In the early 1900s, censuses divided Immigrants from Great Britain into two groups. Until the 1951 census, immigrants of Irish origin were reported separately from those of other British origins. As you can see from the table of Montreal Population Statistics, the number of residents of Montreal claiming Irish ancestry stayed fairly steady in the […]
British and Irish Origins to 1951 Read More »
I had always heard that Jim (JV) Waddell had served with the 6th Hussars Reserves in World War II. He died in 1965, so I have few personal memories of him and almost everything I know about his experience in World War II comes from my father, Keith. Having served in the Imperial forces during
Reservist in the 6th Hussars Read More »
Montreal in 1914 The British immigrants living in Montreal at the outbreak of World War 1 were largely staunch supporters of the British Empire as were other British-born Canadians elsewhere in the Dominion of Canada. These British-born immigrants would be quick to volunteer to fight when war was declared in August, 1914. Those who couldn’t
World War I and Montreal Read More »
Canada’s 1901 census put our population at 5,371,315. Fifty-seven percent of those counted claimed British origins. In 1902 the greatest influx of immigrants in Canada’s history began and continued until the beginning of World War 1 in 1914. After an emigration office was established in Trafalgar House, Trafalgar Square, London, in 1903 the number of
Canadian Immigration – Early 1900s Read More »
From the arrival by ship of the first Europeans to North America, immigrants and visitors traveled long distances across the Atlantic to take advantage of the rich resources to be found on the “new” continent. For centuries wooden sailing ships ruled the waves. Getting to Montreal Whenever talking about travel by ship to Montreal, it
Travel By Ship to Montreal Read More »
BICA boy The following story was submitted by Charles Lovatt of Scotland, Colin Lovatt’s great uncle. A few additional details were provided by Deborah Waddell. The Lovatts of Heanor The youngest of four children, Colin was born into a very prosperous family with a pottery business that employed 400 men in Derbyshire. They had a
Colin Lovatt (1913 – 1986) Read More »
by Olwyn Rutter(Douliana, Crete, Greece) When I was eleven my family emigrated to Canada. We travelled on the Empress of England from Liverpool to Montreal. I believe we left England on April 28th and arrived in Canada on May 6th 1964, It was the most wonderful, exciting adventure and was the first of many for
Such an adventure! Read More »
by Gerald Weare(Boston, MA, USA) My father, William Bert Weare, was a BICA boy, arriving in Quebec July 4th 1930, in a party of 15. Unfortunately, he didn’t do well in Canada and returned to England in 1932, where he died in 1986. We have a photo of the group, taken beside the Duchess of
BICA Boys group, arrived July 4th 1930 Read More »
by DIANNE MCCOSKER(Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia) My father Gordon Barton arrived in Canada in 1929 aged 16yrs. He went to Howick, Quebec and worked on a farm there. From all accounts he was very happy there. He joined the church, sang, played a number of musical instruments, painted and played sports. The family that he
Gordon Barton by Dianne McCosker Read More »
by BONNIE LONG(Alberta, Canada) I have recently found out this is how my father arrived in Canada from Scotland. He never spoke to his children on how he came to be here and if mom knew she never said either. I have found his record of arrival with 8 other boys but from there I
