Born at Sea - Wales to Australia

[Nettie]

Hello all,
I am researching a gentleman by the name of James Richards, occupation: cab driver, who the family says was born in Glamorganshire, Wales c 1855. Nothing is known about his parents.

He married a Rebecca Harry nee Williams in 1878 in Eaglehawk, Victoria.   In obtaining this marriage certificate, place of birth is recorded as "at sea on voyage out from Wales".

Any idea where to start looking for a birth certificate?
I have no confirmation as to his death details so I can't estimate if 1855 is accurate or not, nor do I have a parent name either.

Thanks in advance for your time and assistance.

[CaroleW]

There are 2 James Richards births in Glamorgan in 1854 and a James Thomas Richards in 1856 but without his parents names it’s difficult to confirm if he is one of them.

However - As the birth location was given by James himself it sounds as though his parents were emigrating at that time

Any more info on his death cert?

[Nettie]

Thanks for replying, Carole.
Unfortunately, I don't have his death cert as there are a few with the same name dying in the same era in the same place and I can't narrow  it down at this stage.
'

[majm]

From his marriage cert, what information did he give about himself ... his parents names including his mum's nee name ought to be on that Victoria BDM uncertified image ... and also where and when he was born, double spread pdf across two pages. 

JM

[Nettie]

Oh, I feel like an idiot - I have opened the document in reduced size and had an information box open on the side, cutting out the second page.  Lesson learnt - don't research and watch Ash Barty at the same time.

He was 22 and his parents are listed as James Richards and Mary Ann Awen or Owen, father's occupation is recorded as 'none'.
Where born: at sea on voyage out from Wales.

[majm]

She played well. 

So we are looking for James RICHARDS and Mary Ann OWEN arriving with infant (and perhaps other children)...

They may have known that it was possible to register 'marine births' but perhaps they were not aware of that.   They may have arrived into Victoria, or perhaps one of the other colonies, but you have gleaned quality info from that marriage, so tis worth watching Ash more often.


JM

[wivenhoe]

James RICHARDS is young at marriage, 1878.  What names do you see for witnesses?. What church (denomination) did he marry in?

[Nettie]

Thanks JM,
I will look for passenger lists

She played well. 

So we are looking for James RICHARDS and Mary Ann OWEN arriving with infant (and perhaps other children)...

They may have known that it was possible to register 'marine births' but perhaps they were not aware of that.   They may have arrived into Victoria, or perhaps one of the other colonies, but you have gleaned quality info from that marriage, so tis worth watching Ash more often.


JM

[majm]

A side track, From Vic BDM online index

There's a Rebecca WILLIAMS who married a William HARRY in Victoria in 1865, (#3513).  He died at age 33 in 1874 (#7504)

JM