Family/Spouse: Fanny BOTT. Fanny died in Mar 1847 in Sherborne, Dorset Somerset, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ 1881 Census Place Holwell, Dorset, England census

Source Information:
Dwelling Sandhills
Census Place Holwell, Dorset, England
Family History Library Film 1341511
Public Records Office Reference RG11
Piece / Folio 2116 / 85
Page Number 10

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Age Birthplace Occupation Disability
Samuel MELMER Head M Male 86 Cheriton, Dorset, England Waterloo Pensioner
Eliza MELMER Wife M Female 64 Holwell, Dorset, England Glover
Edith JEANS Grand Daur U Female 11 Holwell, Dorset, England Scholar

Samuel married Eliza GILLINGHAM in Mar 1852 in Sherborne Dorset Somerset England. Eliza was born in 1817 in Holwell, Dorset, England; died in Mar 1904 in Holwell, Dorset, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Rebecca UNKNOWN. Rebecca was born in 1799 in Compton Pauncefoot, Somerset, England; died in Mar 1878 in Sherborn, Dorset Somerset, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

About MELMER, George
George Melmer was born in Jersey according to 1851 census, entry registered St Helier 1802 to parents George & Fanny, nee Bott.

According to the entry in the 1841 census George was aged 35 with his wife and 5 of his children. It should be noted that his wife Matilda was enumerated in the name of Martha (enumerator`s error?). I have no evidence of George being married to a Martha! The family were resident at Fairview Street, St Mary`s Cheltenham, and George was described as a confectioner. His eldest son, George, was aged 15 an apprentice, the other children were scholars which included Frances 10, Martha 8, William 6 & Henry 4. Daughter Matilda was elsewhere on the night of the 1841 census as was daughter Elizabeth (born circa 1828).

This family were present at 33 St Paul`s Street North, Cheltenham, in 1851, where George and Matilda were resident with their family. George was enumerated as a 48 year old pastry cook, wife Matilda was aged 50. Daughter Elizabeth Melmer was present in 1851 along with other siblings and Matilda Cooley, mother in law, aged 76, widowed annuitant born Bridgenorth, Shropshire.

Death certificate on file. He died an early death in 1854 aged 52 in Cheltenham of Dropsey, General Anasarca & Debility. His death was registered by son William, in attendance at 35 St Pauls St North.

I do not know where George Melmer is buried. I checked the registers at Bouncers Lane cemetery in Cheltenham, but burials did not begin there until 1864. Cheltenham Cemetery opened with its first burial in 1864, charmingly recorded in the Register of Burials as "The First Commencement" taking place on the 19 November of that year.

NOTE 1./ 1841 Cheltenham, Gloucester, England census,

Name Estimated Birth Year Birthplace Civil Parish County/Island
George Melmer abt 1806 Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Martha Melmer abt 1806 Cheltenham Gloucestershire
George Melmer abt 1826 Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Frances Melmer abt 1831 Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Martha Melmer abt 1833 Gloucestershire, England Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Wm Melmer abt 1835 Gloucestershire, England Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Henry Melmer abt 1837 Gloucestershire, England Cheltenham Gloucestershire

NOTE 2./ 1851 Cheltenham, Gloucester, England census,

Name Estimated Birth Year Birthplace Relationship Civil Parish County/Island
George Melmer abt 1803 Isle of Wight, Jersey, Channel Islands Head Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Matilda Melmer abt 1801 Middlesex, England Wife Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Melmer abt 1828 Leicestershire, England Daughter Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Frances Melmer abt 1830 Leicestershire, England Daughter Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Martha Melmer abt 1833 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Dau Cheltenham Gloucestershire
William Melmer abt 1835 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Son Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Henry Melmer abt 1838 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Son Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Matilda Cooley abt 1775 Bridgenorth, Shropshire, Eng Mother-in-law Cheltenham Gloucestershire

NOTE 3./ e-mail from Carol Cooper ([email protected]) on 8-19-2007

The 1841 census for Fairview Street, Cheltenham, shows the Melmers (George Snr & Martha (sic.) - should read Matilda) with their family of children at that time, namely George 15 (ages were rounded in 1841) and Frances 10 (both born out of county) with Martha 8, William 6 and Henry 4, all born within county of Gloucestershire.

