Hi Eleanor - Thanks very much for your kind email. I will try www.collectionscanada to see what I may be able to find. It seems easier if a relative died in the war, than if they lived, as there seems to be more information. Unfortunately the only copy of a very faded newspaper cutting I have does not show him in any uniform only a very faded suit. I did manage to find he travelled on the SS Cassandra from Glasgow in September 1912 to Montreal. I do not know where he went from there, and wonderd if he already had another family member there, and when war started maybe came home to England. I have also found last night the 1911 Census and found a James Maclean aged 35, Solicitor - Montreal - St Louis Ward. I am unsure of the disrtricts in Canada. Someone told me that he may have had to take a train to Quebec. Would he have had to arrange a job before entering Canada , - or did he take "pot luck" as we say here in England. Thanks for taking the time to read this email - Faith ----- Original Message ----- From: "ecrrwd" <e1crowe@telus.net> To: <greatwar@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 12:29 AM Subject: Re: [GREATWAR] James Maclean > Hi Faith, > > Ordinarily I would suggest that you try the site that gives the Canadian > Expeditionary Forces attestation papers. It seems to be down at the > moment as I just tried it but you might give it a try yourself > www.collectionscanada.ca plus there is always the Commonwealth Graves > site at www.cwgc.org > > Of course your grandfather may have returned to the UK to join up. My > grandfather who had emigrated from Wales in 1910 had earlier in his life > served with the Irish Guards. In 1914 he returned and served with the > Irish Guards until he was discharged in 1915 on medical grounds. Do you > have any photos of your grandfather in uniform that might help you > identify his battalion or unit or?? I'm not an expert at military > matters. > > Also available on www.collectionscanada.ca when the site is working > properly are some passenger lists free to view and print out. It's a job > finding a person though if you don't have any idea of what ship they might > have arrived on but lucky you you have the name of the ship and the year > which narrows it down immensley. > > Do you have any idea of which province in Canada he came to? Both B. C. > and Manitoba have vital statistics on line so you'd have access to those > also if he was in either of these provinces. > > I seem to be going on and on so will leave it at that. Please let me know > if you think I might be able to help somehow. > > Eleanor B. C. CAnada > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Faith Batson" <Faith45@batsonc.freeserve.co.uk> > To: <GREATWAR@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2007 3:06 PM > Subject: [GREATWAR] James Maclean > > > I am looking for information on my grandfather James Maclean who came to > Montreal in September 1912. > > He was aged 35 and a Solicitor. > > The ship he came in on was called SS Cassandra. > > I was told he was in WW1, and possibly RAMC. > > I am not certain if he left Canada to return to England or what. > > I am certain also that he had family already there. > > Thanks - Faith > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.4/811 - Release Date: 5/18/2007 > 3:50 PM > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > >

Hi Faith, I'm glad if any of what I sent is helpful! I think you're right that it's easier to find information about those who died than those who lived. If he joined up in Canada I'm certain you'll find information on the collections canada site. I'm wondering, since you found someone who would appear to be him on the 1911 census and also on the SS Cassandra in 1912 if he perhaps had come here a little earlier, got himself a job and then went back for a visit or??? I congratulate you on finding anything in our 1911 census. What a nightmare to try to read most of that thing. Don't get me wrong I'm very grateful that it's there. Districts in Canada - well we have them but I'm not sure of any of them outside of B. C. where I live. But as for taking a train to Montreal, the ship, if it was docking in Quebec probably also docked in Montreal. Quebec and Montreal are the two main cities in the province of Quebec. If he had landed somewhere else, on the eastern coast for example, then he probably would have taken a train to Montreal. My Dad's mother disembarked at Montreal. I actually have a photo taken of my grandfather, youthful and slim, in Montreal waiting for her. As far as people having jobs before arriving, I think many didn't and came because our government in the late 19th and early 20th century advertised for British citizens to come extolling the wonders of Canada, promising "free" land parcels, lots of work in mines, on the railway etc. "Pot luck" as you said. These were the labourers jobs that some came to. My mother's side of the family were among those and her father, my grandfather, came ahead the same year Mom was born in Wales and in 1912 (also!!) sent for his wife and two young children to come. He had worked in the coal mines in Wales and that's how he started here too. He's the one who returned to England to resign with the Irish Guards. Then there were people who had experience in other lower middle income jobs - clerks, teachers. And of course Canada wanted professionals too - needed them so your Grandfather would have been amongst that group I'd expect. My father's father was the one waiting in Montreal for his about to be bride and he had been a grocer's clerk in London and came to B. C. and got work with the first telegraph company as a delivery boy (at 