It’s a new year – 2023! This is the time when some will look for new and different ways to change or make their lives better for themselves and those around them. These occurrences historically have been called “resolutions”. Personally, I do not like to set resolutions as I figure if there is a need to make changes, don’t wait for the one day a year – do it right then and there (although sometimes it does take longer).

Instead, let’s start the new year by wishing several from our family a happy birthday! There’s Nichelle (5th), Taylor (11th), Levi (13th), Mike (27th) and last but not least, my big sis, Cris (29th)!

Now, onto who shares your birthday. This is a bittersweet one and you will see why as we get to know Albert Thomas Briggs, born January 26, 1890, to Albert James Briggs (2x great-granduncle and brother of my 2x great-grandfather, Thomas Lasher Briggs) and Margaret (“Maggie”) Henry.

Albert was one of three children born to Albert and Maggie: Alice Maude born in 1891, and Bernard Henry born in 1892. Unfortunately, Bernard passed away less than a year later in 1893.

At the time of Albert’s birth, the family lived at 1 George Street, Victoria City. The 1891 Canada Census lists the family in the Johnson Street Ward of Victoria City, and the City Directory for 1891 list their address as 1 George Street, Victoria.

The 1901 Canada Census list the family still living in Victoria, only showing a District Number of 4 which is the same district as listed in the 1891 Census.

The next City Directory I have found was for 1905 which shows the family still living at 1 George Street. The 1906 & 1907 City Directories did not show Albert James Briggs, but the 1908 did show him living at 1203 Chambers Street, Victoria. So, sometime between 1905 and 1908, the family moved to their new home. Coincidentally enough, Albert Thomas Briggs was listed in the 1908 and 1909 City Directories for Victoria. Both directories listed him as a clerk working at R.P. Rithet Co., Ltd. (same company his father worked for) and living at 1203 Chambers Street.

Sadly, Albert Thomas passed away from an accidental drowning June 3, 1909. There were several newspaper articles depicting the mystery of how he had come to be in the water and drown.

As a result of the number of questions, a coroner’s inquest was conducted. The results of the inquest were accidental drowning. It is noted that he may have hit his head on the way down, which rendered him unconscious, thus being unable to rescue himself.

The obituary was in the Evening Post, June 8^th. Reading through, it showed he was a popular young man.

There are no individual markers on the BRIGGS Family plot in the Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, BC – only the surname curb inscription.

There will not be a lot of posts like this one as most of those who died young did not have as much paperwork or newspaper articles. As Albert’s father was a well know figure in Victoria at that time, and because of the mystery behind his death, this was one of those ones that I was able to find information on his death.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know Albert Thomas Briggs throughout his short life.

Take care and be safe!

Sources for pictures:

1. Canada, British Columbia Birth Registrations, 1854-1903,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X4NC-28?cc=1307731&wc=9XRV-4WL%3A1072807501 : 14 May 2014), 004401547 > image 837 of 3002; Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria
2. Newspapers.com; The Victoria Daily Times, Friday, June 4, 1909
3. Newspapers.com; The Evening Post, Friday June 4, 1909
4. Newspapers.com; The Evening Post, Saturday, June 5, 1909
5. Newspapers.com; The Victoria Daily Times, Saturday, June 5, 1909
6. Newspapers.com; The Evening Post, Monday, June 7, 1909
7. Newspapers.com; The Victoria Daily Times, Monday, June 7, 1909
8. Newspapers.com; The Victoria Daily Times, Tuesday, June 8, 1909
9. Royal BC Museum, Albert Briggs, Registration Number: 1909-09-022987; BC Archives Mfilm Number: B13081; GSU MFilm Number: 1927291; Victoria
10. Find A Grave: Albert Thomas Briggs; https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117738271/albert-thomas-briggs
11. Family Search; Albert Thomas Briggs profile; unknown official source.