Ashberry AIKEN, New York 1930

[Gilly52]

Has anyone any knowledge of an Ashberry Aiken, aged 45 in 1930, and living in Manhattan, New York. He is described in the Census as a writer, and apparently emigrated from Ireland/England in 1919.  I think he might be my grandfather, who deserted from the British army in 1917. His name was Harry Ashberry Aiken, and he was in the Tank Corps. When he deserted, he also abandoned his wife and young child (my mother), and, as far as I know, was never seen by them again.  I would love to find out what happened to him.......

[shellyesq]

I was going to mention his 1912 trip, but looks like you already had that information: 
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=169667

[Gilly52]

Yes, thanks. I know Harry travelled to New York in 1912 - but he returned to the UK 6 weeks later. Don't really know why he went then - perhaps on business? But I cannot find him in the US apart from in the 1930 census. Assuming it is him, of course, but I know he was still branded a deserter from the British army in 1922, and leaving for the US, using his (uncommon) middle name and pronouncing himself single does ring true somehow. Also the census says he arrived in the US in 1919, and there is a man called Aiken, roughly the right age, on a passenger list to Quebec around then. Unfortunately it seems he often lied about his age (eg marriage certificate in Belfast 1912), and I have seen Aiken and Ashberry spelt various ways (Aikin, Aken, Ashbury, Ashbery etc) so any info I take with a pinch of salt!  Hopefully someone out there can help me put together a bit more of the puzzle.  I'd love to know if I have US relatives!