George Henry French was a master mariner who lived at 2001 Beach Avenue from 1908 to 1930. After 1930, his wife, Cynthia, continued to live at 2001 Beach Avenue until 1941.
George Henry French was born on December 4, 1852, in Logan, Ontario. His father was Charles Edward French (1832-1895); his mother was Elizabeth Ward (1835-1912).
On June 30, 1876, in Harriston, Wellington County, Ontario, he married Cynthia Hulda Brown. Her father was Paul Brown; her mother was Louisa Annie Clark.
Although some sources say that George French was in Vancouver by 1891, he was actually in New Westminster in the early 1890s, and he did not appear in the Vancouver directories until 1901, working as a tug boat operator and scow owner in Vancouver. His business was at 145 Alexander Street; his home was at 350 Alexander Street.
He ran the G.H. French Tugboat Company from 1891 to 1908. About 1908, he moved to 2001 Beach Avenue, where he continued to live until 1930, relatively peacefully, although in 1922, vandals attacked his rosebushes, and he called on the city to take action.
One of his tug boats was the “Sea Lion.” On November 12, 1906, the Sea Lion was in an accident with the C.P.R. steamer Charmer, although the damage was not too extensive.
About 1908, Harry Young and Lloyd Gore began to operate the Sea Lion. In 1914, it was one of the boats involved in the Komagata Maru incident, in which Canadian authorities refused to allow over 350 Punjabi passengers to land in Vancouver. The Komagata Maru refused to leave, resulting in a long political and legal standoff. Eventually, the ship returned to India with most of its passengers.
In 1909, George became a director of the A.S. French Auto Company in 1909. (A.S. French was George’s son, Austin Sherman French. The dealership sold Napier cars.).
In 1910, Cynthia’s father “Dr. Brown” arrived in Vancouver for a visit.
By 1922, the A.S. French Auto Company was still operating, although by then it was dealing in Chandler, Cleveland and Liberty Six cars.
By 1925, George and Austin were again involved in the tugboat and towing business.
George Henry French died in Vancouver on December 23, 1930. He was buried at Ocean View Burial Park in Burnaby, British Columbia.
George Henry French had a brother named Manley Benson French (1867-1936), who also lived in Vancouver. Other members of the French family, which was quite large, also lived in or near Vancouver.
Cynthia Hulda French died in Vancouver on June 25, 1941. She was buried at Ocean View Burial Park in Burnaby.
George Henry French and Cynthia Hulda Brown had one son.
Austin Sherman French
Austin Sherman French was born in Harriston, Ontario, on June 8, 1877. He became a master mariner and tugboat operator, although he spent several years as an automobile dealer.
On August 4, 1897, in Vancouver’s Methodist church on Homer Street, Austin married Mildred Catharine Scott. The official was the well-known Methodist missionary, Charles Samuel Eby (1845-1925), who was in Vancouver from 1896 to about 1899.
Charles Edward Robertson
Charles Edward Robertson was a carpenter and boat-builder. In 1891 he was living in the household of Emily Elliot, along with Austin French, the son of George French.
Charles lived with the French family in 1901, 1911 and 1921.
In 1905, Charles built the Sea Lion tugboat at a yard in Coal Harbour (where Cardero Street is today). He and was a partner in the operation with George French.
Charles died in Vancouver on December 4, 1943. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver.
Sources
Charles French (father of George Henry French)
Charles French, Additions and corrections to *A Prairie Family’s Past* (1982), http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=rmbtoronto&id=I05442
“Canada Census, 1851,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MWTQ-132 : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Charles French, Nelson, Halton County, Canada West (Ontario), Canada; Census of 1851 (Canada East, Canada West, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia), Census Year: 1851; Canada West (Ontario); Halton (county); Nelson, http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1851_pdf/e095/e002352682.pdf.
“Canada Census, 1891,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MWGL-QT9 : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Charles French, Harriston, Wellington North, Ontario, Canada; http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1891/pdf/30953_148178-00774.pdf.
Charles French, Death: 9 February 1895; Cemetery: Harriston Cemetery; Minto, Ontario, Canada; http://billiongraves.com/pages/record/CharlesFrench/2652780; Epitaph & Description: Charles French aged 62 Yrs 3 Mos & 1 day / Elizabeth French aged 56 Yrs, 5 Mo.
