Zululand Policemen 1883-1906

These two uniformed Zulu policemen are armed with the traditional iwisa (knobkierie) and the short stabbing spear.

Fort Nonquai, Eshowe, now houses a museum.

This Fort on the outskirts of the town of Eshowe, Zululand, was built as the HQ of the Zululand Native Police, a force established in 1883 as a bodyguard to Sir Melmoth Osborne. The force, initially only 50 men, was known as nongquai to the Zulus, and the fort was called Fort Nongquai. 

The Zululand Native Police saw service in Zululand during the 1880’s, took part in the South Africa War (when its numbers rose to 600 men) and the Bambatha Rebellion.

The force was absorbed into the Natal Police when Zululand was annexed to Natal in 1897, but was reinstated at the time of the Bambatha Rebellion; and disbanded immediately afterwards.  

The Fort was used as a depot for the Provincial Roads Department until it was decided to house a museum in the building.

Souvenir Saturday: David Bell VC - saving men from surf and cannibals

David Bell VC (1845 – 7 March 1920) was born in County Down, Ireland. Bell was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was about 22 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot (later The South Wales Borderers), British Army.

He was awarded the VC not for bravery in action against the enemy but for bravery at sea in saving life in a storm off the Andaman Islands.

 On 7 May 1867 at the island of Little Andaman in the Bay of Bengal, Private Bell was one of a party of five who risked their lives in manning a boat and proceeding through dangerous surf to rescue some of their comrades who had been sent to the island to find out the fate of the commander and seven of the crew, who had landed from the ship Assam Valley and were feared murdered by the cannibalistic islanders.

David Bell wearing his VC

He later achieved the rank of sergeant and died Gillingham, Kent, 7 March 1920. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the South Wales Borderers Museum in Brecon, Powys, Wales.

From the citation, gazetted on 17 December 1867::

'The four Privates behaved in ... a cool and collected manner, rowing through the roughest surf when the slightest hesitation or want of pluck on the part of any one of them would have been attended by the gravest results. It is reported that seventeen officers and men were thus saved from what must otherwise have been a fearful risk, if not certainty of death.'

One of the party, Private William Griffiths, awarded a VC for gallantry in the same incident, later died at Isandlwana 22 January 1879.

NAAIRS: up and running

www.national.archives.gov.za/

NAAIRS - the South African national archives index - is functioning again after being inaccessible for a short while.

Natal family group ca 1902

Natal group ca 1902 with venerable bearded patriarch, centre, wearing top hat, matriarch to his left not as trendily attired as the daughters with their fashionable fly-away bowed hats. A pleasant family enjoying the good weather and possibly celebrating some undisclosed anniversary - the patriarch's birthday? 

Unfortunately no information as to photographer/studio.

Fashion in colonial Natal

Natalia Elizabeth Dalton

This lady's beautiful hat with enormous bow looks as if it's about to take off into the artificial foliage of the photographer's studio set. With the simple, elegant, high-necked white blouse, the sleeves close-fitting but opening into a puff at the shoulder, her tiny waist and plain dark skirt, she typifies the Natal colonial look of 1905-1908 and presents a charming picture. 

Acknowledgement: Eira Makepeace

NAAIRS - South African Archives Index - is down

www.national.archives.gov.za/   

The site seems to have been hacked - whatever the cause there is no access to it at present.

Let's hope something can be done to fix the problem soon.

Souvenir Saturday: Signalman's Quarters, Bluff, Durban ca 1900

The uniformed signalman is stepping down the ladder, presumably about to ride his horse into town - his assistant is holding the animal in readiness - no jumping into a car in those days. The signal equipment is centre pic but extends beyond the dimensions of this photograph. The roof of the building is iron and it has wooden walls. This would have been office and living quarters.

Another view of the signal station on the left, lightkeeper's quarters centre, with tent, and Bluff Lighthouse at right - in its original condition i.e. before concrete added to exterior to 'strengthen' it. My great grandfather, Thomas Alfred Gadsden, the lighthousekeeper, makes reference to his family 'living in a tent on the Bluff' at one stage.

When was the Edwardian era?

