Tag: Victoria

Historic Migration: The Matthew Family’s Move to Canada in 1874

On By Vicky BriggsIn 2025, Mar 2025, Matthew, Thomas Henry Matthew1 Comment

The textbook definition of ‘migrate’ is the movement of people away from their usual place of residence to a new place of residence or the movement of a person or people from one country, locality, place of residence, etc., to settle in another.

I believe I would be safe to say that pretty much everyone has ancestors that have migrated from one country to another – they emigrated from one country and immigrated to another.

There are several in our family line that I can choose from as I can honestly say everyone in my paternal line has emigrated from Great Britain. It was difficult to choose just one, so I chose one that is the furthest back whose information I was able to obtain.

Thomas Henry Matthew (3x great-grandfather) – emigrated from Great Britain via Liverpool, England on June 3, 1874, arriving in Canada via Quebec, Quebec on June 18, 1874.

Thomas was born March 13, 1838, in Porthleven, Sithney, Cornwall, England to Thomas and Ann Matthew (née Thomas).

Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth 1

Thomas married Emma Jane Matthew (yes, that’s correct but that’s another story) July 30, 1862, in Breage, Cornwall, England.

Marriage Record 2

Before leaving their home country, Thomas and Emma had three children – Alfred (my 2x great-grandfather), Sydney and Laura.

In 1871, England census places the family in St Mawes, St Just, Truro, Cornwall. So, we’re going to assume that’s where they travelled from to get to Liverpool (approximately 350 miles) and catch a boat to Canada! We’re getting ahead of ourselves here. Let’s back up a bit.

As mentioned, the 1871 England Census places them in St. Mawes which isn’t too far from where they were married in Breage, and where Thomas was born in Porthleven.

In 1874, they made the decision to migrate across the ocean, far from their families, to start a new life in Canada. We can only speculate what their life was like in their home country, but it could not have been an easy decision and would have probably taken a long time to make it. Plus, the cost may have been a huge factor in the amount of time it took to prepare, and then the trip to get to the port where they would ship out. In today’s world, travelling from St. Mawes to Liverpool would take just a little over 6 hours. Factor in three young children (6, 4 & 2), I’m sure you can see how hard it must have been.

1874 Map of England and Wales 3

Thomas and his family left England from Liverpool on June 3, 1874, aboard the SS Ontario.

SS Ontario (date unknown) 4

Let’s take a moment and take a closer look at the SS Ontario. The ship was built by A. McMillan & Son in Dumbarton, Australia. It was completed in 1874; dimensions were 335.7 x 38.4 ft and weighed (the tonnage) 3,175 gross. The ship was owned and operated by Mississippi and Dominion Steamship Co., and the passage booking was advertised under ‘Dominion Line’.  Interesting enough, Thomas and his family may have been on the inaugural Atlantic crossing with passengers of the SS Ontario! The passenger list notes A. French as the master.

The voyage took 15 days with Thomas, Emma and the three children arriving in Quebec, Quebec, Canada, on June 18, 1974.

Passenger List of Ontario arriving in Quebec, Que 1874-06-18 5

Here’s another interesting fact: Emma was pregnant with their fourth child when they left home – their daughter, Charity Jane (“Jennie”) was born December 30, 1874, in Brighton, Northumberland County, Ontario. What that tells us, the family travelled even more after their sea voyage from Quebec City to Brighton which is approximately 660 miles.

From reviewing the Canada Census records for 1881 and 1891, they stayed in the same area. The 1901 census shows Thomas, Emma, and two of their children (adults) in Victoria, BC. Somewhere between 1891 and 1901, they moved from Ontario to Victoria.

