RootsChat.Com

Just for curiosity, an Arthur Coppins ended up in Motueka, South Island, New Zealand.  My gr grandfather learnt the shoemaking trade from him, finishing in 1870.  I dont know any other details.  Good luck, Allison

Apologies for the delay.  Our Thomas Iddon was born around 1825 in Freckleton and drowned 27th Feb 1877 on the "Venus", his headstone is at the Warton Church graveyard.  His wife Nancy Carter was born around 1829 at Warton, died 28th April 1915, aged 86yrs...headstone at the above graveyard.  They married 17th March 1852 at the Parish church at Warton.  I have certificates for the above dates, happy to send you copies if they fit your family.  Their children were Hugh, Ellen, Arthur Francis (Frank), Margaret, Thomas, William, Fredrick and Albert (Ned).  It was just luck that we saw their gravestones as we were travelling past and I thought the name Warton was attached to the family, we live in NZ so not often in the location.  Good luck, Allison

Thank you for the information.  I have just looked on unwanted certificates and it seems not many people use it. 

Hi Everyone,  Apologies for not being more specific as I had looked up the census records for this family.  It would seem that their mother, Sarah, died 6 months after the birth of their last child, George.  George, on the 1851 census is down as 'dumb', the only time it is mentioned.  I did see a George Green listed in a Brighton Mental/poorhouse at a later date but was not sure if it was our George Green.   The ship that Charles came to New Zealand on was we think, the "Bernica." This ship was later lost on a South Sea Island and "with one or two exceptions all hands were killed and eaten by the natives".  We had a Green reunion some years ago and no-one knew whether there had been any correspondence between Charles and his family or whether they thought he had perished in the above incident. At the time of Charles wedding he made his mark instead of signing his name though his London born wife signed her name.  Charles went on to acquire 4 farms and have 12 children and did very well considering his start in NZ.   I guess I am wondering whether there are any relatives still in Sussex.  Thank you very much for the prompt replies

Hi,  have you tried writing to the Coronial Services Unit, Private Bay 39819, Wellington Mail Centre, Lower Hutt 5045, NZ?  I sent copies of certificates to prove it was my family and it took 6 weeks for my request to arrive...that was 8 years ago.
Good luck