Adventures in the 1931 Census Part 1: Those Who Were Where They Were Supposed to Be

June 1st 2023 was a day of great excitement in the home of many a genealogist, including mine. It was the day the 1931 Census was released! I jumped right in, ready to browse away. I had particular goals with this census release as it marked the first appearance of both of my parents.

Let’s start with my mom. My grandfather arrived in Canada in 1902 and headed directly for Saskatchewan and what soon became the family farm: Section 24, Township 25, Range 30, West of the 1st Meridian, Calder. I found him there in the 1906, 1911, 1916, 1921 and 1926 censuses with his growing family. I was disappointed that the 1926 census was taken on June 1st as my mother was born in September, just missing out on her first appearance! Though I am appreciative that the decision was made to add the additional western censuses on the ‘6’s’.

Library and Archives Canada Seventh Census of Canada 1931

Many people experienced great levels of frustration on the first day of the release due to the huge demand for the records. But for some reason I was easily able to find the record I wanted (though my luck disappeared for the rest of the day). Calder was a sub-district in the district of Yorkton in the 1926 census so I pulled up District 210 Yorkton, Sub district 1 Twps 25-27., Rg 30 W 1st Calder Muni 241. Hmm, this sounds familiar! And just like that there they were, surrounded by family members by the name of Faustmann and Baumung. 

Library and Archives Canada Seventh Census of Canada 1931 Yorkton Calder Saskatchewan

  

It was fun showing my mother her family. Not many people can say they appear on this census.

My grandmother’s two younger sisters were nearby - Carolena and her husband Ferdinand Mundt farmed in a neigbouring section and Christina and her husband John Schneider lived in the thriving village of MacNutt. 

The village’s census is populated with teachers, merchants, cooks, garage repair men, the postmaster and the pastor. My great grandfather is still employed in running his shoe repair shop. It’s interesting to note that the census in the village was completed on June 2 and 3. it likely took a fair amount of time to visit all the neighbourhood farms on June 1 leaving no time for the rest of the area population.

Library and Archives Canada Seventh Census of Canada 1931 Melville MacNutt Village

Downtown MacNutt where my great-grandfather's shop and residence was located, in 2019

The next day, June 2, I was able to find my father and his family. However,  there are a few twists to their story. We last saw the Brooks family in Toronto in 1922 at the time of my father’s birth. You can read that story here. I knew that the family left Toronto to reside in Brantford and Owen Sound based on correspondence that I found in my grandmother’s possession. I did a bit of research to find out why they moved and when. The City of Toronto directories showed the family living on Sparkhall Avenue until 1929. Bill had changed jobs leaving his position at the John Hillock Co and moving to the E L Ruddy Company which was located at 317 Spadina Avenue. At both companies he was a salesman. The Hillock company was no longer listed in the 1928 directory so it may have ceased operations leading to a change in employment. 

Brantford Refrigerators by Ruddy 1930 Toronto Public Library Digital Archives

I was able to find some information about the Ruddy Company.  It was listed in the Toronto directory through 1931 but the head office was always located in Brantford. A 1930 prospectus described the company as “The Largest Refrigerator Manufacturers in the British Empire”, proudly owned and operated by Canadians. Apparently "Our employees are all Britishers, many of whom came out from the British Isles, the rest being Canadians of British descent"!!. A selling feature at that time I suppose. Apparently the refrigerator would be mounted in the wall of the house so the ice chamber could be accessed from the outside by the ice man, though most models could be converted to electricity. The Toronto Public Library’s digital archives contained a number of brochures produced by the company.

Brantford Refrigerators by Ruddy Toronto Public Library Digital Archives

Vernon City Directory Brantford 1932 FamilySearch

I had luck finding the family in the Brantford City Directory. In 1930 and 1931 the family resided at 278 Marlborough Street with Bill listed as a clerk at the Ruddy Mfg Co. 

In the 1932 and 1933 directory the family lived at 154 Elgin Street. The Ruddy plant was located on Elgin Street (the building is long gone) so Bill would have been able to walk to work. The kids settled in,  attending King George School, where Russ had perfect attendance in the 1930-31 school year (and was never late!).

Bill is listed as an estimator of kitchen equipment. I imagine he took measurements in preparation for the installation of the fridge. He made the princely sum of $1,500 a year, worth about $24,838.97 in today’s dollars. The Brooks family paid $30/month to rent a brick home with 6 rooms - this works out to less than $500/month in today’s money for a nice looking two story home, comparable to the Sparkhall property. Also, they were the only family I located in the 1931 census that owned a radio. 

