Doras family St Hellier

[raymonddorris]

Any info on where this family came from.
Is it in any way linked to the Army?
Captainmac

[Hill]

Hi Captainmac

Will willingly look up any information.

Could you supply some dates and/or census information that you have to narrow the search?

Stewart

[raymonddorris]

Hi Stewart, many thanks for your reply.
Sergeant James Dooris/Doras , born Longford c1796, of East India Company Regiment. Discharged 1836.
He was on ST Helena and had a family there 1828-1834.
Son John Dooris/Doras born  on 16/9/1834.
Is there any connection with the Doras of St Hellier
Best Regards
Captainmac

[Hill]

Hi

There is a will lodged at the Archive Centre dated 16th April 1886 for a John Doras.

In the 1851 Census, the family is in Jersey:

James Doras, 53, pensioner, born Ireland
Anne Doras, 43, Pensioners wife, born St Helena
Feley Doras, 24, Plasterer, born St Helena
Elizabeth Doras, 22, at home, born St Helena
Mary A Doras, 20, ? maker. born St Helena
James Doras, 18, turner, born St Helena
John Doras, 16, shoe maker, born St Helena
Marguerit Doras, 9, scholar, born St Helena
Sarah Doras, 6, scholar, born St Helena
Thomas Doras, 2, scholar(!), born St Helena
Lucy M Doras, 2 months, scholar(!), born St Helena

In the 1861 census John is married to Amalia aged 25, born Jersey.
They have 2 children, a boy, Sistier aged 1 and a daughter Helena Mary aged 1 month.

In 1881 the children listed are:

Henry L Doras, 18
John  William Doras, 17
Amy A Doras, 12
Emma B Doras, 8
Lucy S Doras, 7

It would appear the that well known web-site has mis-indexed the 1881 census as I can't pull up the original return.

Stewart

[raymonddorris]

  Hi Stewart, muchas muchas gracias, vunderbar and dead brilliant!!!
Sargeant James Dooris ( St Helena Regiment), later spelt Doras (by EastIndia Company)married Anne Booth ( 26/10/1826), who was born FREE i.e. her parents had been slaves but she was free due to a law of 1818 where all children born of slaves on Saint Helena after this date were free. Her father was George Booth .
Children recorded born on St Helena:-
Felix Dooris b13/01/1826
Elizabeth Margaret Dooris b01/01/1828
Mary Anne Dooris b8/06/1830
James Laughlin Dooris b3/08/1832
John Dooris b16/09/1834

All this ties in with your information.

In 1836 Major General Middlemore, the first Governor of the newly created Crown Colony of St Helena, dismissed the St Helena Regiment and the 91st Regiment arrived to take it's place.
James Dooris was pensioned off  age 40 years (WO 97/1182 154).
From the children's  births it would appear that James stayed on the Island until about 1850.
I was very happy to hear this as it was reported that many servicemen abandoned their wifes and left them destitute.

I never ever thought that I would find this man or his family after St Helena.
I had the pleasure of working with St Helena people while I was on Ascencion Island and remember them with great fondness.

Thankyou very very much
Best Regards
Captainmac

[raymonddorris]

Greetings on the new decade.
Can anyone Look Up the death certificate of "James Doras" b1798 died after 1871 ( when he disappears from the Census ).
If it costs money , please leave it, but kindly send me the information to access the site.
Many thanks.
I am looking for his parents names/location/profession  and any other info, not the actual copy of the certificate.
Ray