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lol Sylvia,

My new avatar, although not very clear, is the front side of the postcard. Not sure whether it is a little cherub or a nymphette

lol Persie

Persie

Sylvia,

I have been in contact with Janey via email. Initially I sent her a copy of a postcard my grandfather sent to my grandmother in 1910.

On the front side of the card was a delightful picture drawn by him and on the reverse side was a very intimate short poem.

I have also sent her earlier today some photos of my grandfather.

Janey has been such a help in my quest to find my grandfather's origins that I feel she is almost an honorary member of the family

Kind Regards

Allan

How fascinating Allan.

I'm sure Janey will be interested to know this

Just an update.

I have made contact after 30 years with my cousin who is also a grandchild of Clifford. This cousin has been able to email me quite a few photos of my grandfather.

However, she is unable to help me with his origins. The following is an extract from her first email to me which only deepens the mystery.

"With regard to your question re our Grandfather........Well what a tale that could be, but I really do not know. Nana never said very much about it but Mum was convinced that he was from a grand family, with their own coat of arms, and that he was somehow the "Black Sheep" The story goes that he left the family and changed his name from whatever it was to Mortimer, and lived a very intellectual life entertaining all manner of people in his studio, from dustmen upwards, as long as they were clever. He, as you know made his living painting, mainly churches as far as I can tell. After Nana died, Mum sent Dad on a quest to find out more as she was becoming really keen to know. However all Dad could find is a Marriage Certificate for Nana, which I assume that you have now got. I do know that he died of kidney failure when in his 70's and all the money that they had went on medical care for him. Having told you all this, I have to say that your father declared it to be a" load of rubbish", so who knows. Nice story though. I always think that we are from a titled family way back who would love to know about us........Some hopes!!! Nana also used to tell me that one of her relations was a Russian Ballerina. This was also rubbished by your father! When he died, Nana had to sell up and went to work as a housekeeper down Brighton way. She worked for Eric Lincon of the hand cream fame "Linc o Lin" or something like that. She was also very friendly With Douglas Bader, the famous no legs fighter pilot from the war. I suppose she was quite young when widowed. After that you already know".

Janey, I haven't tried this fully, but you can do a copy of the avatar and then presumably paste it into a photo editing program.

I've copied and pasted the avatar into a word document.

However the photo itself is in a very poor condition. I think that my nephew may have another one of my grandfather. I'll have to email him (my nephew, that is, not my grandfather.)

Allan

I think I can make out that there's a human being there! Here's my chance to ask -- is there some way to view larger versions of the thumbnails?

(I just have avatars blocked by Adblock at .co.uk and only switch to .com.au to look at them if needs must.)

Picture of my 'missing grandfather, Clifford. Not sure when this was taken but certainly between 1915 and 1930 when he died. Taken in Eccles Lancashire I believe.

Allan

Good luck!!!

Hello Sylvia

Enthralling is one word, frustrating is another I would use in connection with this saga.

I'm still no closer to finding Clifford, but at least the sketches have taken their rightful place in Canada's Military History.

Now for the British Post Office!

I have some sketches of the early Post Coaches that date from Willian VI.s time ie before 1837. There was only one company of coach builders who had the contract to supply the Royal Mail Coaches at that time and I am trying to see if there is a list of apprentices and craftsmen available for that period.

regards

Allan

fascinating story ...... and enthralling to read it.


I saw those Martello Towers in Kingston a couple of years ago.




sylvia

You are probably correct, Janey, as in 1900 Clifford would have been approximately 40 years old.

It is a pity that UK Death Certificates do not give as much detail as those in Australia.

My father's DC lists his parents together with his mother's maiden name, his date of birth, the names and ages of his children at the time of death, his spouses (my father remarried after my mother died) their maiden names and the dates of his marriages. Also his occupatoin , place of residence the Cemetery where he is interred and even the Minister's name who conducted the service.

Ah well, time for me to go for now. I'll be going over to the Family History building once they open at 10.00am. They only open on Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays. Tuesdays, for some reason, are always very busy

Regards

Allan

Yeah, as a matter of fact I'd just been doing a global search at Ancestry for Clifford Mortimers, wondering about the US. It just sounds like a 'murrican name to me. ;) Which doesn't stand up, of course, since there were Clifford Mortimers in England. And that batch could have just been coming home from holiday.

Since there's an infant there, it does look like Mr C is more likely a child, son of J&J, I'd think.

Unless, heck, he was Mr J's father. ... But no, he's single.

In my Monck thread I've just had a message from somebody whose ancestor owned the pub next door to my gr-grfather's actress sister and their mum just off Drury Lane in 1871. What fun! A propos of nothing, I just thought it was neat. ;)

Janey, once my pay for my last stint of contractual work (actually my ONLY contractual work this financial year to date) goes into the Bank I will take out a subscription to FMP. In the meantime I will use the resources at the local Family History Society which fortunately is relatively close.

One item of interest that I have not yet pursued further is that in the UK Incoming Passenger List from Ancestry there is a Mortimer Family which arrived at Southampton on 29th May 1900 on the 'Kaiserin Maria Theresia' from New York

The family is listed as;

Mr J Mortimer, Married

Mrs J Mortimer, Married

Mr C Mortimer, Single

Miss J Mortimer, Infant

Unfortunately, only the initials are given.

Incidentally the book is: 'STANLEY BARRACKS: Toronto's military Legacy' and the author is Aldona Sendzikas.

The ISBN number is 978-1554887880 from the books cover it appears thet it may also be in electronic format

Regards

Allan


Allan

I've just been browsing the images of the sketches you sent me again. I was telling my little sister about it all as she drove me to the bus station after Christmas and she was quite interested, so I'm finally sending the story and pix on to her and my brother and nephew who are all connected with Toronto and have an interest in the history.

Thanks Janey

There is also the distinct possibility that the book could have come from the female line e.g. widow, or daughter who married into the Mortimer family.

Ah well, the research will keep me of the streets at night!!

regards

Allan

Allan! I'd been off on a frolic of my own (working ....... buried in work) during Feb and just saw this!

How terrific. Hey, maybe put in a good word for me ... the one the author wouldn't have had those pix if it hadn't been for! I wanna book. ;)

Maybe the book changed hands for some reason after those sketches. Or certainly death is one possibility, or leaving the military.

Have you ever had a look at military records at FMP?

http://www.findmypast.co.uk/chelsea-pensioners-service-records-collection-search-start.action

For instance, search for surname Mortimer born 1810 +/- 20 years -- 74 results.

I think I'd take out whatever sub is needed and just read them all. ;)

Janey,

I have now received a copy of the book and some British Army Units at the Fort have been listed. As I have identified other, earlier sketches in the book as being of Scotland and Ireland I may be able to see if any of those Units were ever posted in those two locations during the dates shown on the sketches.

Strangely, the sketches from the Toronto area are the last ones done in the book and there are still many blank pages following the sketches. Perhaps a death or leaving the military?

Regards


Allan