Library and Archives Canada Seventh Census of Canada 1931 Brantford City Ward 3

The family was found in the 1933 Brantford Directory but they moved on that year. It’s not clear if the move was voluntary or not but Bill was next employed by the Eureka Refrigerator Company in Owen Sound in 1933. Shortly after he lost his job and the family returned to Toronto. Only the 1938 Owen Sound directory was available so I do not have their address for their residence in that town. In 1935 they had returned to Toronto and were listed on the voter’s list at 177 Queensdale Avenue East York. Bill was able to find work with the Town of East York and he and Gertie remained there for the rest of their lives.

Finally, I was able to find the rest of the Brooks family in Scarborough. It was interesting to see that John Brooks senior was actually the enumerator for Malvern Village, I recognized his signature from correspondence I have. As a lifelong Scarborough resident he no doubt knew everyone in the vicinity and enjoyed chatting as he completed his returns. Son John and his family lived on the same property and helped with the farm; son George lived nearby.

Library and Archives Canada Seventh Census of Canada 1931York South Malvern Village

So the Brooks and Beslers cooperated and were where they were supposed to be. But not all my ancestors were so cooperative. Part II will follow - the elusive hidden Kingswells.

From Landestreu to Landestreu

This is my maternal grandfather. His name was Jacob Besler and he was born on 28 December 1883 in Landestreu a town in Galicia, a province in what was then the Austro-Hungarian empire.

From the writer's collection

Landestreu was a small town populated by members of Jacob's extended family - Baumungs, Kandels, Lowenbergers and Beslers (spelled Bößler in this town map. 

Courtesy of GalizienGermanDescencants.org

Beslers were among the earliest residents of Landestreu moving from Germany in the 1770s. The Austro-Hungarian Empire invited foreign settlers into its newly acquired province of Galizien. German settlers found the offers of transportation and special status attractive and moved east.

More emigration was to come, this time westward. In 1872 the Dominion Land Act was enacted by Canada's Parliament. For a $10 registration fee a settler would receive 160 acres of land. He would have to live on the land for six months of the year for three years, clear at least 30 acres, erect a house worth at least $300 and be a naturalized British citizen. Canadian officials actively recruited in Europe for immigrants to settle western Canada.

Library and Archives Canada, collecitonscanada.gc.ca

Some of the first settlers to take advantage of the Act were residents of Landestreu. They moved to Saskatchewan in 1890 and founded a village also named Landestreu in honour of their home in Galicia. The name of the town was eventually to changed to MacNutt in 1909 in honour of Thomas MacNutt, who was the Member of the Legislative Assembly at the time. But in 1902 it was still called Landestreu and this was the town that Jacob Besler emigrated to.

I have not yet been able to find Jacob on a passenger list but hope one day to locate him. I like to picture him heading for North America with other young men from his town, perhaps some of the Baumung and Kandel cousins who show up on Census records in the same part of Saskatchewan. He appears to have left Galicia in 1902 as his passport shows that year as does his land patent application. He was 18 years old

From the writer's collection

Jacob's passport lists his employment as "wagner" (wagon driver or wagon maker). Perhaps his opportunities were limited in the small village of Landestreu. No doubt the lure of free land beckoned.

By 1910 Jacob had met all the Land Act requirements and successfully claim his property. In reviewing his file I found that he had returned his first plot of land as it was too rocky to farm

Taken by the writer June 2018

The first land was granted to another settler; Jacob had more luck with is second grant of land which he took possession of in 1906.

Saskatchewan Archives Board, Department of the Interior

The immigration agents did not tell potential immigrants how hard it was to farm in Canada. They did not tell them how harsh the prairie winters were. But the farmers carried on. My grandparents married in 1915. A wife and family were needed to help farm as hired help were few and far between. My grandmother Bena and the older Besler children were expected to help with chores. My mother was the youngest girl and didn't have too many chores during the farm years. Here she is as a baby.

And with her Dad outside the family home.

From the writer's collection

The family resided in the log cabin that Jacob built. It was neither roomy nor well-insulated. My mother remembers lying in bed looking at the icicles that had formed on the roof of the cabin. The three girls slept together for warmth. The children walked several miles to a one room school house that was actually located over the provincial border in Manitoba.