After doing some more research, I was able to find some wonderful information! Tom and Emma did move to Victoria in 1891. I found this information on the Victoria Heritage Foundation website:

1460 Gladstone, Victoria, BC: 1891-1928: Carpenter, joiner and builder Thomas Henry Matthew (1840-1928) and Emma Jane (née Matthew, 1843-1923) were born in Cornwall, England. They married there in 1862 and came to Ontario in the mid-1870s where Tom operated a lumber mill. They moved to Victoria in 1891, bought this property and built the house. Their sons Alfred Henry Poltaire and Sydney Edwin were also carpenters and helped build the house. Alfred became a miller for The Brackman-Ker Milling Co (1004 Catherine St, Vic West). The Matthew daughters all married in this house: Laura Annie worked as a milliner at Spencer’s Arcade until 1897, when she married builder Aaron Parfitt (1421 Grant St, Fernwood). Charity Jane “Jennie” married bricklayer Herbert Knott (1466 Gladstone Av) in 1898. Rosina Georgina “Rose” married music salesman Alfred Huxtable in 1901 (1422 Fernwood Rd, Fernwood). Tom and Emma marked their 60th anniversary in 1922 at their summer home, 296 Beach Dr. Emma was a strong churchwoman, first with Metropolitan Methodist Church and then Belmont Methodist. She was a life member of Sherwood Auxiliary, Women’s Missionary Society. Tom taught the Adult Bible Class for decades.6

As far as I can tell, the house is still standing today – might be a great road trip! Tom and Emma lived in their home until their passings, Emma in 1923 and Tom in 1928.

This is just one story of an ancestor who came from their home in St. Mawes in England to a new home in Victoria, BC, with a couple of stops along the way.

I can’t imagine what it would have been like to move from one country to another in 1874 with communication being so difficult having just written letters back and forth, and taking just as long, if not longer, to cross the ocean by ship. In today’s world, moving would be a little easier to manage as communication with family and friends is much more accessible.

Thank you to Thomas Henry Matthew for having the courage to move his family to a foreign country and make their new home.

Charity, Alfred (2x great-grandfather), Emma, Rosena, Lietney, Thomas (2x great-grandfather) & Laura (source unknown)
  1. Source: General Register Office of the United Kingdom ↩︎
  2. Source: “England, Devon and Cornwall Marriages, 1660-1912,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGY9-HJSD : 24 April 2019), Thomas Henry Matthew, Bachelor, 22 May 1862; citing Marriage, St Breage, Cornwall, England, the Devon Record Office, Exeter. ↩︎
  3. Source: Wikimedia Commons contributors, “File: A map of England and Wales for the complete history of England (BM 1874,1010.74).jpg,” Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:A_map_of_England_and_Wales_for_the_complete_history_of_England_(BM_1874,1010.74).jpg&oldid=1003374421 (accessed March 7, 2025). ↩︎
  4. Source: https://www.norwayheritage.com/p_ship.asp?sh=ontar ↩︎
  5. Source: Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Series: RG 76-C; Roll: C-4528 ↩︎
  6. Source: https://victoriaheritagefoundation.ca/HReg/Fernwood/Gladstone1460.html ↩︎

Happy New Year & Birthdays!

On By Vicky BriggsIn 2023, Albert Thomas Briggs, Briggs, Jan 20231 Comment

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 8th. 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.

Who Shares Your Birthday – August

On By Vicky BriggsIn Aug 2022, Briggs, Henry Clarendon Briggs6 Comments

Yes, I know it’s September – I did put together this post to be published in August but actually forgot to hit the “Publish” button so you may be in for two posts in September for “Who Shares Your Birthday”. In the meantime, let’s look back at August.

Back to our monthly “Who Shares Your Birthday” installment. I really do enjoy doing these however it’s sometimes hard to find someone in our family that’s not too far down the line that we might be interested in getting to know. Thankfully, I was able to not go too far, and this fellow is very interesting, at least in my eyes!

So, to begin with, “Happy belated Birthday” to Maielle (Aug. 21) and Elijah (Aug. 23)!

Now, let’s see who shares your birthday. Henry Clarendon Briggs, also known as “Harry”, born August 27, 1877, in Victoria, BC.  Harry is the second child and second son of Thomas Lasher Briggs and Mary Irving, and older brother of Thomas Albert Briggs (my great grandfather) which makes him my great granduncle.

ca 1884 (7 yo)                                                          With brother William, ca 1880

Harry lived with his family at Irving House, 302 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC until approximately 1904, as noted in Canada Census records for 1881, 1891 & 1901.

According to this newspaper article, on September 7, 1904, he married Jean (“Jeannie”) Craig McAlpine.

