Family name - SIMON help needed

[sezelmg]

Hi,

Hoping someone can help me.  Just found out my GGGgrandfather was born in South Africa (french qtr) his name is John Joseph SIMON (sometimes known as Joseph) born abt 1877.

In 1898 he is in Marylebone, London marrying Ellen Mercy Friend and says his father is called Nicholas , a deceased Shoemaker.

All we know is that although born in SA, he considered himself French and spoke in French and ended up working in the Music Hall in London. On the 1901 census he says he's South African ? Coloney and on the 1911 he says he's from South Africa French ? (could be qtr)

I'm trying therefore to trace John Joseph in SA with his dad Nicholas poss births & deaths & poss trying to trace when & how he came over to England.

Any help would be gratefully received.

Kind regards
Sarah

[ouma]

Hello Sezelmg, 

What does it say for John's mother, Nicholas' wife?

Ouma

[suzard]

Mother's names are not on UK marriage certs

Do the witnesses on the marriage cert give any clues -might they have been relatives??


Suz

[ouma]

Sounds like John came from Franschoek (French Corner) it was where the Huguenots settled.

Sometimes the witnesses are related!

There was a Simond who was a minister if memory serves me.

I'll get back to you if I find out something!

Ouma

[sezelmg]

hi

Yes we assumed that far back we may find a Huguenot connection & there was a Rev Simond, although he goes back to Holland quite soon after, so not sure that'll end up being helpful.

On his marriage cert is only the fathers name , however the witnesses are Josephine Libret & Ernest Champret de buci. On the 1901 census in London, both are living next door to John. Ernest says he's from France but a B.S..his family are born in Africa. Josephines born Africa B.S and her children are born in Cape.

Ernests wife is called Constantina??? or Canastine?? we wondered if that could be John's auntie on the Simon side or perhaps Ernest os his uncle on his mothers side?? Obv some connection. Also John names 2 children Ernest (the 1st one dying) so he was obv fond of him.

Sarah