Souvenir Saturday: Hojem, Oftebro, Larsen in Natal

The twins are Johan Christian and Thora Katrine Hojem, b 28 July 1894, children of Gustav and Berte Marie (nee Oftebro) Hojem. Berte Marie and Gustav were married at Eshowe Mission Church, 9 April 1891, by Ommund C Oftebro, Berte Marie’s now-famous missionary uncle. Witnesses were O S Norgaard and Olaus H Skerve, the latter one of the original Marburg settlers (he married Gustav Hojem’s sister, Ragna).

The photographer was Emil Larsen, whose studio was then at 410 West Street, Durban. Judging by the age of the twins the picture was probably taken early in 1895.

Photo and information courtesy of Warwick Hojem.

For further details on LARSEN and descendants see
http://salbu.co.za/debora/LarList.html

Hertford men in the Anglo-Boer War

Memorial to Hertford men who served in the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902: including 4th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment (Harts
Militia); Herts Imperial Yeomanry.




























Suggestion: change your browser zoom setting to 175% to read the names clearly.

Natal Witness Marriages 1875

NATAL WITNESS – MARRIAGES 1875
Groom, Bride, Date of Event, Date of Advert, Details

Abel, Warner, 19-Aug-1875, 3-Sep-1875, at Bishopstowe by the Rev Mr Winslow
Edmund Abel to Alice Vickers, second daughter of Mr W Warner, PMBurg

Acutt, McDonald, 12-Aug-1875, 24-Aug-1875, at Hoghton by the Rev T Taylor of Greytown Corron Acutt, Wolverhampton, England to Marian Matilda youngest daughter of the late Hugh McDonald, Durban

Adams, Brandon, 15-April-1875, 27-April-1875, no details, Mr John Adams to Miss Mary Ann Brandon of the Umgeni

Alikins, James, 25-Nov-1875, 3-Dec-1875, at the Wesleyan chapel, Verulam by the Rev SH Stott Lewis Ambrose Alikins of Kimberley Diamond Fields to Mary Eliza eldest daughter of Mr Peter James, Verulam

Anderson, Whiting, 4-Mar-1875, 12-Mar-1875, at Durban by the Rev Z Robinson
William Anderson, Pilot, to Janet Canoon Whiting late of Adelaide, Australia

Arbuthnot, Barker, 20-July-1875, 30-July-1875, at St Patricks, Umzinto by the Right Rev the Lord Bishop of PMBurg Hubert Arbuthnot of Kinmundie, Umzinto to Rosa Evangeline, daughter of the Rev Canon Barker, Incumbent of Umzinto

Atkins, Scanton, 20-April-1875, 27-April-1875, at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev TA Rhodes, John Atkins to Emily daughter of Mr James Scanton of Verulam

Barret, Burgess, 30-June-1875, 23-July-1875, at Middleburg, ZAR
BR Barret to Maria Upton only daughter of Mr W H Burgess late of Verulam, Natal

Beddoes, Mason, 11-Mar-1875, 16-Mar-1875 at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev Z Robinson Mr Gilbert Beddoes C.E. Superintendent of Harbour Works Port Natal to Elizabeth youngest daughter of Mr Robert  Mason, Addington

Bennett, Sparks, 6-Nov-1875, 19-Nov-1875, Bennett of Durban to Sara Ann eldest daughter of Mr David Sparks of Sydenham Meyrick Bennett to Sara Ann

Bradstreet, Scoble, 5-Feb-1875, 12-Mar-1875, at Pilgrim's Rest, Transvaal
Robert Bradstreet of Newcastle Natal, second son of the late Major C R Bradstreet
37th Regiment M.N.J. V.C.B. to Maud third daughter of Mr John Scoble J.P. of Bosco Bello, Newcastle, Natal

Brokensha, Cowey, 7-Oct-1875, 12-Oct-1875, in the Congregational Church, Durban by the Rev W Mann Francis Carne Brokensha to Ellen Baines third daughter of Mr William Cowey, Durban

Brown, Britton, 2-Oct-1875, 19-Oct-1875, by Special Licence by the Rev. Archdeacon Lloyd Mr RD Brown to Jemima Britton fourth daughter of the late Mr W Britton both of PMBurg

Brunton, Hall, 29-Dec-1874, 5-Jan-1875, at the residence of the bride's father by the Ven. Archdeacon Fearne, George Brunton of Durban to – Elizabeth youngest daughter of Robert Hall Esq. of "Sweet Home" county Pietermaritzburg