Newspapers.com; Victorian Times, September 8, 1904, pg 5

I have found another article dated September 11, 1904, noting they had married the day before. So far, I have not found marriage registrations to confirm the actual date of marriage.

In a newspaper article from Newspapers.com, The Province dated May 23, 1905, it looks like Harry and his wife were living in Revelstoke. I have been unable to locate any records confirming this information other than this article.

Interesting to note, Harry’s cousin Albert T. Briggs (son of Albert James Briggs) is listed in the 1908 Victoria City Directory as a clerk at R.P. Rithet & Company (his uncle Albert is listed as well as working at Lands & Works Dept.). Could be a good assumption that Harry moved to Victoria for a job sometime between 1905 and 1909, where he is listed in the 1909 Victoria City Directory as a manager at R.P. Rithet & Company.

Harry and Jeannie lived in Victoria up until October 1925. This information was found in another newspaper article. During this time, Harry’s main occupation was in sales. From 1911 to 1915, his occupation is listed as “Harvey & Briggs”. Harvey & Briggs were listed as liquor distributors for Vancouver Island. After that, Harry was a life insurance agent for a couple of different companies.

Through Newspapers.com, I was able to obtain several newspaper articles which showed how involved both Harry and his wife, Jeannie, with music with both noted as singers in the church choir. More notably, Jeannie, was a well-known soprano singer often attending garden parties, lunches and most interestingly enough, the Lieutenant Governor’s residence as a guest and performing for the guests on several occasions.

Below is an article from December 31, 1920, having a picture of Mrs. Harry Briggs, one of two pictures I’ve been able to locate, which shows her popularity as a singer:

The Victoria Daily Times · Fri, Dec 31, 1920 · Page 6

So far, I have found nothing to indicate that Harry had any children with Jeannie or anyone else. The couple seemed to love entertaining, especially so for Jeannie, as there were several articles which show they were hosting guests at their home for lunches, teas and dinners.

The Province · Mon, Jul 11, 1927 · Page 8

Some of Harry’s residences gleaned from Victoria City Directories 1909 to 1925 are listed as:

  • 625 Niagara Street, Victoria (1909 – 1912)
  • 1509 Gladstone Avenue, Victoria (Oak Bay) (1913 – 1914)
  • 1513 North Hampshire, Victoria (1915 – 1925)

In 1926, Harry (and Jeannie) is listed in the Vancouver City Directory living at #202 – 1531 Davie Street. This building was once known as Gabriola Mansion, which holds a very interesting history. Originally built in 1900 – 1901 for industrialist Benjamin T. Rogers (founder of B.C. Sugar and its refinery). After his death in 1918, his widow sold the property. In 1925, Gabriola House became a 20-unit apartment building known as the Angus Apartments. Over the years, the building has housed many people and restaurants, and has been empty since the mid-2000s. It is known one of the most haunted places in Vancouver. The building is a Vancouver Heritage site which is currently being restored into apartments once again, and townhomes built adjacent to the original building. It is known one of the most haunted places in Vancouver.

Sometime between 1932 & 1933, Harry and Jeannie moved to 1386 Nicola Street, Vancouver, up until 1941, when they moved back to the Victoria area (#6 – 1370 Beach Dr., Victoria – Dorchester Apartments).

For much of his life, Harry was a salesman with some directories noting his occupation as a stockbroker later in his life, and up until his death in 1946. Interesting to note, his death is recorded as June 1, 1946, however, he was listed in the 1947 Victoria City Directory. I guess they put it all together before his death or it’s an oops!

Harry passed away June 1, 1946, from carcinoma of the bladder (bladder cancer), as indicated on the Registration of Death.

It seems Harry and his wife, Jeannie, were the “talk of the town” in society circles and society newspaper articles in Victoria, Vancouver and New Westminster noting over 200+ articles I have found showing their travel plans, tea parties, dinners, concerts, etc. – too many to show here!

ca 1920

Very handsome man indeed! I hope you have gotten a little glimpse into the life of Henry “Harry” Clarendon Briggs. There is much more to his story than shown here – maybe something for future posts.