Hello,
I would like some help with John Johnson
A newspaper article dated around 1934 states:
"Captain John Johnson of Commercial Road, Grey Lynn will celebrate his 92nd birthday tomorrow.
Taking to sea at the age of 14 he served in windjammers trading to various parts of the world. After eight years of this sailing experience he sailed on the SURAT for New Zealand, in 1864.
A short while later he settled on the Gt Barrier and from there moved to Thames where he remained for several years. Finally he came to Auckland where he made his permanent home.
During these years he was engaged in the coastal trade and was a well known figure in shipping circles. Captain and Mrs Johnson had 9 children and there are 17 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren" The above article is accompanied by a magnificent photo of Captain Johnson.
He married Florence Ann Smith in 1876 and I have the names and dates of all children born.
Unfortunately we do not know anything about Captain Johnson's place or date of birth.
His death certificate (November 7th 1934) states his father's name as John Johnson (Landowner) and his mothers name as Malfred Johnson (no maiden name) and that he (John Johnson )was born at sea and is aged 92 years and has been in New Zealand 72 years.
We are, of course, trying to find his Danish name (assuming John Johnson is a English translation of his Danish name). To this end I have had correspondence with the Maritime History Archive in New Foundland who have the crew agreements of the Surat but John Johnson is not mentioned on them.
I have also been to Archives Auckland to see if there was any documentation relating to naturalization but could not find anything.
So.....
Can anyone advise me where else I might look to ascertain if John Johnson is a anglicised version of his Danish name
If a person is born at sea where is that birth likely to be recorded
Are there any New Zealand records relating to Ships' Captain's that I could access that might give me a clue to his Danish name.
Many thanks
SAM
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