I think I made an oops today, hit the wrong button and sent a message prematurely - if so, please ignore previous message. My sincere thanks to all who responded to my plea for help, especially Bill Bennett who found the family on the 1901 Irish census when I had been told it had already been checked with no results. Check and recheck! Lesson learned. I have compiled a list of websites for our visitor to access when he returns home to Belfast. In addition, I have copied all material for him and requested a copy of Samuel's service file. The CD will be sent to him when it is received. The question still remains s to whether or not he is the Barnardo child arriving in 1908. It certainly would seem so, but our visitor will have to ascertain that for himself. He now has a starting point for his family research. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to pursue this further although I would certainly like to. Below is the information gleaned from the 1901 census, marriage registration, service papers and immigration records. Note: I have assumed he is a Barnardo child. Again, thanks to all. Pam First Generation 1. Unknown father BEST died before 1901. Unknown father BEST and Sarah (UNKNOWN) BEST were married. Sarah (UNKNOWN) BEST was born about 1838 in County Down, Ireland. In 1901 she was a seamstress in Ballynahinch, Dromore Urban, County Down, Ireland. She is listed as a widow in the 1901 census. Unknown father BEST and Sarah (UNKNOWN) BEST had the following children: +2 i. Evangeline "Ellen" BEST, born abt 1870, County Down, Ireland. +3 ii. Susan BEST, born abt 1874, County Down, Ireland; married John WHITE, abt 1899, Ireland. Second Generation 2. Evangeline "Ellen" BEST (Unknown-1) was born about 1870 in County Down, Ireland. In 1901 she was a seamstress in Ballynahinch, Dromore Urban, County Down, Ireland. John BEST was born (date unknown). His name is given in the marriage record of his son, Samuel. John BEST and Evangeline BEST had the following children: +4 i. Ellen "Nellie" BEST, born abt 1894, County Down, Ireland; married Unknown JESS. +5 ii. Samuel James BEST, born abt 1897, County Down, Ireland; married May BROWNSWARD, 4 Apr 1923, St. George's Church, Guelph, Wellington County, Ontario. 6 iii. Margaret Olive May BEST was born about 1900 in County Down, Ireland. 3. Susan BEST (Unknown-1) was born about 1874 in County Down, Ireland. Susan BEST and John WHITE were married about 1899 in Ireland. John WHITE was born about 1872 in County Down, Ireland. In 1901 he was a linen weaver in Ballynahinch, Dromore Urban, County Down, Ireland. He was Church of Ireland. John WHITE and Susan BEST had the following child: 7 i. Thomas WHITE was born about 1900 in County Down, Ireland. Third Generation 4. Ellen "Nellie" BEST (Evangeline Best-2, Unknown-1) was born about 1894 in County Down, Ireland. Ellen "Nellie" BEST and Unknown JESS were married. 5. Samuel James BEST (Evangeline Best-2, Unknown-1) was born about 1897 in County Down, Ireland. He immigrated in 1908 to Montreal, Quebec. After a trip of 10 days, Samuel arrived from Liverpool, England on board the ship "Dominion" in the company of 218 boys and 109 girls under the sponsorship of Dr. Barnardo and in the care of 'Mr. Lloyd'. Samuel's destination was listed as Toronto. He served in the military from 5 Nov 1915. He signed his Attestation Papers in Parry Sound. He stated his name was Samuel James Best, born 24 February 1897 in Dromore, County Down, Ireland and was residing in Penetanguishene, Ontario at the time of his enlistment. His next-of-kin was his sister, Mrs. Nellie Jess, living at 23 Collberg Street, Dondale, Belfast, Ireland. In 1923 Samuel was a sawyer living at 189 Palmerston St. in Toronto, York County, Ontario. Samuel James BEST and May BROWNSWARD were married on 4 Apr 1923 in St. George's Church, Guelph, Wellington County, Ontario. The marriage registration states "parents died young and maiden name can't be ascertained". May BROWNSWARD, daughter of Henry BROWNSWARD and Emma BATES, was born about 1895 in Newcastle, Staffordshire, England. In 1923 she was a machine operator living at 122 Palmer St. in Guelph, Wellington County, Ontario. <#INDEX_38>

PAM The following is from the 1911 Census, Simcoe East, 30 Tiny, p.5 28 37 Downer William Lot 11 Con 11 M Head M Feb 1856 55 Ontario Ireland Anglican Farmer 29 37 Downer Annie F Wife M Sep 1856 55 Ont English Anglican 30 37 Best James M Adopted Son S Feb 1897 14 Ireland 1909 Ireland Anglican Labourer The emigration date is fairly close for the Barnardo boy and the birth date matches that in the attestation papers for the soldier. John Wright Barrie, Ontario -----Original Message----- From: can-ont-simcoe-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:can-ont-simcoe-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Pam Tessier Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 9:54 AM To: Simcoe Mailing List Subject: [CAN-ONT-SIMCOE] BEST, Samuel James - Barnardo child?