Bernard James Ward

[Lisa in California]

I don't see him on the Social Security death index.  I might suggest removing his date of birth please, for privacy reasons?  Actually, we shouldn't be mentioning his name, either. 

[*Sandra*]

Apologises Ian - I thought the guideline was a cut-off date of 1925 and I presumed he had probably died  

Just looking through Military - Bernard was enlisted in the US Army as you said - 12 Dec 1942 in Massachusetts so you would think that we could find him crossing the border from Canada or on passenger lists to the USA. At that stage he is also married.  Wondered if City directories in Massachusetts would show him up but so far I have'nt come across anything. 

On a Border Crossing in 1947 - Bernard gave an address of last residence as Stop 19. Kingston Road. Toronto. Ontario.  If you contact the Ask A Librarian Link below they may be able to tell you who was living at that address in 1947. (Grateful thanks to Debbie on the Canada Board for pointing us in a direction)

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/contact/

[Lisa in California]

Ian, do you have Bernard's exact date of birth?  In your Canadian thread:
"I am trying to trace Bernard James Ward, born early 1915 in Spratton, Northamptonshire, England..."

On this thread his dob is given as 9 January 1915. 

I'm wondering if we have your Bernard who settled in Massachusetts, or if we found someone with the same name and approximate dob?

I just want to be sure we are tracking the correct fellow (and his family). 

PS  You also state in the first post on this thread that you found "the above" facts from An...try.  Maybe if you state all of the facts that you know (not what you found on An...try), we could be sure we have the correct Bernard.  Sorry to create extra work, but I've made two mistakes with my own ancestors and now I'm overly cautious. 

[Ian Blakesley]

Hullo Sandra and Lisa! Can I reply jointly to you, as you are both helping me so much. We are right to be sceptical about some of the Ancestry information, because I feel a lot of the time they misread or misinterpret the information they read. I apply the old Mikhail Gorbachev Maxim: "Trust, then verify". If I am pointed towards a particular record, I always access it and read it for myself. It's the only way I find to ensure accuracy, For example, Bernard Ward's birthdate comes from the copy of his birth certificate I got from the General Records Office, as did Eric's. Often the precise birthdate seems the only way to obtain further information, provided that was composed correctly in the first place. I am very aware of the need for confidentiality and privacy; I just want to draw up a full picture of my family without causing any embarrassment to anyone. If a member of the family is looking for me, I am happy to be approached. I hope that assures you both that I am trying to do things the right way.

[Lisa in California]

Hi Ian:

RootsChatters try to help each other with searches, so by all means reply to us in one post.

Thank you for clarifying the birthdates.  It appears that the correct Bernard was found.

I'll have another look around tonight; thank you again for clarifying.

[*Sandra*]

Hello Ian,

Have'nt forgotten you, just not making any progress I'm afraid.  Regarding the younger brother - were there any UK Military references to him in WW2 - just asking to try and establish when he may have left England.  My other thought has been if they were both Engineers - were they working on the ships and that is why we are not picking both brothers up on passenger lists. 

Regards
Sandra 

[Ian Blakesley]

Hullo, Sandra, again! Thank you again for your suggestions. I have an Eric Ward as a crewman in the Merchant Navy in 1943 and 1953 (he appears to have joined as a boy sailor), but it isn't clear if he is the right one. Bernard was an agricultural engineer, which would not qualify him necessarily to be looking after marine engines; in any case, I have him volunteering for the US Army in 1942, as an aircraft engineer. Of course, in wartime, the Services needed everybody with skills,  but didn't always put them in their own expert fields. For example, my late father (a qualified architect) was posted to the Royal
Engineers, to service radar sets!  Anyway, I'll keep on looking. I am going to try the Toronto Public Library later on today, as Canada is five hours behind us in UK. Who knows what they can tell me. Thank you again.   Best wishes    IAN.

[ADW1972]

Mr. Blakesley,
I found your post doing a search for information on Bernard Ward's early life; he was my father! Imagine my surprise and excitement to come across exchange.  I wish that I could give you more detailed information, but I really only know of our own family life.  I would like to be able to email you, if that sounds reasonable to you please let me know.  There does seem to be a family resemblance!
Warm regards,
Amy

[shellyesq]

Welcome to Roots Chat, Amy.  Hopefully, Ian will be notified of your post & come back to respond.  In the meantime, new members need to make at least 3 posts to have access to the private messaging system.  If you make two more posts, you will be able to send Ian a private message with your e-mail address.