Needles In A Haystack 4: Smiths across the Atlantic

[Justanothersmith]

Hi
I'm trying to find out what happened to three of my grand-father's brothers. They disappear from UK records in the 1880s-1890s and I wonder if they emigrated to your part of the world.

On http://www.castlegarden.org/index.html there are a number of possibilities arriving at Castle Garden in the right time frame but the information there is too general to pin down specifics.

Here's what I know:

Thomas Smith - born around 1858 Redworth Durham. He shows up on English census records for 1861 & 1871. After that who knows?

Christopher Smith - born around 1862 Middridge Durham.  He shows up on English census records for 1871 & 1881 Then just like that he's gone.

Joseph Smith -  born around 1855 Redworth Durham. He shows up on English census records for 1861; 1871 & 1881. Then he too disappears into the twilight zone.

Any suggestions / assistance would be much appreciated.

Doug

[Mick Bird]

I had a similar problem.

While tracing the three sons of Robert Marler Cremer I found they all dissappeared after the 1851 census from Norfolk, England.

I was lucky to have use of ancestry back then and while searching the USA 1860 census I found all three living together on the same farm.

Later I managed to find their ship emigration details as well.

All this heartache could have been avoided as even later still I found the father's will and in it it states he left his sons a 1000 acre farm in illinois.

So what I'm saying is check the census you might strike lucky.

Mick

[Genealiza]

Do you have any occupations for these brothers?-----Genealiza

[Justanothersmith]

Hi
According to census records Thomas & Joseph were farm labourers and Christopher worked as a farm servant.

Doug

[Genealiza]

I don't see any possiblities for Christopher on the US census, but there might be one up in Ontario Canada.  He is living with his mother in law and son, Merley (Marley), and is listed as being married, although the wife isn't listed.   He immigrated in 1884, was born Apr of 1861, and is a farmer.  ---Genealiza

[Justanothersmith]

Hi

Thanks for having a look for my Smiths. Unfortunately I don't think that's the right one as mine was born August 28th 1862.

The search continues

Doug

[Genealiza]

Doug, If you know the month and year of birth of each brother, please post it.  The census takers did make many mistakes and they may have put down the wrong country of birth.  If so, there is a spot for month and year of birth.  That may help filter out some of extra "Smiths".  ----Genealiza

[Justanothersmith]

Hi

The only one I definitely know is Christopher's as I have his birth certificate. I orderd it to confirm the parents names - there were too many options with the other kids including my great grandfather James [fortunately I know what happened to him!].

Doug