52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2019: #4 I'd Like to Meet

In the past, I have written about some of my ancestors whom I would like to meet. In Guess Who is Coming to Dinner, I wrote about

1. My 4th great grandfather -- John Nicholas Stiver (born Johan Niclaus Stőber [Stoeber]) in what is now Germany around 1745. He came to Canada in 1794.
2. My great-great grandfather Thomas Love. Thomas came to Canada with his wife in the 1840s.
3. My great grandmother - Emily Iles nee Pugh. She came to Canada with her family in 1905.
4. My great grandfather - Josiah Dudley. Josiah lived all his life in England.

In last year's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, I wrote in Invite to Dinner about Hannah Johnston nee Hemingway.

I'd like to meet my paternal great grandfather, George Iles. He died when my dad was 20 years old. I don't ever recall asking my dad about his grandfather. My dad would have known him as they both lived in Owen Sound, Ontario. While I have written about Emily Pugh, his first wife, there is still so much more I want to know about his life especially before and after his marriage to her. 

George was the seventh known child of James Iles and Louisa Belcher. He was born 7 December 1858, in West Field, Guiting Power, Gloucestershire. He was baptized 2 January 1859 in the Parish church. 

His father was a shepherd and the family moved to where James could find work. George married Emily Pugh 15 October 1881 in Stow-on-the Wold. George worked as a bone and rag man, hawker and and later a grocery carter, so his family also moved many times. 

Throughout George's married life, he held different jobs. This resulted in the family moving for him to get work. The children's birth registrations in England and English census records lead me to that conclusion. George worked as a bone and rag man, hawker and and later a grocery carter.

Questions about his life in England 
What were your parents like? Tell me about your siblings? What was it like to move often both as a child and as an adult? Tell me about your time as a bone and rag man and a hawker. Did you work for someone else?

Why did you move to Birmingham?

The Decision to Emigrate
What made you decide to leave England and go to Canada? When did you leave? What ship did you sail on? Did you have help with your passage? 

Arrival in Canada
Where did you arrive? Did you go directly to Grey County? Why did you go there? Did you travel with anyone else? 

Time in Grey County and Owen Sound
According to the records I have found, you moved regularly. In 1913 you were living in Owen Sound when your wife Emily died but in 1921 you were out in Sydenham Township. Were you living at Starvation Corners? When did you move back to Owen Sound?

 Tell me about your children. Where did you meet Mary, your second wife?

So many questions that I would ask him. So many questions, I wish I had asked my dad and his older siblings. 
© 2019 Janet Iles