BMDs in Canada

[clarefmshaw]

Could anyone give me any tips about trying to track down my grandfather's birth in Ottawa, Canada in about 1881?

I've had a look at the Canadian Archives site and emailed someone there, but it looks like I've got to actually travel there to go through the archives or employ someone to do it.

(All of this is not exactly helped by the fact that my grandfather changed his name a few times, no doubt to aid his double desertions of his Irish regiment and subsequently the Royal Navy early in the 20th century. This means that I'm not sure of his birthname, but I've certainly got 3 to work on!! The earliest name I have for him is from 1900, when he joined the Prince of Wales Royal Canadian Leinsters in London aged 19 - he was called JAMES ALOYSIUS SMITH. He later called himself John Arthur Smith, John Arthur Shaw and apparently there was an O'Connell thrown in for good measure! His birthdate has been given as 1 Jan 1881 and 1 Jan 1884.)

Many thanks for any suggestions!
Clare

[Linda]

Since it's in Ontario I may be able to look this one up next time I go to the LDS Family History Library (Nov 26) but don't hold your breath as my time there is limited and I have a film to go through before it is sent back to Utah.

If I don't have time on 26 Nov then it will be next year before I go again :(

Watch this space

Linda

[clarefmshaw]

Many thanks, Linda, in anticipation of any help you can offer!

Clare

[Jfremont]

Clare,

I am planning to go to the Vancouver Public library tomorrow where they have Ontario BMD indexes. I will have a go at a search and let you know the results.

John

[clarefmshaw]

John, thank you so much!

I really didn't expect this response - my original post was a sort of general "is there an easier way to do this?" query. I'm constantly amazed by how helpful contributors to this forum are.....I can only hope I'll be able to return the favour to some one......

Clare

[Linda]

That's great news John, if you can post the results of your index search here I will then know what you have covered. If you find anything in the indexes please post the ref numbers here as well so I can look up the actual registration if/when I have the time (or do you have access to those too?)

Clare, in case you don't know, you will not have to purchase certificates if John or I find anything in the indexes, the actual registration information can be obtained as well :D.

Linda

[Jfremont]

Clare and Linda

I was unsuccessful today in the search for Smith and O'Connell from 1878 to 1886. Now when I checked the original query I see there is a Shaw which I did not search for. There are many Smiths but none that match either the location Ottawa or birth date Jan 1. Next week I will try for the Shaw name. If I was successful I can order the record by interlibrary loan but apparently Linda has immediate access to it. Sorry for the lack of success so far. I will advise.
John

[clarefmshaw]

Linda and John

Many thanks again for all your information and help. Perhaps it's best to summarise the personal details my grandfather gave during his life:

Names he used:
JAMES ALOYSIUS SMITH (army and navy career)
JOHN ARTHUR SHAW (civilian life)
JAMES OR JOHN O'CONNELL (family hearsay - name seen on official document)

Birthplace: Ottawa, Ontario
Birthdate: 1 Jan 1881 and 1 Jan 1884

Father's name given on marriage certificate in 1907:
"HENRY ARTHUR SHAW (deceased)"

Next of kin in 1900 (details given on army document):
JOHN AND DAVID SMITH ("elder brothers, address unknown")

Sorry that this is so difficult, but I'm afraid he was a wily character! Of course, none of the above may be true........
Clare

[Linda]

Next week I will try for the Shaw name
Hi John

Would it be possible for you to post results by Friday evening, as I will be going to the LDS on Saturday morning?

You are correct - I have immediate access to the Ontario birth records.

Linda

[Jfremont]

Hi Clare and Linda,

I am afraid it is a needle in a haystack sort of search. I went through the years from 1875 to 1886 for the three surnames, Shaw, Smith, O'Connell and nothing came out as being an obvious choice. Smith alone takes up three pages or more for each year. Only one birth date in 1886 for J Arthur Howere Smith matches the birthdate. I suspect the Jan 1 date is incorrect. I took three pages which I can send to Clare to look at but am afraid I am not optimistic. I will send them off line and Clare can decide whether there are any likely choices.
Sorry for the bad news.
John

[clarefmshaw]

Thanks, John! It's a pity, but I'm honestly not surprised. I've never been happy with the 1 Jan birthdate, or the Smith name, as these seem just a bit too useful for a man who wanted to evade something - even if it was an unhappy past.

Well, I'm going to have to let this one lie, I think! But thanks so much again for all your efforts.

Clare