Author Topic: George W Bell left Plymouth for Albany in 1895 - but what did he do?  (Read 4532 times)

Offline grahamsittee

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George W Bell left Plymouth for Albany in 1895 - but what did he do?
« on: Saturday 27 June 15 22:16 BST (UK) »
I think that George W (could be Wilson) BELL was born in about 1865 in Liverpool, England.

In 1891 he was running a Hotel in Ermington, Plympton, Devon. In 1894 his wife Mary Rebeca BELL (nee Bishop) died. He left his children with his mother in Plymouth and boarded the OROTAVA for Albany (King George Sound). The ship left Plymouth on 1 Dec 1894.

I can find nothing more about him until 1911 when he is back in Plymouth, Devon living with his mother and his children and describes himself as Gold Prospector!

Does anyone have any information on his time in Australia, what he got up to and when he returned to England?

Many thanks in advance,
Graham

Offline sparrett

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Re: George W Bell left Plymouth for Albany in 1895 - but what did he do?
« Reply #1 on: Sunday 28 June 15 00:06 BST (UK) »
Hi
Are you able to tell us please the source of your information regarding the departure and destination.

When did he die? If you had his death certificate, you would perhaps have his full name which would help.

Of course he may have returned as early as 1901 if you are only using census material as guidance.
Sue
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Offline CaroleW

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Re: George W Bell left Plymouth for Albany in 1895 - but what did he do?
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 28 June 15 00:15 BST (UK) »
Quote
I think that George W (could be Wilson) BELL was born in about 1865 in Liverpool, England.


But the 1891 census shows his birthplace as Scotland
Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Carlin (Ireland & Liverpool) Doughty & Wright (Liverpool) Dick & Park (Scotland & Liverpool)

Offline CaroleW

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Re: George W Bell left Plymouth for Albany in 1895 - but what did he do?
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 28 June 15 00:17 BST (UK) »
Marriages September qtr 1887 
George Wilson Bell   Plymouth    5b   403    
Mary Rebecca Bishop     
Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Carlin (Ireland & Liverpool) Doughty & Wright (Liverpool) Dick & Park (Scotland & Liverpool)


Offline grahamsittee

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Re: George W Bell left Plymouth for Albany in 1895 - but what did he do?
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 28 June 15 00:21 BST (UK) »
Hi Sue,

Thanks for the reply. My information all comes from census and shipping passenger lists ( unfortunately I only have out bound).

He died in Plymouth in 1914. I am pretty sure that the W is Wilson. Both of his sons were called something Wilson. He is my great grandfather and family stories say that Wilson was the first name of his father who my great, great grandmother omitted to marry!

I do not think that he came back as early as 1901 as his children are still living with Georges mother.

Graham

Offline grahamsittee

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Re: George W Bell left Plymouth for Albany in 1895 - but what did he do?
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 28 June 15 00:28 BST (UK) »
Thanks CarolW

Marriages September qtr 1887 
George Wilson Bell   Plymouth    5b   403    
Mary Rebecca Bishop     

That is all correct. It was Mary who died before he went to Australia. I am really looking for information on him during his time in Australia.

Quote
I think that George W (could be Wilson) BELL was born in about 1865 in Liverpool, England.


But the 1891 census shows his birthplace as Scotland

That is true but 1911 shows Liverpool.

Many thanks for your thoughts and help.
Graham

Offline CaroleW

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Re: George W Bell left Plymouth for Albany in 1895 - but what did he do?
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 28 June 15 00:30 BST (UK) »
His mother was Victoria Collacott and the 1881 census shows George as b Swindon

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X3KN-BFR
Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Carlin (Ireland & Liverpool) Doughty & Wright (Liverpool) Dick & Park (Scotland & Liverpool)

Offline grahamsittee

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Re: George W Bell left Plymouth for Albany in 1895 - but what did he do?
« Reply #7 on: Sunday 28 June 15 00:44 BST (UK) »
Hi CarolW

Again thanks for the information.

His mother was Victoria Collacott and the 1881 census shows George as b Swindon

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X3KN-BFR

That is correct and I have that information but there is a transcription error on that entry and the original reads Liverpool. She married Collacott after George was born. His father was a Bell and she called herself Bell for a short period of time.

I am really interested in what he did in Australia and when he came back to England.

Thanks a lot for your interest and help.
Graham

Offline wivenhoe

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Re: George W Bell left Plymouth for Albany in 1895 - but what did he do?
« Reply #8 on: Sunday 28 June 15 01:55 BST (UK) »


Can you please transcribe all the information from the 1911 census please. I know you are interested in the time of George's absence, but his name is very ordinary and there is really nothing to go with here.

Rather odd to be living in Plymouth and describing yourself as a gold prospector...suggests he is back from....somewhere...just for a visit?.

He might have been back in England a month after the 1901 census....who knows?

What happened to George after 1911. Did he marry again, die in England?