Search for content in message boards

Wilfred Perkins "Perk" Thompson, 1892-1963, Listowel, Perth County

Wilfred Perkins "Perk" Thompson, 1892-1963, Listowel, Perth County

Posted: 7 Apr 2015 12:53AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Thompson, McCallum
"Perk" was my husband's grandfather, and was born in Listowel. His mother was Emily Jane Thompson, b 1858 in Listowel, and d 1934 in Parkhill, Ont. I have Emily Jane Thompson's antecedents well-researched, but am stuck on Perk's father. A rumour has Perk's father as a "John McCallum", with no other info. There are many "John McCallum"s listed on Census records in Southwestern Ontario, who would have been in the right age group to be the father. Emily Jane Thompson remained single for life. Also, the Perkins name is from Emily's grandmother.

Does anyone know:
1. Anything about this story? I suspect it was a scandal at the time.
2. Where Perk was living during the 1901, 1911, or 1921 Census? He is not listed with his mother, nor any of her siblings.
3. Was there a "Boy's Home", or boarding school, or something similar where Perk might have been sent to live?
4. Any ideas where I might research further?

Thank you very much for your time and any assistance!
Shirley Thompson

Re: Wilfred Perkins "Perk" Thompson, 1892-1963, Listowel, Perth County

Posted: 7 Apr 2015 10:15AM GMT
Classification: Query
Delayed Statement of Birth #502730

Thompson, Wilfred Perkins
Born: 26 April 1892, male
Born: Listowel, Wallace Tsp, Perth County
Father: Wilfred Thompson b London England
Mother: Emily Jane Thompson, b Wallace Township
This was signed by Jean Thompson [his wife] at Parkhill 10 Oct 1961.

Marriage:
Wilfred Perkins Thompson, 32, baker, b Listowel Ont, living Goderich, s/o Wilfred P Thompson & Elizabeth Menzies, married Jean Gladys Forman, 20, nurse, d/o John Forman and Mary Fraser, 6 Sept 1927 at Seaforth Ont.

It was Emily Jane whose father was named Wilfred and mother Menzies according to her death registration. Informant was W P Thompson, son, of Parkhill in 1934 so he was living there then.

The mother's information doesn't agree with the birth declaration given by Jean Forman Thompson in 1961.


Headstone says Wilfred [Perk] Thompson, 1892-1963
his wife
Jean G Forman
1907- 1992
Parents of Dorothy, Jack, Murray, Alliene, Barry, Helan.

WW1 Attestation Papers
Corp Wilber Perkins Thompson, b 26 April 1892 at Listowel, baker, next of kin: Mrs Emma Thompson of Listowel.
Previous military: 1 year Infantry
Signed up in London 14 Jan 1915.

Primary Inspection US Department of Labor Immigration Service
22 July 1923
Thompson, Wilfred P, 31yrs7mths, bookkeeper
Last residence in Canada: 1182-79th St Edmonton Alberta
Going to: 856 Marquette Rd Chicago Illinois
Nearest relative in Canada; Mother Emily of Listowel Ontario
Had been in US previously in 1914.
Place of birth: Listowel Ont
Pre-examination Location: Winnipeg Manitoba
Going to Aunt Annie Duffus in Detroit? Chicago? Don't know whether that is in 1923 or 1914.

Did not find a border crossing for him in 1914.


1921 census Victoria Alberta
Thompson W P, 29, Ont, parents b Ontario, farmer
Tremain, C V, partner, 28, Ont
Nelson, Arthur, 13, Norway

1910 census Anna Duffus, 48, widow, is living in Chicago with son Wilford N plus some other children. Unfortunately this Wilford is only 12 so is too young to be your Wilfred.

1901 Anna and William Dufuss are living in Chicago. Children are listed as M Fred, 4, and Jean W, 2.

Cannot find him in 1901 or 1911. He must be with relatives somewhere but where?
I have used up all my ideas.
Good luck.

Re: Wilfred Perkins "Perk" Thompson, 1892-1963, Listowel, Perth County

Posted: 8 Apr 2015 8:10PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you very much for all of your help! I did have all of that, except for the 1921 Census. It's certainly a mystery where Perk was in 1901 and 1911. I'm even wondering if he was with his mother, but she simply didn't report him to the census-taker.

I've also searched the Canadian census on the Library and Archives site [http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Pages/home.aspx], and at Automatedgenealogy.ca. Same results. I've looked through the census records for Listowel page-by-page, in case he was mis-transcribed.

Thanks again for all of your efforts!
Shirley
per page

Find a board about a specific topic