Fred Batke, 1916 Canadian Census, Saskatchewan

Fred Batke is listed in the 1916 Canada Census of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. His entry is on line #50 of the above document for Swift Current, Saskatchewan.  Note Fred Link and family is listed on line 1.
Name: Batke, Fred
Place of Habitation: Shamrock; Township 14, Range 6, 3rd Meridian
Relationship to Head of Family: Head
Male, single, age: 26
Place of Birth/Religion: Russia, Lutheran
Year of Immigration: 1913
Year of Naturalization: 1916
Nationality: Canadian
Racial or Tribal Origin: Russia
Can speak English: Yes
Can speak French: No
Other language spoken: German
Can read: Yes
Can write: Yes
Occupation: Farmer, working on own account, on a farm


1916 Canada Census of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Saskatchewan, Swift Current, 11; Roll: T-21945; Page 17; Family No: 215.  Ancestry.com, accessed May 31, 2010.

Fred Batke, Canadian Border Crossing, 1928

On July 8, 1938, Fred Batke, age 35 and single, traveled from California to the port of Kingagnie, British Columbia on his way to visit his mother, Mrs. Anna Batke. The border crossing report states that Fred was born in Russia, but of German "race" and Russian citizenship. He states that he previously lived in Saskatchewan, Canada from 1913-1921. He speaks English, is Lutheran by religion and his occupation is a painter. He states that his mother is living in Kelstern, Saskatchewan. When asked to give the name and address of his nearest relative from the country from which he has come, he gives his brother, Karl Batke, 2749 Holly Street, Fresno, California. He has $30.00 and is traveling into Canada via the highway. This could mean that he is either in a car or on a bus. The last column on the form reads: "Action Taken. State whether admitted as immigrant or non-immigrant or rejected. If rejected give cause and state of appeal entered." Everyone else on page 194 of the boarder crossing document is listed as "admitted." At the end of the Fred Batke's row, it says "on appeal." It is not clear from this document whether he was able to visit his mother, Anna Lock Batke, or not.

Fred Batke, Canadian Border Crossing, 1930

This is a second entry showing Fred Batke crossing into Canada, this time at Climax, Saskatchewan. Dated April 24, 1930, Fred states that he is a "son" visiting his mother Mrs. Annie Batke in Kelstern, Canada. He is 41, born in Russia, from California and going to Saskatchewan. This time he is listed as an American citizen. He gives his "race" as Russian and says he was in Canada before, between 1913-1921, at Queen Center, Saskatchewan. He again states he speaks English, is a Lutheran, but adds farmer to his occupation of painter. But, instead of listing his brother as the nearest relative from the country he is coming from, he lists his mother again. He states he is carrying $200.00 and has $350.00 in personal effects.   He again is traveling by highway.  This time the document states he is admitted as an "immigrant."

Anna Lock Batke Naturalization Index, 1919

On page 400 of the List of Aliens to whom Certificates of Naturalization have been issued, Anna Batke and her granddaughter Anna Batke are listed. As stated on Anna Batke's Homestead papers, she was naturalized on December 4, 1919.

The website Canadian Genealogy Center states "Citizenship and Immigration Canada holds records of naturalization and citizenship from 1854. The originals of records dated between 1854 and 1917 have been destroyed. However, a nominal card index has survived, which provides information compiled at the time of naturalization, such as present and former place of residence, former nationality, occupation, date of certification, name and location of the responsible court. The index raely contains any other genealogical information.

"Records created after 1917 are more detailed, indicating the surname, given name, date and place of birth, entry into Canada, and in some cases, the names of spouses and children. The file will typically include the original petition for naturalization, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police report on the person, the oath of allegiance, and any other documents."

If we could see these papers on Anna Batke, we might glean more information on the Batke family.

Possible burial location of Anna Lock Batke, 1939

On the Saskatchewan Mennonite Cemetery Finding Aid of the Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan, Inc. the Elim Mennonite Brethren Church Cemetery is listed.  The list includes 148 individuals buried in the cemetery located in Queen Center. On the list is an Annie Batke, born 27 Jun 1848, died 31 Oct 1939. I believe this could be Anna Lock Batke. More documentation is needed to prove this theory.

Anna Lock Batke Application for Entry for a Homestead, 1913-1920

Anna Lock Batke states that she was born is Jekaterinoslaw, Russia and she was a farmer there.  When she applied for the homestead, she was living in Herbert, Saskatchewan.

Anna Lock Batke Homestead, 1913-1920, page 2

This second page of Anna's homestead papers notes that Johan (John) Batke owns the northwest quarter of section 23, i.e., he owns the property next door. The document says she has no home on the property. It is assumed that Anna was living with John in his home in the adjoining property.  In addition, where you see Mrs. Anna Batke written in the center of the page, it is not her handwriting.  What is also shown is "her + mark" which means she could not write her name.  Page 2 of Homestead document.

Anna Lock Batke Homestead, 1913-1920, page 1

Anna Lock Batke obtained a homestead entry for the southwest quarter of section 23, township 14, range 6 west of the third meridian in Saskatchewan on March 12, 1913, just seven months after arriving in Canada. On the document is says her age is 72.  Given the document was executed in April 1920, it would make Anna's birth year c1848.  In addition, next to the "Certificate of Naturalization" is written 2-12-19, which means that Anna became a citizen on this date.  Page 1 of Homestead papers.