This is a question I am often asked. Wikipedia tells us 'The Edwardian era covers the brief reign of King Edward VII, 1901 to 1910, and is sometimes extended in both directions to capture long-term trends from the 1890s to the First World War. The death of Queen Victoria in January 1901 marked the end of the Victorian era.'

However, it is difficult to be precise about the term 'era'. Sometimes there is an invisible 'feel' to certain years which may categorise them as Victorian or Edwardian. Victorian society was very conservative while the years that Edward VII was on the throne were more relaxed from the point of view of morals and behaviour. The Edwardian years saw the rise of such things as electricity, motor cars, telephones etc, which would become standard in the modern world. 

In South Africa, the British were fighting a war against the Boers when Queen Victoria died in 1901. Before the end of this war was in sight, some 500 000 men of the British Empire were in the field. In another dozen years vast numbers of men would die in World War I. Not an entirely happy start to the twentieth century, yet life went on and we know from surviving photographs that fashion was still important, especially to the female population who were well-heeled enough to follow trends. 

Changes of fashion had been reported in women's magazines during most of the 19th century but in South Africa women had had to rely on fashion plates which may have been out of date. This changed as by the turn of the century overseas magazines were readily available to South African ladies who were then able to keep up with developments.

Edwardian lady's costume 1905 displays the era's typical features:
 large hat perched precariously on top of the head, the  

pouter pigeon effect to the front of the bodice, 

and the hair swept up and bouffant. Long flowing skirt and tiny waist (good corseting),

large puffy sleeves. A frothy, feminine style. This lovely lady would be welcome
in anyone's drawing room for tea and cucumber sandwiches.

Passengers to Natal per Dane, Priscilla, Eleonore and Eveline 1863

ARRIVALS OF RMS DANE, PRISCILLA, ELEONORE AND EVELINE;
and DEPARTURE OF HEATHEL [sic] BELL - Natal Mercury June 23 1863

Arrived:

June 20, RMS Dane, from Cape Town and intermediate ports. Cargo, general.
PASSENGERS
From Cape Town:
Lieut Harrison
Messrs
P Milner
Briggs
Baumes
Hofstedt
From Algoa Bay:
Messrs
Schieffs
Moreland
Tomlin
Mr Henry (Consul General Belgium)
Mr and Mrs Botha and child
Mr and Mrs Thornhill and three children
From East London:
Miss Driver
Messrs
R Walker
Johnson
Lieut Tolner (Tollner)
Dr Tate
Mr and Mrs McKay and two children
Professor Hansen
Report:
Left Table Bay June 12 at 3 p.m., arrived at Algoa Bay on the 15th, at 1 p.m.; left Algoa Bay on the 16th, at 1 p.m., arrived off East London on the 17th, at 1 p.m., sea too high to land; left East London on the 18th, at 1 p.m. arrived at Port Natal and came to anchor on the 20th, at 10.30 a.m.
- J Brown, agent.

June, Priscilla, barque, 253 tons, G Brown, from London, sailed 2nd April. General cargo.
PASSENGERS:
Messrs
J Vincent
Herbert
Reginal Bowers
Gadsden*
Mrs Greening, son and daughter
- Handley and Dixon, agents.

June 21, Eleonore, barque, 302 tons, C Jonains, from Algoa Bay, sailed 10th June.
PASSENGER:
Mr Hugill

June 21, Eveline, schooner, 101 tons, G Murison, from Cape Town, sailed 16th June,
PASSENGER:
Mr HB Portland
- McArthur and Co., agents.

Sailed:

June 18, Heathel Bell barque 257 tons, R Thomas, to Ceylon, in ballast.
PASSENGERS:
Mrs Eastwood and two children.

*Thomas Alfred Gadsden my g grandfather would later become lightkeeper at the Bluff Lighthouse and marry Eliza Ann Bell, daughter of Port Captain William Bell. 