33 years old) and gradually worked his way up to being a clerk. Hope this gives you some idea but collections canada also has some interesting pages about the history here. Keep well, Eleanor ----- Original Message ----- From: "Faith Batson" <Faith45@batsonc.freeserve.co.uk> To: <greatwar@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 2:37 PM Subject: Re: [GREATWAR] James Maclean Hi Eleanor - Thanks very much for your kind email. I will try www.collectionscanada to see what I may be able to find. It seems easier if a relative died in the war, than if they lived, as there seems to be more information. Unfortunately the only copy of a very faded newspaper cutting I have does not show him in any uniform only a very faded suit. I did manage to find he travelled on the SS Cassandra from Glasgow in September 1912 to Montreal. I do not know where he went from there, and wonderd if he already had another family member there, and when war started maybe came home to England. I have also found last night the 1911 Census and found a James Maclean aged 35, Solicitor - Montreal - St Louis Ward. I am unsure of the disrtricts in Canada. Someone told me that he may have had to take a train to Quebec. Would he have had to arrange a job before entering Canada , - or did he take "pot luck" as we say here in England. Thanks for taking the time to read this email - Faith ----- Original Message ----- From: "ecrrwd" <e1crowe@telus.net> To: <greatwar@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 12:29 AM Subject: Re: [GREATWAR] James Maclean > Hi Faith, > > Ordinarily I would suggest that you try the site that gives the Canadian > Expeditionary Forces attestation papers. It seems to be down at the > moment as I just tried it but you might give it a try yourself > www.collectionscanada.ca plus there is always the Commonwealth Graves > site at www.cwgc.org > > Of course your grandfather may have returned to the UK to join up. My > grandfather who had emigrated from Wales in 1910 had earlier in his life > served with the Irish Guards. In 1914 he returned and served with the > Irish Guards until he was discharged in 1915 on medical grounds. Do you > have any photos of your grandfather in uniform that might help you > identify his battalion or unit or?? I'm not an expert at military > matters. > > Also available on www.collectionscanada.ca when the site is working > properly are some passenger lists free to view and print out. It's a job > finding a person though if you don't have any idea of what ship they might > have arrived on but lucky you you have the name of the ship and the year > which narrows it down immensley. > > Do you have any idea of which province in Canada he came to? Both B. C. > and Manitoba have vital statistics on line so you'd have access to those > also if he was in either of these provinces. > > I seem to be going on and on so will leave it at that. Please let me know > if you think I might be able to help somehow. > > Eleanor B. C. CAnada > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Faith Batson" <Faith45@batsonc.freeserve.co.uk> > To: <GREATWAR@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2007 3:06 PM > Subject: [GREATWAR] James Maclean > > > I am looking for information on my grandfather James Maclean who came to > Montreal in September 1912. > > He was aged 35 and a Solicitor. > > The ship he came in on was called SS Cassandra. > > I was told he was in WW1, and possibly RAMC. > > I am not certain if he left Canada to return to England or what. > > I am certain also that he had family already there. > > Thanks - Faith > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.4/811 - Release Date: 5/18/2007 > 3:50 PM > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.6/813 - Release Date: 5/20/2007 7:54 AM

Hi again - Thank you so much for your email. I realy appreciate it. I have very blurred copy of the 1911cenus which really is impossible to read I have contacted someone regarding this and there is nowhere where I could get a better copy to read, which is most unfortunate, as I am desperate to read it all. We are still awaiting our 1911 Census here in England, we still have the 100 year rule, which is annoying. It's interesting reading abut other peoples lives, I am fascinated by it all. My husband has a sister and brother in BC, and another sister in Burlington. They emigrated about 30 years ago. I have been to Burlington and BC for a holiday. Wonderful country. Well thanks for getting back to me. I really appreciate it. best Wishes - Faith Yes, maybe he did come to Canada before and returned back again. ----- Original Message ----- From: "ecrrwd" <e1crowe@telus.net> To: <greatwar@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 12:57 AM Subject: Re: [GREATWAR] James Maclean > Hi Faith, > > I'm glad if any of what I sent is helpful! I think you're right that it's > easier to find information about those who died than those who lived. If > he joined up in Canada I'm certain you'll find information on the > collections canada site. > > I'm wondering, since you found someone who would appear to be him on the > 1911 census and also on the SS Cassandra in 1912 if he perhaps had come > here a little earlier, got himself a job and then went back for a visit > or??? > > I congratulate you on finding anything in our 1911 census. What a > nightmare to try to read most of that thing. Don't get me wrong I'm very > grateful that it's there. > > Districts in Canada - well we have them but I'm not sure of any of them > outside of B. C. where I live. But as for taking a train to Montreal, the > ship, if it was docking in Quebec probably also docked in