52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 9 (CHANGING NAMES)
I knew my grandpa as Clyde Robertson born in San Francisco, USA. on May 10th 1910. He was an only child with deceased parents by the time he met my grandma.
That was all I knew until, at the age of 29, I heard a rumour that Grandpa might have been a man named Max Pellack born in Gronlid, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Prior to that day I never questioned grandpa's name.
To be honest - I'm not sure I really thought about him having an actual name - he was just Grandpa.
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| Me with Dad & Grandpa |
It took me 20 years to prove, but the confirmation that Clyde Robertson and Max Pellack were the same person came via DNA matching.
I then began searching for records, and discovered the distance between Max Pellack & Clyde Robertson wasn't a direct line as I had thought.
In the 1911 census he was Nicolas Pelick (Age 1, born June 1910)
In the 1916 prairie census he was Max Peleck (Age 6)
In the 1921 census he was Max Pelleck (Age 12, listed as a daughter)
The 1926 census was a bit harder to find Grandpa. I had to browse page by page scanning the list of names. I finally found Grandpa enumerated twice. His age varied, but the other details are enough to suggest they are both him. Once with his family on the homestead as Max Pelyck (age 17) and once in Prince Albert as Max Pellack (Age 18).
I probably would have never found the second entry had I not found him enumerated without the rest of his family first.
How is it that he could have been recorded twice?
Likely his parents were asked for who normally resides here, and included Max even though he was not currently at home.
For the 1931 census I find Maxwell Pellack (age 22) in Quebec. He claims to have been born in Manitoba. He also claims both his parents were born in Manitoba. The details don't exactly match, but they are close enough to suggest this is my grandfather. As time went on we know he was altering his name/details so I don't have any concerns accepting this as a 'reasonably exhaustive search'.
It is in the years between 1932 and 1939 that he began using the name Clyde Robertson. Exactly when & why I have not yet determined. These 7 years are still a mystery at this time.
May 19th 2019 I requested my grandfather's military record. I would have loved to see the reaction of the Library & Archives Canada staff member as they read my confusing application.
May 17th 2023 I received Grandpa's Military record which enlightened some, but also added more levels of confusion.
September 5th 1939 Clyde Robertson enlisted in the Canadian Military at Innisfail, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. He joined the Calgary Highlanders. He claimed to be 30 years old.
- he was 29.
Records show he spoke English & French, but didn't read French.
- This is likely true since he was in Quebec for the 1931 census.
- He also spoke Ukrainian which never appears on any of Clyde Robertson's records.
He was single on the records so listed his father, Alexander Robertson, residing at 321 Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada as his next of kin.
- his father was Alexander Pellack residing in Gronlid, Saskatchewan, Canada
He claimed to born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- he was born on the homestead at Gronlid, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Not too long after he enlisted he met Grandma in Calgary, and claimed San Francisco as his birthplace.
He claimed to reside in Kamloops where he was a chemist, but also recorded he was not working at the time of his enlistment.
He claimed to have a highschool diploma, a Bachelor degree in Chemistry & Physics, and a Master's Degree in Chemistry & Physics from Minnesota State University. He further claimed to have attended Saint Paul Technical Vocational Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.
- he did not graduate highschool.
- In the 1950s he earned his credentials as an Accountant.
- He told grandma his family was from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
He claimed to have worked in a mine refinery for one year, and as a gold mine analyst for Rock Island Mines in the Cariboo.
- Although I have found a few references to Rock Island Mines in my searching none of them are gold mines in the Cariboo region of British Columbia.
Clyde Robertson denied any knowledge, experience, or interest in farming.
- he was born on the homestead into a farming family.
January 9th 1940 Clyde was given permission to marry according to his military record. Also recorded was the wedding took place on February 17th 1940, and he was given leave to report back on February 21st for duty.
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| Calgary Herald, 22 Feb 1940 |
This photo was taken December 1940 on Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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| Clyde & Mary (nee Thomson) Robertson |
January 22nd 1941 Clyde Robertson was discharged from the Military as unfit for duty. The foot injury during a training exercise resulted in damage that made him unable to perform the duties of a soldier. This injury resulted in a lifelong Veteran's Affairs pension for Clyde Robertson.
The military records note he was admitted to the hospital on January 20th 1941 'sick', and discharged from the military 2 days later. It doesn't state exactly what he was sick with. Looking at the photo above he doesn't look like he has a foot injury that would make him unfit for duties a month later, but according to the tale the injury had already occurred. There is a possibility the foot injury is family lore, and not the actual reason for him being unfit for duty.
Regardless of why - he did receive a Veteran's Affairs Military pension for his injury/illness.
After his death his widow Mary Robertson continued to receive it.
His identity as Clyde Robertson stood the test of time with the Canadian Military.
Once more records are available for the 1930s I may find more about Grandpa Max/Clyde using the details in his military records. Were they entirely untrue? Or were their truths weaved throughout? Only future records will assist with this.
Through the 1940s Grandma and Grandpa lived in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They had their children, and lived life.
In 1961 Grandma and the kids lived in Vancouver, and Max Pellack appears in the Henderson directory as the Office Manager for Paramount Motors residing at 738 Alfred Street in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Also included are his brother Mike & nephew Alvin. This address was updated in his Clyde Robertson military record for 1961 for his military pension to be mailed.
This is also when Max discovered diamonds in Northern Saskatchewan
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| Winnipeg Free Press 20 Sep 1961 |
By 1962 Grandpa & Grandma with their kids are residing together again.
1962 the voter's list has Clyde & Mary Robertson residing down the street from his 1961 - now at 1122 Alfred Street in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. This address is confirmed in the 1963 Henderson Directory where Clyde is recorded as the Accountant with Tom's Speedy Muffler along with wife Mary & son Colin. The 3 younger children were not old enough to be recorded.
By 1964 the family has moved to 1870 Williams Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada according to the Henderson Directory.
November 13th 1964 there is a request for Clyde's military medals to be sent to an address (unit 24, 310 Lonsdale Road, Toronto Ontario, Canada). These medals were his CVSM & War Medal 1935-1945.
BUT
The 1965 Voter's list has Max Pellack with wife Mary living at 1535 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. he is a bookkeeper. In 1964 Clyde notified the Canadian Military of the new address (matching below) for his military pension to be mailed.
I wonder if the family was moving a lot because it appears as though there were 3 different addresses for 1964.
Clyde Robertson was never born & died July 11th 1986
When your research turns into a search for 2 truths & a lie.... errr - I mean many lies & a truth!!!
This is why I search -
Cause ...
You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!
***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***
Photos:
Personal
Links:
Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks/
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