Priscilla barque 1863; Capt G Brown

Passengers to Natal: Rochester 1862

Arrival of the barque Rochester at Port Natal, 17 November 1862

November 17 - Rochester, barque, Wm Bruce, 393 tons, from London 21 August

PASSENGERS

Cabin

Mr and Miss Atkinson

Mr and Mrs Crossley and 5 children

Mr and Mrs Cartwright

Mr and Mrs Williams

Rev and Mrs Guard and child

Mr Poole

Second Cabin

Nilson

Hodges

Eaglestone

Ferguson

Steerage

Mr and Mrs Henry

Messrs

Fulton

Ridsley

Mr and Mrs Durrant and 3 children

Mr Bremner

John and Samuel Pinder

Mary A Wrightson

Mr and Mrs Smith

Messrs

Lang

McLaren

Braid

Departure: Rochester

23 February for Singapore

PASSENGER

Mr Woody

Three masted barque similar to Rochester

Souvenir Saturday: Arnold family

Julia Elizabeth Jessie Arnold nee Irvine 1865-1940. Julia married
William Marshall Arnold 5 May 1884, St Paul's Cathedral, Durban

 Photographed by W L Caney

Even though a photo may not be in tip-top condition, it's always a pleasure for me to receive photographs which include ALL the clues, including the edges of the card, as square or rounded corners were used at various dates. The mount and back of the photo are as important as the front view showing the subject. These areas often give the studio name - in this case, William Laws Caney. The latter was in Durban 1883 -1893, advertising the 'best lighted and most convenient cabinet portraits available from 1 pound per dozen.' He moved to Pietermaritzburg and was there for some years, in 1909 operating at 208 Church Street.

Acknowledgements: Peter Hare and Dale Schultz

Titanic echoes from the deep ...

What do a decorative hair comb, a violin and case, a porcelain teacup and saucer (broken) have in common? They are all artefacts recovered from the wreck of the Titanic. It is right that they should not be left in perpetual darkness. 

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi

See more at
https://vintagetopia.co/2018/02/17/24-pictures-artifacts-titanic/?epik=0m1ocE_IWn_py

Passengers to Natal per RMS Saxon 1867

ARRIVAL OF RMS SAXON Natal Mercury April 24 1867

Built in 1863 at Southampton, the Union liner Saxon was 1,142 tons and a sister to the Roman. Her maiden voyage to the Cape in 1863 was made in the record time of 31 days, which she later improved upon reaching Cape Town in 28 days out of London. According to the mail contract 38 days was the allotted time taken by the Union steamers. In 1870 her graceful lines - and her speed - were spoilt by the addition of a poop, and in 1876 she was sold to a company in Hull who renamed her Benguella. She was lost at sea in 1890.

The Natal Mercury reported:
This steamer arrived at the outer anchorage about two o'clock yesterday afternoon, after a quick run of less than five days from Cape Town, which she left on the 18th inst., having arrived there at 8.30 p.m. on the 15th, also in five days from Natal.

PASSENGERS PER SAXON

For Port Natal
Messrs
FWB Louch
Clark
Meikle
Jones
JD Reeves
A Horwood
Miss Wilson
Capt Chaplain
Col H Tower and servant
Rev Mr and Mrs Turnbull
Miss Lloyd
Capt Blythe
Mrs Jackson and child
Mr and Mrs Donovan

For Mauritius
Mons De H de Cessan
Capt Layboyne
Mr J Sewell
Rev Mr and Mrs Street
Mr Von Abo

For Point de Galle
Mrs Dempsey

The Saxon left Algoa Bay at noon on Monday, the 23rd.

The Roman arrived in Table Bay on the 16th with the English mails of March 10th. Her news of course has been mostly anticipated by the Mauritius mail.

The mails were landed with very prompt dispatch by the tug, and delivered with the dispatch usual on such occasions at our post office.

Passengers to Natal per Silvery Wave, Medusa and Tirsah 1863

ARRIVAL OF MEDUSA, SILVERY WAVE and TIRSAH
and DEPARTURE OF RMS NORMAN   Natal Mercury November 3 1863

ARRIVED

Oct 31 - Medusa, barque, 260 tons, W Lancaster, from London, sailed August 14.
PASSENGERS
Cabin
Mr and Mrs Evans
Mr and Mrs Eastwood and five children
Mr and Mrs Moore
Mr and Mrs Jackson
Miss Onge
Messrs
Baker
Brandon
Edwards
Steerage
Mr and Mrs Tredwall and child
Mr and Miss Fuller
Mr Rait
General cargo.
AW Evans, agent.

