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Independent Islands => Alderney, Guernsey, Jersey, Sark => Topic started by: Tibia on Monday 22 September 08 18:24 BST (UK)

Title: Alderney.
Post by: Tibia on Monday 22 September 08 18:24 BST (UK)
Hi,I am new today, so I hope I don't confuse you all any more than I'm confused.
I have traced my Great Great Grandparents to the Island of Alderney.The 1861
census tells me My Great Grandfather's name was James Ballern and his wife was Helena. James was born on the isle of wight and Helena was born on Alderney.I have the names of their children and where they lived on the island,but I can't for the life of me find out what Helena's maiden name was. I have no idea where to go next, has anyone any ideas please.   (please not that hot place,although that's where most of my ancestors are)
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: Arranroots on Monday 22 September 08 18:49 BST (UK)
Hi Tibia

Welcome to Rootschat!  :)

Normally I would recommend obtaining a birth cert for one of the children - were they born on the Isle of Wight or Alderney?

Kind regards, Arranroots  ;)
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: Hackstaple on Monday 22 September 08 19:01 BST (UK)
In the 1871 census James Ballerne, age 64 and a widower, is shown as born at St. Peters [Port] Jersey. Now that would be 10 years out with the age given for James Ballern in the 1861 census where that James is a Wine & Spirits Merchant whilst the second one is shown as a retired Master Mariner. However, for Wine & Spirits Merchant in the Channel Islands you may very well read "smuggler" onto the Kent coast.

I'll look around some more.
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: ricky1 on Monday 22 September 08 19:19 BST (UK)
Hi Hackstaple

think you will find Helena is a wid on the 1871 still living on Alderney

Rg10/ 5770
folio 41
page 17

transcribed as Ballem

ricky
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: Tibia on Monday 22 September 08 19:29 BST (UK)
In the 1871 census James Ballerne, age 64 and a widower, is shown as born at St. Peters [Port] Jersey. Now that would be 10 years out with the age given for James Ballern in the 1861 census where that James is a Wine & Spirits Merchant whilst the second one is shown as a retired Master Mariner. However, for Wine & Spirits Merchant in the Channel Islands you may very well read "smuggler" onto the Kent coast.

I'll look around some more.
Hi,and  thanks for your input, ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D,it's made my day.I have been told by friends that my lot may turn out to be smugglers. Thanks for your help it would be great if you do come up with anything else.
Many Thanks.
                     Tibia.
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: suzard on Monday 22 September 08 19:30 BST (UK)
seems james was a tailor and draper at time of 1851 census -and helena was just Helen

1851
Rue Du Coin
Alderney
James Ballern Head M 35 Taylor and Draper I.O.W.
Helen wife 27
Elizabeth daughter 7
Selina daughter 4
Henry son 1
Emilydaughter 3 mths
HO107 2531 page 1

Suz
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: Arranroots on Monday 22 September 08 19:31 BST (UK)
Well if it's Alderney we're talking about, there is information here about how to pursue their records:

http://user.itl.net/~glen/alderney.html

A  ;)
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: suzard on Monday 22 September 08 19:32 BST (UK)
The only helen I could find of correct age in 1841 in Alderney is helen Scott.

1851 census James and helen(a) are living a few doors away from the Scott family - but then the populated area of Alderney is not that big!

Suz
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: ricky1 on Monday 22 September 08 19:36 BST (UK)
Hi Suz
I would agree that looks the most likely one, was about to post and saw you had written it up ;) ;)

ricky
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: Tibia on Monday 22 September 08 19:55 BST (UK)
Well if it's Alderney we're talking about, there is information here about how to pursue their records:

http://user.itl.net/~glen/alderney.html

A  ;)
                Thank you for the trouble you have gone to,it's very kind of you.I will start looking for more help on that site now.
                                                                Thanks again ,
                                                                            Tibia. 
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: Hackstaple on Monday 22 September 08 19:56 BST (UK)
I see, also in 1861, Mary Ballern, born London in 1784, an innkeeper at St. Annes, Alderney.
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: Tibia on Monday 22 September 08 20:05 BST (UK)
seems james was a tailor and draper at time of 1851 census -and helena was just Helen

