Alexander Cumming in Canada

[ficam]

Hello again everyone

My great great grandfather John Innes emigrated to Canada (Alberta) in 1913 aboard the Athenia with his wife, his daughter and several grandchilden who they had brought up. They had three of them (from two families) due to the death of their mothers ( their fathers had both emigrated to Canada several years previously)
One other was the illegitimate daughter of John and Agnes daughter Jessie, who had subsequently married someone other than the father of her eldest child, who she left with her parents
The final child with them when they travelled to Canada is my mystery - his name is Alexander Cumming and although he is not specifically stated as a grandson on the passenger list , I have seen a copy of a book in which the family tell the story of their arrival in Canada and there are definately two grandchildren called Alexander. I have found further mention of Alexander Innes in Canada but can find no further trace of Alexander Cumming other than one mention in the book describing how they had to walk miles to school when Alex C was only 6.

Even more puzzling , I can't find a birth in Scotland for an Alexander Cumming or an Alexander Innes ( in case he was registered under his mother's maiden name) in the right timeframe ( Alex C was supposed to be 4 in 1913) so can't work out whose child he was...or what happened to him in Canada...

I can find the others in the 1916 Canadian census but no trace of Alex..I suppose he could have died between the age of 6 when he is last mentioned and 1916 but I would have thought that would be mentioned in the family story in the book...?

Anyone got any ideas of where I can find him?

Thanks as always...

[momat]

Hi,
Find my past http://www.findmypast.co.uk
has a two year old Alex under INNES leaving for Canada 1913 with entries for a John and Agnes Innes .
INNES Alex 1911 M 1913 Glasgow Canada Quebec.

Have you had a look on Scotland's People for the 1911 Census to see if he is with his Grandparents
there, if he was born by then ,to see what name he is listed under.
Can you provide the area of Scotland they lived in to assist in searching.

[NadineS]

An interesting passenger list that may fit in with the family.
An Alexander Innes travelled on the Athenia from Glasgow and arrived Halifax 3 Mar 1925. States he 16, single, grandson, b Glasgow, destination is his grandfather John Innes in Kelsey, Alberta. States his mother is Mrs Mary Innes, 70 Dundas St., Glasgow.
Interesting because the passenger list from 1913 states the Innes family destination is Bawlf, Alberta which is only a few km from Kelsey.
Just a thought - The family relationships on the 1916 census are really confusing Have you traced the Alexander Dingman who is 8 , son or nephew and b Scotland or Alberta? If not, could Alexander have taken that name?

[ficam]

Well spotted NadineS, I think that very well may be him. (Agnes)Jean Innes was the daughter of my 3 x great grandfather who went with them to Canada and married Lester Dingman....it looks like Jean became Jane and therefore Alex C must have been hers and Lester gave him his name....? I don't know why I did not spot that when I looked at the 1916 census?!


And the other Alexander you found was another grandson who I knew had emigrated and went to his grandfather's...he was known as Steve and I had not been able to find his passage under that name - but only just found out that he was actually Alexander Steven.....but had not yet found him in the passenger listings; so thanks for finding him for me..!

So, two Alexanders for the price of one....I still need to track down Alex C's birth certificate but hopefully with his mother's name I can find him now

Thanks again...