Finding William Smith from Sweden

[Freya Ellingsen]

Trying to find out abt William Smith, He states on his marriage cert here in Australia that he was born in Sweden when he married Maria Staine, William was 35 Maria was 19. He could read and write where as his bride could not... their marriage took place in 1862 Hotham, Victoria. His occupation on his marriage cert was a Fellmounger, his father was Alfred Smith his mother was Margaret Nelson.
We know that he travelled back and forth to the mines in Victoria. He and Maria had 6 children only three survived. If this info rings any bells please contact me. William's birth is estimated as 1828...
William seems to of disappeared it is thought that he went back to Sweden but that is only a family tale.

Thanks

[pb_devon]

Hi Freya,
I cannot answer your query, but it might focus attention if you put more info in the title, e.g. country and/or date.
Good hunting!

[Freya Ellingsen]

I have added Sweden to title, but unfortunately there is no further info know abt him other then I have stated.....I suppose a marriage for his parents would be a starting point if any one can assist with this?U asked for a date well I have  previously put down 1862 of a marriage in Australia and he was reported to be 35 so his birth would be abt 1828 or so that's all we know a mystery man.

[jamcat95]

This won't be an easy task. I'm pretty sure that his surname wasn't Smith. A parish will be needed to locate him.
I will try though to find him here in Sweden to see if he did return.

Ian

[Freya Ellingsen]

Ian, Thankyou
R U saying not a Swedish name Smith? That his surname has been Anglicised?

[jamcat95]

Smith was/is not a Swedish name. There are variations..... Smed, Smidt, etc

Ian

[Freya Ellingsen]

Ok thanks

[jamcat95]

There is also a possibility that he was a seaman who jumped ship and to not be arrested changed his name completely.

Ian

[Freya Ellingsen]

Yes that is a possibility, I have looked in the Police Gazettes and papers here but no reporting of , Smed, or Smidt but many Smith but only of English background... The period he was in Australia was a time he could  of easily blended in to the many different nationalities that arrived here during the Gold Rush period, the population of Melbourne grew swiftly as the gold fever took hold. The total number of people in Victoria also rose. By 1851 it was 75,000 people. Ten years later this rose to over 500,000.
So many did not bother to change their names, I have another ancestor who did jump ship and used his own name without any problems... .William married in Hotham Melbourne, he was around until 1873 as his last child was born a female Margaret, Christina (? named after his mother) he is named as the father on her birth cert....