RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => South Africa => Topic started by: Tgapitbull on Sunday 17 July 16 08:14 BST (UK)
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I am looking for information on Edward John DAWES born October 1860, Gidea Hall, Essex, England to Edward DAWES/Charity GAYWOOD.
I am interested in any information on Edward John DAWES and his wife Minnie ATKINSON. Who was she previously married to, where there any children and did EJD and Minnie have any children?
The following is what I know about them:
19 Jan 1893 EJD departed London for South Africa, age 33, single, miner.
Feb 1893 Arr. in Cape Town s.s. Lismore Castle.
1893-1896? EJD in South Africa; trekked to the Gold Coast (Ghana).
1896-1899 Gold rush to the Yukon (Klondike).
09 Aug 1905 - He married Minnie ATKINSON in Komgha, South Africa; he a widower aged 45yrs, she a widow age 43yrs. EJ Dawes was Manager of the Royal Hotel, Komgha. From the marriage cert it looks like she lived in Sterkstroom (although hard to read).
20 Jan 1911 Minnie (Unknown/Atkinson) Dawes died in Hemming street, Cathcart, South Africa. Usual residence was the Bungalow Hotel, Butterworth. Minnie was buried in Cathcart cemetery.
29 Nov 1913 EJD arrived in Melbourne from South Africa s.s. Afric.
10 October 1939 EJD died in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
As an aside I have two napkin rings that have been passed down the family from EJD (he is my great-grandfather). Inside the napkin-ring box is a sticker from "M Davids & Co, Jewellers, Dutoitspan Road, Kimberley". From the silver markings these appear to be around 1901. One has "Val" engraved on it and the other "Tommy". Are these connected to the family?
Any information and/or suggestions as to where I can research would be welcome.
WNW
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Hi there just a found a record you mention Val on napkin ring Edwin john valentine dawes his full name that's probably the Val you have.
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Thanks robo196.
I am not sure where the "Valentine" in EJD name comes from as this is the first time that I have come across it.
WNW
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Hi
There is a divorce in the Transvaal Archives that could be his son
WLD 2717/1973 ILLIQUID CASE. DIVORCE. EDWARD JOHN DAWES VERSUS ANN VIOLET DAWES 1973 1973
WLD 9992/1974 ILLIQUID CASE. DIVORCE. EDWARD JOHN DAWES VERSUS ANN VIOLET DAWES 1974 1974
Minni's death Notice
MOOC 6/9/661 632 DAWES, MINNIE. DEATH NOTICE. 1911 1911 which you can download at
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-Z5FH?i=2002&cat=331262
It would appear she had no children
Unfortunately I cannot spot a DN for his 1st wife
Regards
Gillian
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Hi Gillian,
Many thanks for providing the link to Minnie Dawes death notice.
EJ Dawes 1st wife was Sarah Ann Dawes nee Woolsey who died in Auckland, New Zealand in November 1890 - she fell down the stairs at the Junction Hotel - she was pregnant at the time.
EJ Dawes and Sarah Ann had 2 children born in NZ. They are Edith born 1888 in Auckland and Eleanor born 1890 in Thames. The children were "fostered out" to two Rosser families. EJD left NZ a couple of years later.
Interesting that he also left South Africa a couple of years after Minnie died.
WNW
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From the death notice for "Minnie" Dawes can anybody suggest what her parents surname? might be?
Also her place of death is given as Hemming street, Cathcart. The death notice states that she died in a private nursing name - can anybody help with a possible name of a nursing home. I have searched on the internet and found nothing.
I have seen on the internet that the Cathcart cemetery has been vandalised and very few headstones remain. Is this correct? If so are burial records likely to exist and where would these be held?
I have also been unable to find any information on the Royal Hotel, Komgha and the Bungalow Hotel, Butterworth. Can anybody help with information/photos?
Would a death notice be published in a local newspaper?
Thanks
WNW
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Hi Wendy
From that DN it appears her maiden name was Bealey - the informant did not know her parents name
She may have been buried in Butterworth - Eggsa.org has a database of South African Gravestone photographs - doesn't look as though they have an album for Butterworth yet but keep an eye open they are adding photographs all the time. The old Cathcart telemetry was vandalised - all stones have been photographed on the site.
Cant spot any DN's for Bealey in the NAAIRS databases nor any for an Atkinson prior to 1905 that matches up with Minnie in the Cape
regards
Gillian
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Many thanks Gillian.
Minnie Dawes death certificate states she was buried in Cathcart cemetery, so would appear that any headstone has been vandalised - a shame that this has happened.
I also haven't been able to find any Bealey/Atkinson marriage. On the death notice beside "Bealey" it states "Xlian name unknown" - what does this mean? Her death cert states that she was "European".
Interesting that EJ Dawes didn't know the names of Minnie's parents!
Your assistance/information is very much appreciated.
WNW
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Hi
I think he was abbreviating Christian Name
Perhaps she came from elsewhere ie not SA
Regards
Gillian
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Hello Wendy
While researching Royal Hotels in South Africa, I took this photo of the current Royal (not being used as a hotel) in Komga in 2014 - but have not managed to find any history on it.
Regards
Derek
(http://)
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Many thanks for the photo Derek. If you come across any information on the hotel I would welcome receiving it as I too have found nothing so far.
Seasons greetings from New Zealand.
Wendy