My sister, niece and I recently visited the area with the mother - it was the first time she had returned to Saskatchewan since she was a child. 

Taken by the writer June 2018

Obviously there were changes but the isolation remains. Homes are far apart on large plot of land. As of 2006 there were only 80 people living in MacNutt. 

Taken by writer June 2018

Winters were particularly isolating. Even now the roads in the area are dirt and gravel only. There would have been no snow clearing. The family rarely went into town and did not even attend church on a regular basis. My mother remembers attending the Christmas pageant at the school. The family would pile into the sleigh with warm bricks wrapped in blankets to keep the cold out.

The 1930s were especially harsh in Saskatchewan and unfortunately Jacob was no longer able to support his family by farming. After over 30 years he abandoned the farm and moved to Winnipeg. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for him. Jacob worked for the Canadian National Railway in Winnipeg. In the late 1940s Jacob and Bena moved to Toronto to join their children. My grandfather died in 1961 when I was two years old so I don't really remember him. I do like this picture of him and me though!

From the writer's collection

On Canada Day I salute Jacob Besler for leaving his home in Europe to come to Canada. He was a 20th Century pioneer and played an important role in settling our western provinces. He helped make Canada the wonderful country it is today through sacrifice and perseverance and I am thankful that he did.

From Loyalist to Rebel

180 years ago Upper Canada was in turmoil. Years of control by the Family Compact had left reform minded citizens frustrated and angry. Average working men were inspired by William Lyon Mackenzie and became rebels. The Upper Canada Rebellion culminated with the battle at Montgomery's Tavern on December 7th 1837. One of my spouse's ancestors was involved in the battle and this is his story.

Ludwig Widmen was born in Northampton Pennsylvania on September 21st 1781. He was the third of twelve children born to Philip Wideman and Sarah Ann Long. Ludwig's grandparents had emigrated from Baden-Wuertemberg in Germany and the family had strong German ties. He was baptized in Christ Lutheran Church:

Historical Society of Pennsylvania, ancestry.ca

The family joined William Berczy's German Company settlement in Markham. No doubt they had heard of the availability of land in Upper Canada from other German families who had made the trek from Pennsylvania to Canada. This census shows the family settled in 1801 at lot 35, 8th Concession Markham. Philip received 200 acres to settle.

Library & Archives Canada MG 23 H II 6

Ludwig was only 20 when the family moved to Canada but he soon turned his mind to acquiring his own land. In 1806 he petitioned for 200 acres of land, advising that he had sworn the oath to the Crown. The majority of settlers in Upper Canada at this time were born in the United States and it was important to affirm their loyalty to Great Britain.

Library & Archives Canada, Upper Canada Land Petitions

Not long after the War of 1812 began. Ludwig showed his loyalty to Great Britain once again by serving under Peter Robinson in the Rifle Company of the First York Militia, first as a Sergeant, then as an Ensign. As a reward for his service he was granted land in 1821. It was thrilling to be able to review Ludwig's military file in Ottawa this summer (though not sure why the signature was torn off his certificate!).

Library & Archives Canada, Land Claim Certificates of Upper Canada Militiamen

The completion of Ludwig's War of 1812 service coincided with the birth of his first daughter Christiana and the unfortunate subsequent death of her mother, Ludwig's first wife Christiana Kribs. Ludwig subsequently remarried in 1817 - he and his second wife Elizabeth Macklem had seven children together.

The Widemans were fine upstanding citizens. They continued to farm their land in Markham. In 1818 Ludwig was appointed Lieutenant in the 1st Regiment of York Militia.

Library & Archives Canada, Wideman family collection

He and his brother Philip appeared on militia lists through the 1820s. But then things changed. The election of 1836 was hotly contested.

Toronto Public Library, election broadsheets

  

According to The Story of the Upper Canada Rebellion by John Charles Dent (published in 1885) "During that election he rode to Newmarket to exercise his franchise but as he was know to be a Reformer the strongest attempts were made to prevent him from voting. Notwithstanding that he was known to have resided on his farm for more than 30 years, and that he had spent two years fighting for his country at the time of her utmost need, a demand was made that he should take the oath of allegiance. He felt all the  just indignation which such treatment might be expected to arouse, and from that time forward was prepared to adopt any and every means to destroy the domination of the Compact..." (Volume 2, page 137)

Library & Archives Canada, voters driven from the polling station

Mackenzie was a popular figure in the Markham/Whitchurch area and apparently announced his rebellion plan in Stouffville on December 2nd 1837. Ludwig was said to have hosted the meeting.

