looking for the family of james charles enos — uncle jimmy

Sometimes researching your family history takes you down paths you never expected. And sometimes, just when you think you've reached a dead end, you discover another piece of the puzzle.

I've been researching my great-uncle, James Charles Enos, affectionately known in our family as Uncle Jimmy.

Born May 2, 1895, in Nanaimo, British Columbia, James served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. He enlisted in Victoria in November 1915, aged just 20, and wasn't officially discharged until March 19, 1919.

His military records have opened up a whole new chapter of family history. I've been carefully working through his service papers, medical records and hospital documents, including one that appears to place him at Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917. Family history tells us he was injured when a stampede of horses ran over his foot.

My mother remembered Uncle Jimmy and kept his rosary, telling me he carried it with him in the trenches.

But there is another part of his story I'd really like to discover.

James had four children, named in his obituary as James, Donald, Stephen and Bonita.

I don't know these family members or their descendants, and I would dearly love to reconnect.

Someone once commented on my blog, and I have wondered ever since whether they might have been connected to this branch of the family. At the time, I didn't understand the connection and unfortunately couldn't find them again to follow up.

Perhaps this post will find its way to someone who recognizes these names.

I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers James Charles Enos, knows his children or has photographs, family stories or information to share.

I'm not trying to intrude on anyone's privacy. I'm simply trying to put the pieces together and preserve a little family history that might otherwise be lost.

There are so many stories hidden in old documents, photographs and memories. I never got to know Uncle Jimmy myself, but through this research I'm beginning to understand the young man, the soldier and the family member he was.

If you're part of this family, I'd love to hear from you.

Some family stories take generations to find their way home.

— Tina (Zipolita)

What family memories survive through small keepsakes, like Uncle Jimmy's rosary?

Have you ever discovered a family connection long after the opportunity to meet someone had passed?

How important is it to preserve the stories of relatives we never personally knew?

Could someone reading this hold a missing piece of the Enos family story?

What would you ask a relative from a previous generation if you had one more opportunity

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#CanadianVeterans

#VimyRidge

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