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Albert James Gibbs born Meon Stoke uk 1907, traveled to Ontario in 1921

Albert James Gibbs born Meon Stoke uk 1907, traveled to Ontario in 1921

Posted: 14 Jan 2015 9:25PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 15 Jan 2015 1:22PM GMT
Surnames: Gibbs, Thornton
Hello,
I have been researching my great uncle, Albert James Gibbs, born 8 Feb 1907 in Meon Stoke, Hampshire, uk.

Aged 15, Albert traveled alone to Canada aboard the Minnedosa Ship on the 22/9/22, paid for by Barnardos.
He was traveling to the Barnados Care home at, 538 Jarvis Street, Toronto, Mr J.W.Hobday (listed as friend, although I believe he was the manager of the care home)

I have found a couple of photos of Albert in the 'Ups and Downs' magazine which was a great find although these records and photos were only up to the year after he arrived.

I also found travel documents, that showed that Albert returned to Meon Stoke to see his family for his 20th birthday in Feb 1927 and then returned to Ontario in April 1927. Was it common for people to do this? To me, it seems nice that he was still in contact with family and able to arrange a visit.

Now, unfortunately, I am at a dead end, due to a couple of factors.
I am trying to find out if Albert got married and had children in Canada, and his date of death. With no confirmed luck yet.

One one of his travel documents in 1921 for his first arrival in Canada, states that he was going to do 'farming' and to stay with:

William M (maxwell?) Thornton
In Brampton, Chinguacousy

I have found electoral records of an Albert Gibbs living in Toronto as a stationary engineer married to a Winniefred Gibbs although i have a hunch that this wasn't him. He was still a farmer when he was 20.

I have also found records of a grave in Huron County, Ontario at Clinton cemetery. I have been in contact with them and they are seeing if they have anymore information. (someone advised that Huron/Clinton was a prime place for farming work and Barnardos children to go to.

I just thought i would put this information out there, in case there is anyone with any advice or help for me.

Thanks in advance,

Re: Albert James Gibbs born Meon Stoke uk 1907, traveled to Ontario in 1921

Posted: 30 Jan 2015 10:39PM GMT
Classification: Query
I am sure I have just covered the same material that you have but sometimes new eyes pick out something.

Family tree on Ancestry says he died in Toronto but no date or source is given. Parents given as Frederick and Mary Ann.
Says father Frederick died 1918 so perhaps that is why he was with Barnardos.
1911 census England has Frederick, Mary Ann, William 5, Albert 4, Frances 3 and Herbert 10/12.
Did any of the others to to Canada? Not that I could find.

The March 1927 passenger list I found on Ancestry.ca says
Albert Gibbs, cannot read the age as it is blurred but it definately begins with number 1, born Newhaven England, passage paid by-'assisted', trade in England: grocer, trade in Canada: farming, going to Ont ???? Dept Toronto Ont, farm placement, contact in England: Father, George Payne Gibbs, 6 South? Road, Newhaven Sussex .

You were right about J W Hobday. He is on 1921 census at 52 Peter Street Toronto with wife Rose and children Kathleen, Irene and Clifford. They immigrated in 1921 and he is listed as Manager St Barnados Home.
Passenger List for 1921 says he was escort part of Barnados children to Canada. Had previously arrived in Canada 29 June 1920, leaving 24 Aug 1920 so he was likely an 'escort' then as well. Looks like he made about 5 trips 'escorting' children.
Barnardos address in Toronto is 50/52 Peter Street on his arrival form.

Have you tried this site?
http://canadianbritishhomechildren.weebly.com/

There is a William Gibbs, age 20, arrived 1926 on the home children site, going to Guelph. The age is about right but it is a common name.
A lot of the children also went to the Peterborough area.
Can the Barnardoes organization help you out?
I am sure you have gone down every alley.
I haven't found any Wm M Thornton on 1921 census but found a marriage for a William Maxwell Thornton 13 Dec 1907 to Elizabeth McDonald. He was born c 1881, died 1966 buried Dixon Union Cemetery [not far from Brampton].
No Gibbs in the cemetery.
The above Thorntons had a son, aged 11, who died in 1920 of diabetes. Maybe they decided to take in a 'home boy' to fill the gap.
I can find Maxwell on all census except 1921.
Good luck.

There are too many Albert Gibbs on voter's lists to sort out.

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