Buckle, Francis, 23-Feb-1875, 2-Mar-1875, at Kirby Vale by the Rev SH Stott
William Couves Buckle, Grafton Nonoti to Harriet Marilda only daughter of Mr Daniel Francis

Bunting, Sibthorp, 25-Jan-1875, 29-Jan-1875, at the Church of St John the Evangelist, Weston, Mooi River by the Rev. G. Smith, Incumbent of the Parish
George Frederick Bunting of Honeysuckle Dale, Mooi River to _ Mary eldest daughter of Mr William Sibthorp of Weston

Burton, Pay, 15-Dec-1875, 21-Dec-1875, at the residence of the bride's father by the Ven Archdeacon Lloyd, assisted by the Rev. J Reynolds Mr Shepherd Ray Burton to Elizabeth Amy, eldest surviving daughter of Mr George Pay, Bellevue Cottage, Berea

Butler, Low, 28th Aug-1875, 3-Sep-1875, at St Cyprians Durban by the Rev Archdeacon Dakin Charles Arthur Butler youngest son of Captain CG Butler R.N. to Louisa eldest daughter of the late Richard Low Esq. Formerly Captain in the 53rd Regiment and Major of the Limerick Militia

Cameron, Meyer, 5-July-1875, 6-July-1875, at the Dutch Reformed Church by the Rev A Van Velden John McKenzie Cameron to Miss Catherine K Meyer youngest daughter of Mr Coemaad Meyer of Kaffir Drift near Inchanga

Cato, Badger, 11-Mar-1875, 12-Mar-1875, by Special Licence at Burger Street PMBurg by the Rev JA De La Touche Christopher Alfred Cato of Mooi River to Elizabeth Jane eldest daughter of the late Johnathan Badger

Christionson, Jackson, 9-Nov-1875, 16-Nov-1875, at St Cyprian's  Church by the Rev Archdeacon Dayken John Christionson to Katherine Elizabeth widow of the late Joseph A Jackson

Clunas, Curle, 22-Jan-1875, 2-Feb-1875, at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev C Scott, Pinetown John Clunas to Isabella second daughter of Mr Andrew Curle, Prospect Hall, Umgeni, Durban

Collins, Etchells, 26-Oct-1875, 2-Nov-1875, at the Amanzimtoti Mission Station by the Rev W Wedlar William Collins to Ellen Margaret Etchells, fourth daughter of the late Mr Etchells of Grahamstown

Collison, North, 20-Mar-1875, 23-Mar-1875, at St Saviours Church by the Very Rev Dean Green Alfred Collison of Bilney Estate, County Victoria to – Mary Ellen eldest daughter of Mr R S North of PMBurg

Corner, De Jongh, 11-Oct-1875, 19-Oct-1875, at Weenen Dutch Reformed Church by the Rev Richard Craig Mr P Corner of Windsor Castle Farm, County Victoria to Everdina second daughter of Mr J De Jongh, County Weenen

Cox, Swales, 23-June-1875 ,6-July-1875, at the residence of the bride's father, Berea,
by the Ven Archdeacon Lloyd, Colonial Chaplain
John Cox of the Umgeni to Jane Ann second daughter of Mr Christopher Swales

Crawford, Russell, 11-Aug-1875, 27-Aug-1875, at Pilgrims Rest, by Special Licence by the Rev George Blencowe Mr A J Crawford late of Durban, Natal to Ellen, third daughter of Mr Henry Russell of Pretoria, Transvaal Republic

Farrell, Cole, 30-Aug-1875, 3-Sep-1875, at PMBurg by the Rev Father Barrett, Mr P Farrell to Miss Mary Ann Cole

Forbes, Leo, 17-June-1875, 22-June-1875, at the Umgeni by the Rev Mr Robinson, Mr James Forbes to Miss Anna Elizabeth Leo

Funnell, Risley, 28-Sep-1875, 8-Oct-1875, at St Peters Cathedral by the Lord Bishop of Natal Edward Funnell eldest son of Mr Edward Ford formerley of Warblington House, Emsworth, Hants. to Emily, eldest daughter of William Risley of PMBurg, Natal

Godwin, Lloyd, 29-July-1875, 6-Aug-175, at the residence of the bride's father, Durban, by the Rev. Z Robinson (Wesleyen Minister) Mr Thomas Godwin to Annie Wilhelmina daughter of Mr James Lloyd, Artist of Durban

Goldston, Redpath, 17-Nov-1875, 10-Dec-1875, at Heidelberg, Transvaal by Special Licence William Goldston (junior) of Wentworth Natal to Clara Matilda Redpath of the above Town

