Magnus Alfred Wulff1

b. 18 February 1855, d. after 30 August 1895
Magnus Alfred Wulff, son of Hans Henrik Wulff and Rasmine Marie Pedersdatter, was born on 18 February 1855 at Nykøbing Falster, Maribo, Denmark,2 and baptized on 15 March 1855.2

Alfred was an apprentice butcher (slagtersvend) by early 1880 working in nearby Guldborg.3

Alfred was convicted of theft on 14 April 1883 at København, Denmark. It is unknown what the circumstances of his crime were. This conviction is referenced in a later Supreme Court case.4

On 29 July 1884 Alfred was accused of stealing two lambs from the pasture of a man named Fredriksen at Majbølle, Maribo, Denmark, near where he worked. He was arrested and confessed to taking the lambs, but claimed that they were sold to him by another man. He was convicted of the crime and sentenced to 18 months hard labour.4 Alfred appealed his sentence and on 19 June 1885 his case was heard by the Supreme Court. After reviewing the evidence the Judge ruled that there was not sufficient evidence for the 18 month sentence, but still enough for conviction on a lesser charge. Alfred's sentence was reduced to 30 days imprisonment on bread and water.4

With his sentence served it is not surprising that Alfred decided to leave Denmark to find a better life in Canada. On 1 October 1885 Alfred sailed from København, Denmark, bound for Ottawa.1

Alfred did not stay in Ottawa long. He moved west to Pembroke and there he met Jane White.

Magnus Alfred married Jane White, daughter of Thomas White and Mary "Polly" Brown, on 19 November 1887 at Pembroke, Ontario.5

Shortly after Alfred and Jane's son, Thomas Alfred, was born the family moved back towards Ottawa, settling in Janeville. Janeville is now part of the Vanier suburb of Ottawa. Alfred worked as a butcher for Alphonse Courcelle who had shops at 85 Queen St. West and 8 Wellington Ward Market.6

It is not known when Alfred died, but it was likely some time after 30 August 1895 when he is listed as Jane Wulff's husband in a land deed. One family story suggests that he was once again convicted of theft and went to prison. However, no evidence has been found to support this story.7

Children of Magnus Alfred Wulff and Jane White

Citations

  1. Magnus Alfred Wulff, Indirect, 01 October 1885, V vol. 6 p. 8, Copenhagen Police Records of Emigrants; database, Danish Emigration Archives (http://www.emiarch.dk/ : accessed 15 November 2005),.
  2. Magnus Alfred Wulff birth (18 February 1855), Nykøbing Falster Parish (Maribo, Denmark), Kirkebøger 1847-1875, født mandkjøn, 1855 no. 20, folio 61; digital image, Statens Arkiver Arkivalieronline (http://www.arkivalieronline.dk/ : accessed 20 September 2006); original source not cited.
  3. Magnus Alfred Wulff entry, 1880 Folktælling, Guldborg, Majbølle, Maribo, Denmark, Guldborg section 4, household 18, entry 149; FHL microfilm 263,333,.
  4. O. J. Levison, Ugeskrift for Retsvæsen. Aargang 1885. [International Journal of Justice. For the Year 1885] (København: Universitetsboghandler); digital images, Google Books (http://books.google.com/books?id=jJ8DAAAAQAAJ : accessed 29 June 2010).
  5. Alfred Wulff-Jenny White marriage registration no. 10817 (1887); Ontario Registration of Marriages, 1869-; microfilm MS 932, roll 58, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.
  6. 1891/92 Directory of Ottawa pp. 207, 463.
  7. David B. White et al to Mary White, conveyance, 30 August 1895, Renfrew County, Westmeath, vol. M: 5579; RG 61-49; FHL microfilm 1,731,186,. Deed 5579 from volume M of Westmeath Township deeds is a conveyance from the various heirs of Thomas White to Mary White, his widow, of the N 1/2 of lot 15 in the 3rd concession East of Muskrat Lake. Among the various heirs listed is "Jane Wolff, . . . wife of Alfred Wolff butcher". From this we can deduce that Alfred Wulff is still alive as of the instrument date -- 30 Aug 1895.
  8. Thomas Alfred Wulff-Annie Butler marriage registration no. 14149 (1908); Ontario Registration of Marriages, 1869-; microfilm MS 932, roll 136, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.
  9. John Karl Wulff, regimental no. 1081891, Canadian Expeditionary Force personnel files, RG 150, accession number 1992-93/166, box 10615, file 22, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.