Genealogy Chat

Just had a look on freebmd and it looks as if she died in 1838, although the transcriber was unable to read the District, Volume and Page ! Just leaves her birth to find.

Thanks Dave I could have got that myself, but I'm at work so can't spend too long searching. LOL That's the right date and location, so I'll treat that as kosher.

Brian, From LDS Robert Hamilton married Damascene CARD on 16 July 1832 at St. Martins in the Fields, Westminster. Dave

I suppose the next question is whether anybody can find on VRI either the marriage of Robert Hamilton to a Damascene around 1830, or the birth of a Damascene (something) around like 25 years earlier? Please !

Siobhan The Hugh Wallis index is another way to search in the International Geneological Index. It enables you to specify the area and look for the church then go straight to the batch. This can be more direct than the somewhat restricted criteria entry on Latter Day Saints which can throw up hundreds of results for a common name. I haven't got the URL to hand but if you do a Google search it will bring it up.

It may be that the woman was an oriental with an untranslatable name. So the registrar just entered Damascene ie from Damascus Bob

Me again! I can now add: Damascene: transitive verb: to decorate (metal) with wavy patterns of inlay or etching noun: metalwork decorated with wavy paterns of inlay or etching adjective: 1. of or relating to damascening 2. of or relating to damask Etymology: from Damascus and another source says: a kind of plum now known as the Damson That's the lot! I'm all Damascened out except to say it is still in use as a surname!!!! Love Eleanor xx

Hi Brian, the name Damascene comes from the word Damascus and means 'an inhabitant or one who comes from Damascus, Syria'. There is a Saint John Damascene (676-749) whose memorial dates are 4th December (Greek Church) and 27th March (Latin Church). All the references I can find to the name seem to indicate that it would most probably be a surname. Hope this helps! Eleanor xx

Hello Brian, Just looked on latter day saints and Damacene comes up as Thomasine when the name is put in first name, but there are a few Damascenes as a surname, perhaps it was a family name that was used as a given name to keep it going. gen

sorry can I ask what the Hugh Wallis index is and where you searched this. Thanks

I have got a Francis Hamilton on the 1881 census aged 46, born Soho, Middx. and also on 1901 as Francis W Hamilton aged 68, born St James. I've looked up the Hugh Wallis index and found St James , searched for Hamilton christenings and found Francis William Hamilton born 1/11/1833. So far, so good. But: The parents are shown as Robert Hamilton (father) and Damascene (mother). That's it, just Damascene. No indication as to whether it's a given name or surname. Never heard of Damascene as a name. Any ideas?