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| York and King Streets, Toronto, Canada |
William Charles Critzer (28) Bachelor, Sheet Metal Worker, married Bertha Lilian Carter (27) Spinster, Saleslady, in Toronto, on 27 Dec 1930. William listed his parents as Joseph Critzer and Sarah Sophia Thompson, from which we can clearly determine that we have the right man, despite the spellings. William, of 106 Elmwood Avenue, Toronto, listed his religion as Baptist and his father's birthplace as Germany. Witnesses were Alice Maud Carter, the bride's mother and Eric M Carter, the bride's brother. The marriage was solemnised by A J Reid of 946 St Clarens Ave, which appears to be a residential address, so the venue of the marriage is [so far] unknown.
Born in 1903, at sea, aboard the SS Kaiser Wilhelm II at Lat 40.45N/Long 56.52W, off the coast of North America, he had been baptised William Karl Tompson on 9 Dec 1903, at the church of St Matthew, Stepney. Then listed as 'Willie Thompson' (8) he had emigrated to Canada with his grandparents, Dan Tompson and Sarah Jane Baker, having sailed to Montreal from Liverpool aboard SS Corsican on 18 Oct 1912 with his grandmother, Sarah Jane, and his aunt Ivy. On the 1921 Census of Canada, this time listed as Willie Christie (18) he was living at 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto, still living with his grandparents. (At Ancestry, there's a note saying he should be Critzer, which is obviously not quite true, but the spelling they later adopted).
Bertha Lilian Carter b. 1903 D Quarter in GRIMSBY Volume 07A Page 587, mother's maiden name
TINDALL, was the daughter of Alfred Charles Carter and Alice Maud Tindall, who had married at St James, Grimsby (now
Grimsby Minster) on 28 Aug 1899, with Alice's father listed as William Major Tindall - this explains why Bertha's parents are listed on her marriage as Alfred Charles Carter and Alice Maud Major. It seems Alice used the surnames Major or Tindall interchangeably. Following her father's death on 24 Feb 1922, Miss Bertha Lilian Carter (18) sailed for Canada on the
RMS Empress of Britain (1905), accompanied by her mother. Emigrating with them too was Bertha's 10 year old brother Eric Major Carter (b. 1911 S Quarter in BRADFORD Volume 09B Page 299, with mother's maiden name
MAJOR.)
The couple had one daughter, Barbara. (Dates to be confirmed.)
A newspaper report of her death informs us that "Bertha L Critzer (Bert) died at the
North York Branson Hospital on Saturday, March 28, 1987. Bertha Lilian Carter, beloved wife of William Critzer and loving mother of Barbara (Mrs Douglas Trull). Dear sister of the late Eric M Carter of Waterloo, Ontario. Friends may call at the
Trull Funeral Home, 2704 Yonge Street ..."
"William C Critzer (Bill) died the
North York General Hospital on Saturday, October 17, 1992. Bill Critzer, in his 91st year, beloved husband of the late Bertha L Carter. Loving father of Barbara (Mrs B Trull). Dear brother of
Mollie Melhuish of Ganges, B.C. Sadly missed by
his cousins, Gaddie and Wally; Irene and Dick; Dorothy and Ruth. Friends may call at the Trull Funeral Home ..." (although it should be noted that his sister Mary Amelia [Mollie] Melhuish had actually pre-deceased him earlier that year, on 6 Jan 1992.)
(Birth, baptism and death information kindly provided by Christine Miller of the wonderfully named,
GIN AND GENEALOGY.)
