I'm trying to find information about John Dilts parents.

All I know about John is that he was born in Welland or Wellandport. He married Ellen Game also known as Nellie. They had 2 children both born in Ontario. Their daughter Jessie Edna was born in 1897 and she married John Daniel Marlatt. I found John and his family in the New York state census of 1910.I then found his application for Alberta Homestead application in 1914. In 1918 his son Arthur Alfred lists his next of kin as John from Welland on his WW1 attestation paper.

1910 NY census his year of birth as 1861
1914 Alberta homestead application lists his age as 56 this would make him born abt 1858.

If anyone knows this John Dilts, I would greatly appreciate any information.

Thank you

There are 2 WW1 Enlistments for Arthur Alfred Dilts.
#1,
Dilts, Arthur Alfred
Address: Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
Born: Ontario [ town unknown]
Next if kin: Nellie Dilts, mother, of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
Date of birth: 17 Apr 1898
Trade: farm laborer
Previous military: none
Signed up 24 May 1916 at Calgary Alberta.
Regimental # 258311.
Says it is a duplicate.



#2
Dilts, Arthur Alfred
Address: Claresholm Alberta
Born: Welland Ont
Next of kin: John Dilts, father, of Welland PO
Date of birth: 7 Oct 1899
Trade: teamster
Previous military: 211th in Calgary
Signed up 25 May 1918, Calgary Alberta
Regimental # 2504120.
Says it is a duplicate.

The signatures look the same. Did he get discharged for some reason and then re enlisted. Nellie died? Nellie and John were separated?
Did he lie about his age and then they discharged him and he re enlisted when he was 18?

It could be the age thing. I've seemed to run into this a lot. From what I have read from various sources, it seems everyone was very enthusiastic about joining, and doing their part. Friends were, and they probably felt a sense of duty and honour. In hind-sight, I don't think many knew what they were getting themselves into, and the horrors they were going to face if they made it to Europe. I came across one individual in my family who was slightly under-age, and he enlisted at 3 different locations within 2 weeks, giving slightly different info each time, including "plays" on his name.

Hi,

Thank you for your time.

I did have the information listed. I think Arthur alfred lied in 1916 and enlisted for 2 years. Then in 1918 he re enlisted with his correct birthdate. I know that Ellen died in 1942 and she was listed as a widow. I know Ellen is buried in Queenslawn cemetery and I believe John is buried there too. But, John is not listed on the headstone.
I also have a copy of the Alberta homestead application that John Dilts applied in 1914. But, I cant find when and where John and Ellen married. This is what I need to determine John's parents.

Thanks again.

Would you know if John also went by William?

I really dont know. But,I dont think so, all records show John. I think there was a william omar Dilts. But,I'm not sure if they are related. Why?

In the 1861 census for Moulton, Haldimand Co; the is a Wm Dils 32, wife Jane 33, sons Sylvester 5, Wm 3. If your John was born 1858, I had considered this could be him.