Looking for help to trace my Great Grandfather before he appeared in UK 1909

[SarahMacleod]

Im very new here so please forgive me if this isn't the place to ask for help!

Ive just began my Family search history after my Dad died and I am obsessed. Currently stuck with 2 separate branches of my tree.

My Great Great Grandfather was Martin Powlam. My family have always said he was Polish Russian. he married my Gr Gr Gran in North Riding Yorkshire in 1909. From here I can trace him right up until hid death. However I can trace nothing of him prior to 1909 so Ive not even any idea when he arrived in the UK.

In the 1911 census he has written he was born in Finland and his nationality is Russian. His Father was Karl Powlan (variations of surname throughout the years but even that hasn't helped my search) and no name recorded anywhere for his MOther. I can find no siblings of his or neighbours with the same name. Can anyone point me in the direction of where to look?

Many Many thanks

[Alan of Kaslo]

Welcome! Glad you made it.

The very first listing you see on familysearch.... is that the same man? Russian sailor from Finland?

https://www.familysearch.org/search/record/results?q.givenName=Martin&q.surname=Powlam&q.birthLikePlace=finland&q.fatherGivenName=karl&count=20&offset=0&m.defaultFacets=on&m.queryRequireDefault=on&m.facetNestCollectionInCategory=on

Just checking , sure you've seen that. I ask because it seems so similar but names a wife and mother...was his wife Catherine?

[SarahMacleod]

Hi Alan

Thank you so much

Yes I have seen that. The 'Mother' is actually his Mother in Law and the child is my Great Gran Margaret. They seem to change the names around every census, marriage, birth etc

[softly softly]

They married under the names Kate McDuff & Martin POWHAN in Middlesborough but children registered as Powlam mmn Duff

John

[Alan of Kaslo]

Here's the only children I could find in the GRO under that spelling so far:

Name:    Mother's Maiden Surname:
POWLAM, ANDREW        DUFF     
GRO Reference: 1912  M Quarter in MIDDLESBROUGH  Volume 09D  Page 1130

    Name:    Mother's Maiden Surname:
   POWLAM, MARGARET        DUFF     
GRO Reference: 1910  J Quarter in MIDDLESBROUGH  Volume 09D  Page 597

[scotmum]

FindMyPast have marriage indexed under Kate McDuff/Martin Powhan

[SarahMacleod]

Thanks all. Have all of the above info so far.

They moved to Scotland Paisley and had more of their children here. Some are under Powlam, Powlan and Powhan but have thoroughly researched all. Its more when did he arrive in the uk - I cant trace him any further back as have nothing on his parents or if he had siblings 

[Alan of Kaslo]

In 1911 they live with Catherine's mother Marguerite McDuff age 56 from Coatbridge Lanark Scotland, Lanarkshire. Catherine was 27 from Middlesbrough, Yorkshire and Martin was 29 from Finland. Margaret gets recorded as same spelling as mother Marguerite.

[scotmum]

Had a try for a possible naturalisation certificate using Pow* at https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/naturalisation-british-citizenship/#8-naturalisations-1870-1948, but no obvious match.