 On December 7th 1837 the Militia marched up Yonge Street towards Montgomery's Tavern. A battle ensued, and when it was over Ludwig lay dead. He was the only rebel casualty.

Toronto Public Library collection

Apparently there was some dispute over whether Ludwig had been killed during the battle. John Charles Dent wrote how Mackenzie wrote in 1847 "that 'a ball struck my worthy friend Capt. Wideman, in the head, killing him on the spot"... There are three persons in Toronto at this moment who saw him fall. He was struck by a bullet which passed through the centre of his forehead and came out at the occiput... the body was conveyed to Whitchurch by a cousin of the deceased, and was there interred by his relatives..." (Volume 2, page 136).

Here is Ludwig's grave - he is buried in Dickson Hill Cemetery. 

From the writer's collection

The rebels were defeated. Many, including Mackenzie, fled to the US. Many others, including Ludwig's brother Philip were captured and imprisoned. Philip was imprisoned from December 12th 1837 until May 10th 1838 when he was pardoned and released. If Ludwig had lived perhaps he would have shared his brother's fate.

Ludwig wrote his Last Will and Testament on the 27th day of May 1837. Perhaps he had a premonition that he would die that year. His property was left to his wife and children. His eldest daughter was left £75, a substantial amount for the time. By the time of her father's death Christiana was married with three children, living in Bruce County. I wonder how long it took for the news of her father's death to reach her and what she thought of it all. Christiana was my spouse's great-great-great-grandmother.

Work, work, work...

First post of the year! A little late I know but my full time job has taken up a large part of my time and energy to date. It seems appropriate therefore to write about work on this Labour Day weekend. In particular, the work of my ancestors. I have personal knowledge of what my parents and grandparents did for a living. Through voter lists. census returns and death/marriage certificates I have been able to document how my earlier ancestors earned their keep.

My parents are easy. After graduating from high school my father worked as a sales clerk at Birks Jewelers in Toronto. That experience left him with a love of jewelry that we always appreciated! He completed a degree in Music at the University of Toronto then earned his teaching certificate. He spent many enjoyable years as a high school teacher teaching Music, English and Art. 

Originally he taught vocal music as not all schools could afford the cost of instruments for a full band. 

Teaching vocal music in Uxbridge. From the writer's collection.

Newmarket High School eventually developed an instrumental program. Many of his former students will remember this look!

Mr. Brooks in class. From the writer's collection

As was common at the time my mother stopped working when she had me. Before that time she worked as a bookkeeper for several companies using her excellent math skills. I love this picture of her at work at her first job at Sinnott News in Winnipeg.

Nellie Besler at work. From the writer's collection

Many of my ancestors were farmers as many people were in earlier times. My maternal grandfather Jacob Besler emigrated from Galicia to McNutt Saskatchewan to become a farmer. The Depression was difficult for prairie farmers and Jacob lost the farm. The family later moved to Winnipeg where my grandfather worked for Canadian National Railway. Here is one of the few photographs that we have of the farm.

Jacob Besler in McNutt Saskatchewan, date unknown. From the writer's collection

I know a bit more about my paternal grandparents. My grandfather William Thomas Brooks trained as a stenographer. After serving in World War One he found work with the John Hillock Company, a refrigerator manufacturer in Toronto.

William T. Brooks, from the writer's collection

He worked there for several years until he lost his job in the Depression. After moving around to Brantford and Owen Sound the family returned to Toronto and Bill began working for the East York Fire department. He worked there for many years before retiring.

Member of the fire department, with Gertie in the background, from the writer's collection

This picture makes me smile - the firemen were testing the equipment at the new fire station for an article in the Evening Telegram. Not sure what year this was but my grandfather was the test subject!

Tough day at the office, from the writer's collection

Finally my paternal grandmother Gertrude Kingswell Brooks was also trained as a stenographer. However, she stopped working when she was married in 1921 as was the custom at the time. She eventually did go back to work in the offices of the Toronto Telegram. Here's a picture taken at her retirement party.

Gardening time anyone? From the writer's collection

Retirement sounds good but until then Happy Labour Day everyone!