John Westerman, Guernsey

[v i c k y]

Hi there, I wonder if someone can help me out here. I've got the following from the 1871 census. John Westerman was my g-g-g-grandfather. Although the 1881 census says that he was born in Germany, and the 1861 census says that he was born in Bristol, I was just wondering if anyone might be able to shed some light on why his place of birth came to be listed as Guernsey in 1871. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time to read this message.


John Westerman, 1819, Guernsey, Channel Island, Sugar Refiner
Caroline, 1825, Bristol
Henry John, 1851, Bristol
Frederick, 1853, Bristol
Caroline, 1855, Bristol, Book Binder
Frank, 1859, Bristol
James, 1862, Bristol

Bristol St Pauls, St Barnabas Bristol, Gloucestershire, RG10/2529---39---18.

[stevefoote]

Are you working from transcriptions or the original - it would not be unheard of for Guernsey to have been mistransribed as Germany. I would check the original if you haven't already.

Also the Sugar Refiner could be a clue - Keiller's of Dundee had a factory in Guernsey in the late 19th century. You can find out more about this story in "The Secret History of Guernsey Marmalade" by W Mathew published by La Societe Guernesiaise (www.societe.org.gg) in 1998.

Hope this helps.

Stephen Foote

[v i c k y]

Thanks, Stephen. I haven't seen the original myself, so will try to track it down first and foremost. Thanks again.

[mawaltho]

Don`t know that name but I see you are interested in BARRINGTON> Any link there to Limerick?