Name Origin: Smerdon

English (Devon): habitational name from Smeardon Down in the parish of Petertavy, so named from Old English smeoru 'butter' + dun 'hill'.

 

Jan WOOD said (I. B.): -

James Weeks SMERDON the third child and second son of George and Elizabeth SMERDON, was born in Ashburton near the end of 1849, and was christened on 2 January 1850 at Ashburton St Andrew parish church by J E HILL, Curate of Buckland. He was named after his maternal grandfather. He moved with his family to Liverpool when he was a baby. In 1861 he was aged 11 and was a scholar living at home in Liverpool with his parents and siblings.

 

James Weeks Smerdon emmigrated to Canada in 1865 (see 1901 census) or 1868 (see 1911 census).

 

Special thanks to Don Smerdon, Peter Smerdon, Ian Butterworth and rskyring@bigpond.net.au for their information on the Smerdon family.

 

(Research):The 1861 British Census

 

George Murch SMERDON 41 b. Ashburton Devon

Elizabeth 42 b. Yealmpton Devon

John 15 b. Ashburton - painter and plumber

James W 11 b. Ashburton - scholar

Mary Jane 13 b. Ashburton - scholar

George Henry 9 b. Liverpool - scholar

Thomas 7 b. Liverpool - scholar

Richard 4 b. Liverpool - scholar.

 

1881 Canadian Census

 

James W. SMERDON Male English 31 <England> Cooper Church of England

Elizabeth SMERDON Female English 30 <England> Tailoress

Mary E. SMERDON Female English 8 Ontario Going To School

Arthur G. SMERDON Male English 7 Ontario Going To School

Alfred M. SMERDON Male English 5 Ontario Going To School

 

Source Information:

Census Place Thorold, Welland, Ontario

Family History Library Film 1375889

NA Film Number C-13253

District 142

Sub-district I

Page Number 82

Household Number 390

 

1901 Census of Canada

 

Subdistrict: Thorold (Town/Ville), WELLAND, ONTARIO

District Number: 123

Subdistrict Number: l-1

Archives Microfilm: T-6503

 

James Smerdon was a carpenter and a member of the Church of England.

 

Smerdon Jas M Head M Dec 8 1849 51

Smerdon Elizabeth F Wife M May 26 1850 50

Smerdon Alfred M Son S Mar 13 1876 25

Smerdon Gertie M F Daughter S Mar 24 1886 15

Horton Arthur M Father in Law Oct 14 1822

Horton Mary F Mother in Law Oct 14 1823

 

1911 Census of Canada

 

The Smerdon family lived on Chappel St. in Thorold

 

Smerdon James W M Head Dec 1849 61 England 1868 Anglican Carpenter

Smerdon Elizabeth F Wife May 1850 61 England 1869 Anglican

 

James W Smerdon listed his date of entry into Canada as 1868 from England. It says that Elizabeth came in 1869, however, census records indicate that she arrived with her parents between 1850 and 1852. this needs to be confirmed. The Smerdons spoke English and could both Read and Write.

 

Province/Territory: Ontario

District Name: Welland

District Number: 132

Sub-district Name/Description:Thorold

Sub-district Number: 49

 

Additional Information: certain pages of microfilm are of poor quality

Reference: RG31 , Statistics Canada