1851
Rue Du Coin
Alderney
James Ballern Head M 35 Taylor and Draper I.O.W.
Helen wife 27
Elizabeth daughter 7
Selina daughter 4
Henry son 1
Emilydaughter 3 mths
HO107 2531 page 1

Suz
Hi Suz,I can't thank you enough,this news is great.The names and ages of the children fit the names on the 1861 census,and there were more children to follow. Thanks Again.(things are looking good)
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: suzard on Monday 22 September 08 20:09 BST (UK)
1841
Hurel? St (next house on Royal Square) Alderney
James Ballern 50 Tailor
James 25 Tailor
Mary Ann 50
Emilia 20
all b England
HO107 1460 19 4 33 7

Looks a strong possibility for james

Poss mary (who Hackstaple found) on 1851 is his mother?

Suz
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: gsygirl on Tuesday 23 September 08 09:11 BST (UK)
St.Peter Port is in Guernsey , not Jersey, they are different islands as are Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou and Brechou
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: gsygirl on Tuesday 23 September 08 09:13 BST (UK)
There is a St.Peters parish in Jersey as there is in guernsey, the one in Guernsey used to be known as St.Pierre du Bois..
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: Tibia on Tuesday 23 September 08 17:31 BST (UK)
I would like to thank everyone who has helped me with the search for my ancestors on Alderney.You have all found out more in minutes than I could have found in weeks.All I have to do is to send for birth and marriage certificates and that will be it. I have another family to trace so if I get stuck I hope you don't mind if I get back to you.I hope in future, I will become knowlagable enough to add a little advice to your site,but i think that may be a long time off.
By the way,I am a member of a couple of forums,I wonder if you would mind if I told them of your site.
Once again,Thank you Thank you  Thank you for your help.
                                                                                              Regards--Tibia.   
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: Arranroots on Wednesday 24 September 08 12:10 BST (UK)
Hi Tibia

Of course we'd love you to spread the word about Rootschat!  8)

If you have further questions you'd like help with that aren't related to this topic, just start a new one - pop it on the county board that seems most relevant.

Hope to see you again soon

Kind regards, Arranroots  ;)
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: operadm on Sunday 15 May 11 11:38 BST (UK)
Hello,
I just googled an old family name and found your great website!  James Ballern was my great-great-great grandfather and I have had trouble finding out what happened to him on the official genealogy websites so thank you for all the information you found for Tibia as it really helps me.  His daughter, Elizabeth, married my great-great grandfather William Boyce who was a lighthouse keeper on the island.  They named my great grandmother Helena Scott Boyce and now I see that Scott was the maiden name of Helena Ballern.  I visited Alderney in 2009 and saw James Ballern's wine shop which is now a private house.  Saw the lighthouse too although it was rebuilt in 1906.  If anyone has any details of where the other Ballern children ended up, I would be delighted to hear from you.
 :)
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: Arranroots on Sunday 15 May 11 12:06 BST (UK)
Hi operadm - and welcome to Rootschat!  :)

I can't help you personally, but hopefully the others will be back to respond to you.  Meanwhile have a look around and maybe we can help elsewhere too.

