Tag Archives: Canada

List of Alien Passengers {Rita St Clair Cole}

The last document I wanted to share (going through recent finds) was a really interesting one I found recently. It shows a distant relation, Rita St Clair Cole who voyaged on a ship  (part  of  the  Allan  line)  to  Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in October 1914.passenger lists

Unfortunately I can’t read much of the information apart from her name, that she was 22 years old and single.

I can’t read her occupation (possibly Housekeeper), her last permanent residence, name and address of nearest relative or final destination.

Immigration and emigration records

Ancestry recently gave free access to worldwide immigration and emigration records from the UK, North America, Australia, Europe and several other popular destinations. The records included passenger lists, naturalisation records, immigrant registers and convict transportation lists.

I don’t have a paid Ancestry subscription at the moment as I really can’t justify the price. I received an email reminder about the records last night and managed to squeeze in an hour of searching before free access ended.

I found a couple of records of interest:

1. Border Crossings from Canada to US [year?]

  • Rita St Clair Cole
  • age 22
  • occupation Housekeeper
  • Last permanent residence – illegible
  • The name and complete address of nearest relative or friend in country whence alien comes – illegible
  • Final destination – illegible

2. UK Incoming passenger lists

  • Name of ship Briton, steamship line Union Castle MSS?
  • Date of arrival May 28th 1910
  • Whence arrived Natal etc
  • Port of arrival Southampton
  • Port of embarkation – Cape Town
  • Mr Robert Cole, 3rd class
  • Profession Civil Servant
  • Irish, age 27

vintage postcard of the Union Castle ship Briton

I was more surprised that I couldn’t find any records relating to George Duncan who came from Canada to the UK (I think the records start after this date unfortunately).

I also couldn’t find any records of William Cole or his father, Robert Cole, who had a South Africa connection. It’s great to add two new records to my family tree though. I have never successfully used these records before and I’m really happy to have information other than census and BMD records!

 

Duncan, George (1837-1903?)

One of the interesting characters in my family was George Duncan, originally from Canada, born 24 October 1837. Between 1862(?)-1866 he attended McGill College, Montreal where he graduated in 1866 with a MD [Medicinae Doctor(Doctor of Medicine)].

At some point he moved to the UK as on the 05/02/1867 he received the College Licentiateship from The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh then had a career in the Army as 1/10/1867 Assistant Surgeon on the Staff of the Army Medical Department, 6/1/1877 Placed on half pay (temporary reserve) and 6/7/1878 reserve.

On the 1871 Census he can be found at 13 Alfred Place, St Giles, London, age 30, lodger, unmarried, Staff Assistant Surgeon Army Medical Department, Graduate McGill College, Canada, and Licentiate Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Edinburgh.

1871 The Medical Register
registered 1867 Feb 9
residence Montreal, Canada

1875 The Medical Register
registered 1867 Feb 9
residence Staff Assistant Surgeon, Army

Around 1878 or 1879 he got married to Ada Young and they went on to have three children.

1879 The Medical Register
registered 1867 Feb 9
residence Fareham, Hants

On the 1881 Census he is living at 4 Cleopatra Terrace, Portsea
age 38, born Montreal, Canada, occupation Licentiate Royal College Of P & L Edinburgh, Physician& Surgeon.

1883 The Medical Register
registered 1867 Feb 9
residence Landport, Portsmouth, Hants

1887 The Medical Register
registered 1867 Feb 9
residence Landport, Portsmouth, Hants

1891 The Medical Register
registered 1867 Feb 9
residence Landport, Portsmouth, Hants

On the 1891 Census he is at 153 Sultan Road, Portsea, age 49, occupation Physician and Surgeon, neither employed nor unemployed.

He is listed in the 1898 The Medical Directory at 104 Kingston Road, Portsmouth
M.D., C.M., McGill, 1866, LRCP Edin., LRCS Edin., 1867, late Surg. Army

1899 The Medical Register
registered 1867 Feb 9
residence Landport, Portsmouth, Hants.

On the 1901 Census he is at 9 Norham Avenue, Shirley, Southampton, age 62, widow, Physician and Surgeon, working on own account.

He is not listed in 1903 or later Register

Date or place of death not known