The 1851 census for St Paul's St. North, Cheltenham, shows the Melmer family excluding son George (enumerated as Melmore), who was residing in lodgings at 8 Hanover Street, just around the corner [I know both streets well], with wife Ann and children Emma 8, Mary Ann 6, Elizabeth 3 & George 1 month old. I have now purchased both birth certificates for first and last children, namely Emma in 1843 at 25 Brunswick Street and George in 1851 at 8 Hanover Street, which clearly shows they were born to George Melmer and Ann Hughes - see attached. However, I have not managed to find any marriage between George and Ann Hughes in the indexes for either England or Wales, so presume they did not actually manage to tie the knot, which is a shame as a marriage certificate would confirm who his father was.

What makes me so convinced that this George Melmer, with Ann, was most definitely the son of George and Matilda is that apart from being the only other Melmer family in Cheltenham at that time and living just round the corner from his parents, his birth occurred (according to the 1851 census) in Southampton, which was precisely the same place as his parents' marriage took place the same year, see the death certificate of Matilda Melmer, which I sent you a copy of in a previous email some while ago.

What I can also be certain of is that the reason we cannot find George 1824 in the 1881 census for Canada is because he was almost certainly dead by this time. In his mother Matilda Melmer's death certificate in 1883 at Ipswich, Queensland, Australia, it stated she was the mother of only 3 living children at the time of her death, namely Martha, William and Henry - those deceased were 1 male (can only be George 1824) and 3 females.

So, I speculate that George, Ann and four children left the UK shortly after 1851 for foreign shores, possibly America or even Australia and after the death of first wife Ann Hughes, George moved on to Canada to be with other members of his family, leaving behind his children some of whom would by this time have grown up and probably married and settled. He subsequently married second wife Mary Wallace circa 1856 and the two daughters quickly followed that marriage. From the age of Matilda Eaton (24) in 1881, she must have been the elder of the two daughters.

What I also noticed from the 1881 census entry for the Eaton family in Montreal, was that Robert Eaton, the Pedler, was considerably older than Matilda, indeed he must have been a widower at marriage, as the eldest child in the household was William aged 14. He could not possibly have been Matilda's son, only Robert 4 and Matilda 1 could have been her children, suggesting that Matilda Melmer married Robert Eaton circa 1876, upon reaching the age of 21 years. It is quite conceivable therefore that by 1901 Canadian census, Robert Eaton may have died and his young wife Matilda, may just have remarried and taken another surname by this time. If their daughter Matilda had also married before 1901, she too would be almost impossible to locate in the 1901 census, without evidence of such a marriage. Robert Eaton Jnr would almost certainly have been of an age to fight in a War at the turn of the century, also making his appearance in any census of 1901 very difficult to find - all this is only speculation but could account for their "disappearance" from any census after 1881.

GeorgeSr married Matilda COOLEY in 1824 in Southhampton, Hampshire, England. Matilda (daughter of William COOLEY and Matilda NOYES) was born in 1800 in Bridgenorth, Shropshire, England; died on 11 Dec 1883 in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia; was buried on 12 Dec 1883 in Ipswich Cemetary. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Jane UNKNOWN. Jane was born in 1810 in Bishop Caundle, Dorset, England; died in Mar 1877 in Sarum, Dorset, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Loamia JEANS. Loamia (son of Unknown JEANS and Sarah UNKNOWN) was born in 1836 in Lydlinch, Dorset, England; died after 1901 in Holwell, Dorset, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: John JAMES. John was born in 1837 in Lydlinch, Dorset, England; died after 1901 in Holwell, Dorset, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jane married William ANDREWS in Sep 1876 in Sherborne Dorset Somerset. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married William VINCENT in Mar 1860 in Dorchester, Dorset. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ About MELMER, George
Resident at Fairview Street, St Mary`s Cheltenham, in 1841 along with parents and siblings. Enumerated as 15 year old apprentice, born out of county.

Son of George and Matilda Melmer, present as a lodger in the household of Richard Floyce, shoemaker, in 1851, at 8 Hanover Street, Cheltenham, aged 27.

According to the 1871 directory for Montreal, Quebec, Canada, George and Mary Melmer & two children were resident at 28 St David Lane, PQ. George employed as a labourer.

NOTE 2./ 1851 Cheltenham England Census, "Electronic,"

Name Birth Year Birthplace Relation Civil parish County
George Melmore abt 1824 Southampton, Hampshire, England Lodger Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Ann Melmore abt 1822 Welchen Wootton, Monmouthshire, Wales Lodger Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Melmore abt 1848 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Lodger Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Emma Melmore abt 1843 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Lodger Cheltenham Gloucestershire
George Melmore abt 1851 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Lodger Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Mary Ann Melmore abt 1845 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Lodger Cheltenham Gloucestershire

GeorgeJr married Ann HUGHES about 1842 in England. Ann was born in 1822 in Welchen Wootton, Monmouthshire, Wales; died after 1854 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Matilda married William HARRIS on 18 May 1846 in St Mary's Parish, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. William (son of James HARRIS and Sarah OSBORNE) was born on 26 Dec 1820 in Box, Gloucestershire; died on 18 Feb 1855 in Trinity Cottage, Portland Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Matilda married John Francis DAY on 19 May 1861 in Leckhampton Church, Cheltenham, Gloucester. John (son of William DAY) was born in 1820 in Newland, Oxfordshire; died in Feb 1891 in Union Workhouse, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married Doctor Nelson Towers CODY in 1873 in San Francisco, California. Nelson (son of Unknown CODY and Panorid UNKNOWN) was born on 12 Sep 1829 in New York; died after 1889 in San Francisco, California; was buried on 01 Dec 1896 in Onondaga, Cicero, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married Thomas MURPHY on 16 Jan 1854 in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. Thomas was born in 1823 in Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

About MELMER, Frances (Per Carol Cooper)
Present in the family home at Fairview Street, St Mary`s Cheltenham, in 1841 with parents and siblings. Frances was aged 10 years.

In 1851 Frances Melmer was enumerated as a seamstress aged 21, born Leicester, at 33 St Paul`s Street North, Cheltenham, with parents and siblings.

Frances does not appear in the 1861 census anywhere in the UK. I have searched the BMD indexes for deaths and marriages between 1851 and 1861 to no avail. It is likely therefore that Frances emigrated, like many of her siblings. However, at the time of her mother`s death in 1883, the certificate of death indicated that Frances was one of Matilda`s deceased children at that time.

Martha married Jonas William JONES on 27 Feb 1854 in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. Jonas (son of Samuel JONES and Elizabeth FETCH) was born on 17 Jan 1831 in Brigstock, Northamptonshire, England; died on 14 Aug 1908 in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ 1851 Cheltenham, Gloucester, England census,

Name Estimated Birth Year Birthplace Relationship Civil Parish County/Island
George Melmer abt 1803 Isle of Wight, Jersey, Channel Islands Head Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Matilda Melmer abt 1801 Middlesex, England Wife Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Melmer abt 1828 Leicestershire, England Daughter Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Frances Melmer abt 1830 Leicestershire, England Daughter Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Martha Melmer abt 1833 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Daugh Cheltenham Gloucestershire
William Melmer abt 1835 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Son Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Henry Melmer abt 1838 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Son Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Matilda Cooks abt 1775 Bridgenorth, Shropshire, Eng Mother-in-law Cheltenham Gloucestershire

NOTE 2./ 1871 St louis Ward, Montreal PQ census,
Name: William Malmar
Gender: Male
Age: 35
Birth Year: abt 1836
Birth Place: England
Marital Status: Married
religion: W. Methodist
Origin: Anglaise (English)
Province: Quebec
District: Montreal East
District Number: 105
Division: 06
Subdistrict: St Louis Ward
Subdistrict Number: a

Household Members: Name Age
William Malmar 35
Louisa Malmar 31
Emily Malmar 10
William Malmar 9
Archibald Malmar 5
Arthur Malmar 3
Cecilia Henry 14
Alfred Henry 11

NOTE 3./ 1881 Census Place: St Patrick's Ward, Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada: Source: FHL Film 1375883 NAC C-13247 Dist 134 SubDist H Div 2 Page 100 Family 502
Name Sex Marr Age Origin Birthplace

William MELMER M M 46 English England Occ: Teacher Religion: Presbyterian
Louisa MELMER F M 41 English Q Religion: Presbyterian
Emily F. MELMER F 20 English O Occ: Servant Religion: Presbyterian
William R. MELMER M 20 English O Occ: Clerk Religion: Presbyterian
Archibald MELMER M 16 English O Occ: Shoe Cutter Religion: Presbyterian
Arthur MELMER M 12 English Q Religion: Presbyterian
Alice M. MELMER F 8 English O Religion: Presbyterian
Grace E. MELMER F 6 English O Religion: Presbyterian
George D. MELMER M 4 English O Religion: Presbyterian
John H. MELMER M 3 English O Religion: Presbyterian
Louisa M. MELMER F <1 English O Religion: Presbyterian Born: Dec; 4/12
Alfred HENRY M 21 English O Occ: Factory Hand Religion: Presbyterian

NOTE 4./ from the 1881 Canadian Census:

A./ William and Louisa Melmer, are the only Melmer surname enumerated in the entire 1881 Canadian census, according to the LDS census disk set. This Melmer search was for any origin or heritage, and thus in 1881, puts the only Melmers in Canada, to be those directly associated to William Melmer.

B./ Arthur is the only Child of the 9, that William Melmer fathered, to be born in Quebec. (1869) Alice b. 1873, was the 1st child of William and Louisa. Since Louisa was born in Quebec, it may be that William and Emma were living in Quebec at the time of her passing. Hence, the birth of Arthur and new marriage for William all occurring in less than a four year span between 1869 - 1873.

C./ Alfred HENRY Male, Single, 21, English Origin, Born in Ontario, Occ: Factory Hand Religion: Presbyterian; is enumerated with the William and Louisa Melmer family of 9 children that we can account for. Alfred Henry would be the 12th member of this household. There is evidence that Louisa Levine's name may have actually been Louisa Henry, as indicated on the birth certificate of George Derby Melmer. See .jpeg of certificate, August 10, 1876, parents given as William Melmer and Louisa Henry. That would either make Alfred Henry Louisa's son she could have bore at age 20, or a brother, 21 years her junior. This issue remains unresolved.

D./ Cheltenham
Created 1st July 1837.
Sub-districts : Charlton Kings; Cheltenham.
GRO volumes : XI (1837-51); 6a (1852-1930).
Badgeworth, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, Coberley, Cowley, Great Witcombe, Leckhampton, Prestbury, Shurdington, Staverton, Swindon, Uckington, Up Hatherley
Registers now in Cheltenham district.

NOTE 5./ 1891 Hamilton City, Ontario, Canada census

Name Home in 1891 Birth Year Birthplace Relation
William Melmer Ontario, 72, Hamilton City, Ward 7 abt 1841 England Head
Louisa Melmer Ontario, 72, Hamilton City, Ward 7 abt 1841 Ontario Wife
Alfred Henry Ontario, 72, Hamilton City, Ward 7 abt 1867 Ontario Son
Alice Melmer Ontario, 72, Hamilton City, Ward 7 abt 1873 Ontario Daughter
Grace E Melmer Ontario, 72, Hamilton City, Ward 7 abt 1875 Ontario Daughter
George Melmer Ontario, 72, Hamilton City, Ward 7 abt 1886 Ontario Son
John Melmer Ontario, 72, Hamilton City, Ward 7 abt 1879 Ontario Son
Louisa Melmer Ontario, 72, Hamilton City, Ward 7 abt 1881 Ontario Daughter

Name: William Melmer
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Age: 50
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: England
Relation to Head of House: Head
Religion: Brethren In churt
French Canadian: No
Father's Birth Place: England
Mother's Birth Place: England
Province: Ontario
District Number: 72
District: Hamilton City
Subdistrict: Ward 7
Archive Roll #: T-6342

Household Members: Name Age
William Melmer 50
Louisa Melmer 50
Alfred Henry 24
Alice Melmer 18
Grace E Melmer 16
George Melmer 5
John Melmer 12
Louisa Melmer 10
NOTE 5./ Castle Garden.org Ship Search: <>

First name Last name Occupation Age Sex Arrived Origin Ship
William Melmer Teacher 25 M 19 Mar 1860 England James Foster

William Melmer Occupation Teacher
Age 25
Sex M
Literacy U
Arrived 19 Mar 1860
Origin England
Port Liverpool
Last Residence
Destination USA
Plan Unknown
Ship James Foster Jr.
Passage Unknown

NOTE 6./ Roots and Twigs: Carol Cooper (Tollgate)

Born in Cheltenham and resident with his parents and siblings at Fairview Street, St Mary`s Cheltenham in 1841 aged 6 years.
In 1851 he was living 33 St Paul`s Street North, Cheltenham, with parents and siblings, enumerated as a 16 year old teacher.
William registered the death of his father George in 1854. Place of residence 35 St Paul`s St. North, Cheltenham.
Marriage certificate on file. Married Emma Louisa Edwards in 1858 at Exeter, Devon. GRO ref 5b/139. The couple were married on 11th December 1858 at the Parish Church of All Hallows on the Walls, City of Exeter, Devon, by License, witnessed by Soloman Stoneman and Martha White. William was 23 year old bachelor Schoolmaster resident at Totnes at time of marriage whose father was George Melmer, Confectioner and Emma Louisa Edwards was a 25 year old spinster, from Allhallows, daughter of Robert Edwards, a Tailor. The couple signed the register themselves.

William was a well respected school master and was presented with a Bible upon his departure for foreign shores in 1860, inscribed as follows:
Presented to Mr William Melmer by the Committee of the Cheltenham British Schools as a token of their esteem for his fidelity, diligence and exemplary conduct in the discharge of his duties as a Pupil Techer in the Cheltenham School - signed on behalf of the Committee.

From information received from Bob Millie, a direct descendent of William Melmer, it is understood that he emigrated to Canada in March 1860 on board SS James Foster Jr. out of Liverpool to New York. Passenger List for this ship only shows William Melmer, aged 25, Teacher, born England, no indication of him travelling with wife Emma. The couple had a child born December 1859 and who died 23 April 1860 in Cheltenham - after the emigration to Canada! The baby`s death was registered by it`s grandmother, Matilda Melmer, William`s mother. Emma Melmer did indeed emigrate however, perhaps at a different time, as she had her second child in Ontario in 1861.

Emma died around 1870/72 and William remarried Louisa Henry Levine producing a further 5 children from this relationship.

The family resided in 1881 at St Patrick`s Ward, Toronto, York, Ontario, which included four surviving children from William`s first marriage (the first child Emma Matilda having died aged 6 months in Cheltenham before their passage to Canada).

William married Louisa LAVINE on 22 Feb 1871 in Point Saint-Charles Centenary Methodist Church of Montréal, Quebec. Louisa was born on 04 May 1844 in Quebec; died after 1911 in London, Middlesex County, Ontario; was buried in Hamilton Wentworth Hamilton HM-287. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Emma Louise EDWARDS. Emma (daughter of Robert EDWARDS and Elizabeth HILL) was born on 06 Oct 1833 in All Hallows on the Walls, Exeter, Devon, England; was christened on 06 Oct 1833 in All Hallows On The Walls, Exeter, Devon, England; died about 1871 in Quebec, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ Carol Ward`s Family Tree (Tollgate) <>

Birth certificate on file. Certificate does not name this child, neither does it name the place of birth. However, this child was born to father George Melmer, Pastry Cook, and Matilda, formerly Cooley in 1837. The informant was George Melmer, father, Railway Offices, Cheltenham on the same day as the birth.

Young Henry was present in the family household at Fairview St., St Mary`s Cheltenham, in 1841 along with his parents and siblings. He was 4 years old.

In 1851 Henry Melmer was described as a Hatter, aged 13, living with his parents and siblings at 33 St Pauls Street North, Cheltenham.

I cannot acount for Henry Melmer after the 1851 census therefore believe he went to the States. I have been informed that he did. However, he may well have been one and the same person enumerated as E F Melmer in Nebraska in 1880 - see notes for E F Melmer 1837.

Family/Spouse: Rebecca UNKNOWN. Rebecca was born in 1832 in Campton Pauncefort, Dorset, England; died in Mar 1878 in Sherborne, Dorset, Sommerset, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ellen married William ANDREWS in Jul 1876 in Sherborne Dorset Somerset England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Joseph BARTER in Jun 1873 in Sherborne, Dorset Sommerset, England. Joseph was born in 1815 in Bishop Caundle, Dorset, England; died after 1871 in Sherborne Dorset Somerset. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Private Charles HARRIS on 12 Dec 1865 in Garrison Anglican Church, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Private was born about 1841 in England; died in in Montréal, Quebec. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married William LOVE on 06 Jun 1867 in Toronto, York, Ontario. William (son of Peter LOVE and Jane UNKNOWN) was born in 1844 in Scotland; died on 19 Jun 1921 in Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

George married Mary Ann WALLACE on 03 Feb 1869 in St-James-The-Apostle Anglican Church, Montreal, Quebec. Mary (daughter of George WALLACE and Ellen UNKNOWN) was born about 1852. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ 1881 Ste-Louis Ward, Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada census, Census Place: Ste-Louis Ward, Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Source: FHL Film 1375854 NAC C-13218 Dist 90 SubDist E Div 7 Page 100 Family 526
Sex Marr Age Origin Birthplace
Robert EATON M M 43 English Quebec cc: Pedler Religion: Church of England
Mathilde EATON F M 24 English Ontario Religion: Church of England
William EATON M 14 English Quebec Occ: School Religion: Church of England
Robert EATON M 4 English Quebec Religion: Church of England
Mathildie EATON F <1 English Quebec Religion: Church of England
Born: Jul; 9/12 .

Matilda married Robert EATON on 24 May 1876 in Saint-John Evangelist Anglican Church in Montréal. Robert was born in 1838 in Quebec; died after 1881 in Ste-Louis Ward, Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Ontario

Family/Spouse: Alfred LEWIS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married Charles HARRIS on 09 May 1871. Charles was born on 30 Dec 1845 in Springfield, Essex; died on 02 May 1922 in #1 The Elms, Swindon Rd, Cheltenham, Glou. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Clara married Edward William ERICKSON in 1891 in Queensland, Australia. Edward (son of Magnus ERICKSON) was born on 25 Mar 1861 in Skofde, Sweden. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ OBIT St. Thomas Times Journal, 8 March, 1947 on page 8 Column 1:

Died--Mrs. Thomas Adams, nee Alice Maud Melmer, 74 years, March 6, St.Thomas, Elgin County, Ontario

Family/Spouse: Thomas ADAMS. Thomas (son of David ADAMS and Agnes DOBBIE) was born on 06 Jul 1869 in Lanark County, Ontario; died after Aug 1923 in Port Huron, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ 1891 Hamilton City, Ontario census

Name: Grace E Melmer
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Single
Age: 16
Birth Year: abt 1875
Birthplace: Ontario
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Religion: Free Church
French Canadian: No
Father's Birth Place: Ontario
Mother's Birth Place: Ontario
Province: Ontario
District Number: 72
District: Hamilton City
Subdistrict: Ward 7
Archive Roll #: T-6342

Household Members: Name Age
William Melmer 50
Louisa Melmer 50
Alfred Henry 24
Alice Melmer 18
Grace E Melmer 16
George Melmer 5
John Melmer 12
Louisa Melmer 10

NOTE 2./ Historical Perspective: The Year Was 1873

The year was 1873 and much of the world was entering into a long period of economic depression. The beginning of the Long Depression is typically marked by the crash of the Vienna stock market, which sent ripples across Europe and eventually the United States with the fall of Jay Cooke & Company. The Cooke investment bank was heavily invested in the overbuilt railroad system which was beginning to fail. With the fall of this prominent company, a financial panic ensued and the New York Stock Exchange had to close for ten days. Railroads, factories, banks, and businesses had to close their doors resulting in skyrocketing unemployment rates. The Long Depression would last into the 1890s.

There were other smaller scale disasters in 1873. The British SS Atlantic out of Liverpool (with a stop at Queenstown) hit a submerged rock en route to New York and was wrecked in heavy seas off Nova Scotia. It is estimated that 545 of the 952 passengers perished.

In Baltimore, Maryland, a fire began in the factory of Joseph Thomas and Sons and spread over ten acres of the city. Photos of the fire and aftermath can be found online at the Maryland Historical Society.

A cholera epidemic swept through Birmingham, Alabama. Below is an interesting excerpt from a report from Mortimer H. Jordan, who was secretary of the Jefferson County Medical Society of Birmingham, Alabama, at the time of the epidemic (found on the website of the Reynolds Historical Library at the University of Alabama at Birmingham).

The treatment adopted was the opium and mercurial. When the stomach seemed so inactive that nothing made any impression upon it, an emetic of mustard, salt, ginger, and pepper, suspended in hot water, in many cases produced a warm glow over the surface of the body in a few moments. . . . Diuretics produced no good results. No condition in life, sex, or age escaped. The sucking babe and those of extreme age suffered alike from its ravages.

Before closing this paper, justice demands that we should briefly allude to the heroic and self sacrificing conduct, during this epidemic, of that unfortunate class who are known as 'women of the town.' These poor creatures, though outcasts from society, anathematized by the church, despised by women and maltreated by men, when the pestilence swept over the city, came forth from their homes to nurse the sick and close the eyes of the dead. It was passing strange that they would receive no pay, expected no thanks; they only went where their presence was needed, and never remained longer than they could do good. While we abhor the degradation of these unfortunates, their magnanimous behavior during these fearful days has drawn forth our sympathy and gratitude.

Further north and west, Jesse James and the James- Younger gang robbed a Rock Island train near Adair, Iowa. This first train robbery netted the gang more than $2,300, but was most likely a disappointment for the gang. They were expecting a $100,000 gold shipment, but that shipment had been switched to another train at the last moment.

North of the border in Canada, the Dominion Parliament had more lawful goals in mind when it established the North-West Mounted Police, the predecessor of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Canada was growing and in 1873 Prince Edward Island joined the federation as Canada's smallest province.

In music, the song Home on the Range was born (Daniel Kelly & Brewster M. Higley). The tune went on to become the state song of Kansas and is known around the world.

NOTE 2./ The Fourth National Census, 1901

The first census of the young nation of Canada was taken in 1871, four years after four colonies became Canada. Manitoba and British Columbia joined Canada in 1870 and 1871 and therefore missed being included in the census. By 1901, the year of the fourth census, there were seven provinces, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia, and the Territories, a vast area that included what became Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Yukon, and Northwest Territories.

Government officials planning censuses increased the number of questions every time; for example, there were twelve columns to be completed on the form in 1891 and thirty-one in 1901. All the additional information is a benefit to genealogists, although I wish two columns from 1891 had been retained--the ones asking for the birthplaces of the individual's father and mother. Their absence is partially compensated for by the addition of questions about origin, nationality, and date of immigration. Also useful for genealogy is the addition of columns for date and place of birth, as well as another for the exact date of birth. The 1901 census also seeks information about the work or employment of each person and how much they earned.

Beginning with the name of each person enumerated, this is the list of columns:

Name of each person in household 31 March 1901
Sex
Colour
Relationship to head of household
Single, married, widowed, or divorced
Month and date of birth
Year of birth
Age at last birthday
Country or place of birth (If Canada, include province and add "r" or "u" for rural or urban.)
Year of immigration
Year of naturalization
Racial or tribal origin
Racial or tribal origin
Nationality
Religion
Profession, occupation, or trade
Living on own means
Employer, Employee, or Working on Own Account
Working at a trade in factory or in home
Months employed at trade in factory
Months employed at trade in home
Months employed in other occupation than trade in factory or home
Earnings from occupation or trade
Months at school in the year
Can read
Can write
Can speak English
Can speak French
Mother tongue
Infirmities

It is of significant interest to read the point on the 1901 form about using "r" and "u" to indicate whether the Canadian birthplace was rural or urban.

Grace married Sargeant Henry Thomas Beale MILLIE on 04 Jul 1892 in London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada. Henry (son of Robert Rumgay MILLIE and Elizabeth Margaret BEALE) was born on 14 Sep 1857 in Kilkenny, Ireland; died on 11 Jun 1918 in London, Ontario, Canada; was buried on 11 Jun 1918 in Mount Pleasant Cemetary, Section X, London, Ontario, Canada. ( Veterans Section). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

George married Edna CROCKET on 07 Oct 1917 in Toronto, York County, Ontario. Edna (daughter of George CROCKET and Alma LAWCORK) was born in 1892 in Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ Part of e-mail from Vera VanWagoner on 4/13/02 in response to Jo-Anne Beekx (Melmer) contact w/RAM

My thanks to Jo-Anne who just gave us news of family that is very important to me. Cecil's brother, Russell, was my mother's first cousin and they were very close. John Melmer, (father of Cecil, Russell, Ida and Dora) was my grandmother Grace Melmer's brother and as brother and sister they were very close. John Melmer and wife Mary invited his sister Grace and her daughter (my mother, Ruth) to spend a winter with them in Florida. When Grace Melmer came to Michigan to live, whenever she went back to Canada to visit which was quite often, she most always stayed with her brother Jack and his wife Mary. Russell said when he would come home at night, he always knew when Aunt Grace was visiting as he could hear her snoring.

NOTE 2./ 1901 London Middlesex census: District: ON MIDDLESEX (East/Est) (#87)
Subdistrict: London (City/Cité) Wards/Quartiers No. 3 and 4 D-3 Page 10

Family Name Sex Relationship M/S DOB Age
103 Hunt Eliza F Head W Jul 24 1838 62
103 Melmar John M Boarder M Jul 28 1877 23
103 Melmar Mary F Boarder's Wife M Mar 10 1879 21

NOTE 3./ Detroit Border Crossings and Passenger and Crew Lists, 1905-1957

Name Arrival Date Estimated Birth Year Port of Arrival
John H Melmer 12 May 1921 Detroit, Michigan
John H Melmer 11 Oct 1920 Detroit, Michigan
Mary Melmer 11 Oct 1920 Detroit, Michigan
Mary Melmer 1 May 1921 Detroit, Michigan

John married Mary Priscilla HUNT on 27 Sep 1899 in London, Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of Elisha HUNT and Elizabeth Catherine MILLS) was born on 10 Mar 1880 in London, Ontario; died on 08 Dec 1961 in St Mary Hospital, London, Ontario; was buried on 11 Dec 1961 in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, London Middlesex London MX-141. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ Middlesex Marriages <>

9571-98 David HENDRY, 28, soldier in Wolseley Barracks, Dundee Scotland, London, s/o David Byars & Agnes, married Louisa Matilda MELMER, 18, London, same, d/o William MELMER & Louisa WEIR, witn: Mrs. W. H. & Lena A. CLAVIS of London, 6 April 1898 at 525 Hill St., London

Louisa married David HENDRY on 18 Apr 1898 in 525 Hill St, London, Ontario. David (son of David Byars HENDRY and Agnes KIRKPATRICK) was born on 10 Jul 1869 in 5 Fleuchan Craig, Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland; died on 09 Nov 1921 in Edinburgh, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Louisa married William DENTON about 1906 in Ontario. William was born in Jan 1884 in England; died in in Toronto, York County, Ontario; was buried in Hope Primitive Methodist, Vaughan York County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 3./ 1901 York West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada census:

Surname Given Age Province District Subdistrict Number Page Line
Melmer Clarence E 5 ON YORK (West) Toronto (City) Ward No. 5 f-6 9 27
Melmer Ida 10 ON YORK (West) Toronto (City) Ward No. 5 f-6 9 25
Melmer Lydia M 34 ON YORK (West) Toronto (City ) Ward No. 5 f-6 9 24
Melmer Myra 7 ON YORK (West ) Toronto (City ) Ward No. 5 f-6 9 26
Melmer Norman 1 (9) ON YORK (West ) Toronto (City ) Ward No. 5 f-6 9 28
Melmer William R 37 ON YORK (West) Toronto (City) Ward No. 5 f-6 9 23

NOTE 2./ 1911 Toronto West, Ontario Canada census <>

Surname Givens Age Province District Subdistrict Enumeration District # Page Line
Melmer William R. 48 Ontario Toronto West Toronto 143 1 12
Melmer Lydia M. 44 Ontario Toronto West Toronto 143 1 13
Melmer Ida Evelyn 20 Ontario Toronto West Toronto 143 1 14
Melmer Migra Francis 17 Ontario Toronto West Toronto 143 1 15
Melmer Clarence Edward 15 Ontario Toronto West Toronto 143 1 16
Melmer Norman Arthur 12 Ontario Toronto West Toronto 143 1 17
Melmer Archibald Gordon 9 Ontario Toronto West Toronto 143 1 18
Melmer Muriel Louise 6 Ontario Toronto West Toronto 143 1 19
Melmer Velma Ruth 3 Ontario Toronto West Toronto 143 1 20

NOTE 3./ Ontario Marriages
007232-87 (Lincoln Co.) William R. MELMER, 23, carpenter, Kingston, Toronto, s/o William & Louisa, married Lydia M. BALL, 20, Niagara, same, d/o Charles & Maria, witn - George FOSTER of Toronto & Eliza F. BALL of Niagara, 28

William married Lydia Maria BALL on 28 Sep 1887 in Niagara Falls, Lincoln County, Ontario. Lydia (daughter of Charles Marion BALL and Maria Eliza BISSEL) was born on 21 Jan 1867 in Niagara, Ontario, Canada; died on 02 Nov 1932 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; was buried on 02 Nov 1932 in Prospect Cemetery, Toronto, York County, Ontario, Canada.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Emily married Samuel HARRIS on 16 Feb 1895 in Methodist Parsonage, Dundas, Wentworth County, Ontario. Samuel (son of George HARRIS and Sarah UNKNOWN) was born in 1863 in Walpole, Ontario; died after 1895 in Hamilton, Wentworth County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Note 1: Interesting that Arthur Melmer according to the 1881 census, was born in Quebec, as the last child of William and Emma nee Edwards Melmer. After her passing, William Melmer then married Louisa Levine, who was born in Quebec.