Norbert Trevet Binks

Please note, this page is awaiting substantial editing and until completion, much of the information below should be considered unreliable.

Norbert was born June 7, 1887 in Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada. It is not clear whether 'Trevet' was the intended spelling of his middle name. This is how it is spelt on his birth registration, but the intention was surely to use the maiden name of his Grandmother, that being 'Trivet'.

He worked as a Civil Servant and is mentioned in the "Civil Service List of Canada: 1911"

On May 24, 1921, Norbert (still single and travelling alone) arrived at the Port of Rouses Point, New York, USA. His intention was to stay permanently and to become a US Citizen.
(Source: List or manifest of alien passengers applying for admission to the United States from foreign contiguous territory - Port of Rouses Point, New York - May 24, 1921)

Some background information about Janet Dowbiggin 

Janet's maiden name was Dowbiggin and she had been born in Liverpool, England bet. October - December 1889. She emigrated to Canada with her parents arriving in Montreal in 1903. After making a return visit to Liverpool, arriving December 2, 1908, she returned again to Montreal in 1909*.
*(The Canada 1911 census states that Janet had immigrated in 1909)

On 23rd January 1910, Janet (now aged 20) married 45 year old Patrick McCormack at St Patrick's, Montreal. and had at least four children:

Mary Evelyn Clare McCormack (born September 2, 1910)
Francis Daniel McCormack (born August 10, 1912)
Patrick Edward McCormack (June 3, 1914)
Robert Gerald McCormack (born January 27, 1916)

Janet spent a period from August 1920 to January 1921 in New York, USA. Then on September 24, 1921, Janet (travelling without her husband and children) arrived at the Port of Rouses Point, New York, USA a 2nd time. Claiming to be single, her destination was to be the Y.W.C.A. Hudson & 19th St. NY. Her intention was to stay permanently and to become a US Citizen.
(Source: List or manifest of alien passengers applying for admission to the United States from foreign contiguous territory - Port of Rouses Point, New York - September 24, 1921.)

 

 

Norbert & Janet

The USA 1930 census tells us that Norbert and Janet were living in Brooklyn, Kings, New York with two surviving children from Janet's marriage to Patrick McCormack, and two others of their own.

'Frank McCormack' (Francis D. McCormack) - Born in Canada - aged 17
'Edward McCormack' (Patrick Edward McCormack) Born in Canada - aged 15
'Gordon Binks' Born in USA - aged 9
'Janet Binks' Born in USA - aged 3

The US 1930 census was to reflect the status of all individuals as of 1st April 1930. This being the case, Gordon Binks at 9 years old, must have been born between 1st April 1920 and 1st April 1921. There was no baby with Janet when she travelled a second time from Montreal to New York on September 24, 1921. So Janet must have given birth to Gordon in New York during her first visit. That is, between August 1920 and January 1921.

Indeed, Gordon Binks is William Gordon Binks, and the US Social Security death index confirms his birth to have been on 15, Nov 1920.

Her husband was alive in Montreal and this baby wasn't his.

Janet was undoubtedly having an extramarital affair with Norbert and became pregnant in early 1920. Surely, to avoid the inevitable scandal at home, she needed to flee. Whether her intention was to give up the baby for adoption and return to Montreal or to ultimately make a new life with Norbert in New York, we can't can't be sure. But we do know that she left the baby with someone, somewhere in New York and returned to Montreal in January 1921.

However, she was back in New York on September 24, 1921 for good. Norbert had arrived in May - perhaps to establish himself and get employment in advance of Janet's arrival. It is not known when Janet's children from her marriage arrived in the USA. Most likely, they initially stayed with their natural father.

Norbert may or may not have married Janet. No marriage record has yet been found, though the US 1930 census does state that Norbert's age at marriage was 31 years. If it were true, the marriage would have been between 1918 and 1919, and bigamy would have occurred. The 1930 US census also states (erroneously) that both Norbert and Janet immigrated to the US in 1919. 1919 is most probably the year when Norbert and Janet began their affair, and for 'administrative' purposes was no doubt 'adopted' as the year of their immigration and marriage.

Patrick McCormack died in Montreal in 1922, and one has to wonder if the personal tragedy he suffered hastened his demise.

The US 1930 census indicates that Norbert was a Civil Engineer in the industry of manufacture. This supports another source in which it is stated he was a manager of a paper mill in Glens Falls, New York.