Ellen Burchell b 1855 Bristol Gloucestershire

[gocarlton]

Hi All,
For years I have been trying to find the birth record (or anything) on Ellen Burchell b 1855 in Bristol Gloucestershire. She came to Australia in 1883 aboard the Silhet and settled in QLD where she married and had children. In every record I have (all from Australia) she states she was born in Bristol Gloucestershire and she seems very accurate with her age. Her parents are noted as John Burchell (born Bristol / sailor) and Elizabeth Adams, I have looked for their wedding but without success.

I recently read that some records for Bristol were destroyed in bombings etc including some years that may have once contained what I am looking for, but what of the census! I have checked and rechecked them for every variation of the surname I can think of, but to no avail. I realise a parent could have died or both and I may never find her, but as I am rather stuck I would appreciate it if someone could offer an idea on where to look next. I did send away to England for a couple of birth records I thought may have been her but I was wrong, think one was in Bedminster the other in Thornbury. There is also a Ellen Burchell born in Warwick in 1854 in the 4th qtr, but when I check the census in 1861  Ellen Burchells parents show as David and Caroline.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks and Regards

[CaroleW]

Hi

Re: no birth registration.  Failure to register a birth only became a fineable offence in 1874 so lots of births went unregistered prior to then

[gocarlton]

Hi,
Thanks for your help, I wasn't aware of that.
Regards

[kipperharris]

I am also trying to find details of Ellen Burchill, who married my great grandfather, John Pollock.  While I can find where she arrived in Australia, I think John must have swum.  His parents were William Pollock and Margaret Lamb and he was born in Omagh, Antrim Northern Ireland round 1840.  I can find no birth details or marriage details of his parents.  Ellen and John are proving very frustrating.

[Joburg]

Hi,
  There is an Ellen Birchill birth reg. for Bedminster in 1855.

Regards

Joburg

[rosie99]

Hi,
  There is an Ellen Birchill birth reg. for Bedminster in 1855.

Regards

Joburg

That birth registration gives mothers maiden name as Parfitt
BURCHILL, ELLEN   mothers maiden name    PARFITT 
1855  Dec Quarter in BEDMINSTER 
Volume 05C  Page 677   

ADDED Henry Burchell married Elizabeth Parfitt -they are living in Nailsea, Bedminster in 1861
(Just to eliminate)

[Capetown]

?

What are the names of the children of Ellen & John POLLACK (looking for family names etc).


?

With the West Country accent the 'H' was/is silent hence House is ouse etc.  Therefore may be Ellen is Helen

e.g.

There is a Helen BURCHELL register Sept 1855, Thornbury District, Gloucestershire - and looking at Thornbury roots - the BURCHELL's are a well established family and Daniel BURCHELL did have a son John BURCHELL in 1827

[rosie99]

There is a Helen BURCHELL register Sept 1855, Thornbury District, Gloucestershire -

The GRO index for that birth gives
BURCHELL, HELEN       mothers maiden name MARY JENKINS    
1855  Sept Quarter
THORNBURY  Volume 06A  Page 161

Strange that it has a first name as well as surname for mmn 

ADDED for elimination if necessary
Marriages Jun 1853 
Burchell    Henry       
Jenkins    Mary Riddiford       
Thornbury    6a   33

[Capetown]

Ellen BURCHELL was aged 28 when she arrived in Australia.... quite old to be a Spinster in that era....  occupation on Passenger List

Silhert Migrant Ship-Bundaberg Regional Libraries

381 Immigrants on board (311 English, 4 Scotch, 66 Stock) which included 51 Domestic Servants etc.

---

? had she already knocked a few years off her age  (have seen this many times on census/certificates) - or in my Grandparents  case - age at marriage was + a few years


? had she married previously
? were the family non-conformists

Where did the SS Silhet sail from in 1883  (Plymouth I think according to the 'net).  Can't imagine she sailed alone!!!  e.g. friend.  ? fellow passengers where were they in 1881 census.







Up until the 1929 Marriage Act, women could marry aged 14 upwards (life expectancy was short for many!!)