Elizabeth Ward (mother of George Henry French)
Elizabeth Ward, Additions and corrections to *A Prairie Family’s Past* (1982), http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=rmbtoronto&id=I13214, citing:
Wallaceburg News, February 9, 1912: “Mrs Elizabeth French died Feb. 2 at the home of her daughter Mrs. Gillard and she was buried at Harriston. Her husband died seventeen years ago. She was the second daughter of George Ward of Trafalgar Township, and was born May 11, 1834. She married the late Charles French in 1850. They had thirteen children. Mrs. Annie Gillard of Wallaceburg; George H. of Vancouver; Mrs. Jane Davis (deceased); John of Harriston, Ontario; Edward of Detroit; Dr. C. M. French, Brampton, Ontario; Mrs. John Bouskill of Vancouver; Mrs. Robert Southgate of Wallaceburg; Benson French of Vancouver; Mrs. John Innis (deceased); Sidney of Harriston, Ontario; Mrs. William Macklem of Tilburg, Ontario; Ernest French of Wallaceburg. Twenty-seven grandchildren and seven geart-grandchildren. She resided in Harriston about thirty years and four years ago she came to reside with her daughter Mrs. Annie Gillard.” [from Mrs Gordon (Roberta) Stewart of Wallaceburg, 1979]
Elizabeth French, Death: not available; Cemetery: Harriston Cemetery; Minto, Ontario, Canada; http://billiongraves.com/pages/record/ElizabethFrench/2652781; Epitaph & Description: Charles French aged 62 Yrs 3 Mos & 1 day / Elizabeth French aged 56 Yrs, 5 Mo.
George Henry French
Northern Who’s Who: A Biographical Dictionary of Men and Women, Vancouver, Western Press Association Operating in Conjunction with International Press, Limited, 1916, page 261,https://archive.org/stream/northernwhoswhob01park#page/261/mode/1up/search/2001
Census of 1861 (Canada East, Canada West, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia); Canada West (Ontario); District Name: Halton; Sub-District Name: Township of Nelson; George French, age 9, http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1861/pdf/4391935_00174.pdf
George Henry French, Additions and corrections to *A Prairie Family’s Past* (1982), http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=rmbtoronto&id=I05538: “Married: 30 JUN 1876 in Harriston, Wellington Co., Ontario; Note: Registration 011546-1876, George Henry French, 23, res Harriston, b. Logan, Yeoman, son of Charles and Elizabeth French, to Cynthia Hulda Brown, 18, res. Logan b. Moira, spinster, daughter of Paul and Louise Brown. Wit: Wm. H. Harris and Emily Jane Leake, Logan. At Harrisyton. 30 Jun 1876, Methodist. Rev. W. H. Butt.”
“Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FMN4-89M : accessed 29 Jan 2014), George Henry French and Cynthia Huldah Brown, 1876.
“Canada Census, 1891,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MWKS-CNP : accessed 28 Jan 2014), George French, New Westminster City, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada; http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1891/pdf/30953_148092-00613.pdf.
Captain French Building, 41 Alexander Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada’s Historic Places, http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=2813
Captain French Building, flikr.com, http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobkh/374027383/
Sea Lion VI, http://www.sikhpioneers.org/komasea.html
Sea Lion, Vancouver Maritime Museum, http://vmmuseum.xplorex.com/page215.htm
“Tugboat at museum sails out of the past: The Sea Lion played a part in the Komagata Maru clashes of 1914,” Vancouver Sun, May 4, 2002, page B7. (history of the Sea Lion; includes photographs)
“Charmer Injured Tug Sea Lion: Latter’s Stem Damaged,” Vancouver Province, November 12, 1906, page 8.
“Aging Beauty Seeks Suitors,” Vancouver Sun, September 12, 2006, page B2 (history of the Sea Lion; includes photographs).
“Old Sea Lion Ready to Roar Again,” Vancouver Courier, September 13, 2006, page 26 (includes photographs of the Sea Lion).
One-of-a-kind tugboat, 24 Hours, September 13, 2006, pages 1, 5 (includes photographs of the Sea Lion).
1901 Canada Census, British Columbia, Burrard (#1), Vancouver City, D-18 , page 13, family 115, lines 20-22; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=60043&highlight=20&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+George+H.+French
1911 Census of Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver, 3 Vancouver City, page 9, family 97, lines 45-50; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=63743&highlight=45&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+G+French; http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1911/pdf/e001940121.pdf.
