Notes A birth registration was found for Edwin Leonard Packer: Year of Registration: 1891; Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep; District: Westbury On Severn; County: Gloucestershire; Volume:6a; Page: 255. (Parents: Edwin Packer and Mary Ann E Middlecott, who married in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire in Dec Qtr 1890.)
In 1891, the family was found residing at Upper Hall, Elton Lane, Westerbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, England. At that time, family members included Mary Ann Packer's nephew, Fred Middlecote, 8 months; Edwin Packer, iron miner, 24; and Maryann Packer, 21. (Source: 1891 Census of England; Class: RG12; Piece: 2007; Folio 10; Page 13; GSU roll: 6097117.)
A death registration was found for Edwin Packer: Estimated Birth Year: abt 1866; Year of Registration: 1896; Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun; Age at Death: 30; District: Westbury On Severn; County: Gloucestershire; Volume: 6a; Page: 147)
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Member George S. found the following information at {website}rebus.demon.co.uk/wos_br.htm - Annotated Burials at Westbury on Severn 1889 - 1895) His death was recorded by Leonard Wilkinson, vicar of Westbury on Severn:
"Edwin Packer, buried aged 30 on 26 June 1896 of Elton, this man ended a miserable life by hanging himself with a strap from an apple tree. The verdict was temporary insanity. Drink, fits and misery were the cause of it. Not taken into the Church, nor was the Service used, but some psalms and prayers of my choosing"
It appears in 1897 their mother remarried in Westbury on Severn to Thomas Anthony Jones or Simeon Meek. She was not found in 1901.
Edwin Packer arrived in Portland, Maine, with a group of 260 Dr. Barnardo children from London, England, to Toronto, Ontario (193), Peterborough, Ontario (6) and to Russell, Manitoba (60).
On 15 September 1910, Beatrice Rule, 18, daughter of Richard Henry Rule and Bessie Wasley, married fellow home child Edward Leonard Packer, 21, son of unknown Packer and Polly, in Niagara Falls, Welland, Ontario
At some point between 1910 and 1911 they separated as both appear apart in 1911 but are described as married.
In 1911, Edward (Edwin) Packer, 19, lodger with Thomas Smith and family at 48 Alfred Street, in Brantford, Brantford, Ontario, Canada. His birth date is shown as July 1891 and his immigration year as 1901.
On April 8, 1913, Edwin Leonard Packer crossed into the United States through Niagra Falls, New York. He declared that he was 21 years of age; that he was a railroad fireman; that he currently resided in Montreal, Quebec; that he had no relatives in Canada; that he had previously visited Buffalo, New York, in 1910; that he was going to visit his brother, Arthur Packer at 615 19th Street, Niagra Falls, New York for an indefinite visit. He was described as 5 foot 8-3/4 inches in height; fair complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair. He stated he had originally emigrated through Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the ship Tunisian, in March, 1906.
On May 13, 1913, in Niagra Falls, Welland, Ontario, Canada, a marriage was registered between Edwin Leonard Packer, 21, and Marion McLean, 24, born to Robert McLean and Sarah Jane McGarvey in Antrim, Ballymean, Ireland. Edwin stated he was born in South Wales; that he was a motorman by trade; that he was a member of the English church; and that his parents first names were unknown to him, but his mother's maiden name was Middlecoke.
On March 13, 1915, Edwin L. Packer tried to enter the United States through Niagra Falls, New York. He declared he was born in Pontypridd, Wales; that he was a fireman; that he resided in Welland, Ontario; that his nearest relative in Canada was his wife, Maria Packer of Welland, Ontario; that he planned to visit his brother, Arthur Packer, who resided on Virginia Avenue, in Niagra Falls, New York; and that he emigrated through Montreal in June 1912, on the Megantic. His application for entry was rejected and he was debarred from entering the United States.
On April 16, 1915, Edwin Leonard Packer enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces. He declared that he was born in Pontypridd, South Wales; that his next of kin was his wife, Marie Packer, of Welland, Ontario, Canada; that his date of birth was July 12, 1891; that he was a fireman by trade; that he belonged to the active militia known as the 2nd Dragoons. He was described as 5 foot 7 inches in height; fair complexion; blue eyes; and light brown hair. He was a member of the Methodist faith. He had a distinguishing mark of a tattoo of a woman on his left forearm.
On October 30, 1918, Marion Packer died in Welland, Ontario, Canada, in the County Hospital of Spanish influenza, with an immediate cause of death from pneumonia. She was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.
On May 20, 1919, Edwin L. Packer crossed into the United States through Niagra Falls, New York. He declared that he was a laborer; that he was widowed; that he was 29 years of age; that he resided in Welland, Ontario; and that he intended to visit his brother Arthur in Lewiston, New York, for a few days visit.
In January, 1920, Edwin L. Packer crossed into the United States through Niagra Falls, New York. He declared that he was 29 years of age; that he was a laborer; that he was widowed; that he was a Canadian citizen; that he resided in Welland, Ontario, Canada; that he had no relatives in Canada; that he planned an indefinite stay with his brother, Arthur Packer, of Rt. 10, #18, Lewiston, New York. He was described as 5 foot 9 inches in height; fair complexion; blue eyes; light brown hair.