your email address I can see what I can dig up....or give me clues from the obituary so I can gather that way as well  I have a couple other pictures of the gravestone as well (bigger ones roots only let's you attach up to a certain size on the messages).

Will keep in touch...

Jeff

[ali]

Hi again Jeff.

Yeah, the machine is something that converts the film into a format that can be sent via email and it is in for repair.

I'm looking for any information about him really.  He was such a brick wall for a long time for me.  Despite the fact there is information about him on the net as you can see I found quite a bit on my own but for ages i didn't know where he was to start looking.  The only thing I knew was that he seemed to disappear after the 1911 census in UK.

I think he married Ellen who was postmistress of Salter post office (Salter from what I can find used to be somewhere between Biggar and Battleford off the 4th Highway.  Robert is however listed as single on his attestation papers with his next of kin as my great grandfather (wonder why he didn't put his parents down as they were still alive then) yet on the entry for his return to Canada in 1919 his next of kin is listed as wife, so sometime, somewhere, between 1915 and 1919 he got married but I can't find a marriage for him in the UK. 

I have found an Ellen Crow heading to Saskatoon in 1916 listed as a returning Canadian
(can't work out if she is Dutch or Scottish though, handwriting issues) but she was born in Canada and is travelling with a six month old child also called Ellen Crow.  I have found a birth record for an Ellen Crow around that time in the UK (she is listed as being born in England) whose mothers maiden name is Kemp.  So I don't know whether you can find out anything about Ellen Crow too, she was born about 1888.

I do really appreciate your help Jeff and that of Lilibell too of course because Wiltshire in England is a long way from Saskatchewan in Canada, bit too far for a day trip to the records office eh.

Email address sent as requested.

ali