Researching ORR siblings - Chelsea Green, London, Ontario

[q98]

James John ORR was born 10th May 1885 at Glasgow. He advised 2 years previous military service with "Canadian, 5th Royal Highlanders" in his Attestation Papers at enlistment on 10 Sep 1914 in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He was killed at Villers-Bretonneux, 25th April 1918 (2nd battle of Villers-Bretonneux). I have obtained a copy of his AIF file containing a handwritten letter, dated 28 January 1922, from a Mrs A M WHITELAW of 68 Jacqueline Street, Chelsea Green, London, Ontario which states James ORR is her brother and seeking advice of his whereabouts.

As the 1901 Census of Scotland records John and one sister Helen (b. abt 1884 in Glasgow) in Ayrshire, Scotland, it logically follows that John spent some time in Canada between 31 March 1901 (1901 Census date) and 10 Sep 1914 (AIF enlistment date). Further, I believe "Mrs A M WHITELAW" to be Helen who used her husband's initials on her letter.

Any information on either individual would be gratefully accepted.

[Montrose Budie]

James John ORR was born 10th May 1885 at Glasgow. He advised 2 years previous military service with "Canadian, 5th Royal Highlanders" in his Attestation Papers at enlistment on 10 Sep 1914 in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He was killed at Villers-Bretonneux, 25th April 1918 (2nd battle of Villers-Bretonneux). I have obtained a copy of his AIF file containing a handwritten letter, dated 28 January 1922, from a Mrs A M WHITELAW of 68 Jacqueline Street, Chelsea Green, London, Ontario which states James ORR is her brother and seeking advice of his whereabouts.

As the 1901 Census of Scotland records John and one sister Helen (b. abt 1884 in Glasgow) in Ayrshire, Scotland, it logically follows that John spent some time in Canada between 31 March 1901 (1901 Census date) and 10 Sep 1914 (AIF enlistment date). Further, I believe "Mrs A M WHITELAW" to be Helen who used her husband's initials on her letter.

Any information on either individual would be gratefully accepted.

Hi Jim

Good thinking, but wrong sister !

Mrs A M WHITELAW was another sister of James John ORR, Jane or Jeanie, who married Archibald Macfarlane WHITELAW in Glasgow in 1907; at some point thereafter obviously emigrating to Canada.

Of James John's other siblings, Emily went on to marry William RANKIN; and Julia died at the age of 9 months. Of Helen or Ellen, no easy trace except that she did have an interesting middle name.

Their mother Emily died at the age of 40 in 1891 of typhus.

Presumably the family split up after this. Note that James was born in Newcastle, and Emily HAMILTON was born in Bristol.

There's no easy sign that I can see of Emily or Jean in the 1901 census.

PM me if you want more background, e.g. possible passenger list records for James John.

wkr

mb

[paddyscar]

Hi Jim:

http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/

By entering Archibald Whitelaw - Ontario- you will be able to see the 2 page census record for 1911. Among other things:

Archibald 20 years Apr 1890
Jennie 30 years Jan 1881
Emily 2 years Oct 1908

All born in Scotland, Presbyterians who emigrated in 1910, with Archibald listed as being a moulder in a foundry.

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/mili ... #databases should provide some information of James John Orr's military service.

Frances

[q98]

Hi folks
Apoligies for not thanking you earlier for your contributions.

Jim