Genealogy Chat

Thanks for the update, Jo.

Particular thanks to Pete and Ozibird.

Death Certificate has arrived this morning. Good news and bad news....I've definitely got the right man with the last place of abode known to be correct. The surprise is that his nationality gives not only British but also Blundeston, Suffolk. This then ties in with the birth certificate I already have - mother Harriet, no father. The age given at death is 58 when according to the birth cert (and his gravestone) he would have been 59/60. Of course, it is possible that he knocked a couple of years off to keep his job as Master of the fishing trawler.

It still leaves me with the problem of who is Joseph Smith, given as father on William's marriage cert. I now think this must be a second husband for Harriet after William Hales. Anyway, that's where I shall be looking, unfortunately, not until Sunday, as family are about to descend.

Thanks again to all you lovely helpers.

Jo.

Certainly will. Despatch date is 15th Oct. I do hope the postal strike doesn't get extended.

Jo

When you get his death cert will you let us know if it gives you more clues?

Ozi.

Thanks for all your help with my search. Sorry it took me a while to get near the computer today, busy looking after a grandson. I've now re-read all my thread and your replies and thought to add the following.

I've found a Joseph Smith from Corton, Suffolk on board the vessel "Rosetta" in 1881 RG11/3278. He's shown as a widower at the young age of 28. My mind is buzzing about how I can fit him into the puzzle. Maybe a second husband for Harriet?

Off to search.

Jo

Pete,
Thank you so much. that is definitely the right one. Zodiac is mentioned in the newspaper items. I will send my email address for the index.

Ozibird,
You're right, if his father definitely is Joseph, and I think it must be, then I'm certainly on the wrong trail. He could be from elsewhere but we have always believed he was a Suffolk man and his best man at marriage is most definitely from Corton, Lowestoft.

William's eldest son was Joseph William so I think that that's a strong clue. The second son was Robert Edward - Robert after his mother's father but Edward ??

Time for re-thinking methinks.

Jo

Jo,

The familyrelatives website (pay to view!) has the GRO "Marine Deaths" index.

There is any entry registered in 1931 for the following.

Name SMITH William G
Age 58
Vessel Zodiac (hard to read,but I think it says Zodiac)
Page No 121

You should be able to order the death certificate from the GRO armed with that information.

I have saved a copy of the index just in case you would like a copy sent to you by email

Pete

Do his children's names give you any clue?

Otherwise you may have to wait for the 1911 census!!

Ozi.

So if your William George Smith is not the one you've found all the info for & his father really IS Joseph, he may be born anywhere. Right?

Ozi.

For reference:


Name: William Smith
Age: 9
Estimated birth year: abt 1872
Relation: Son
Father's name: William George
Mother's name: Harriet
Gender: Male
Where born: Blundeston, Suffolk, England

Civil parish: Hopton
County/Island: Suffolk
Country: England

Street address: Warren Road Fullers Cottage

Occupation: Scholar

Registration district: Mutford
Sub-registration district: Gorleston
ED, institution, or vessel: 11
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
William George Hales 27
Harriet Hales 29
Herbert Hales
William Smith 9



Marriages Sep 1873
HALES William Mutford 4a 1128
SMITH Harriet Mutford 4a 1128


I really think this may be a red herring, unless of course he made up Joseph for the marriage cert.

The birth cert you have is almost surely the guy above & as you know his mother is unmarried & at home with her Smith parents in 1871. She then marries William George Hales.

So if you think the bloke/s you found on the vessels is yours:
1891 he's born Lowestoft.
1901 he's born Hopton, Suffolk (4 miles north of Lowestoft.)

Both in the reg.n district of Mutford.

Ozi.

So this is the one you've already got but not sure it's your bloke?.

Births Jun 1871
Smith William George Mutford 4a 734

Ozi.

Sorry Jo, I was looking at the 58, 59 & 60 from the newspaper reports & converting them to '58, '59 & '60.

Ozi.

Kathleen helped last night when I was trying to establish the birth. I have a certificate 4a 734 for a William George Smith born 1 Jun 1871 Blundeston, Suffolk to a Harriet Smith. No father mentioned. I have no way of deciding if this is really my William.

Harriet is found in 1871 census with parents and 1881 where it looks as if she's changed her surname to Hales. Husband is another William but no sign of any Joseph Smith. This could well be a red herring.

Sorry Ozbird, to early.
I'm looking for around 1871 but Mutford would be good.
Jo

This isn't him?

Births Jun 1858
Smith William George Mutford 4a 668

Ozbird,

Joseph is William George's father. Annie's ancestors are pretty well known.

Jo

I should add that I have found two Census taken on board two fishing boats both with a William Smith of the right age and from Suffolk. First is the 'Thomas' in 1891 and second is 'Success' in 1901.

Also I have asked about crews lists at Lowestoft library but was told that no personal information was on the lists - only age date of joining the boat. i was hoping to find next of kin or dependents.

Jo

Who is Joseph the father for? Annie or William?

Ozi.

OK Stephanie heregoes, but I warn you it's turning into a brick wall.

William George Smith died, as above, 12 Dec 1931, at sea on boat a fishing trawler. Body brought back to Lowestoft and buried after post mortem. No inquest required.

Married Annie Emma Smith (maiden name) 25 Dec 1897 at Gunton, Suffolk, giving father's name as Joseph Smith. Both men are fishermen.

Birth is still uncertain. At marriage W.G.'s age is given as 26 i.e. birth year 1871. Unfortunately, in the 1931 newspaper reports of the death and burial there are three ages given - 58, 59 & 60!!

I have his children but can't go back further with any certainty.

Jo