Goodbrand, Canning, 6-Nov-1875, 12-Nov-1875, at Durban by Rev John Buchanan,
Alexander Goodbrand, Natal, Railway company to Mary only surviving daughter of the late Mr Horatio Joseph Canning, London

Grant, McNicol, 1-Nov-1875, 9-Nov-1875, at the residence of Mr WV Mason, Umgeni by the Rev T Goodwin Sam Grant (junior) to Margaret youngest daughter of Mr Archibald McNicol, Umgeni

Hampson, Dingley, 6-Jan-1875, 12-Jan-1875, by the Rev D Rood M.A. Stanger
MA Hampson, eldest son of Mr B Hampson of Durban to Mary a third daughter of Mr JG Dingley

Hamp, Turner, 18-Mar-1875, 30-Mar-1875, at Verulam by the Rev J Allsopp,
Mr EA Hamp to Miss Turner both of Verulam

Harcourt, Kendrick, 18-Jan-1875, 26-Jan-1875, at Hilltop, by the Ven Archdeacon Fearne
Joseph Harcourt to Caroline Kendrick

Harding, Davis, 12-Jan-1875, 2-Feb-1875, at Bishopstowe by the Rev JD la Touche
Reuben eldest son of Mr C Harding, Mooi River to Annie third daughter of the late Mr. W Davis, Bishopstowe

Harding, Watling, 15-Sep-1875, 21-Sep-1875, at St Saviours Cathedral, PMBurg by the Ven Rev the Dean Charles, second son of Mr charles Harding, Mooi River, to Alice Mary Ann, second daughter of Mr JW Watling

Hellably, Fox, 26-Oct-1875, 19-Nov-1875, at Trinity Church, Port Elizabeth by the Rev CF Overton M.A. Richard Douglas Hellably Esq. Wood Street London to Mary, second daughter of the late EHJ Fox of Stamford Hill London, England

Henwood, Ratsey, 25-Aug-1875, 3-Sep-1875, at St Johns Church Pinetown, by the Rev Canon Tonnesen William Henwood Esq. of PMBurg to Amelia Caroline eldest daughter of the late Captain Ratsey and grandaughter of Admiral Ratsey late of the Isle of Wight

Holman, Stafford, 22-Dec-1874, 22-Jan-1875, by Special Licence at Stafford House, Alfred County by the Rev T Button George P Holman J.P. to – Ellen Mary, eldest daughter of Mr. ES Stafford of the above place

Holwell, Phillips, 1-Nov-1875, 9-Nov-1875, at the Congregational Church, Durban by the Ref WH Mann Mr CA Holwell late of Walthamstow, Essex, England to Alice second daughter of WF Phillips Esq. of  Ware, Hertfordshire

Hull, Thomson, 25-Sep-1875, 28-Sep-1875, at the residence of the bride, Loop Street, PMBurg by the Rev John Smith M. A. Minister of St Johns Presbyterian Church
Daniel Hull to Margaret, relict of George Thomson and eldest daughter of the late Rev John Boag, Blackburn, Linlithgowshire, Scotland

Jackson, McLaurin, 23-Mar-1875, 2-April-1875, at Glenaray, Verulam, by Special Licence Alfred Charles Jackson of Durban, son of the lat Rev D Jackson of Louth, Lincolnshire to Agnes Mary only daughter of Mr John McLaurin of Glenaray, Verulam

Jones, Hodge, 18-Feb-1875, 23-Feb-1875, at Christ Church, Addington by the Ven Archdeacon Lloyd assisted by the Rev TF Eastwood
James Whitmore Jones of Durban to Susan Maria second daughter of Mr W Hodge, Pilot, Port Natal

Jones, Jackson, 1-Sep-1875, 10-Sep-1875, at the residence of the bride's father at Stanger
by the Rev D Rood, Incumbent, Umvoti HW Jones Esq. District Surgeon, Tugela division, youngest son of the Rev W Jones, Rector of Llanenddwyn Merionethshire, Wales to Sarah Sophia second eldest daughter of  WG Jackson Esq. Resident Magistrate, Tugela division

Kember, Welch, 27-Sep-1875, 1-Oct-1875, at Gowan Cottage, Smith  Street, Durban by the Rev John Buchanan Mr William Kember, Heidelberg District, Transvaal - to Margaret Jane daughter of Andrew Welch of Durban

Kirby, Badger, 11-Mar-1875, 12-Mar-1875, at the same time and place as the above
Henry Edward Kirby of Riet Vley, Umvoti to Sarah Ann second daughter of the late Mr Johnathan Badger