Nov - Silvery Wave, 201 tons, C Warren, from London; sailed August 1.
PASSENGERS
Cabin
Mr and Mrs Tarbotton
Mr and Mrs Wilkes and family
Messrs
Lyne
North
Peace
Cundle
Second Cabin
Mr and Mrs Brooks
Miss Dyson
Messrs
Turner (2)
Wilson
Grice
Long
Scott
J Hardy
Mr and Mrs Brenken and family
General cargo.
Handley and Dixon, agents.

Nov 1 - Tirsah, 123 tons, T Richards, from London; sailed August 1.
PASSENGER
Mr WW Foster
J Brown, agent.

SAILED

Oct 28 - Elizabeth Anne, 147 tons, J Lewis, to Mauritius in ballast.
Gillespie and Co, agents.

Oct 31 - RMS Norman, 500 tons, RB Davies, for Cape Town, and intermediate ports.

PASSENGERS
For Cape Town
First Class
Messrs
Searle
Watermeyer
Van der Byl
W Dacomb
RJ Dill
Mrs Smith
Mrs Pope
Second Class
Mr Jno Smith
Mrs and Master Kermode
Algoa Bay
First Class
Mr E Marsh
Second Class
Mr Charles Williams
Mr McLeod
East London
Mr Fuller
J Brown, agent.

Oct 31 - Monsoon, barque, 296 tons, W Turnbull, for Mauritius, in ballast.
Gillespie and Co, agents.

Passengers to Natal per Eudora 1864

EUDORA Natal Government Gazette 22 September 1864

Immigration Board

It is hereby notified for the information of those whom it may concern, that the following Emmigrants have arrived by the Eudora:-

Brown, Elizabeth - Servant
Brooks, Charles - Carpenter
Brooks, Elizabeth
Brooks, James
Brooks, Elizabeth
Barret, Christian - Domestic Servant
Crocket, Janet - Dressmaker
Craig, John - Storekeeper
Donoghue, Thomas - Farm Laborer
Elliott, Susan H - Dressmaker
Edwards, Elizabeth - Servant
Evans, Richard - Laborer
Fahy, Thomas- Tailor
Flemming, William - Laborer
Flemming, Elizabeth
Flemming, William
Flemming, John
Gove, John - Blacksmith
Garson, David - Blacksmith
Gold, William - Ploughman
Gold, Mary
Hind, Mary - Dressmaker
Johnstone, William - Clerk
Johnstone, Marion
Johnstone, Isabella
Johnstone, Jessie
Johnstone, Helen
Kane, Patrick - Laborer
MacPhail, Dugald - Shopkeeper
Munro, Donald - Carpenter
Munro, George
Noble, Halliburton - Apothecary
Noble, James - Plumber
Noble, Mary
Noble, Anne
Graham, Agnes - Servant
Plowright, John D - Shoemaker
Plowright, Louisa
Plowright, James
Rogers, George - Mason
Speight, Annie - Servant
Steele, Alexander - Carpenter
Steele, Jessie
Samways, Sarah - Domestic Servant
Sinclair, Duncan - Shepherd
Sinclair, Margaret
Sinclair, Archibald
Sinclair, Donald
Sinclair, Sarah
Taylor, John - Blacksmith
Thomson, Jessie - Servant
Thomson, William
Tweedie, Jane - Wife
Tweedie, Elizabeth
Tweedie, Anne
Tweedie, Robert
Tweedie, John
Tweedie, Joanna
Woolridge, William - Blacksmith
Woolridge, Mary
Woolridge, WH
O'Conner, Cathe
Lucas, Emily

JAMES CRAW, Secretary Immigration Board Sept 22, 1864

Not the Eudora but a similar three-master of the time, beautifully painted.

Souvenir Saturday: Arnold family - sons of W M Arnold ca 1902

Five sons of William Marshall Arnold: a delightful photograph by H Kisch ca 1902.
I like the sporting touches - tennis racket, cricket bat and football.

Acknowledgements: Peter Hare and Dale Schultz.

