Elusive family

[valeriec]

have you checked the incoming passenger lists at ancestry. Some libraries have subscriptions to that site, there are 4 possible John Donkin's to look at.

[MargP]

Hi

There a lot of emigration records for John Lumsden Donkin b 1882 he was toing and froing between England and Canada on numerous occasions with Alexander Donkin b 1887 here are a few

Canadian Passenger List 1865-1935
John L Donkin
Date of Arrival 8 June 1912
Vessel Numidian
Port of Arrival Halifax Nova Scotia
Port of Departure Glasgow

UK Incoming Passenger List 1878-1960
John L Donkin b 1882 with Alex b 1887
Arrival 8 Dec 1914 Glasgow
Port Dept Montreal Quebec

John Donkin b 1882 Address in England 2 Delaval Terr Blyth Northumberland
Arrival 8 Dec 1920 Liverpool
Ship Metagama

Border Crossing Fron Canada to US 1895-1956
John L Donkin with Alex arrival Jul 1920 St Albans Vermont US

I hope this helps

Margp

[MargP]

Hi

You may find this link useful

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/the-public/005-1142.06-e.html

Margp

[kathboon]

Again, wow.  You lot know a lot more than I do.  Everything you have pointed me to so far has been what I am looking for.  With regards to John L Donkin, I didn't know he went backwards and forwards to Canada, or that my g.uncle Alexander was with him.  That is a turn up for the books.  If he went to Halifax then he must have gone to relatives there.  I just need to check out which of the Donkins lived there during this period.  I have photographs of him with some other people, but don't know who they are. 
I only wish I had asked more questions when I was younger, but I do have a couple of cousins who are in their 80's who's grandmother knew an awful lot of things.  One of my cousins has admitted that she now wishes she had listened more to her.  You never know though, she may remember something.  Worth a visit up to see her.  She may know of other cousins living in our area who I don't know.
Thanks for all the information and pointers you have given me.
Kath

[MargP]

Hi Kath

If you send me a PM with your e-mail details I will send you 2 emigration records for John and Alex it as a name and address where they are staying in Canada

Margp

[MargP]

Hi Kath

I have sent the records let me know if you have received them, I was not sure if there was a dot after net on your e-mail address I have sent them without the dot

Margp

[kathboon]

Hi Marg P
Thanks for that information.  This just proves that my grandmother never told us the correct story about our uncle.  We never knew that Alexander went abroad, only John, and we were told that he was asked to leave Canada for some reason or another (which was never made clear to us).  Now it appears that he wasn't asked to leave Canada at all - he was refused entry to America to see his sister (whose family still live there, and I have just recently found).  Would still like to know if there is some way to find out where he stayed in Canada when he came over the two previous times.
Thanks again for your help.
Kath