Last, Cowley, 11-Feb-1875, 16-Feb-1875, at the Baptist Chapel, Durban by the Rev Z Robinson Arthur William Last to Mary third daughter of Mr Robert Cowley of Fairford, in the county of Gloucester, England

Lee, Stretch, 10-May-1875, 1-June-1875, at the residence of the bride's father, Beauville Biggarsberg, by the Rev John Dohne
Henry Lee to Maria Elizabeth Stretch both of Biggarsberg

Lumsden, Barker, 20-May-1875, 28-May-1875, at St Cyprians Church, Durban by Special Licence by the Rev Mr Goodwin David Lumsden to Agnes Julia, third daughter of Mr J W Barker of Mount Pleasant, St. Helena

Markham, Ray, 1-July-1875, 6-July-1875, at St Mathias in the parish of Durban, by the Rev James H Taylor The Rev Benjamin Markham assistant Curate of St Saviours Cathedral, PMBurg to Rachel T Ray fifth daughter of the late Rev Richard Ray of Ashton Villa, Elgin Park, Redland, Bristol England

McDonald, Dalton, 6-Jan-1875, 19-Jan-1875, at the residence of the brides father
James Edwin, eldest son of Mr. C McDonald Congella to Louisa Maria second daughter of Mr GJ Dalton of Durban

Mitchell, Clark, 20-Feb-1875, 23-Feb-1875, at Loop St, PMBurg by the Rev J Cameron
George Robert Mitchell (junior) to Jane second daughter of  Mr John Clark of Noodsberg, Natal

Muirhead, Moss, 23-June-1875, 29-June-1875, at the residence of the bride by the Rev WH Milward assisted by the Rev J Smith A.M. John Muirhead, Hermansburg, county Umvoti to Martha Jane eldest daughter of the late Mr J Moss, Foxhill near PMBurg

Munro, Davie, 30-Mar-1875, 27-April-1875, at Preston House, Pinetown, the residence of the bride's uncle Mr George Munro to Selina Jane Davie

Nel, Hansmeyer, 16-Mar-1875, 23-Mar-1875, at the residence of the bride's mother, Burger Street PMBurg Thennis Jacobus Nel of Umvoti County to Johanna Magdalena Aletta Hansmeyer youngest daughter of the late Joseph Hansmeyer

Nicholai, Halley, 5-Feb-1875, 16-Feb-1875, at the Inchanga by the Rev CW Posselt
C Nicholai (widower ) to Harriet Halley (spinster)

Oliver, Adler, 18-Dec-1875, 28-Dec-1875, at the residence of the bride's father, Rose Cottage, Verulam by the Rev. Mr Burberry Isaac Oliver to Rose Cassandra third daughter of Mr C Adler

Otto, Van Der Plank, 10-Mar- 1875, 12-Mar-1875, at the Cathedral PMBurg
Mr Otto to Miss Van Der Plank

Oxley, Button, 28-Oct-1875, 9-Nov-1875, at St Johns Mission, Pondoland, Kaffraria by the Right Rev Bishop of St Johns D.D.MD. Adopted father of the bride
Rev John Oxley, Oxland of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, England & St Johns Mission to Jane Eliza eldest daughter of the late J Button

Parker, McBride, 25-Dec-1875, 28-Dec-1875, at the Natal Bank PMBurg by the Rev John Smith A.M. assisted by the Rev. A Van Velden Hugh Parker Esq. to Jessie second daughter of William McBride Esq. Manufacturer of Glasgow.

Pay, Mason, 9-Sep-1875, 14-Sep-1875, at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev James Cameron Edward RE Pay of Durban to Charlotte Isabella third daughter of Mr Joseph Mason of PMBurg

Pennington, Forrest, 6-May-1875, 21-May-1875, at the residence of the bride's father Umbilo, by the Rev WH Mann, Congregational Minister
Richard Pennington to Catherine, fourth daughter of Mr John Forrest, Umbilo, Durban

Phipson, Giles, 15-Sep-1875, 21-Sep-1875, by the Rev John Whalley, Minister of the Congregational Church, at the residence of the bride's father
Martin Frederick Phipson Esq. of New England in the county of PMBurg to Sophia Giles, second daughter of John Giles Esq. of Plessis Laager, in the County of PMBurg

Pinchon, McNicol, 22-Feb-1875, 2-Mar-1875, at Durban by the Ven. Archdeacon Lloyd
Emanuel Pinchon to Helen McNicol