Landing adventures at Natal 1871

The Beethoven’s machinery (cargo) is not yet landed. The weather has been unfavourable, and in consequence, the steamer is not to sail tomorrow as originally intended; her mails are postponed to Monday. The swell outside has been very heavy. The Natal was to have taken a supplementary mail, which was advertised to close the morning after the regular mail at five o’clock, and two passengers trusted to get on board by some boat – unfortunately as the morning turned out rough there could be no communication. Mr MOHR, the German explorer, is one of the two unfortunates. It is particularly annoying to him, as his luggage, containing the results of his trip, is parted from him, and consequently in some danger of being lost. The Beethoven leaving so soon after the mail steamer, will enable him to rejoin without much loss of time. 

There was such a heavy swell on part of the time that the two steamers were lying outside as to make the Natal roll almost gunwales under and shipping water over the side …The Beethoven, from her superior size, although also very uncomfortable, did not roll so heavily. I heard that in the process of shipping cargo, a chain-hook swinging about in the air struck one of the Natal’s men with such force in the chest that he died shortly after. It will be a wonder if the boiler or pan on board the Beethoven which they intend trying to unship, will get successfully on shore without accident.

The boatmen have had experience of landing machinery from outside lately. The Margaret Wilkie although she came inside to unload the most unwieldy portions of her cargo, did unload some large pieces from outside and the boatmen got so terrified that they were like to decline going out any more to her. They used to have to flee for their lives sometimes, when some of the heavy pieces of machinery were swinging about in mid air, pendulum like, above their heads. The landing of the Beethoven’s heavy boiler and pan is a problem which has yet to be wrought out and as yet except at the first, they have not had favourable weather for it.

An intending passenger by the Natal has had the courage to try the point, whether passengers, embarking or disembarking, must pay the boatmen, or whether the passage-money paid does not entitle him to be placed on board and landed at the ship’s expense. Many passengers have objected to the charge, but in the hurry and anxiety of leaving and arriving, they have not had the courage or opportunity to stand out against it, and this time one has, although his luggage was already on board.

The Natal took a box of diamonds away, the property of the agents Messrs Escombe, Gladstone & Co, value some £1,500 or £1,800. The Beethoven takes away from the Natal Bank the largest shipment of diamonds that has yet left the colony - insured for £10 000, but various estimated by the owners to be worth £25,000 to £40,000. Among them is the largest South African diamond yet found, Lucas’s 107 carat gem. I think there are not a dozen larger diamonds in the world.

Mr COODE’s report on the Harbour Works is carefully conned here. Mr MILNE’s pertinent reply to congratulations on its agreement with his works and plans is “Aye, but you have spent your money.” The bitterness of the disappointment is, no doubt, after this lapse of time, past to him. The captain of the Beethoven expressed astonishment when he saw the Breakwaters, at their being erected nearly a mile from the entrance, as anyone with common sense but perhaps a skilled engineer, would do; strange how too much elaboration of the senses seem sometimes to dull what is called the balance of the senses, common sense ...

Mr BAINES, the explorer of the interior, is in town just now. We hope to hear soon of his giving the promised lecture. The drawings, and water-colour sketches of up-country scenes, are interesting in the extreme; they would form invaluable illustrations to a book of his travels. Perhaps they may appear in that form some day.

[Source: The Natal Witness 28 Feb 1871]

Passengers to Natal per Beethoven, barque Durban, RMS Natal 1871

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF PASSENGERS
(BEETHOVEN, DURBAN, HANOVER, WILLIAM SHAW, RMS NATAL)

Natal Witness February 24 1871

ARRIVED

Per Beethoven
PASSENGERS
Dr, Mrs and Miss Aldridge
Miss Kernley
Miss Bainbridge
Messrs
Bainbridge
Dougall
Davenhill
Galt
Hoffman
Hocklett
James Winter

Feb 19 - Durban, barque, 322 tons, Jarvis,

from London, Dec 8. Cargo: General.
PASSENGERS
Mr, Mrs, and Miss Darby
Mr and Mrs Higham
Mr and Mrs Paverd and son
Messrs
Williams
Rowles
Fisher
Roxby
Smith
Lightfoot
Woodward
Simcock
Lowry
Hargraves
Mr Ward and son
AW Evans, agent.

