Liffiton Family History 2010

Photo courtesy of the Waterloo Public Library in Ontario. On the photo back is a list of names including "G. Liffiton," but the bottom left player looks like Charlie Liffiton. See more about Liffiton hockey under the Features menu.

Born in London England in 1845, George John Liffiton travelled by ship at the age of four with his parents, George and Jane Liffiton, to Montreal, Canada. The son of a tailor, he learned his father’s trade, and was working in his father’s shop at the age of sixteen in 1861.

Eight years later he was still working with his father at 616 Lagauchetiere, Montreal, but by 1871 at the age of twenty-six, George John was working 147 kilometers to the southwest in Dundas, Winchester, Ontario.

At the age of thirty-one, in 1876, George married Emma LeMay, nineteen, at Detroit, Michigan. She was from Amherstburg, Ontario. They settled in Thorold, Ontario, further southwest near Buffalo, New York, where three of their children were born. In 1877 Emma gave birth to Augusta Jane Rose Liffiton, who went by the name Elsie. Their second child, Georgina Amelia, born in 1878, lived only three months. A third, George Henry, was born at Thorold, Ontario, in 1879.

About the same time, George and his family moved to Seaforth, Ontario, 240 km northeast of Detroit. He worked as a cutter in Duncan and Duncan, a clothing establishment. On April 24th, 1883, at Seaforth, Emma gave birth to their fourth child, Richard, but eight days later Emma died. She was twenty-six.

Besides his work as a tailor, George was active as a member of St. Thomas Church and a teacher in the Sabbath School. He was also a member of the Canadian Order of Foresters. After the death of Emma, George’s widowed mother, Jane Liffiton, resided with the family most of the time.

For several years George suffered from Bright’s disease of the kidneys, and he outlived his wife by only seven years. After a short confinement at his home, he died on Friday, 12 December, 1890 at the age of forty-five. Initially at least his children were left the care of his sixty-nine year old mother.

George's eldest child, Elsie, died four months after her father of “brain fever” in Kingston, Ontario at the age of fourteen. As adults his sons immigrated to the United States, George Henry settling with his family in Freehold, New Jersey, and Richard living with his wife in the Los Angeles area.

George John Liffiton is buried at the Maitlandbank Cemetery located at Roxboro near Seaforth, Ontario, Canada. His obituary says he was well-respected and that a large number of people took part in his funeral procession.

So far a photograph of George John Liffiton or of any member of his family has not been located. Emma’s gravesite is yet to be identified. Thanks to Mardy and David Elliot for taking the photograph of George's headstone in 1997. The inscription reads "In Memory Geo. J. Liffiton died Dec. 13, 1890 in his 46th year," and on the base, "I am the resurrection." Note both the date of his death and his age on the headstone conflict with other records.

Added to Features today are the first two sections of the Liffiton Biographical Enclyclopedia.

Access to the encyclopedia is restricted to registered users. See the Encyclopedia tab in Features for details.

At present only two sections of the encyclopedia are available, First Names starting with A and with B. They contain entries on Alice Jane Liffiton (1879-1959), Arnulfo Grandados Liffiton (a 2001 mystery), Augusta Jane Rose Liffiton (1877-1891), Rev. Barry Liffiton (b. 1945), Bertha Zaiss Liffiton (b. 1891), Betty Peek Liffiton (1796-1877) and Bruce Edward Liffiton (b. 1962).

In conjunction with the encyclopedia entries, a 1913 photograph of Alice Jane Liffiton and her family has been added to the Photos section in Features.

The Syracuse Crunch announced on July 13th the signing of David Liffiton to play defense for the American Hockey League team. Syracuse, the affiliate of the National Hockey League's Columbus Blue Jackets, finished fifth last season in the AHL's Western Conference North Division.

In 2008-09 David played 25 games for the Danish team Esbjerg IK. He scored three goals, was credited with six assists, and was in the penalty box 84 minutes. In an interview with the Syracuse Post-Standard, David explained he was cleared for play last November after wrist surgery in the summer. The less-physical Danish hockey allowed him to heal while he kept his skills sharp.

See David Liffiton's NHL 2006 rookie card in the hockey section of Liffiton Family History.

"And now, a few words from David Liffiton" posted by Lindsay Kramer, The Syracuse Post-Standard, July 13, 2009, http://blog.syracuse.com/crunch/2009/07/and_now_a_few_words_from_liffi.html

"Crunch Sign Defenseman David Liffiton," July 13, 2009, www.syracusecrunch.com/News/Detail/2419

"Standings 2008-09 Regular Season" retrieved July 14, 2009 from stats.theahl.com

A new subtopic area added this week is "Military Life" in the "Features" menu.

In addition to adding material on Liffitons who have served in the military, updated information on George Liffiton and his family is now in the Archives under Canada. Family lore said George came to Canada with the British Army.

While that may be true, at present no evidence supports this story. However, an 1835 court transcript from the Old Bailey in England identified George as a tailor with the prestigious firm of John Jones of London. John Jones was well known for supplying uniforms to British officers.

Also, until recently the last resting place of George Liffiton was unknown by any Liffiton. The Internet finally provided that answer - just Google "George Liffiton" and cemetery, and the answer appears. Or you can find out by reading about George Liffiton here at Liffiton Family History. Go to Canada under Archives.