Potterill, Bentley, 15-July-1875, 23-July-1875, at the residence of the bride's father by the Very Rev the Dean of PMBurg JF Potterill to L S Bentley, eldest daughter of Mr G Bentley (Bently), Helmsley, Yorkshire

Pughe, Rose, 24-Jan-1875, 29-Jan-1875, by Special Licence at Durban
James Arthur eldest son of Mr James Pughe to Alice Jane only daughter of the late Mrs. Rose

Putterill, Robertson, 6-Jan-1875, 19-Jan-1875, at the residence of the bride's mother, Harrismith by the Rev. W Wynne James Walter, third son of of  Mr James Putterill of Harismith to Margaret Jane Morris, second daughter of the late Mr William Robertson of PMBurg, Natal

Ramsey, Bayley, 31-Mar-1875, 2-April-1875, by Special  licence,
James Ramsey to Eliza Adelaide Bayley both of Durban

Randles, Matterson, 23-Mar-1875, 30-Mar-1875, by Special Licence at St Peter's Cathedral by the Rev JD De La Touche William Randles of Durban to Isabella Mary eldest daughter of  Mr GO Matterson of PMBurg

Richmond, Byrne, 4-Jan-1875, 5-Jan-1875, by Special Licence at the Roman Catholic Chapel PMBurg by the Rev J Barret Mr FG Richmond to Katherine Alice second daughter of the late Mr John Byrne of PMBurg

Sandys, De Blanche, 21-Sep-1875, 1-Oct-1875, at the residence of the brides father, by the Rev G Smith Edwin a Sandys only son of S Sandys of Eversholt, Beds, England to Hester Elizabeth De Blanche of Sindeque Spruit, Little Tugela

Scriven, Richardson, 22-Oct-1874, 19-Jan-1875, at Haddington, Scotland by the Rev. William Ross John Scriven. Saltaire, Yorkshire eldest son of the late Mr William Scriven of Throstle Nest, near Oatley to Margaret Walker,
youngest daughter of Mr John Richardson, Solicitor and Banker

Searle, Wolff, 27-April-1875, 18-May-1875, by Special Licence in the Dutch Reformed Church Cape Town, by the Rev D Robertson CH Searle to HAS Wolff, niece of Mr F S Berning, Registrar of Deeds and Distributor of Stamps for the Colony of Natal

Sell, Lally, 24-Aug-1875, 3-Sep-1875, at the residence of the bride's mother, Umgeni Road, by the Rev. Father Sabon of St Joseph's Chapel Robert Henry Sell to Annie Lavinia only daughter of the late Michael Lally

Shears, Boulger, 14-Jan-1875, 19-Jan-1875, at St Saviours Cathedral, Church St. PMBurg by the Right Rev the Lord Bishop of PMB Rev. Ernest Henry Shears B.A. of St Johns College, Incumbern of Verulam and Tongaat to Mary Seawell third daughter of the late Mr Edward Boulger of Bletchingley, Surrey, England

Silver, Bodkin, 13-May-1875, 13-July-1875, no details, Mr S W Silver (of Messrs Silver and Co) to Lady Bodkin relict of the late Sir William Bodkin

Smith, Ballard, 10-June-1875, 15-June-1875, at St Thomas, Berea by the Ven Archdeacon Lloyd Arthur Francis third son of Mr John Smith, Surgeon, Castle Donnington, Leicestershire, England to Mary A. third daughter of  Mr HJ Ballard of Woolston, England

Smithers, Campbell, 4-Oct-1875, 12-Oct-1875, at St Saviours Cathedral, PMBurg by the Very Rev Dean Green William Heaves, second son of the late BJ Smithers, Cape Town to Clara Lucy, only daughter of Mr P Campbell

Smitt/Smith, Raw, 13/15-Jan-1875, 19-Jan-1875, at St Saviours Cathedral PMBurg
by the Right Rev, the Bishop of St John's assisted by the Very Rev Dean Green
Robert C Smitt/Smith only son of George Smitt of Burley Lodge, Midlothians to Helen Isabella youngest daughter of Mr James Raw, PMBurg

Starr, Dalton, 9-Dec-1875, 17-Dec-1875, at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev R Stott William Starr to Lauretta third daughter of Mr GJ Dalton of Gardiner Street, Durban

Stuart, Webster, 28-Jan-1875, 2-Feb-1875, at PMBurg by Special Licence by the Rev JE Carlyle Allan Stuart to Elizabeth Jane, eldest daughter of  Mr Joseph Webster

