Whenever, I read anything about my great grandfather Magnus Johnston Robertson (17 Dec 1865-10 Nov 1960), there is the phrase "jumped ship in Nanaimo". Is there anyway to find out what ship he jumped and in what year?
My father and I were visiting his grave two weeks ago and neither one of us knew exactly when he came to Nanaimo. The 1871 and the 1881 Census has him living with his siblings and parents in Pettifirth and Tingwall respectively. I also have him in Nanaimo on the BC Voters list of 1898. The 1901 Census and the 1911 Census have him living with his wife and kids in Nanaimo, British Columbia. His death certificate states that he was in British Columbia and the Municipality since 1896. However, the 1901 Census says that he immigrated in 1890 and his wife Margaret immigrated in 1896. The 1911 census has Magnus' Naturalization as 1892 and his wife's is 1898. To add to the confusion... his marriage certificate has him marrying Margaret Henry on March 9, 1897 at North Califf in Tingwall. His residence at the time is Strom Whiteness.

How would I go about trying to find out what ship he jumped and when?

Shannon