Feb 20 - Hanover, barque, 200 tons, Burgess, fom London, Dec 7. Cargo: General.
Parker, Wood and Co, agents

SAILED

Feb 19 - William Shaw, schooner, 39 tons, Halus, from Delagoa Bay and Inhambane, in ballast.
PASSENGERS
29 natives
Harvey, Greenacre and Co, agents.

Feb 23 - RMS Natal, 452 tons, Diver, for Cape Town and intermediate ports. Cargo: Colonial produce valued at about £6,000; and diamonds of the value of about £1,800.
PASSENGERS
For Southampton
Messrs
Grime
W Stephen
Stracy
JG RollsPayne
Bennett and two children
Mrs Bale and son
Mrs Sydney
For Cape Town
Dr and Mrs Maxham
Sergt and Mrs Doubleday and two children
Mr Samuelson
For Algoa Bay
Mr and Mrs GT Hill
Mr CB Schultz
For Mossel Bay
Mrs Niepoth
For East London
4 men 2-20th Regt
1 man, 32nd Regt
Escombe, Gladstone and Co, agents

OUTSIDE
Beethoven, steamer, 2500 tons, Cumming, from London and intermediate ports.
Grant and Fradd, agents
Umvoti, ship, 464 tons, Mills, from London
Escombe, Gladstone and Co, agents
Durban, barque, 322 tons, Jarvis, from London
AW Evans, agent
Hanover, barque, 299 tons, Burgess, from London
Parker, Wood and Co, agents
Sybil, schooner, 121 tons, Porter, for Melbourne
W,B Lyne, agent.
Margaret Wilkie, barque, 318 tons, Alexander, for London
Parker, Wood and Co, agents

VESSELS EXPECTED
Natal Star, ship, 368 tons, Airth, from London. To sail about Nov 10.
Amine, 171 tons, Frond, from London
Sea Nymph, brig, 130 tons, Tuscon, from Melbourne
Beningfield and Son, agents
Princess Alice, brig, 199 tons, Sim, from London
Grant and Fradd, agents.

Passengers Australia to Natal and Diamond Fields per St Kilda 1872

ST KILDA FROM AUSTRALIA Natal Mercury June 6 1872

The St Kilda's Passengers met at the Immigration Aid Office yesterday afternoon, by invitation of the Directors. Of the latter there were present the Mayor, in the chair, and Messrs H Escombe, Goodliffe, Greenacre, Robinson, and Dacomb. Mr Escombe explained at length the objects of the Office, and an interesting conversation followed chiefly bearing on the best and cheapest way of reaching the Diamond Fields. The new comers expressed much satisfaction with the attentions exhibited, and unanimously passed a resolution to that effect. It was finally decided to publish an advertisement, at the cost of the Office, calling for tenders for transport, and we refer wagon owners and carriers to the announcment elsewhere. Specimens of quartz from Marabastadt were pronounced excellent, but not sufficient in themselves to prove the existence of a gold field. Some of those present said they had seen in Australia similar specimens from reefs which were not payably auriferous. We heartily trust that our new friends, of whom there are about seventy, will succeed in reaching the Fields quickly and cheaply, and that when there, success will crown their efforts.

The St Kilda's PASSENGERS
The following is a list of the passengers by this vessel from Australia 

Cabin
Mr and Mrs A McKenzie
Messrs
Sweetman
Hogmanson
Grumpelson
Mr and Mrs Slatbury
Mr B Longer
Steerage
Miss F Chapman
Mr and Mrs G Foster
Mr and Mrs Mortlock
Messrs
Loree
Bloonveer
W Davidson
A Petrie
J Haston
G Macfarland
W Griffith
J Gadfield
L Foss
J Fotheringale
J Layle
D Dannen
T Dalahursty
J Ross
V Mochlig
D Hughes
J Tanson
R Leveson
Thos Malcaby
W Hercus
D McKermon
J Woodinge
J MacKereth
P Murphy
E Simpkins
D Pigott
McKelly
J Trexion
W Sutton
E Longmore
E Crawford
W Toddington
T Lynes
C Rehbock
A Tierney
J Cope
J Armstrong
W Thornhill
J Maclan
D Gordon
T Bray and Mrs Bray, Miss Bray, and Edward and George Bray
McFulty
T Herrington
N Hove
Mr and Mr Waterworth
S Douglas
C Daagden
C Wyberg
D Maceachern
J Nelville
Honeyman

The St Kilda's Passengers

About twenty of those passengers came ashore on Saturday last. The vessel herself could not get in, as the wind was unfavourable.