“Beach Avenue Resident Complains of Vandals Who Robbed Gardens,” Vancouver Province, June 30, 1922, page 21: “Complaining that vandals had stripped his rose bushes of buds and blooms and wantonly thrown them on his verandah, Capt. G.H. French, 2001 Beach avenue, called on Mayor C.E. Tisdall yesterday and asked that strong measures be taken against the miscreants. ‘I have been trying to give a boost to the “city beautiful” movement by growing roses on the boulevards, but this is most discouraging,’ he stated. The mayor agreed and promised to notify the police.”
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FL28-2XT : accessed 28 Jan 2014), George Henry French, 1930.
“Noted Boat Builder Dies: Capt. G.H. French Had Distinguished Career,” Vancouver Sun, December 24, 1930, page 9, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wCxlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uYgNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5151%2C3238081.
George Henry French, Vancovuer Province, December 24, 1930, page 10; Vancouver Sun, December 24, 1930, page 18, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wCxlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uYgNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1369%2C3286872 (link leads to top of page; death notice is on column 1, about one quarter of the way down the column).
Cynthia Hulda Brown (wife of George Henry French)
Cynthia Hulda Brown, Additions and corrections to *A Prairie Family’s Past* (1982), http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=rmbtoronto&id=I02034
“Canada Census, 1871,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M47D-FHG : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Cynthia H Brown, Logan, North Perth, Ontario, Canada.; Canada Census 1871, Ontario, Perth North, Logan; Cynthia H. Brown, age 11; in family of Paul and Louisa Brown; http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1871/pdf/4396682_00180.pdf
“Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FMN4-89M : accessed 29 Jan 2014), George Henry French and Cynthia Huldah Brown, 1876.
“Canada Census, 1891,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MWKS-CN5 : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Cynthia French, New Westminster City, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada; http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1891/pdf/30953_148092-00613.pdf.
“Canada Census, 1901,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KHVJ-C77 : accessed 29 Jan 2014), George H French, 1901; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=60043&highlight=20&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+George+H.+French; http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1901/z/z001/pdf/z000010515.pdf.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLG2-Z5D : accessed 18 Jan 2014), Cynthia Hulda French, 1941.
“Cynthia H. French is Called By Death,” Vancouver Province, June 25, 1941, page 20. (Includes photograph of Mrs. G.H. French.)
“Mrs. French, Noted City Pioneer, Dead,” Vancouver Sun, June 26, 1941, page 17 (Includes photograph of Mrs. C.H. French.).
Cynthia Hulda French, death notice, Vancouver Province, June 26, 1941, page 19; Vancouver Sun, June 26, 1941, page 18.
Paul Brown (father of Cynthia Hulda Brown)
“Canada Census, 1851,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MWTZ-TB1 : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Paul Brown, Percy, Northumberland County, Canada West (Ontario), Canada.; http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1851_pdf/e095/e002360787.pdf.
“Ontario Births, 1869-1912,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VNLL-P7S : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Paul Brown in entry for May Brown, 1871.
“Canada Census, 1871,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M47D-F4B : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Paul Brown, Logan, North Perth, Ontario, Canada.
Family of John Strickert & Louisa Wall, http://www.strickertfamily.com/Logan_Town_Records.html:
“Louisa married again – Reg. No. 008742-76 Logan Twp. Paul Brown, 46, farmer, widower, born in Athol Twp., Prince Edward Co., Ontario; living in Logan Twp.; s/o Ira & Hulda Brown, married 5 Aug. 1876 in Logan Twp. to Louisa Strickart, 34, born Stettin, Germany, living in Logan Twp.; d./o Frederic [sic] & Sophia Wall [mother’s name differs from Louisa’s first marriage record]. Minister: Rev. A.R. Schulz. Marriage by license. Religion: groom as Wesleyan Methodist, bride as Lutheran.”
“1881 Canadian Census for Logan Twp.: Family of Paul Brown, 50, labourer, b. Ont. and Louisa, 48 [seriously wrong!], b. Germany, contains Frederick Striker [sic], age 9; also Ellen Brown 4 and Maggie Brown 1. Emily Mary is not there, but can find no record of her death.”
“Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FMNW-DJC : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Paul Brown and Louisa Strickart, 1876.