Sturrock, Clark, 7-July-1875, 3-Aug-1875, at Lydenberg, Transvaal Republic, by the Rev J Thorn, Church of England JT Sturrock, Diamond fields to Betha eldest daughter of Sergt. W Clark late of Natal

Thomson, Fleming, 21-April-1875, 2-May-1875, by the Rev J Smith
James Boag Thomson to Elizabeth Harriot second daughter of Mr John Fleming

Tipper, Hodge, 18-Feb-1875, 23-Feb-1875, at Christ Church, Addington by the Ven Archdeacon Lloyd assisted by the Rev TF Eastwood
Alfred Tipper of Ladysmith to Mary Emma third daughter of Mr W Hodge, Pilot, Port Natal

Travers, Inglis, 24-June-1875, 10-Aug-1875, at St Stephens, Paddington by the Rev TJ Rowsell Benjamin, eldest son of the late Benjamin Travers F.R.C.S. of Dover Street, Piccadilly to Henrietta Alice daughter of the late Harry Inglis Esq. Sythet, East Indies

Trenance, Saunders, 2-Sep-1875, 14-Sep-1875, at St John's The Baptist, Victoria, by the Venerable Archdeacon Lloyd Courtney, second son of Michael Acutt Trenance to Natalie, youngest daughter of JR Saunders Esq. M.L.C. of Tongaat

Vincent, Maxted, 10-April-1875, 21-May-1875, at the residence of the bridegroom's mother Richard Charles Vincent of Umgeni to Eva Caroline Maxted of Coedmore

Wakefield, Green, 22-Sep-1875, 8-Oct-1875, at the residence of the brides father by the Ven Archdeacon Lloyd Albert Wakefield of Durban to Alice second daughter of Thomas Green, Addington

Wellington, Williamson, 6-Nov-1875, 19-Nov-1875, at the Bluff Durban, by the Rev John Buchanan Riras Russel Wellington, Pilot, Port Natal to Eleanor Williamson only daughter of Charles Williamson Esq. of London

Winter, Leslie, 3-June-1875, 11-June-1875, at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev G Smith Henry Daniel Winter fourth son of John EF Winter, Builder, PMBurg to Janet Leslie eldest daughter of William Leslie, Campsee Glen, County of Weenen

Wolhuter, Nel, 16-June-1875, 22-June-1875, at the residence of the bride's father, Farm Waterfall, County Umvoti by T Shepstone Esq. Resident Magistrate
Paul Michiel Wolhuter, fourth son of Mr FM Wolhuter of PMBurg to Hester Antoinetta Nel
eldest daughter of Mr LJ Nel of Waterfall county, Umvoti

Woodley, Jones, 2-Mar-1875, 12-Mar-1875,by Special Licence
William Woodley of PMBurg to Lizzie Anabella Florence Jones. Daughter of Mr WH Jones, Hotel Keeper, Harrismith, Orange Free State

Woods, Chatterton, 12-Oct-1875, 15-Oct-1875, by Special Licence at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev. W H Milward Theodore Woods Esq. to – Sarah Ann fourth daughter of Mr H Chatterton both of PMBurg

Wright, Fowlds, 26-Aug-1875, 3-Sep-1875, at St Mathews Church, Estcourt, by the Rev George Smith. Incumbent David Connoly Wright to  Ada Fowlds

Wynne, Salmon, 5-May-1875, 11-May-1875, at Durban by Special Licence by the Rev Z Robinson assisted by the Rev Ralph Stott The Rev William Wynne, the parsonage, Harrismith, Orange Free State to Emilie third daughter of Mr George Salmon, East End Durban. Formerly of St John's Wood, London, England

Souvenir Saturday: Natal Border Mounted Rifles 1899 Ladysmith

Border Mounted Rifles 1899: officers who served in Ladysmith. Back Row: Lieut J Gold, Lieut L Trenor, Lieut Qtr Master W D Smith, Lieut H B Andreasen, Lieut R G Archibald, Vet. Officer Lieut W M Power. Middle Row: Lieut F L Thring, Capt R Vause, Major J F Rethman Officer Commanding, Adj. Major W Sangmeister, Capt W Arnott. Front: Lieut Jack Royston, Capt H T Platt Med. Officer

Capt Arnott was wounded at Bester's Kop. Lieut Quartermaster William Dixon Smith died of enteric at Intombi Camp in January 1900. Major W Sangmeister and Captain J R Royston received the D.S.O. Major Rethman was promoted Lieut Colonel in December 1900 and retired from the Regiment in1904; he died in 1936.

