Emily Booth, 30, was a British national from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She was traveling aboard Lusitania with her 8-month old son, Nigel. Her husband, Charles Booth, had remained at a hotel in Ottawa. Emily died in the Lusitania sinking, but the 8-month-old baby was picked up out of the water. The baby was claimed by an aunt in England.
Contributors:
Judith Tavares
Judith Tavares
Emily Booth was my great aunt and the sister of my grandmother, Louisa Hadfield Booth, who became the second wife of Charles Harry Booth. My grandmother was the one who traveled to Ireland to collect her nephew Nigel. My grandmother cared for and loved Nigel and eventually married C. Harry and immigrated to Canada (Ottawa). They had 2 boys and 2 girls (my mother who is now 94years). All of them but my mother are now deceased. I have copy of a letter that my great aunt wrote telling of her fears of traveling during threat of war but her mother was ill and she wanted her to meet her grandchild.
Shelley, I am helping my daughter as she is preparing a WWI project with a focus on the Lusitania. I came across your posting. Thank you for sharing this part of the story with us.
Kasey in Tennessee, USA
Shelley, I’m looking into my family tree and came across your post as Emily was a sister of my great-granddad, Thomas Hadfield. I knew she had died on the Lucitania but Nigel had survived, and he was recognised by Louisa partly because of jumper he was wearing that she had knitted for him. I then understand she married Charles, and I have found a record for this dating the marriage as September 1916 in Leicestershire. As for Charles, he is registered as being a ‘Visitor’ to the Hadfield household in the 1911 census, where his occupation is listed as ‘Clerk (Rly)’, which I believe is a connection to the fact that he worked on the Pacific Railway, explaining why he was in Canada at a later date. The last I knew was that my granddad flew out to Canada whilst doing his RAF training during the war and met-up with Nigel. Beyond this, I didn’t know what happened to that branch of the family until I read your post, so thank you for enlightening me!
Hi Jacob How wonderful to hear from a distant cousin. I have an extensive geneology of the family dating back quite some years. Yes Emmy, Thomas and Louisa (my gran) were siblings. It is wonderful to hear from you. If you wish to know more let me know. Shelley
Hi Shelley, it would indeed be great to hear more about your side of the family. I’ve recently found a few photos of my granddad when he was in Canada during the wars, so it would be interesting to see whether anyone remembers his visit or indeed recognises him. Please feel free to get in touch at jacobhadfield123@gmail.com. Jacob
Shelly, I am married to the son of Nigel Frederick (Terrance Frederick)…and so this information is extremely important to us! Thank you so much for your post. It is helping us piece together more family history that had been lost over the years.
Kelsey in Tennessee, I am glad I could help. I feel a kinship with the Lusitania. Out of death and tragedy another family was born. My mother Barbara is the last of Louisa’s offspring …. At 95yrs young. There are now 14 great grandchildren. Unfotunately, Nigel died of natural causes In 1966 he was n his 50s I think. We all live in Canada west coast. Kindly Shelley