Thread: Cook family pre-1841

Hi all,

John Cook, born about 1797 England & his wife Sarah born about 1800 England came to Canada pre-1841 with 4 children, 2 more were born in Canada with the 1st born 1839. The children born in England are John, Emma born about 1825, Hannah born about 1829, & William born about 1833. Son John was the only child to live to the 1901 Canadian census & he states his birthdate is Jan 28 1826, & says he came to Canada in 1837. I have not been able to find a marriage or death for Emma or William. Not one of the birth, death, or marriage certificates(Canadian) I have found tell me what part of England they come from or a maiden surname for Mom Sarah, I'd really like to find both. If I had the place they came from or a maiden name for Sarah I think I'd be on my way again. Can anyone give me any suggestions or help on what to look for, where to look, etc. I'm lost before 1841.
Thank you for your time & any response is appreciated.
Cordially,
Lisa

Hi & thank you noggin,

I thought passengers lists were my best bet. I haven't found them so far, but will keep searching. I've looked for some kind of citizenship or naturalization & don't find any. I have these family members on every census they can be on from 1851 onwards. I "lose" Emma after 1861 census & I'm pretty sure William died 1878. I haven't looked at the 1841 census, it is heads of household only so I'm not sure how much it will actually tell me. I have searched the IGI batches with that combination of children's names born +/- 5 yrs from the dates I have with parents John Cook & Sarah. The best I come up with is Staffordshire & its not that good, John's birthdate is no where close & Hannah is Ann.

Thanks again

That's a tough ask as Cook and their first names are all very common. I suppose you could take John as you have a specific birthdate and see if you can find a baptism on FamilySearch.org - Family History and Genealogy Records or freereg which fits.

I don't know if its available, but if you could find info about the trip to Canada in 1837 (at least you have the year) you might find further info in ships' passengers' lists.

Hi & thanks Jeuel,

I've been trying to find a baptism that fits but I don't think I'm having any luck. I've tried to find them on a passenger list too, but Canada wasn't required to keep an official record before 1860 (I think) & the lists are sparse. Also, as you stated, John Cook is a really really common name, as are the others. I think I'll use the Staffordshire Cooks' as a starting point & follow up on them. This is going to be a painstakingly slow process isn't it?
Lisa