Ontario Marriages, Perth Co., 1876, http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~maryc/perth76.htm: “8742-76 Paul BROWN, 66, widower, farmer, Althol twp Prince Edward Co. Ontario, Logan twp Ontario, s/o Ira & Hilda BROWN, married Louisa STRICKHART, 36, widow, Stettin Germany, Logan twp Ontario, d/o Frederic & Sophia WALL, witn: C. METZDORF & Louisa SCHULZ both of Logan, 5 August 1876, Logan”
Society, Vancouver Province, December 16, 1910, page 5: “Mrs. G.H. French, 2001 Beach avenue, has her father, Dr. Brown, visiting her at present.”
Austin Sherman French (son of George Henry French and Cynthia Hulda Brown)
Austin Sherman French, Additions and corrections to *A Prairie Family’s Past* (1982), http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=rmbtoronto&id=I05421.
“Ontario Births, 1869-1912,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FMQQ-B43 : accessed 18 Jan 2014), Austin Sherman French, 1877.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDZ6-KLG : accessed 18 Jan 2014), Austin Sherman French and Mildred Catharine Scott, 1897.
British Columbia Marriage Registrations, Registration Number: 1897-09-045495, Austin Sherman French and Mildred Catharine Scott, http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=f9579d5d-53e7-478a-87dc-c05e22b0658a.
Neil Semple, “EBY, CHARLES SAMUEL,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 15, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed January 29, 2014, http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/eby_charles_samuel_15E.html.
“Canada Census, 1901,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KHVJ-C7H : accessed 18 Jan 2014), Austin S French, 1901; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=60043&highlight=23&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Austin+S.+French; http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1901/z/z001/pdf/z000010515.pdf.
1901 Canada Census, British Columbia, Burrard (#1), Vancouver City, D-18 , page 13, family 116, lines 23-26; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=60043&highlight=23&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Austin+S.+French
1911 Census of Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver, 2 Vancouver City, page 20, family 194, lines 33-38; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=63711&highlight=33&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Austin+Sherman+French; http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1911/pdf/e001940088.pdf.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLRC-FJZ : accessed 18 Jan 2014), Austin Sherman French, 1953.
British Columbia Death Registrations, Registration Number: 1953-09-002297, Austin Sherman French, http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=6ebfa350-9da6-4013-9f5e-ed1a3e61f557.
Austin Sherman French, death notice, Vancouver Province, February 18, 1943, page 34; Vancouver Sun, February 18, 1953, page 33; column 3; http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UhxlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mIkNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2330%2C2793408.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLY9-QG3 : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Mildred Catherine French, 1967.
British Columbia Death Registrations, Registration Number: 1967-09-004241, Mildred Catherine French, http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=65baf6b4-0125-4b79-b0f0-788139fcf7f7.
Mildred Catherine French, death notice, Vancouver Province, March 25, 1967, page 33; Vancouver Sun, March 25, 1967, page 34.
A.S. French Auto Company
Napier & Son (automobiles), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napier_%26_Son.
Chandler Motor Car, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandler_Motor_Car.
Cleveland (automobile), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_(automobile).
Liberty Motor Car, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Motor_Car.
Manley Benson French (brother of George Henry French)
“Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FMVZ-1KF : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Munly Benson French and Sarah Wallace, 1890.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FL5V-L7X : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Manley Benson French, 1936.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLL7-TR6 : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Manley Benson French in entry for Sarah Ann French, 1946.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDZF-GWP : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Manley Benson French in entry for William George Bailey and Bertha May French, 1910.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FL2P-RY9 : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Benson Manley French in entry for Bertha May Bailey, 1945.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDZP-VP1 : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Manly Benson French in entry for William Charles Benson French and Augusta Emmaline Flack, 1919.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FL5B-F5N : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Manley Benson French in entry for William Charles Benson French, 1956.
“Ontario Births, 1869-1912,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FM6W-6NG : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Manly Benson French in entry for Laurence Manly French, 1899.
“Canada, Births and Baptisms, 1661-1959,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F2T3-6Z8 : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Manly Benson French in entry for Laurence Manly French, 18 Sep 1899.
Charles Edward Robertson
Thanks to Changing Vancouver for information on Charles Robertson.
