RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => Other Countries => Topic started by: meaty on Wednesday 04 August 21 23:39 BST (UK)
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Hi All
It appears that my GGG Grandmother, known in the Census's as Mary, was born in Malta around 1854. She and my GGG Grandfather William Banks (who is considerably older!) were in Portsea 1881, 1891, 1901 with their children. She gives herself as a Naturalised British Subject and also their daughter Mary Banks gives herself as born in Malta about 1873.
Working backwards, I then bought my GG Grandmoths birth certificate to find Mary's surname pre marriage and it is given in 1876 as 'Mary Banks formerley Humphries' (not very Maltese)!
So i wonder how i can get further info on her? Naturalisation? Change of name to Humphries? Malta archives or similar?
Despite William stating he was born in Brighton I cannot find any record of him pre his daughters 1876 birth cert above, guessing he might have been in Malta too?
Any help appreciated :)
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There is an army marriage for a William Banks in Malta in 1870-1872 (page 797) and also one for Mary Humphries, same page reference.
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There is an army marriage for a William Banks in Malta in 1870-1872 (page 797) and also one for Mary Humphries, same page reference.
A bit more info is online
BANKS, William, 21+, bachelor, of Plymouth, Private, 52nd Regiment, son of Thomas Banks, married 2nd October 1871
to
HUMPHRIES, Mary, 21+, widow, born Malta, daughter of Charles and Caroline Ellul.
Marriages Recorded by Military Chaplains in Malta 1824 to 1900
https://www.rootschat.com/links/01qtc/
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The site (or ex-site!) also has
Index of Baptisms by Army Chaplains, 1800-1900
BANKS, Mary Elizabeth 1872 52nd Regiment
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What's left of his army file (regimental number 2686) is viewable on FindMyPast and Fold 3 but it's not a great deal of help. Discharged to pension in September 1873.
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Discharged to pension in September 1873.
We also get a freebie from TNA
WO 117 - Royal Hospital Chelsea: Length of Service Pensions, Admission Books
WO 117/21, year 1873
16 September 1873
52nd Foot
William Banks, 2686, age 42, total service 21½ years, including 4 years 7 months in Malta.
Here it says he was born Plymouth, Devonshire! Laborer.
Something written, notes (under his name)
Using the image viewer, images 218, 219, third from bottom
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C176975
If the OP wants to download it for free, it might be better to sign in and download just half the year from here.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14727725
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Blimey! Thank you both very much! So he was in the forces then!
...and I'm guessing Mary's name was originally Ellul, if that is her parents name. Next step is Maltese family history research then!
Thanks for the links - the hosptal records are incredible theres so much info on there... :)
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RC baptism at St Joseph's Netley, 17/11/1873:
Caroline Banks born 14/11/1873 parents William Banks and Mary nee Ello (?) - presumably misheard Ellul
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Where did you find that if you dont mind me asking??
I'm struggling to find any record of William Banks pre marriage!
Thanks :)
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Hang on just realised something - if Mary was a widow when she married my GGG Grandfather William Banks and gave her name as Mary Humphries (when her parents names are Ellul) then that suggests she had already married a man by the name of Humphries who had died?
...But she was only 20 odd when she married my William? :o
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The 1873 baptism can be found in the "Armed Forces Roman Catholic Registers" on FindMyPast
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Thanks Shaun I will take a look next time i subscribe :)
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Hi All
2 years on from the last post, I'd love to find out more about Mary's parents, Charles and Caroline Ellul of Malta. I have nothing to suggest they ever left Malta so how do I go about locating any details a good start would be their daughter Mary's birth in Malta ?
Or indeed why she was a widow at 20 odd years old?
I'm guessing she was born Maria and her parents were Carlo and Carolina?
Thanks