James Henry Smith, born 1852

[gregperth]

My 2nd GG's marriage certificate (Sydney 1876) says he was 24 & born in Jersey in 1852. He lists his father as Joseph and occupation as a mariner. However, I cannot find any record of a Jersey birth. I did find a record from the 1861 census which lists a James Smith (17) as a sailor and a Joseph Smith (41) butcher. However, the census says they were both born in England, which conflicts with the marriage certificate. Not that these were always accurate, or that people told the truth. He does lists his address as "all around the Australian coast"!

[Milliepede]

If he was born 1852 he would only be 8 or 9 in 1861 not 17. 

This one in 1861 is born St Helier Jersey

Mary Smith 42 born St Martin Jersey
Mary Smith 12 born Trinity Jersey
James Smith 8
Ann Smith 6 born St Martin Jersey

No sign of a husband but Mary is down as married not widowed so if Joseph was her husband and a mariner he could well have been "at sea"

[Milliepede]

Going back to 1851 there is this family with mother Mary Smith and daughter Mary Smith.

John Degruchy 65
Elizth Degruchy 65
Mary Smith 34 born St Martins Jersey
Willm Smith 4
Mary Smith 1 born Trinity Jersey
John Amy 31
Ann Gonnin 25

Again no husband for Mary to confirm on the right track but she is married.

[KGarrad]

I checked JerripediaBMD, but no baptisms are showing?

But they may have been non-Conformist?

[gregperth]

Many thanks for replying to my query. I can only hold the information on file and try to make sense of what I have. I think this is one of those lines that may remain a mystery. Having the surname Smith is not a help.
Kind regards,
Greg Smith

[Hill]

You could look at the certificate for Ann Smith's birth in St. Martin (there is one).

Also, I've been caught out before, look for Marie instead of Mary.

Stewart

[gregperth]

Many thanks, Stewart. I looked on Ancestry and there are Ann Smiths (7 at St Hellier) and one each at St Brelade & St Ouen.

[Hill]

There is a Ann Smith birth in St Martin, 1849-1857, page 104.

Stewart

[gregperth]

Thanks again Stewart. But what document is p104 contained in? Where do I see this document, please? Many thanks.