Beacham

[tmm1975]

Hi, I am looking for help with trying to find some info on my gggg grandfather, William Beacham.  I know his mother's name was Elizabeth but that's about all with regards to his birth.  I have checked Sussex as I know that he spent most of his life in Sussex before coming to Aust in 1832 at about age 38 but have come up empty.  Can anyone help ple?

Regards
Tanya

[Matt R]

Hi Tanya, did William have any children in England before moving to Oz? What was the name of his wife, and do you have any marriage/bapt records for them. May be able to chase them up (in England) if you dont. At least, I can search for you 

Any more info on William?
Matt:)

[tmm1975]

Hi Matt,

Thanks!  William married a Mary Ann Scott in Tortington Sussex 27/7/1818.  He and Mary had 5 Children Jane (20/9/1818) , Rueben (24/8/1820) , James Joseph (29/7/1823), Levi (15/4/1826) and Elizabeth (23/11/1828).  That is about all I know of him.

Cheers,
Tanya

[Matt R]

I have found info on the siblings but nothing on the parents of William Becham.
I cant seem to find anything, I can understand why you are stuck!

Just a thought. Seing that William's mum was listed as Elizabeth Beacham, makes me think that he was illegitiamte, but I am not sure, theres nothing to back that up. Have you got William's death certificate? I believe he died in 1875.

Matt

[Matt R]

Also found this, dont know if you have it:

The story of the Beacham family is very dramatically described in Goxhill to the Swan. *"William and his wife and their five children arrived per "Lotus" on the 6th October, 1829. Tragedy dogged this family. Mary died in 1830, followed by their daughter Elizabeth in the same year. Two years later Reuben William Beacham was speared to death at Greenmount."

Taken from the below link, but some info seems to be incorrect.


http://mywebsite.bigpond.com/tblack7/ancestorbe.htm

[Matt R]

Struck a lucky note searching for the "Lotus" passenger list Tanya! However its not the original, its a collection of bits of info based on the 1832 census (Australian).


BEACHAM William*      Sawyer with Latour 40 Hampshire Eng
BEACHAM Mary Ann*
BEACHAM Jane*      Daughter of William  14
BEACHAM James*      Son of William 9
BEACHAM Levi*      Son of William 7
BEACHAM Reuben*
BEACHAM Elizabeth*

So William was born in Hampshire...

[Matt R]

William Beacham was born almost certainly in 1794, in Hale, Hampshire, but none of the transcribed records give his parents names.
Sorry I cannot be of more help. Maybe a rootschatter with more experience shall see this post *waves* and will aid you more than I can. Apologies, though I hope I have given you some new information!!

Regards and good luck with your search Tanya, there are good people on this site who I'm sure will get the parents names sooner or later!!
Let me know if you need anything else looking up and I'll see what I can do!

Matthew

[tmm1975]

Hi Matt,

I have read the book Goxhill to the Swan, it was written by a relation of Jane Beacham.  I also have a copy of the passenger index of the lotus and am hoping to get a picture of the ship.  I haven't got his death certificate but I am going to ask another family historian if he has it or not, he has been tracing it for over 30yrs.  I have been thinking that he was Illegitmate as well.  Just had a thought, there is a chance that he had a sister called Emily.  She came to OZ later on (about 13yrs). My other historian refuses to acknowlegde her, but the WA bicentenial index, lists her as Williams sister.  I have looked for William in Hampshire, but being in Oz its rather difficult.  Please don't quit on me yet, I need all the help I can get.  I figure if my family historian hasn't found him, noone will!!!

Cheers
Tanya

[tmm1975]

Matt,

Where did you find the info on Hale, Hampshire?

Tanya