RootsChat.Com

This is brilliant!

One tiny, but not insurmountable problem - my great-grandfather lists his parents' names as Joseph and Mary on his second marriage certificate. However, could Richard's father have been Henry Joseph or Joseph Henry I have seen such name variations repeatedly in my research.

Let's look at what works -
Richard Smith, b. 1834 becomes a shoemaker during his time in the navy.
He definitely would have gotten married before his oldest was born (after all, the English society that sent him to Canada would not have tolerated a "sinner").
He marries a woman named Anne Elizabeth (could be Ann, Eliza, Elizabeth, Liz etc.)
The location in London fits with being within the sounds of Bow Bells.

By Jove, I think we may have found my great-grandfather.

You have the right date and ship, but I have trouble deciphering the document. Under "souls", I read the headings, "Males, Females, Children", and I'm not sure of the last heading.

 

You're right. Unfortunately, sometimes with geneology research, we must take a leap of faith and make some assumptions. It has worked for me in the past, but sometimes the search is futile. However, I'm determined to find these records.

My grandfather (Richard Smith) was born August 3, 1863 (Mom told me this years ago, and the records verify this date). His sister, Anne Elizabeth, was born in 1867. My mother described my grandfather as a "true Cockney".

They came to Canada in 1870 (12 June). I have this record (note: Mom always told me it was 1870. The record verified the exact date).

All I know about Anne Elizabeth Sr. is that she either died either en route or before they left for Canada. This memory is murky. Mom told me about this, but then I forgot it. I also think Richard Jr. was a twin. Note: Mom's brother was named George. Perhaps this was the twin's (?) name too.

Thank you for all your help, Rosie. Being so far away in Canada makes it difficult to do much of the research. For example, I'm not even sure what it means to be a "true" Cockney. I was always told it meant to be born within the sounds of Bow (?) Bells, but how far does that represent and what boroughs does it involve? Also until I verify family stories with factual data, I don't feel confident that I have the facts correct.

Thanks again.
Marianne

Ok. I may have to try a different route to find him. Since I don't have a clue what ship he was on, I may be looking for a needle in a haystack. As well, because two of his children (my grandfather included) were born in London, I just assumed that he was also a Londoner. However, perhaps he joined in the north and got out in the south By the way, I have found a Richard Smith, born in 1834, in Whickham,Durham,England. Was there a navy base close to here? Also, how would a young boy have traveled to a navy base (at Liverpool? Portsmouth? Hastings? etc.) at that time?

Thanks.