Joshua Johnston was a bailiff and private detective. He lived at 1214 Denman Street from 1913 to 1915.
Early Life
Joshua Johnston was born in Cambuslang, a suburb of Glasgow, Scotland on September 5, possibly in 1853, although some sources give his birth year as 1858, 1861 and 1871.
Marriage to Georgina Redshaw
In 1887, in Gateshead, Durham, England, Joshua married Georgina Middleton Redshaw. She was born in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England on June 11, 1859. Her parents were Middleton Redshaw (1826-1864) and Elizabeth Maving (1826-1903).
Middleton Redshaw was a music professor.
Business Life in England
In 1894, Joshua was the bailiff in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.
In 1900 Joshua was collecting applications for the proposed Scottish Volunteer Corps for Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and Tyneside.
According to Joshua’s recollections in the Vancouver World in 1912, he served for a time in the British government secret service. He also claimed to have solved the 1888 English cases involving “Jack the Ripper” (although the cases officially remain unsolved). The Vancouver World article also included four photographs of disguises that Joshua sometimes used while he was working.
To Vancouver
According to some sources, Joshua and Georgina arrived in Vancouver about 1905. However, Joshua did not appear in the Vancouver directories until 1910. He was living at 832 Howe Street and he was offering his services as a bailiff and “private enquiry agent.” His office was in room 120 of the Riggs-Selman Building at 319 West Pender Street.
He lived at the following addresses in Vancouver.
| 1910 | 832 Howe Street |
| 1911 | 523 Homer Street |
| 1912 to 1915 | 1214 Denman Street |
| 1916 and 1917 | Not listed under Vancouver names |
| 1918 to 1922 | 816 Hornby Street |
| 1923 to 1926 | 1054 Melville Street |
He took out display advertisements in the Vancouver directories.
He advertised his services to people who had lost money as a result of fraudulent and corrupt business schemes.
Military Service
On February 15, 1916, in Vancouver, Joshua signed attestation papers to serve in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. He gave his birth date as September 5, 1871 (twelve years after his actual birth). He did serve in England, but in 1918 a military medical board declared that he was too old for further service. He he was discharged on January 28, 1918.
Return to Vancouver
When Joshua returned to Vancouver in 1918, he moved his offices to the Dominion Building at 207 West Hastings Street.
In 1921 he had an entry in the International Police, Detective, Sheriff, Constable and Identification Directory, published in San Francisco, California.
In 1922 he advertised his services with the high-sounding motto “Investigation is the Soul of Government.”
Later Life
Joshua continued his bailiff and detective business until the later 1920s. He died in Vancouver on October 19, 1927. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.
Georgina continued to live in Vancouver until the mid-1940s. She died in Vancouver on September 27, 1946. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.
It appears that Joshua and Georgina did not have any children.
Sources
Joshua Johnston
Detective Stories by a Real Sherlock Holmes, by Joshua Johnston, Vancouver Daily World, July 16, 1910, page 42 (page 18 of second section).
Detective Stories by a Real Sherlock Holmes, by Joshua Johnston, No. 2: All in a Life, Vancouver Daily World, July 23, 1910, page 37 (page 17 of second section).
Detective Stories by a Real Sherlock Holmes, by Joshua Johnston, No. 3: Experiences in Navydom, Vancouver Daily World, July 30, 1910, page 30 (page 18 of second section).
Detective Stories by a Real Sherlock Holmes, by Joshua Johnston, No 4: Vancouver Daily World, August 6, 1910, page 42 (page 18 of real estate section).
“Vancouver’s Veteran Detective, Being an Interview with Joshua Johnston,” Vancouver Daily World, January 6, 1912, page 41. (Includes photographs of Joshua Johnston, including some of his disguises.)
Canada’s Historic Places; Riggs-Selman Building, 319 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B, Canada; http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=6509.
“England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2DY2-1ND : 13 December 2014), Joshua Johnston, 1887; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1887, quarter 4, vol. 10A, p. 1154, Gateshead, Durham, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England and Wales Census, 1891,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WJW8-63Z : 12 December 2017), Joshua Johnson, Gateshead, Durham, England; from “1891 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, Durham county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSM1-46X : 8 April 2016), Joshua Johnstone, Whitley, Northumberland, England; from “1901 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Whitley subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-9DLH : 15 July 2016), Joshaua [sic] Johnston, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 1-18, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,661.
Canadian Expeditionary Force; Name: Johnston, Joshua; Rank: SGT; Regimental Number: 1015317; Date of Birth: 05/09/1871; Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 4888 – 26; Item Number: 337143; Record Group: Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF); http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=337143; Digitized service file: B4888-S026; http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B4888-S026.
1921 Canada census: Joshua Johnston [indexed as Joshua Johnson]; Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 13. 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:FL2C-FV4 : 8 November 2017), Joshua Johnston, 1927.
Joshua Johnston, death notice, Vancouver Province, October 20, 1927, page 21; Vancouver Sun, October 20, 1927, page 18: “Johnston—Passed away at his late residence, 1054 Melville St., Oct. 19, 1927, Joshua Johnston, bailiff and detective, age 80 years. Deceased leaves his wife to mourn his loss. Funeral services will be held from Center & Hanna’s chapel Saturday afternoon, Oct. 22, at 1:30 o’clock. Christian Science service. Interment Mountain View Cemetery.”
