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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: Lisa8thompson on Friday 19 October 18 15:34 BST (UK)
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I’m looking for info on my 4th great grandfather Archibald white he was born 1817 in Berwick married an Elizabeth Knox who he later deserted.
I believe he was in the merchant navy and later died at sea in 1859
Thanks
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Archibald Wight baptism 11 Feb 1816 Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, England
Parents John Wight & Jane
Colin
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Thanks I will check this out as I may have the DOB wrong on mine :)
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I did note two trees on A.....y who had him married to Elizabeth Knox, one said he was born 1820 the other 1826.
Colin
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Thanks Colin I think I’m going to have to broaden my date of birth in searches as it seems to vary!!
He’s like the invisible sailor!!
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Did they have children?
WHITE, JANE mmn KNOX
GRO Reference: 1838 M Quarter in THE BERWICK UPON TWEED UNION Volume 25 Page 13
WHITE, MARY mmn KNOX
GRO Reference: 1839 D Quarter in THE BERWICK UPON TWEED UNION Volume 25 Page 13
WHITE, ARCHBOLD mmn KNOX
GRO Reference: 1842 J Quarter in THE BERWICK UPON TWEED UNION Volume 25 Page 17
WHITE, MARGARET mmn KNOX
GRO Reference: 1844 S Quarter in BERWICK UPON TWEED UNION Volume 25 Page 8
Jamjar
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Yes these are the same names as the children I have for them :)
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Do you have the marriage or them on any census?
I can’t find any.
This christening says, husband:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGRF-YPT3
Jamjar
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Ah, three of the children in a workhouse in 1851:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGBB-XLK
Jamjar
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Elizabeth with first two children living with what looks to be her mother in 1841 census and archibald imprisoned in 1839. Looks like Elizabeth is in Gaol for 1851 census.
Jennifer
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Margaret died 1846.
Jennifer
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Looks like a possible son born 4/2/1860 Berwick workhouse Robert White mother Elizabeth.
Jennifer
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Robert could be with william and Mary Tye aged one adopted son in 1861.
Jennifer
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First child born 1838, 1826 birth for him does not sound likely!
Does anyone have an actual sighting for him with Elizabeth or one of his children that would confirm age?
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=725562.0
- it looks like there was an Archibald White born 1817 in Berwick, sailor, but whether he was the man married (? or not) to Elizabeth Knox is another matter. He does seem the most likely option.
Ditto whether he is the same man who died at sea in 1859 - it is entirely possible that your Archibald jumped ship somewhere else and lived out his life in another country.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/merchant-seaman-serving-1858-1917/
http://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/archivecrewlists/12667
- 12667 is the official number for the Humphrey Nelson - it looks like ship lists 1857/8/9 are at The National Archives (Kew). Hopefully these would show an age/birthplace for the Archibald White on that ship.
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/BerwickUponTweed/BerwickBirths1837-73.shtml
- some of the children's births are in the Workhouse including a Robert b. 1854 and a Robert b. 1860
http://www.berwickfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/GBR-43-minutes.pdf
- a mention here of Elizabeth White's illegitimate child in 1854, possibly conceived while she was a prisoner...
http://www.berwickfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GBR-39-minutes.pdf
- in 1843, Jane White, mother in prison, father deserted them
http://www.berwickfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Newsletter-2010-September.pdf
- here, a very colourful 1848 newspaper article describes Elizabeth Knox or White, aged 31, deserted by her husband "five years ago".
So by around 1843 he was gone (perhaps about long enough to father Margaret 1844 - or not?)
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Possible sighting:
Saturday 30 March 1844, Kentish Independent - Archibald White, a seaman, one of two men brought up for theft.
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Thank you for all this info! It will keep me busy for a while. I have attached the only connection I have so far!!
There is certainly some great reading in amongst it!!!
Is it possible for anyone to send me a screen shot of the possible sighting as I haven’t got access to the newspaper articles.
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Many local libraries have access to online newspapers. I am able to access them at home from my local library using my library number.
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Fab, I will see what I can do with my local library 👍
Hopefully I will find something there x