Montreal. > Quebec and Montreal are the two main cities in the province of Quebec. If > he had landed somewhere else, on the eastern coast for example, then he > probably would have taken a train to Montreal. My Dad's mother > disembarked at Montreal. I actually have a photo taken of my grandfather, > youthful and slim, in Montreal waiting for her. > > As far as people having jobs before arriving, I think many didn't and came > because our government in the late 19th and early 20th century advertised > for British citizens to come extolling the wonders of Canada, promising > "free" land parcels, lots of work in mines, on the railway etc. "Pot > luck" as you said. These were the labourers jobs that some came to. My > mother's side of the family were among those and her father, my > grandfather, came ahead the same year Mom was born in Wales and in 1912 > (also!!) sent for his wife and two young children to come. He had worked > in the coal mines in Wales and that's how he started here too. He's the > one who returned to England to resign with the Irish Guards. Then there > were people who had experience in other lower middle income jobs - clerks, > teachers. And of course Canada wanted professionals too - needed them so > your Grandfather would have been amongst that group I'd expect. > > My father's father was the one waiting in Montreal for his about to be > bride and he had been a grocer's clerk in London and came to B. C. and got > work with the first telegraph company as a delivery boy (at 33 years old) > and gradually worked his way up to being a clerk. > > Hope this gives you some idea but collections canada also has some > interesting pages about the history here. > > Keep well, > > Eleanor > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Faith Batson" <Faith45@batsonc.freeserve.co.uk> > To: <greatwar@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 2:37 PM > Subject: Re: [GREATWAR] James Maclean > > > Hi Eleanor - Thanks very much for your kind email. > > I will try www.collectionscanada to see what I may be able to find. It > seems > easier if a relative died in the war, than if they lived, as there seems > to > be more information. > > Unfortunately the only copy of a very faded newspaper cutting I have does > not show him in any uniform only a very faded suit. > > I did manage to find he travelled on the SS Cassandra from Glasgow in > September 1912 to Montreal. > > I do not know where he went from there, and wonderd if he already had > another family member there, and when war started maybe came home to > England. > > I have also found last night the 1911 Census and found a James Maclean > aged > 35, Solicitor - Montreal - St Louis Ward. I am unsure of the disrtricts > in > Canada. > > Someone told me that he may have had to take a train to Quebec. > > Would he have had to arrange a job before entering Canada , - or did he > take > "pot luck" as we say here in England. > > Thanks for taking the time to read this email - Faith > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "ecrrwd" <e1crowe@telus.net> > To: <greatwar@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 12:29 AM > Subject: Re: [GREATWAR] James Maclean > > >> Hi Faith, >> >> Ordinarily I would suggest that you try the site that gives the Canadian >> Expeditionary Forces attestation papers. It seems to be down at the >> moment as I just tried it but you might give it a try yourself >> www.collectionscanada.ca plus there is always the Commonwealth Graves >> site at www.cwgc.org >> >> Of course your grandfather may have returned to the UK to join up. My >> grandfather who had emigrated from Wales in 1910 had earlier in his life >> served with the Irish Guards. In 1914 he returned and served with the >> Irish Guards until he was discharged in 1915 on medical grounds. Do you >> have any photos of your grandfather in uniform that might help you >> identify his battalion or unit or?? I'm not an expert at military >> matters. >> >> Also available on www.collectionscanada.ca when the site is working >> properly are some passenger lists free to view and print out. It's a job >> finding a person though if you don't have any idea of what ship they >> might >> have arrived on but lucky you you have the name of the ship and the year >> which narrows it down immensley. >> >> Do you have any idea of which province in Canada he came to? Both B. C. >> and Manitoba have vital statistics on line so you'd have access to those >> also if he was in either of these provinces. >> >> I seem to be going on and on so will leave it at that. Please let me >> know >> if you think I might be able to help somehow. >> >> Eleanor B. C. CAnada >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Faith Batson" <Faith45@batsonc.freeserve.co.uk> >> To: <GREATWAR@rootsweb.com> >> Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2007 3:06 PM >> Subject: [GREATWAR] James Maclean >> >> >> I am looking for information on my grandfather James Maclean who came to >> Montreal in September 1912. >> >> He was aged 35 and a Solicitor. >> >> The ship he came in on was called SS Cassandra. >> >> I was told he was in WW1, and possibly RAMC. >> >> I am not certain if he left Canada to return to England or what. >> >> I am certain also that he had family already there. >> >> Thanks - Faith >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >> Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.4/811 - Release Date: 5/18/2007 >> 3:50 PM >> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> >> > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.6/813 - Release Date: 5/20/2007 > 7:54 AM > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > >