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From: "Joanne McLean" <>
Subject: Re: [ONT] Gramma needs help
Date: Wed, 1 Jan 2003 23:35:30 -0500
References: <004d01c2b209$a298d510$90ff5ed8@user>


Scott,
I checked the Canadian WW1 records of what was then called The Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force. It shows 9 men with the surname "Stephens" with Arthur as a first or middle name. Only one of them enlisted in the Toronto area. It looks very much like he's your man.

Stephens, Arthur, John
Regimental Number: 49748
Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 9271-40
Date of Birth: 7/6/1894 (formatting is day, month, year)
Date of Enlistment: May 20, 1915

Born Poole, Dorset, mother Anne or Anna Stephens of 44 Green Road, Poole, Dorset. He doesn't give a Toronto address.

Page 2 of the attestation papers will give you his physical description and religion.

Spelling the surname "Stevens" yields 30 potentials, only 8 of whom enlisted in Toronto. None of them enlisted before 1916 with the exception of one (Arthur William Stevens)who was married & living with his wife on Bellevue Street, and enlisted in 1914.

You should, of course, double check all of the Stevens/Stephens possibilities, don't rely on my report.

You can search the site yourself at:
http://www.archives.ca/02/02010602_e.html

Best of all, it's free, and you will be able to download the scan of the original attestation papers he filled out.

If you do find your Arthur Stephens, you will also be able to get for about $40 Canadian (prices on the site) a copy of his service record. Because of the age of these records, you do not need to prove a relationship or his death - just pay.

Also, if you get the right Arthur in the WW1 enlistments, you will have his date of birth and place of birth, and probably his mother's name. That is enough to find the birth in the GRO indexes, and then to order his birth registration from UK or, if he was Canadian, from the Archives of Ontario records of his birth.

Your grandmother is entitled to a copy of her own birth certificate. The site is http://www.cbs.gov.on.ca/mcbs/english/4ULUQT.htm

Years ago, I obtained what was called a "certificate prepared for genealogy purposes" for my then still living grandmothers. I just filled out the application, under relationship I put "grandmother" and under purpose of certificate, I put "genealogy" and got them. The current web site suggests that this is not an option anymore, but it might be. If you want to surprise Gramma, you could try it this way. Also, keep in mind that Elizabeth may not have named the father on the birth certificate.

Hope this helps,
Joanne
----- Original Message -----
From: Scott Shipman
To:
Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2003 5:35 PM
Subject: [ONT] Gramma needs help


Happy New Year to all.

I would like to ask anyone one out there if they can do look-ups of births in Ontario. My grandmother never new her father. She will be 88 this year and all she wants to know is who her father was and what happened to him.

Her father's name(on the birth certificate) was Arthur Stephens and her mother was Elizabeth Skillen. Elizabeth came to Canada when she was 13 years old. She was to board the Titanic but for some unknown reason she missed the boat. Lucky for me, for I might not be here today. Elizabeth caught the next boat out. She came to Canada and lived with relatives. As the Titanic was lost in 1912, I believe that she was born 1899. She met a gentleman when she was very young and of this meeting, she gave birth to my Grandmother Dec 15th 1915. The same year that her father joined the forces for the First World War.

Gramma was born in Toronto and was christened on March 5 1916 at St. Marks Church in West Toronto. 21 Blackthorn Avenue. She was christened by A. J. Reid. She was born out of wedlock. Gramma's mother would have been about sixteen at the time. Two addresses she has given me.

140 Cawthra Ave. Gramma's address and Arthur lived with his sister on Aileen Ave West Toronto. Arthur came back to Canada after the war but we do not know if they lived together or that he went his own way. My gramma remembers being told that her Aunt had seen Arthur a week before she was married in 1934. So he was still around the area.

If anyone has access to archives or film of births for 1915, I would really appreciate a look-up for my grandmother's birth. Perhaps there might be other details of her father such as a middle name of her father. Names of his parents, where he was born and where he died. Perhaps a peek into a phone directory on film for the 1914-15 year in the Cawthra St. or Aileen Ave. might provide a phone number and name.

As Gramma is getting on, I believe that before her time, she would like to know more about her father and I would very much appreciate any help to give her the happiness she deserves..

If anyone cares to help me and needs other details please write back to me.

Sincerely,

Scott


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