FAMILY HISTORY: SWARBRICK

REMEMBERING ELSIE (SWARBRICK) BANKS:

PAGE TWO

 

Finally, on the 22nd of April 1910, after what must have seemed an eternity, Ellen and Cyril boarded the SS Empress of Britain at Liverpool to make the journey to Tacoma - a trip that involved a 7 day voyage to Quebec, Canada where they transferred on to a Canadian Pacific steam train for a further 2 week journey across Canada to British Columbia. There, they were met by Leo's friend Fred Gifford (Leo couldn't get time off work to meet them!) for the final leg of their journey to Tacoma.

Leo and Ellen had not seen each other for just over two years and had a lot of catching up to do. By about November of 1910 Ellen was pregnant and the family were happily settled into their home in Tacoma. Unfortunately their young son Cyril died when Ellen was six months pregnant with Elsie.

The birth of their first (and only) daughter on the 8th of August 1911 was a very happy occasion and Leo doted on his little girl. But for the family, times were very hard and life in America was not what they had dreamed of. When Leo took ill and money became even more scarce, they decided to sell up and return to England.

In the winter of 1913, Leo, Ellen and the 2 year old Elsie returned to their native Preston, a journey involving another trip across North America by steam train followed by another steamship
voyage. The family were at sea on Christmas Day and Elsie's only recollection of the voyage was receiving a dolly from Father Christmas (Santa Claus).

 


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