The Search for British Columbia’s Oldest Floating Heritage, by John M. MacFarlane 2017 (Updated in January 2018); http://www.nauticapedia.ca/Articles/Oldest_Floating_Heritage.php: “The Sea Lion, later Sea Lion VI ON117116 built in 1905 in Vancouver BC by Charles E. Robertson. In 1905 she was owned by G. H. French, Vancouver BC. In 1910 she was owned by H.A. Young & Lloyd B. Gore, Vancouver BC. In 1915 she was owned by British Canadian Lumber Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1916–1963 she was owned by Young & Gore Tugboat Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1963 she was by Island Tug & Barge Co. Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1970 she was owned by Harold Elworthy, Victoria BC as a yacht. In 1972 she was owned by Sealion Charters Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1975–1985 she was owned by Seatech Charters Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1985 she was owned by Murray Boy as a liveaboard. In 1986 she was sold to Ernie Kansler of Friday Harbour WA as a yacht. In 2004–2013 she was owned by Living Planet Experiences Un–limited, Calgary AB. Although her registry is suspended in late 2017 donal Fee reports that she is berthed in Maple Bay BC.”
Sea Lion, http://www.tugboatinformation.com/tug.cfm?id=5189: “Built in 1905, at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.”
Changing Vancouver, 518 and 522 Keefer Street; https://changingvancouver.wordpress.com/2015/08/03/518-and-522-keefer-street/. Includes references to the history of the Sea Lion tugboat and Charles Robertson’s shipyard at the foot of Cardero Street.
Sea Lion VI, Sea Lion’s History; http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sea_Lion_VI. Describes Sea Lion’s role in the Komagata Maru incident.
Historic tugboat to go on auction block; ctvbc.ca; published Monday, May 12, 2008, https://bc.ctvnews.ca/historic-tugboat-to-go-on-auction-block-1.295333.
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWKS-C3N : 3 August 2016), Charles Robertson, New Westminster City, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148092.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVJ-C74 : 18 March 2018), Charles E Robertson in household of Cynthia French, Burrard, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 13, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
“New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JXGN-9Y9 : 30 January 2018), Chas. E. Robertson, 1908.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-M5M5 : 16 March 2018), C in entry for G French, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 1-18, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,661.
1921 Canada Census, Charles Robertson in household of George Henry French [indexed as George Henry Turch], Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 1. Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL2P-QPR : 8 November 2017), Charles Edward Robertson, 1943.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVV5-78BN : 13 December 2015), Charles Edward Robertson, 1943; Burial, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Mountain View Cemetery; citing record ID 26291434, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26291434: “Charles Edward Robertson; Birth: unknown; Death: 4 Dec 1943; Burial: Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Plot: JONES/*/03/011/0004; Memorial ID: 26291434.”
WestEndVancouver 
There was another member of the household; Charles Robertson. He lodged with the family in 1901 on Alexander Street, and also when they moved to Beach Avenue. He had built the Sea Lion tugboat at a yard in Coal Harbour (where Cardero Street is today) in 1905, and was a partner in the operation with Captain French. He was shown as retired at age 46 in 1911, having built an investment property on East Hastings in 1909.
Thank you for this information. I have updated the page on George Henry French.
Robert
Great information! I am the great grand daughter of Austin Sherman French and am building my family tree. I hit the jackpot on this website!
Hello, and thanks for visiting.
I am glad that you found some useful information.
Robert
There is a well -known photo of Prime Minister Laurier when he visited Vancouver in 1910 and opened the first Pacific National Exhibition. He is being driven in a 1910 Napier. It has been speculated that Austin French may be the driver shown in the picture. I wonder if you would be able to confirm that?
Hello Peter,
I know that there has been a lot of discussion about this photograph, and about Austin French as well. I have never seen a photograph of any members of the French family, so I can’t say for sure whether he is driving the Napier automobile. I would also like to know who is driving the car.
Robert
Captain French was also one of Vancouver’s first motorists. In 1906 he purchased a Canadian built Russell car and was active in promoting Russells as durable cars suitable for our country. It was the 80th car to be registered in B.C. The Province (1906-05-16 and 1906-08-13) records the purchase of this car and describes its use in a New Westminster hill climbing demonstration.
In 1907 G.S. French bought a second car, a bigger and more powerful Russell. Noteworthy was its eight note horn, which was operated by a keyboard and could play simple tunes. (The Province 1907-05-18) Presumably, French changed brands when he and his son became Napier dealers.
Hello Peter,
Thanks for this interesting information.
Robert