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Hi Everyone
I am not sure if this search can be done but I have been looking for a relation of mine who left England under sad circumstances (never heard of again) some time around 1907 either for USA or Canada. Someone kindly found a passenger record (Wm Priest dep Liverpool to Quebec Canada in 1907) that may belong to him and I have found a possible match for this same person in the Canada 1911 (however shows on the census he arrived in Canada in 1900 but when I checked the 1901 census I cant find him listed anywhere in Canada so I wonder if this is my relation as it is believed he was wanted by authorities back in England for having deserted his wife (after she had another mans child) and moved to Canada and obviously remarried without divorcing first wife). On the 1911 census he is married to a Vera (born in Ontario Canada living in London Ontario). I wonder if someone can search for a marriage between a William Priest and Vera, most likely in Ontario. Many thanks Danielle

Danielle

Ontario, Canada Marriages, 1857-1924
about William Priest
Name: William Priest
Age: 21
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1889
Father Name: Wm Priest
Mother Name: Evelyne Humphrey
Spouse Name: Vera May Cater
Spouse's Age: 21
Spouse Estimated Birth Year: abt 1889
Spouse Father Name: Harry Cater
Spouse Mother Name: Emma J. Brown Cater
Marriage Date: 12 Nov 1910
Marriage Place: Middlesex
Marriage County: Middlesex
Family History Library Microfilm: MS932_149

Rose

Something doesn't add up here. If he came to Canada in 1900 he would only have been 10 or 11 years old. How could he have left a wife behind?

Don't depend too much on Canadian census information. One ancestor is listed as arriving in Canada in 1867; however, all of his children were born before 1867 in Ontario, Canada.

The information seems familiar, but I found this if it is any help:
1930 United States Federal Census
Name: William Priest
Home in 1930: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
Age: 40
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1890
Birthplace: England; Vera-Canada
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Vera
Race: White
Occupation: Foreman, Auto Factory
Rent/home value: Rent
Age at first marriage: 20, 20 for Vera as well
Parents' birthplace: England; Vera-Canada
Immigration: 1913; Vera-1914
Household Members:
Name Age
William Priest 40
Vera Priest 40
Charles Priest 17, Canada, immigrated 1914
Jack Priest 15, Michigan
Helen Priest 9, Michigan
8162 Ellsworth Avenue

Thank you to you both, yes I am puzzled also. BasicallyI am searching for William Henry Priest born 1885 in Barking Essex who left for CAN or USA in c1907. It is believed (according to his neice) that he travelled to USA or CAN and left behind his wife and was never heard of again, except for a post/photo card he sent from Manitoba (date unknown). I was really hoping the Wm Priest who left Liverpool for Canada in 1907 was the one I was looking for. Thanks again

Danielle

Detroit Border Crossings and Passenger and Crew Lists, 1905-1957
Name: Vera Priest
Arrival Date: 24 May 1913
Age: 24
Birth Date: abt 1889
Birthplace: London Ont
Birth Country: Canada
Gender: Female
Race/Nationality: English
Port of Arrival: Detroit, Michigan
Accompanied by: Husband William
Departure Contact: Father Harry Cater
Microfilm Roll Number: M1478_81
There is more information on the image, if you think this is the wife of your William.

Vera's father-in-law was William Priest, living in Brighton, England

Many thanks Lisa, Margaret and Rose.

Well looks like this isnt my man, I was so hoping I had found him, but I guess back to the drawing board it is. My William is the son of Ada and William Priest of Barking Essex. He married May Davey in 1907 and left the scene not long after.

Thanks again
Danielle

Have you tried this site to see if his WWI record is listed?
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet/cef/index-e.html

I cannot access it - perhaps the site is down tonight.

Manitoba Vital Statistics found here:

http://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/Query.php

has a marriage of William Priest and Fanny P. Armstrong in 1910.

Hi

The william henry priest on 25th April, 1917

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet/cef/index-e.html

is unmarried, born 1889, Ilford, Essex, father George William Priest who is listed as his NOK.

Helen

I am sorry for not having replied sooner. THANKYOU so much for your interest and help in this. This is one family mystery that the whole family has been keen to solve for the past 80 years. Aside from the photo William sent back to his brother (my great grandfather) there was no other contact. There is one family story that says William Priest tried to return to the UK during WW1 and travelled under an 'assumed' name so as not to be detected by authorities when he arrived back, but according to the family story the ship he was travelling on was sunk during the crossing. I have not been able to verify this story at all. At a guess the photo that William sent of himself would be dated around 1917 (he looks to be in his early to mid 20's). I do have a George William PRIEST in my tree though not the same as the one you found Helen. My George William was in 1894 (he is William's brother). I shall now go and check out the Manitoba Vital Stats and the WW1 records.

Thanks again

Danielle (Sydney Australia)

Just a thought...Dare I say it??? Could the William Henry Priest that Helen found actually be mine, giving his brothers name as his NOK. As my William and George's father died in 1898 - or am I clutching at straws?

Danielle

Argh! Just looked at the attestation papers and No it would seem they are 2 different William's.

Danielle

Danielle, would the photo have been from an earlier time, as he was born in 1885, which would mean that he would have been about 32 in 1917.

Never was good with numbers! Thanks Lisa yes, photo probably taken c1907 not 1917, so most likely taken not long after having arrived in Canada.

Thanks

Danielle