This CollinsFamilyHistory Blog is a living document. I hope that this will lead to more inputs by our family.
The input by Joe Collins (my Father) and Linda and Monty Collins is very much appreciated.
Please contact me at lcollins@techgateways.com to provide further input and pictures.
Lloyd Collins
P.S. You can click on a picture to enlarge it. To return, hit the back button.
With this I begin:
This is the first document known. This is the birth certificate of John Collins, husband to Minnie Aitken and father to 12 as family memories indicate, or 11 as current records show. The children, in order of birth are: Bobby, Eddie, Johnny, Alex, Willie, Mickey, Gordie, Effie, Joe, Marion and Normie. The birth certificate indicates that John was born on July 11th, 1891, in Glasgow, Scotland. He lived until the age of 68, dying in 1959.
John was an ardent fisherman, as indicated below. He fathered many sons and daughters who would inherit his skill with the fishing rod!
Minnie , wife of John is seen here in an older picture was busy mother known for her hospitality to all.
John came to Canada at an early age. He first was a short order cook in Montreal. Sometime later he came to Toronto and married Minnie. He began a career in plumbing and heating which was passed on to his sons. Until this day the business still thrives.
An early picture of John's business shows his truck (J. Collins Plumbing and Heating), along with his car in back. This photo was taken in front of 28 Sullivan St.
He then brought some of his sons into the business:
An early photo of the family shows 9 children. From left to right are John (Father), Minnie (Mother), Bobby, Eddie, Johnny, Alex, Mickey, Gordie, Effie, Joe and Marion.
Another early picture including (from left to right), Normie, Effie, Philip, Marion, Kenny Barnett, Anne Barnett, Joe and Ruth Barnett
This picture in front of John's car includes Bobby, Eddie, Johnny, Alex, Mickie, Gordie (with the hair!) and Willie. This picture was taken at the Humber River.
One of the New Year celbrations at Sullivan Street. A poor quality picture however from the Left Side are: Anita, Bobby, Johnny, ? , ? , Anne Barnett, ?, Aunt Hanna. Right Side: John (Father), Minnie (Mother), Alex, ? , Ruth Barnett, ? , ?, Sylvia, Philip (Father's 1/2 brother's son), Gordie (popping head out)
At some time, John went back to Scotland for a period of time. His love and care for his family is captured quite well in these postcards he sent back to his family. It was a "book" of postcards, each of which had a note on the back:
>
Above: My Dear Wee Bobbie, I hope you are well and going to school and keeping Eddie off the road adn I will bring you back a great big football. Your loving
xxxxxx daddy xxxxxxx
Above: My Dear Wee Eddie. I hope you are being a good boy and stop whistling and go to sunday school and Santa Claus gave me something for you. Good by from your loving Daddy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Above: My Dear Wee Jonnie, are you a good boy and taking your medicine I will bring you back something for XMAS from your loving Daddy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Above: My Dear Wee Alicks I hope you are in good health and giving your mother sleep at night for your Daddys sake all from your loving Daddy xxxxxxxxxx
Above: Dear lovie I expect to be back for XMAS this is an awful place poverty everywhere nobody working I don't konw how they live
Above: The price of things are terrible Eggs 4/S 6P Butter 3/S Tea 2/S 8P Sugar 6P Bread 5P 1/2 Onions 2P flour 3 1/2 lbs 10P 1/2 Bacon 2/S 6P Apples 6P LB fells naptha soap 7P the rent in Westerhill St. is 22/S 1P Gas 16/S month penny in slot sistem
John Collins' father was Michael Collins. He was born in Glasgow as well, in 1871 and lived until 1929. Michael was a Baptist preacher and an accomplished author and poet. I am attempting to get some of his poetry so that I can include it here. Additionally, Michael traveled to China where he bought bone china to export to England. Quite an achievement in those days!
