looking for birth records

[Warwick1951]

i am trying to trace birth records of Isabella McGill who, according to UK  censuses in 1881 and 1891 was born about 1859 in Fort Beaufort, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.Her father, Michael McGill was serving as a private in the 59th Regiment of Foot.I have been through the usual paid fro websites to no avail. I have looked at S. African Genealogical Records and searched through parish records but can't find her.Any ideas?
Thankyou

[PaulineJ]

is she in the overseas births at the gro?

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/birth-marriage-death-sea-or-abroad/

indexes on FindMyPast (£)

[Warwick1951]

Thankyou Pauline. I posted today as I had just heard from GRO that they could not find an overseas record. I have looked on FindMyPast  they have a record of her marriage in India but not her birth. I would like to know who her mother was but I guess even if Incould find a birth record her mother won’t be on it !!

[Girl Guide]

Have you considered checking out her father's military records?  Find My Past have a Michael McGill, service no. 3501, a Private in the 59th Foot (2nd Nottinghamshire) Detachment.

This record relates to 1861 and he is stationed at Fort Beaufort Cape of Good Hope.  The National Archives reference is WO12 / 6849.

I'm not sure what these records contain so may not be of any help.

Does Isabella have any siblings?  Could her parents have married in the UK?

[Warwick1951]

Thankyou. Yes I have her father’s military records. That is the same Michael McGill. There was a sister Rose Anne and I’m looking at her records.

[Girl Guide]

So you have presumably found Rose Anne's marriage on 19th October 1878 to an Alfred James at Punjab, Bengal?

The original shows three witnesses J Russell, Mary A Russell and Elizabeth Kelly.  On the face of it no apparent connection to Rose unless either or both Mary and Elizabeth are Rose's married sisters.

Added:  Seems there are two marriage records for Rose, an earlier one dated 1st October 1878 at Sailkol?, Punjab.  All the other details are the same re names.  Or maybe a mistake on the date?  Closer inspection reveals a 1 followed by a space then th with a dot under it.

[Warwick1951]

Yes I have thank you.I think I will have to acknowledge I've hit the brick wall and none on. Thanks for your interest.

[dawnsh]

Have you tried posting a request on our South Africa Board where those with more local knowledge may be able to help?

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/south-africa/

[Warwick1951]

I will certainly do that.
Many Thanks