I’m trying to find how my 2 x great grandfather came to Australia.
My 2 x G grandfather John Edwin Allen was born in Woolwich Kent in 1834, & baptised in St Mary Magdalene Church Woolwich 27/7/1834. John Edwin’s father was a gunner in the Royal Horse Artillery and the baptism certificate states he resided in the Artillery Barracks at that time.
John Edwin – age 6 appears with his family on the 1841 census under the surname ALLAN, father James mother Elizabeth, siblings Thomas, Susannah, Jane and Elizabeth. I cannot locate John Edwin on the 1851 census only his parents and younger sisters – residing Willesborough, Kent.
John Edwin married Mary Maling in Parramatta, Sydney Australia 6/2/1857. John Edwin died in Parramatta in 1862 and the cert. states he had been in the colony for 14 years.
On the 12/2/1857 John Edwins family arrived in Sydney on board the “Hindostan” – his father James, mother Elizabeth, sisters Jane and Elizabeth. Eldest sister Susannah was also on board the Hindostan as a married woman – Mr & Mrs Joseph Chanelor. John’s eldest brother was in the Royal Regiment as a Trumpet Major, but joined the family in Sydney about 1868.
I have searched shipping records coming into Australia and cannot seem to locate John Edwin Allen entering as he would have only been about 14 or 15. On the passenger details of his parents coming into Australia in 1857 it states under relations in the colony column “Son – John Allen residing with Mr. Tait”
Parramatta seems to be the area in which they all resided for some time. John married Mary Maling in Parramatta in 1857 and her parents were in Parramatta as well. There is very little details on John Edwin and Mary Maling’s marriage certificate – stating “No Parents” for both parties ?? maybe this is understandable as a baby was born just 4 months later.
John Edwin Allen had only been married 6 days when his parents arrived in the colony, he stated on his marriage certificate his occupation was a Servant and they were married in the Church of Scotland. Researching the name Mr. Tait I found a Rev. Tait was at the Church where John Edwin got married although his marriage was performed by Rev. Taits predecessor James Coutts.
Can anyone suggest any “schemes” that may have offered passage and employment in Australia during the period 1847 – 1850’s.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my request.