Kind regards, Arranroots  ;)
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: suzard on Sunday 15 May 11 13:22 BST (UK)
Hello,
I just googled an old family name and found your great website!  James Ballern was my great-great-great grandfather and I have had trouble finding out what happened to him on the official genealogy websites so thank you for all the information you found for Tibia as it really helps me.  His daughter, Elizabeth, married my great-great grandfather William Boyce who was a lighthouse keeper on the island.  They named my great grandmother Helena Scott Boyce and now I see that Scott was the maiden name of Helena Ballern.  I visited Alderney in 2009 and saw James Ballern's wine shop which is now a private house.  Saw the lighthouse too although it was rebuilt in 1906.  If anyone has any details of where the other Ballern children ended up, I would be delighted to hear from you.
 :)

so Elizabeth A married William H Boyce who was a lodger with her family in 1861

Can't seem to find the rest of the family after 1861

Suz
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: Tibia on Sunday 15 May 11 13:29 BST (UK)
Hello,
I just googled an old family name and found your great website!  James Ballern was my great-great-great grandfather and I have had trouble finding out what happened to him on the official genealogy websites so thank you for all the information you found for Tibia as it really helps me.  His daughter, Elizabeth, married my great-great grandfather William Boyce who was a lighthouse keeper on the island.  They named my great grandmother Helena Scott Boyce and now I see that Scott was the maiden name of Helena Ballern.  I visited Alderney in 2009 and saw James Ballern's wine shop which is now a private house.  Saw the lighthouse too although it was rebuilt in 1906.  If anyone has any details of where the other Ballern children ended up, I would be delighted to hear from you.
 :)
Hello operadm,
Fantastic to hear of you.I have some news for you (I Hope).James Balern and Helena Scott were my Great Great Grandparents.I have a list of their children,Elizabeth being one of them .As a young lady she was a Governess.One of her sisters was Ellen-(My Great Grandmother).Ellen married a Welsh Miner-(John Williams)he died in 1883 leaving Ellen with three children.There is more if you would like it.
Regards - Tibia
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: operadm on Sunday 15 May 11 15:53 BST (UK)
Suz, I too got stuck trying to find references to the Ballern family after 1861, except for Elizabeth who I have been able to trace until her death in Weymouth.  Interestingly, on a list of Lighthouse personnel on another website, I have just found a lady named Mary Mignott who is mentioned as a cousin, I presume of Elizabeth rather than William Boyce.  There is a Mrs. Eileen Mignot on Alderney who voluntarily answers queries about the parish records so I might give her a try.
Tibia, I would be delighted to hear more from you.  I have Elizabeth's brothers - Henry, William, Albert and Charles on my family tree but not Ellen.  Many thanks for the quick response!
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: suzard on Sunday 15 May 11 18:25 BST (UK)
Hi Hackstaple

think you will find Helena is a wid on the 1871 still living on Alderney

Rg10/ 5770
folio 41
page 17

transcribed as Ballem

ricky


We have been ignoring the information our dear departed ricky posted


1871
High St St Anns Alderney CI
Helena "ballem" Head W 46 Grocer & Wine and spirit merchant
Ellen M daughter 17
C.N. son 15
W.N.B. son 7
W Wasencroft Lodger 26 Light keeper England

all bellem family b Alderney
RG10 5770 41 17

Suz (with thanks to ricky-still remembered )

Suz
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: suzard on Sunday 15 May 11 18:54 BST (UK)
could this be Henry?
1871
Victoria St Alderney
Henry A ballam Head M 21 Grocer
Esther wife  22kenton England
RG10 5770 33 2

Suz
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: operadm on Sunday 15 May 11 19:38 BST (UK)
Thanks for this.  Helena is my great-great-great grandmother.  I can now add some more details to my faimily tree.  It doesn't help that Ballern appears in so many variations in the censuses but thanks to you and Ricky for your research. :)
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: Tibia on Thursday 02 June 11 14:34 BST (UK)
Sorry for the long delay,My PC died,had to buy  another one.Thanks for your offer of information on Elizabeth Ballerm,I would love to hear about he if you get the time. I've looked at other members posts and they seem to have what we have.One thing,did you know Elizabeth had an aunt Amelia her father's sister.On the 1841 Census Amelia was aged 20.
Going back to the rest of the family,I could give you the low-down on Elizabeth's sister Ellen,(my Great Grandmother) and he family,Just let me know if it would be of any use to you. 
Once again,sorry for the long delay.
Regards,
                 Tibia.(Ray)
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: operadm on Thursday 02 June 11 17:52 BST (UK)
I sent a very long reply to you about an hour ago.  Please let me know if it doesn't arrive as maybe it was too long!
Operadm
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: Tibia on Saturday 04 June 11 12:17 BST (UK)
I don't know what I've been doing wrong,I have had about 5 attempts to reply to your post.It is obvious you didn't get them,so here we go again.First of all thanks for your post on Elizabeth and her life living in lighthouses,very kind of you fascinating reading.
This is what I have so far on Ellen, Elizabeth's sister.
Ellen married John Williams (can't find record of marriage) &had 5 children.
John -Born- 1872 in Glamorgan South Wales.
Ellen E - Born-1873    --    --         -        -
Mary A - Born1875     --    --         -        -
Evan - Born  1877      --    --         -        -
Amelia - (My-Grandmother) Born1880    --
Ellen's husband John died in 1883 aged 35.Ellen re-married to a Thomas Bannister and moved to a County Durham mining comunity.I am still trying to find records of the children and of Ellen's first marriage and her death.
Not very exiting after Elizabeth's life.If you get this post and need more information,please let me know.Thank you again for all your trouble.
Regards
Tibia (Ray).
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: operadm on Saturday 04 June 11 12:39 BST (UK)
Yes, I have been getting your messages but for some reason they don't always register on this link!  Thanks for the information about Ellen.  Still trying to figure out what happened to the rest of the Ballerns/Ballems on Alderney.  Will let you know if I have any luck.  I will also let you know the results of my trip to Weymouth to learn more about the Ballern-Boyce-Comben branch. :)
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: suzard on Saturday 04 June 11 23:30 BST (UK)
[quote author=Tibia link=topic=329293.msg3905412#msg3905412 date=130718622
This is what I have so far on Ellen, Elizabeth's sister.
Ellen married John Williams (can't find record of marriage) &had 5 children.
John -Born- 1872 in Glamorgan South Wales.
Ellen E - Born-1873    --    --         -        -
Mary A - Born1875     --    --         -        -
Evan - Born  1877      --    --         -        -
Amelia - (My-Grandmother) Born1880    --
Ellen's husband John died in 1883 aged 35.Ellen re-married to a Thomas Bannister and moved to a County Durham mining comunity.I am still trying to find records of the children and of Ellen's first marriage and her death.
Not very exiting after Elizabeth's life.If you get this post and need more information,please let me know.Thank you again for all your trouble.
Regards
Tibia (Ray).
Quote
Have you seen 1891 census?
Some of the children now called "Bannister" and p.o.b. Durham??

1881
Energlyn Cottages Energlyn Glam (Pontypridd reg dist)
John Williams Head m 33 Stoker at Colliery Merthyr Tydfil Glam
Ellen wife 28 Alderney
John son 9 Caerphilly Glam
Ellen E daugter 8 Caerphilly Glam
Mary A daughter 6 Eglwysilan Glam
Evan son 4 Eglwysilan
Amelia daughter 1 Eglwysilan

RG11 5293 41 82

1891
Chester le Street Durham
Thomas bannister head M 37 Coal Mine Sinker Melvin? Gloucester
Ellen wife 36 Alderney CI
John W son19
Adelaide daughter 16
Evan son 15
Amelia daughter 12
Albert son 10
children all have surname bannister all have p.o.b. given as Carvill Durham
RG12 4119 133 34

(Could "Adelaide" be "Mary Adelaide"???

Suz
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: suzard on Saturday 04 June 11 23:33 BST (UK)
Hello,
 :)
One of her sisters was Ellen-(My Great Grandmother).Ellen married a Welsh Miner-(John Williams)he died in 1883 leaving Ellen with three children.There is more if you would like it.
Regards - Tibia

Ellen and John (Williams) have 4 children in 1881 and another one born 1881 after the census-so if John left her with 3 children -did 2 of the children die before John???

Suz
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: suzard on Saturday 04 June 11 23:59 BST (UK)
I think these are possible birth reg's for the children of John Williams and Ellen

John (age 9 in 1881 -too many to choose correct one)
Elen Eliza Williams Mar qtr 1873 Pontypridd 11a 317
Mary Adelaide Williams Sept qtr 1874 Pontypridd 11a 353
Evan (too many to choose correct one)
Amelia Williams Dec qtr 1879 Pontypridd 11a 318
Albert henry Williams (possibly???) Dec qtr 1881 Pontypridd 11a 330

Suz
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: Tibia on Sunday 05 June 11 11:32 BST (UK)
Hi,
Yes,that could be I didn't look at it in that light.I jumped to the conclusion that Thomas Bannister may have been a widower,and that those two children may have been from his first marriage.
As you say on the 1891 Census all the children were down as Bannister,including Amelia (my grandmother). I have the marriage certificate of my grandparents and on it Amelia is down as Amelia Williams.By the way they were married in Hanley Staffordshire.
Were Ellen & Thomas really married? Who knows The plot thickens.It is strange I can't find a record of Ellen's Death.
Great to hear from you,and many thanks for your information.
                            Regards    Tibia.
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: LENNYB on Sunday 29 March 20 06:46 BST (UK)
Hi from Australia,
My name is Len Ballem and related to the Ballems and Scotts in Alderney.
Not sure who I am actually replying to as this is my first post on this site.
My great grandfather was Charles Nicholas Ballem (1856-1910)and he arrived in Australia from Alderney/England in the late 1800's (although I can find no immigration records of his arrival).His Father was James Ballem,(my Great Great Grandfather)who was married to Helena Mary Scott.
Charles Nicholas was on eof 12 children of James and Helena.
Elizabeth Amelia Boyce nee Ballem is my second great aunt.According to my records she married  a Richard Comben 6-8-1889 in Swanage Dorset.
I have quite a bit of Ballem background,but the Scotts are harder as evidently a lot of the records were lost or destroyed from Alderney during the WW11 occupation.
Quite happy to supply what information I have on the Ballems if you are interested.
Regards,
Len
Melbourne,Australia

.
Hello,
I just googled an old family name and found your great website!  James Ballern was my great-great-great grandfather and I have had trouble finding out what happened to him on the official genealogy websites so thank you for all the information you found for Tibia as it really helps me.  His daughter, Elizabeth, married my great-great grandfather William Boyce who was a lighthouse keeper on the island.  They named my great grandmother Helena Scott Boyce and now I see that Scott was the maiden name of Helena Ballern.  I visited Alderney in 2009 and saw James Ballern's wine shop which is now a private house.  Saw the lighthouse too although it was rebuilt in 1906.  If anyone has any details of where the other Ballern children ended up, I would be delighted to hear from you.
 :)
Hello operadm,
Fantastic to hear of you.I have some news for you (I Hope).James Balern and Helena Scott were my Great Great Grandparents.I have a list of their children,Elizabeth being one of them .As a young lady she was a Governess.One of her sisters was Ellen-(My Great Grandmother).Ellen married a Welsh Miner-(John Williams)he died in 1883 leaving Ellen with three children.There is more if you would like it.
Regards - Tibia
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: KGarrad on Sunday 29 March 20 08:04 BST (UK)
Welcome to RootsChat! ;D

Neither operadm nor tibia have been online since 2013 ::)

If their email addresses are still working, they may get an email notification of your interest.
And, then they may reply ;D

Good Luck!
Title: Re: Alderney.
Post by: LENNYB on Sunday 29 March 20 10:31 BST (UK)
No worries.
One way or another it doesn't matter,but the site does look interesting.