Oliver Smith – Mariner

[Ag Lab]

Oliver Smith was born on 28 April 1808 in Lerwick Shetland. This information is from Oliver’s Mates Certificate No67.100.  I would like to discover his parents and any siblings especially his brother.

My wife’s mother  told my wife the brother of Oliver went to Sweden to look for his parents and never came back. I would very much like to pursue this connection  but I am at a loss where to look. If any fellow researcher can offer any advise It would be most appreciated.

Thank You

Richard

[MonicaL]

Hi Richard

What happened with Oliver Smith? Did he die in Scotland and after 1855? If so, his death cert should include his parents' names if known to the informant.

There is this death for example on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk:

Oliver Smith
Died 1872
Age 61
Burra and Quarff
Ref 001/2 7

Monica

[MonicaL]

Possible 1851 census entry for this Oliver?

Oliver Smith 40 Fisherman Crofter Of 4 1/2 Acres b. Burra
Jane Smith 29 wife
James Smith 26 brother
Martha Smith 34 sister
Thomas Ewenson 14 servant
Barbara Lawrenson 36 servant

Address: Halvera Isle, Bressay

Monica

[MonicaL]

This Oliver in 1841 I would think. With parents? No relationships are normally shown on the 1841 census. Also, ages for those over 15 were supposed to be rounded down to the nearest 5 years:

James Smith 55 fisherman
Barbara Smith 55
Olliver Smith 30 fisherman
Susan Smith 25
Martha Smith 20
Elizabeth Smith 20
James Smith 15

Address: Hadnera Isle, Burra and Quarff, Orkney and Shetland

Monica

[MonicaL]

Ahh, there is also this 1851 census entry for an Oliver Smith in Durham www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGVS-YLT

Monica

[Ashtone]

Is this also him? Ancestry has the record with image.

England, Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital Admissions and Discharges, 1826-1930
Name:   Oliver Smith
Admission Age:   20
Birth Date:   abt 1808
Birth Place:   Shetland
Admission Date:   10 Nov 1828
Admission Place:   London, England

[Neale1961]

Oliver Smith Died 1854 Durham

Married 1834 Tynemouth to Mary SKEOGH

Children:
Robert 1836
Oliver 1838
Ellen 1841
Stuart 1845
John 1849
Mary 1851

[Ashtone]

Not that it helps with the OP's Sweden query, but it looks like son John (born 1849) went to the USA:

U.S., Passport Applications, 1795-1925
Name:   John Smith
Age:   73
Birth Date:   22 Feb 1849
Birth Place:   South Shields, England
Residence Place:   Buffalo, New York
Passport Issue Date:   5 Sep 1922
Father:   Oliver Smith
Spouse:   Sarah Smith
Has Photo:   Yes
Certificate Number:   216679

[jon.e.barker]

I am also interested in any information about the parents of Oliver Smith b 28 Apr 1808 in Lerwick. He is my 5th great-grandfather. I believe from DNA that I have Scandinavian ancestry and this is the most likely connection but I've been unable to find any information about Oliver's parents.