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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: Tin man on Thursday 14 December 17 22:37 GMT (UK)
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Hello rootschatters!
I am trying to find information about my great great grandfather William Collins born 7th March 1845, Cornwall, England. He left Cornwall for California on the 11th April 1870 but that is all I know. I would like to discover which ship he travelled on and whereabouts in California he settled, I believe he went in search of gold.
I have obtained my details from a relative who had access to an old family bible.
I have looked on ancestry (library edition) and followed a link to the 'library of congress' to check for US immigrants but still couldn't find any information.
I am new to genealogy and feel like I'm barking up the wrong tree. Any pointers would be appreciated.
Thankyou. :) :)
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Have you got parents and siblings for him, this may make it easier than trace him?
Jennifer
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Do you know if he is either of these?
William Collins mmn Morcom March quarter 1845 in Redruth
William Henry Collins mmn Wicks March quarter 1845 in redruth
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Welcome to RootsChat! ;D
Cornwall OPC Database has, under emigrations:
William Collins, noted in 1873,
Destination: Ontario, Canada
Age: 30
Occupation: Blacksmith
Source: Ontario Marriages, 1801-1928
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From Ancestry:
William Collins arrived 26th April 1870, age 25
Departed from Liverpool arrived at New York on board the 'Brooklyn'
If he is your great great grandfather what is the name and year of birth of the child you are descended from?
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That passenger list can be seen for free here - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVPV-DYSM Unfortunately, passenger lists from that time frame give little personal information.
In general, it's best to start with the most recent information and work back from there. Do you have a death date or marriage date for William? Do you have him on any census records? The census can give clues about when he immigrated or married, but keep in mind that these dates can be incorrect. Sometimes, other family members will show up on the census that will help you figure William's family of origin. Other US sources that may be helpful are naturalization records (if he was naturalized), obituaries, newspaper articles, and city directories. Not everything is online, but there are a lot of helpful websites in addition to Ancestry.
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Thankyou for the help everyone. I'm a bit overwhelmed by the amount of information on genealogy websites, it goes on forever!
Have you got parents and siblings for him, this may make it easier than trace him?
Jennifer
No parents or siblings yet, I'm still wading through mountains of information! :D
From Ancestry:
William Collins arrived 26th April 1870, age 25
Departed from Liverpool arrived at New York on board the 'Brooklyn'
If he is your great great grandfather what is the name and year of birth of the child you are descended from?
I hope to discover where in California he settled, what mine he worked at etc.. I will look at naturalisation records, and do some more studying.
The long winter nights will just fly by! :) :) :)
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Tin man,
I meant who was his son or daughter that you are descended from, so that we could cross-check for a birth for them, or an immigration record, or a census, just to try and help you confirm if the correct William Collins.
If your Mother is still alive, can you remove information about her, please.
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Sorry Chempat, I misunderstood what you meant. Previous post edited.
I am descended from William Collins' son, James Collins, born in 1881 Austin, Texas. I am not sure how to obtain a birth certificate from the USA. Do they have an equivalent of the General Register Office, and freeBMD?
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Vital records in the US are held on the state or more local level.