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVV5-31RC : 13 December 2015), Joshua Johnston, 1927; Burial, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Mountain View Cemetery; citing record ID 26326558, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26326558: “Joshua Johnston; Birth unknown; Death 19 Oct 1927; Burial Mountain View Cemetery Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Plot HORNE2/*/04/011/0003; Memorial ID 26326558.
Middleton Redshaw (father of Georgina Middleton Redshaw)
“England and Wales Census, 1841,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQBC-R56 : 13 December 2017), Middleton Redshaw in household of Emanuel Redshaw, Gateshead, Durham, England; from “1841 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Census, 1851,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGVQ-QCV : 20 October 2017), Middleton Redshaw in household of Emanuel Redshaw, Gateshead, Durham, England; citing Gateshead, Durham, England, p. 29, from “1851 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2D7H-936 : 13 December 2014), Middleton Redshaw, 1858; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1858, quarter 2, vol. 10B, p. 133, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England and Wales Census, ,” 1861database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7FD-C7L : 13 December 2017), Middleton Redshaw, St Johns, Northumberland, England; from “1861 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2NGH-7BX : 31 December 2014), Middleton Redshaw, 1864; from “England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
“British Newspaper Archive, Family Notices,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLSZ-QDST : 6 November 2017), Middleton Redshaw, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom; records extracted FamilySearch and images digitized by FindMyPast; citing Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom, 04 Jun 1864, The British Newspaper Archive, Ireland; FHL microfilm .
Elizabeth Maving (mother of Georgina Middleton Redshaw)
Elizabeth Maving (1826–); Birth ABT 1826, Newcastle, Northumberland, England; Death Unknown (ancestry.ca).
“England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2D78-LQJ : 13 December 2014), Elizabeth Mavin, 1858; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1858, quarter 4, vol. 10B, p. 202, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England and Wales Census, 1861,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7FD-C7G : 13 December 2017), Elizabeth Redshaw in household of Middleton Redshaw, St Johns, Northumberland, England; from “1861 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5BB-5HG : 11 December 2017), Elizabeth Redshaw, 1871.
“England and Wales Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q271-PXQ3 : 13 December 2017), Elizabeth M Ridshaw, Gateshead, Durham, England; from “1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 24, Piece/Folio 5033/102, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,775,394.
“England and Wales Census, 1891,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WJ7V-2N2 : 12 December 2017), Elizabeth M Redshaw, Gateshead, Durham, England; from “1891 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, Durham county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSCT-78Y : 8 April 2016), Elizabeth M Redshaw, Gateshead, Durham, England; from “1901 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Gateshead subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2N5G-W3B : 31 December 2014), Elizabeth Maving Redshaw, 1903; from “England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Gateshead, Durham, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
Georgina Middleton Redshaw (wife of Joshua Johnston)
“England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:26TX-VQZ : 1 October 2014), Georgina Middletone Redshaw, 1859; from “England & Wales Births, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
Shields Daily Gazette Tyne and Wear, England, June 15, 1859: “Birth. At 22, Westmoreland Terrace. Newcastle, on the 11th inst., the wife of Mr. Middleton Redshaw, professor of music, of a daughter.”
“England and Wales Census, 1861,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7FD-C7P : 13 December 2017), Georgina Redshaw in household of Middleton Redshaw, St Johns, Northumberland, England; from “1861 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5BB-5HP : 11 December 2017), Georgina Redshaw in entry for Elizabeth Redshaw, 1871.
“England and Wales Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q271-PXQV : 13 December 2017), Georgina M Ridshaw in household of Elizabeth M Ridshaw, Gateshead, Durham, England; from “1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 24, Piece/Folio 5033/102, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,775,394.
“England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2DYG-9GZ : 13 December 2014), Georgina Middleton Redshaw, 1887; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1887, quarter 4, vol. 10A, p. 1154, Gateshead, Durham, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England and Wales Census, 1891,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WJW8-N6Z : 12 December 2017), Georgina Johnson in household of Joshua Johnson, Gateshead, Durham, England; from “1891 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, Durham county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSM1-46F : 8 April 2016), Georgina M Johnstone in household of Joshua Johnstone, Whitley, Northumberland, England; from “1901 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Whitley subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-9DLC : 15 July 2016), Georgina Johnston in entry for Joshaua Johnston, 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: Christina Johnston [indexed as Christina Johnson] in household of Joshua Johnston [indexed as Joshua Johnson]; Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 13. 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:FLL4-RSQ : 8 November 2017), Georgina Middleton Johnston, 1946.
Georgina Middleton Johnston, death notice, Vancouver Province, September 30, 1946, page 11; Vancouver Sun, September 30, 1946, page 15: “Johnston—Passed away peacefully at the Vancouver General Hospital, Sept. 27, 1946, Georgiana Middleton Johnston in her 88th year, of 2032 E. 22nd Ave., beloved widow of Joshua Johnston. Funeral service in Center & Hanna Chapel, Tues., Oct. 1, 1946, at 11 a.m., Rev. J.R. Wilson officiating. Interment, family plot, Mt. View Cemetery.”
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVV5-3157 : 13 December 2015), Georgina M. Johnston, 1946; Burial, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Mountain View Cemetery; citing record ID 26284083, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26284083: “Georgina M. Johnston; Birth unknown; Death 27 Sep 1946; Burial Mountain View Cemetery Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Plot HORNE2/*/04/011/0003; Memorial ID 26284083.”
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