For a list of BMR serving in the Anglo-Boer War see Mole's Blog at 
molegenealogy.blogspot.com/2012/09/boer-war-border-mounted-rifles-list.html

Naming Patterns Before the 20th c

When searching for ancestors traditional naming patterns can be a useful aid. However, these rules were not rigidly adhered to at all times and their usage dwindled as the 19th c progressed.

SCOTS
            
Eldest son named after Paternal grandfather
Second son after Maternal grandfather
Third son after Father
Eldest dau after Maternal grandmother
Second dau after Paternal grandmother
Third dau after Mother

The above pattern was not strictly followed in certain circumstances: if a mother died in childbirth, and there were subsequent offspring of a second marriage ... or if there were twins ... or if one child died young and another was given the same name when it was born subsequently.

MAIDEN NAME
Women in Scotland never lost their maiden name e.g. in court cases they would always be Mary Brown (maiden surname). In death registration they were always indexed under married and maiden name (if maiden name was known to the informant). On death of husband sometimes a widow would revert to her maiden name ... not common but more usual than you might think. On all legal documents i.e. wills, testaments, contracts, it would be very unusual NOT to have both of her names i.e. ‘This is the last testament of Mary Brown Smith currently residing at ....’ etc. and if she had been married twice - or thrice - it would say Mary Brown Smith or Macdonald or Hamilton.

AFRIKAANS

Eldest son named after Father's father
Second son after Mother's father
Third son after Father
Fourth son after Father's eldest brother
Fifth son after Father's second eldest brother or mother's eldest brother
Eldest dau after Mother's mother
Second dau after Father's mother
Third dau after Mother
Fourth dau after Mother's eldest sister
Fifth dau after Mother's second eldest sister or father's eldest sister
Further children after other uncles and aunts, then names of the great-grandparents

Family group ca 1902: note the ladies' hats and the patriarchal beard, centre.

A rose by any other name ...

A blog reader sent me a list of the latest in Australian baby names:

Number 16 Bus Shelter  (don’t ask)
Benson and Hedges  (twins)
V8 (I’m speechless)
Hula Tulula from Hawaii (the name comprises all those words)
Weekend (can you imagine, ‘Come here, Weekend, you naughty girl!’)

There are other examples which I’ll refrain from repeating. Apple, Blossom, Tulip, Sky and so on must have become old hat. Where are we headed in this naming business? 

The National Records of Scotland website tells us:

For the eighth year running Sophie is the most popular girls' name, and Jack the favourite name for boys. Emily, Olivia, Ava, Lucy and Sophie make up the top five girls' names, while Lewis, Riley, James, Logan and Jack make up the top five names for boys.

Those seem hearteningly conventional. And it's a comfort to know my granddaughter Olivia is in good company. Read more at 
http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/vital-events/births/popular-names/archive/forenames-1900-2000.html 
and http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/content/help/index.aspx?561 where the added dimension of nicknames is explored, as well as interchangeable forenames such as Jane/Jean/Janet: all could apply to one person – and indeed does in my Scottish family tree.  

They left out Helen, which is interchangeable with Ellen and Nell; or perhaps Nell should be regarded as a nickname. My Aunt Agnes was always known as Nancy, another interchangeable Scottish forename. Georgina became Ina and Margaret was usually Peggy. A girl christened Williamina in Scotland became Wilhelmina in South Africa.

Elizabeth might be recorded as Elisabeth, Eliza, Betty, Betsy, Beth, Bessie, Elspeth, Lizzie, and even Elsie. My grandmother taught me the following verse:

Eliza, Elizabeth, Betsy and Beth
Went to the woods to find a birds nest
Found a nest with 5 eggs in it
Took one each and left 4 in it.

In Northumberland, Isabel and Elizabeth were interchangeable in the 19th c, as I found to my cost when researching in that area.

Sol Plaatje

Among Byrne settlers to Natal, children’s names were permanent reminders of the voyage out – Ocea Isabel, Ocean Robert – and Natalia was an obvious choice for daughters. Frederick York St Leger, the Irish born founder of the Cape Times, named his eldest son Frederick Capetown St Leger. Sol Plaatje went one better, naming one of his sons Frederick York St Leger Plaatje, a mouthful for any child. So far I’ve been unable to discover the derivation of the name Sturges Bourne Bell, a son of Captain William Bell. Ideas welcomed.*

Where there’s no apparent family tradition in a forename, there’s always a chance that the baby was named after the doctor or midwife present at delivery; a well-known local personality who might act as sponsor – or godparent – to the child; a famous figure of the time – my grandfather’s middle name was Bartle after Sir Bartle Frere. 