Collins Christmas Tree - 1927 by Michael Collins
The Christmas bells are Pealing
Through Toronto streets they ring
and every heart is feeling
the message that they bring
A message guid and brave and true
the tidings auld yet never new
The Time was guid auld Christmas Eve
Frost and snow was in the air
And a bunch of Johnny's wee yins
Were squatted on the floor
For the Christmas Tree at Sullivan
was the charm of all the Town
and many people gathered there
of great ones and Renown.
Old paw rigged up like Santa was
Whiskers on his chin
Stood on a wee still by the tree
all ready to begin
Guid Freens says he
I wish you a the joy that
you would wish for me
May happiness attend ye
Wherever your path may be
So the big folks looked on with
great delight
As they sang and cheered with glee
Oh this is a wonderful happy night
around the Christmas tree
We then took our stand beside the tree
Was presents gread and small
and the Weans were all delighted at the things they say
Johnny took a parcel off
then let wee Alex see
Wee Mickey shouts wi gleeful face
that candy is for me
And Willie shouts Ho Ho
Grandpa cried He He
Gordie Ain't is butiful
Mine own Christmas Tree
Next Joy came carrying wee Ruthie in
And in opening Wide the door
A nice wee cake fell off the tree
And landed on the floor
I like to picture that happy scene
as they scrambled there wi glee
Reminding me of Auld Lang Syne
Freens its fine tae be in such a
happy scene
Though it ever again may be
But where’er ye be
Ye can cherish wi pride
Our Johnny’s Christmas Tree
Michael was married two times. His first wife gave birth to Effie, Annie, Hannah, Chris, John, Edward, Matt and Marion. His second wife gave birth to Mack.
Aunt Effie, Aunt Hannah, Uncle Matt, Aunt Annie, Aunt Chris
Aunt Effie never got married. She lived in England.
Aunt Annie married Alf Barnett.
Aunt Hannah never got married as well.
Aunt Chris never married either. She was a nurse in the First World War and was awarded the Victoria Cross for her service in the war.
John moved to Canada when he was 13 and later started Collins Plumbing which carries on today with Greg Collins (Joe's son) carrying on the family business.
Edward remained in England and had two children (Marion who moved to Detroit and Arthur who remained in England and was a demolition expert in the 2nd World War. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his service).
Matt moved to Florida, married Alice and had two children (Gloria and Harry). An early photo of Uncle Matt is below. Matt is at the top, along with John (Father) with Bobby and Eddie.
Marion remained in England and had one child, Joy.
Joy is pictured below.
The child from the second marriage, Mack had two children, Philip (who became a doctor in divinity and was a professor in Seattle) and Sylvia who never married.
John brought his father, Michael, to Canada along with some of his siblings. A photo of one New Year's party has many of the Collins family in the picture:
In this picture are, Top Row: Alf Cliffor (family friend), Eddie, Bobby, John (Father), Alex. Next Row: Alf Barnett, Annie Barnett, Minnie (Mother), Helen Tate (friend), Aunt Hannah Next Row: Philip, Kenny Barnett, Aunt Effie, Lizzie (friend). Bottom row: Marion, Ruth Barnett and Joe (yawning), Gordie, Normie (Baby) Effie and Marion.
A picture of John with his kids at the beach. From left to right, Alex, Joe, Gordie, Normie, John (Father), Marion and Effie.
Minnie Aitken (John's wife) had her Father (Robert) come to live with them in Sullivan Street. Minnie, or Mary, was born in 1890 and died in January 1953. Robert, her Father, had four children: Minnie, Bob (Uncle Bob), Annie and Joe.
Uncle Bob was a veteran of WW I. He lost his leg in battle. Once back to Canada, he lived with the Collins family and worked in the Collins Plumbing company until he died. Uncle Bob was smoker and continually bet on the horses. His often given advice was "Do you want a tip? Don't bet on the horses!" Uncle Bob passed away in 1968.
