Notes A birth registration was found for Harry Odd: Year of Registration: 1877; Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun; District: Epsom; County: Surrey; Volume: 2a; Page: 10. (Parents: James Odd and Ellen Mead, married April 17, 1876 in Carshalton, Surrey, England.)
In 1881, Harry Odd, 4 years of age, was shown residing at High Street Shop, Carshalton, Surrey, England. Other family members included: Ada E. Odd, 2; Ellen Odd, 37; and James Odd, 37, shopkeeper and carman. (Source: 1881 Census of England; Class: RG11; Piece: 756; Folio: 99; Page: 55; Line: ; GSU roll: 1341177.)
In 1891, Harry Odd, 13 years of age, was shown residing at 37 Mill Lane, Carshalton, Surrey, England. Other family members included: Ellen Odd, 49; Ellen Odd, 12; James Odd, 62, carman; and Margaret Odd, 6. (Source: 1891 Census of England; Class: RG12; Piece: 543; Folio 19; Page 30; GSU roll: 6095653.)
Harry Odd was admitted to Dr. Barnardo's on December 14, 1891. It was recorded that he had been born on May 3rd 1877. His two sisters were also admitted to Dr. Barnardo's: Margaret on August 28, 1891 (recorded to have been born on the 27th February, 1885); and Ada was admitted on the 6th July, 1891 (recorded to have been born on July 7, 1878). Also, all three children were born in Carshalton and had been baptised.
Their father was James Odd, a carman who had died on April 10, 1891 after a few weeks illness.
The mother, Ellen Odd, aged 50 was in delicate health and suffering from depression and was unable to care for the children or to work. It was therefore felt to be in the girls' best interests that they be admitted to Dr. Barnardo's. There were no other relatives who were able to help. The mother's health did not improve and her circumstances became worse. Harry had lost his employment and as the aunt was keeping the mother, she could not help maintain Harry. He too, therefore, was admitted.
Other relatives mentioned in the records were a paternal grandmother, Mrs. Odd, aged 86 of Norwood, south London; the aunts, Mrs. Louisa Mersh aged 40, of Hackney, east London; Martha Carr, aged 55, was married and living in Romsey, Hampshire. The maternal [sic - paternal] uncles were William Odd, aged 58, a caretaker in Holborn, London; George Odd, aged 60, was a labourer and lived in Shirley, Surrey. (All ages given as at time of admission).
When Harry was admitted to Dr. Barnardo's, he stayed at the Stepney Home, prior to sailing to Canada. In 1892, Harry Odd, 14, arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia, along with a group of 303 children accompanied by Mr. Owen en route to Toronto, Ontario, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
He was placed with a Reverend William Hartley at Nipissing, Ontario, and made good progress. His grandson, Christopher Odd, recalled, "He lived with a Reverend William Hartley in Nipissing before buying a farm and marrying Jessie Nesbitt in 1903. A horrific flu hit the area around that era and Grandma Odd often told of Grandpa going from farm to farm helping out when farmers and their wives and children fell ill. Hundreds died in this flu epidemic."
In 1896 he was awarded the Barnardo silver medal for good conduct and in 1899 it was recorded by Barnardos that Harry had taken up two-hundred acres of the best hardwood land around the Nipissing area.
In 1901, Harry Odd, 24, was shown as a hired man to Charles Hartley and family in Nipissing, Muskoka & Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada. His date of birth is shown as May 3, 1876, and his year of immigration as 1890.
On July 29, 1903, at Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada, a marriage was registered between Harry Odd, 26, farmer, born in England to James Odd and Ellen Mead; and Jessie Nerbitt, 17, born in Ontario, Canada, to James Nerbitt and Fosa Love.
In 1931 his sister Margaret was in touch with Harry, who informed her that he had a small farm in Powassan and was a happily married man.
Harry Odd died on October 27, 1933 after a short illness. Jessie Nerbitt Odd also died in the 1930's.