John Thelwell

[ktkeith]

Hi,
Trying to confirm family story of my gt-grandfathers link with Canada. Myth has it he went to Canada in around 1912, I believe to Saskatchewan. He was deported around 1914. He was from Worthenbury or Wrexham,UK.
Any help would be greatly appreciated

[jorose]

When was he born, what was his occupation?  There might not be much trace if he was only there for two years - perhaps he tried to make a go of farming and didn't do so well.

I don't see him on the shipping lists leaving the UK (http://www.findmypast.co.uk/passengerListPersonSearchStart.action )
Someone else might be able to find him arriving back into the country (but age etc would help).

[ktkeith]

Hi,
He was born in 1879 and he was an agricultural labourer. I have a copy of a newspaper report from the Wrexham Advertiser c.1912 offering free land to settlers. I do recall seeing a copy of his deportation I believe from St Johns but as per his life in Canada I know very little.
Thanks for your speedy response
Keith

[jorose]

"free land" was a little bit of a misnomer; there were requirements to farm and build on your section:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cansk/Saskatchewan/homestead.html
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~skwheat/homestead/homestead-forms.html

Often people found it far too hard to live off the land that was on offer and couldn't fulfil the requirements.

There was a Robert Thelwall b. 1887 Cheshire who served in WWI in Canada and who is on this Saskatchewan homestead database:
http://www.saskhomesteads.com/search.asp (not on the main Canadian archives index so he may have applied but not granted the land)
 - possible relation?

Do you remember what he was deported for or know where that record might be now? The Canadian archives say individual files on deportees do not survive:
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/022-908-e.html

[ktkeith]

Well he did try get on in life! Thanks for the links which I'll read with interest.
Re; William Thelwall, he may be a relation who my gt-grandfather heard family stories from and followed him?
I believe he was caught 'in flagrante' and that was the reason for his deportation but that may just be hearsay

[cosmac]

There is an entry into Canada at Quebec on the Tunisian arriving April 27, 1913 from Liverpool.  The entry reads as if this individual was deported upon arrival.
Thelwell, John, 33, $5.00 in possession, deport stamped and a number 894416 (case file # ?), fare provided by Salvation Army, married, never in Canada before, could read and write (that was a necessity for immigration as it proved you could earn a living and would not be a "burden" on Canada), b. England, worked as ?oapcokr in England (can't understand what his occupation could be), farm labourer in Canada, heading for Linwood, Ontario.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/legacy/chap-3.asp#chap3-4
This man might have faced deportation because he didn't have quite enough money to satisfy rules

For entries into the UK there is a record which might link to your John.
On the Corinthian which arrived London Jan 5, 1916 from St. John New Brunswick is John Thelwell, 33, labourer, Canada last country of permanent residence, reason for deportation - criminal assa(ult)?


Debbie

[ktkeith]

Hi Debbie,
Thankyou for all your help.
Is it possible to ask you any questions re: John, that would not be on the public domain
Thanks
Keith

[BIGVERN]

Hi,

My Great Grandfather was a John Thelwell from Worthenbury, he was a farm Labourer and he lived in Clay cottage on the Bangor road.  Clay cottage is derelict and can still be seen in the trees.

[ktkeith]

Hi Big Vern,
It appears we are related. I have tons of research regards our family and quite a lot of photographs.
My grandfather was George Eli. John and Georgina's eldest, which branch are you from?
Best regards
Keith