A LEAR Family from Bristol to Winnipeg

Thomas James LEAR and his wife Alice ELLIS immigrated to Canada from Bristol, Gloucestershire in 1912

Thomas James LEAR was born December 18th 1869, Bristol, son of James LEAR, deceased who was a labourer in an iron works and formerly a private in 86th foot. The wife of James LEAR was Sarah Ann DAVIS

Alice ELLIS was the daughter of Joseph James ELLIS, commercial clerk and Alice ELLIS nee BRYANT born 1874. The BRYANT connection is at least an interesting coincidence and will be the subject of further research.

The 1871 census finds Thomas James LEAR, a 1 year old living in St Philip & Jacob, Bristol with his mother Ann LEAR, a widow and tailoress.

By 1881 the census finds Thomas James LEAR, 11 years old, a scholar, living with his aunt Charlotte, 70 years old and a retired beer house keepe, at 8 Hill Road, Bristol. Charlotte was the widow of Thomas LEAR an older brother of his deceased father James LEAR

The 1891 census finds Thomas James LEAR, 20, a nephew, listed as a chocolate maker living at 37 Dale Street, St. Paul, Bristol with his with aunt Charlotte

Thomas James LEAR age 24 married Alice ELLIS age 20 March 24, 1894, Bristol and the 1901 census finds Thomas James LEAR, 31, cocoa, chocolate confectioner manufacturer living at 12 Stuart Street, Bristol with his wife Alice 27, Thomas James 6, Arthur F. 2 and Gilbert Francis LEAR 1yo

Thomas and Alice had a total of ten (10) children with 7 surviving:

Thomas James LEAR b July 24 1895

Arthur Frederick LEAR Jan 17 1898 married 1922 Marie SWEENY

Gilbert Francis LEAR June 22 1899

Dora Alice LEAR Sept 1901

Hilda Gertrude LEAR June 1903

Walter Henry LEAR Dec 1908

Olive LEAR 1913 born in Canada

Gilbert Francis LEAR married Margaret Jean MACKIE on August 18 1923 in Winnipeg Canada. They had 8 children, two daughters born in 1924 & 1928 are still living in 2007:

Margaret Jean LEAR born 1902, died August 20 1931, age 29

Gilbert Francis LEAR married Chris Comfort 1941 Winnipeg - they had two (2) sons born 1943 and 1945 who are still living in 2007

Glibert Francis LEAR died Sept 4 1987 at 88 years. Gilbert was a resident of Winnipeg and had a summer home at Brereton lake .

He served in 44th batallion in WW1 and later became parts manager for Inman Motors in Winnipeg.

Gilbert was a Lions Riverside Club member, a St. Vital Curling Club member and played Golf at the Windsor Golf Club