IN PORT
Charles Colgate, schr, 187 tons, Norrie, from Desolation Islands.
Carrington, three-masted schooner, 248 tons, Strickland, for London. Loading. Ballance and Goodliffe, agents.
Bolke, 170 tons, Meyer, for London. Loading Parker, Wood and Co, agents.
Priscilla, barque, 258 tons, Brown, for London Loading. AW Evans, agent.
Illovo, barque, 400 tons, Bolton, for London. Loading. Black, Baxter and Co, agents.
Ocean Sprite, barque, 233 tons, Hansford, from London. Discharging cargo. Steel, Dunn and Co, agents.
Burton Stather, barque, 420 tons, Warren, from London. Discharging cargo. AW Evans, agent.
Cape Good Hope, schooner, 106 tons, Closter, for Mauritius. Steel, Dunn and Co, agents.
Tein Esser, schooner, Grammont. To load for Mauritius. G Dentzelmann, agent.
Durban, barque, 322 tons, Jarvis, from London. Discharging cargo. AW Evans, agent.
Ebenezer, schooner, 200 tons, Evertsen, from Soderham. Discharging cargo. Black, Baxter and Co, agents.
Koenig Carl XV, brig, 237 tons, from London, February 20. Steell, Dunn and Co, agents.
Mary Moore, Amitage, from London, January 23. Steel, Dunn and Co, agents.
St. Kilda, three-masted schooner, 180 tons, A Storey, from Melbourne, 9th April. WB Lyle, agent.

St Helena Family History Resources

The Archives in St Helena

Church register:

Baptism register from the 1680s until the mid-20th century 
Marriage register from the 1680s until the mid-20th century. 
Death records from the 1680s to the mid-20th century. 
English state register: 
Birth register in 1853 ?? 1898 
Marriage Register in 1853 ?? 1936 
Death records in 1853 ?? 1962

Register for later years are available via Essex House, Main Street, Jamestown, St Helena Island, South Atlantic Ocean.

Ship Register:

Arrival and departure date for ships described in the newspaper ?? St Helen Guradia, from 1852 to 1923, when a list of ship type and name, captain's name, route and shipping, was listed in this weekly magazine. Later published in the church newspaper in 1899 ??1942, Wirebird in 1955 ?? 1966, St Helens News in 1958 also news about the ship arrivals and departures.

During the period in 1673 ?? In 1836 there is a register in the Ostindiska Kompaniets own register books. But there are no reports in the archive in the years 1836 ?? 1852


Duties performed and leases: Reports available for years from 1682 ?? 1885

Maureen Steven, Government Archivist, The Castle, Jamestown, St Helena Island, South Atlantic Ocean undertakes research for a fee depending on depth of investigation.


http://jcgrimshaw.blogspot.co.za/2011/05/ St Helena: Explorers, prisoners and visitors, maps, photographs and heritage. Records of a unique and special island.

A Prospect of James Fort on the Island of St. Hellena [sic]. London, Samuel Thornton, c. 1711. A view of the East India Company's fort on St Helena, the important stop on the route to the East Indies.  Shown are the triangular fort, the crane used for unloading supplies and the Governor's garden. Published in Thornton's 'English Pilot.

Wathen, Plantation House and St. Paul's Church, 1812

Napoleon on St Helena. In May of 1814 Napoleon was exiled to Elba but not for long: he escaped the following February and entered Paris. Events followed swiftly. Within three months the Battle of Waterloo took place, Louis XVIII was restored to the throne and Napoleon was exiled to the island of St Helena. He would remain there until his death in May 1821.