Uncle Bob's WW I 75th Battalion (2nd from left)
Another picture of Uncle Bob (2nd on the left)
Never one to worry anyone, Uncle Bob sent this photo from the infirmary in England, writing home saying "don't worry about me John, I hope you are working!" (Uncle Bob, back row, 5th from the right)
Annie, Minnie's sister, had one daughter, Mary Wilcox. Mary had three children: Colleen (deceased), Ernest and Charnell (twins).
John, Minnie's other brother was never married. He was a horse trainer and would spend the winter in Florida (presumably at the Hileah Race Track) and summers in Toronto (at the Woodbine Race Track). He often would phone in "tips" to Uncle Bob!
Now back to John Collins' family.
Bobby, the oldest son married Anita and had two sons, Bob and Jim. Bobby had a cottage resort in Hay Bay (near Kingston). Young Bob, as he is known, married and settled down in Kingston. Jimmy still resides in Hay Bay. Bobby had heart problems and died in 19..
Eddie, born in 1917, died in 1952 at the age of 34. He suffered a leaking heart valve. Eddie did not have any children.
Eddie and Joe at Longbranch
An early picture of Mother (Minnie) and Eddie at Longbranch
Johnny married Bella Hogg only to become an instant father to her two children, Monty and Joyce. He was especially close to Monty and eventually adopted him, as his own.
Unfortunately Monty passed away in December 2008. Monty was loved as son by Joe and Angie Collins.
An early picture of Joe, Johnny (sorry, his head was cropped), Marion, Normie and Effie at 28 Sullivan St.
Some scrapbook pages prepared by Linda Collins after the passing of Johnny.
Johnny with a friend during his service in WW II
Although Johnny was a boxer during the war, Greg (Joe's son) shows him who is boss!
Alex married Jean and had two children, Caroline and John. Alex died in 2004. Here is a picture with Alex in it. You will know why they called him "Slim"! The picture has Micky, Slim (Alex), Aunt Annie Wilcox (Mother's sister), Joe and Bobby
Alex and Aunt Annie
William was killed when hit by a truck in front of the house. Willie was born on September 18, 1925 and died on October 20th, 1928.
Michael, or Mickie was born in 1923 and died at the age of 17 in 1940. Mickie died of nephritis. A picture of Mickie when he was ill, in bed.
Gordie was born in 1924 and died in 1999. Gordie was married to Rheva and had three children, Glen, Colleen and Wayne.
Glenn was born in 1952 an died in August 2009.
Wayne left. Wayne and Glenn below.
Colleen above, Wayne and who is that movie star on the right? Gordie!
Rheva, Gordie, Wayne and Glenn on the left. The smiling 5 brothers! Gordie, Joe, John, Normie and Alec (also known as Slim!)
A young Gordie on the left.
Colleen and her family are in the picture below (her husband David , sons Jayson and Christopher)
Effie was born in 19.. and died in 19... Effie married Norm Mortley and had six children, Dennis, Brian (who died of bacterial menangitis at the age of 9), Mary, Diane, Janice and Ronnie.
Here is an early picture of Marion and Effie
Joe was born in 1930 and married Angie. They have two children, Lloyd and Greg.
Joe and Kenny Barnett at Longbranch.
Johnny and Joe at the cottage (with a friend)
Joe and Angie's sons, Lloyd and Greg
Lloyd with his wife Carmen and his two sons Robert and Tim (photo March 2006)
Greg with his wife Shirley, son Christopher and daughter Lindsay
Joe and Angie with the grandchildren; Tim, Lindsay, Christopher and Robert (2004)
Johnny and Joe (brothers, can you tell?)
Marion was born in 1933. She married Cliff and had three children, Keith, Karen and Diana. Cliff died in 2005. An early picture of Marion is included here. From the top are Effie, Joe, Marion and Normie.
Cliff and Marion
Cliff, Joy and Marion
Normie was born in . Normy married Jerry and had four children, Debbie, Denise, Danny and Diana. An early picture of Normy and his Mother Minnie is below.