Sir Redvers (pronounced Reevers) Buller

Numerous babies in the early 20th c acquired the name Buller in honour of Sir Redvers Henry Buller, commander of the Natal Field Force during the Anglo-Boer War. Mr & Mrs Willis, residents of Ladysmith during the Siege, named their son Harry Buller Siege Willis. Florence Nightingale was tacked on to various surnames, as was Sherlock Holmes. At least Florence was a historic personage and not a fictional character. Boys were named after battles – Trafalgar, Waterloo, but not, I think, Isandlwana.

Middle names, naturally not gender specific, often give an indication of a mother’s maiden name, as in the case of Cathrine Gibson Hamilton (my mother): her mother was Annie Gibson. Elizabeth Smith Hamilton (my aunt) was named for her grandmother, Elizabeth Smith. This causes confusion as the original Elizabeth Smith married a Hamilton, so we have two people of the same name on the same family tree. Frequently there are many more repetitions of a name through succeeding generations and we have to resort to numbering the ancestors (Thomas Gadsden I, Thomas Gadsden II) or identifying them by occupation as in Thomas Gadsden the Mariner, Thomas Gadsden the Founder et al. A local example is Henry Francis Fynn: there were three of them.

Surnames as forenames are a growing trend today: their success depends on the surname they precede. That goes for traditional forenames, too. Surely the following example must be apocryphal: a family named DOWN who had children named Neil Down, Eileen Down and Ida Down.

*This mystery has now been solved. More anon.

Celebrating St Helena Roots: 26 May 2013

St Helena 1792 - 1840 the latter days of slavery

Friends of St Helena: on May 21, 2011 Colin Fox presented a talk on the Origin of St Helena's slaves and their Emancipation.  This was a path strewn with difficulties for both slaves and their owners. The presentation includes an analysis of their origin, skills and numbers/value by age.

The 33 min talk is accessible to members of the Friends of St Helena; become a member for full access to this and other material including videos.
http://www.sthelena.uk.net/videos.php

There is an informative though shortened version of Colin Fox’s talk - accessible to non-members - in the public domain of the site at
http://www.sthelena.uk.net/index2.php?id=27&StHelena=1

Entitled How St Helena Slaves Gained Their Freedom, this article includes a full list of slaves in 1827, together with the names of slave owners. Further details about individual slaves can be accessed by members of Friends of St Helena.

Enjoy a slideshow of views of the island, its historic buildings and scenic beauties:  http://www.sthelena.uk.net/index.php?id=1&StHelena=1

Also see Descendants of the Saints: St Helena Heritage on this blog at 
http://molegenealogy.blogspot.com/2011/07/descendants-of-saints-st-helena.html

St Helena Resources

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/st-helena-genealogy/

The above link takes you to St Helena Institute's Forum for Family History. It is intended for anyone interested in St Helena family history and genealogy (incl. Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha).

As the forum is both a Message Board and a Mailing List, your message will be accessible online to future members and visitors to the site. Posts to the group should feature one of the names being researched in the subject line, if applicable.

Basic resources relating to St Helena family history can be found on the Institute's homepage at http://www.st-helena.org.

Explore the Family History Library Catalogue at familysearch.org for filmed military records relating to St Helena. Bear in mind that St Helena was a trading colony from the mid-17th c and had close connections with India: the island was occupied by troops of the East India Company between 1659 and 1836. In 1836, company troops were replaced by regular British troops. Muster and pension rolls for 1789-1859 include the name, rank, company, regiment, date of arrival, date of discharge and other information for soldiers serving on St Helena. The films include some partial indexes. The original records are in the India Office Military Department collection no. L/MIL/13/1-15, held at the British Library.

Passengers passed through St Helena on their way to England from far-flung outposts in India and China.

For further information and links visit the FIBIS (Families in British India Society) site
http://wiki.fibis.org/index.php?title=St._Helena

http://sthelena.uk.net/newsitems.php  news of the imminent publication, by the Friends of St Helena, of the book St Helena Britannica.

Souvenir Saturday: Faith Vivian Gadsden

Faith Vivian Gadsden b 27 Feb 1883, daughter of Thomas Alfred and Eliza Ann Gadsden, and sister of Sydney Bartle Gadsden; she was christened at Christchurch, Addington 3 August 1883. Faith married George Kennedy Hancock 27 June 1910. Their children were: Alice Rachel Hancock, James Gadsden Hancock, Vivian Crawford Hancock (Bobs) and George Sydney Hancock (Syd).
Photograph by W B Sherwood, possibly on the occasion of Faith's 16th birthday.