Sandhurst, Bendigo, Victoria - JOHN MAY

[smithy]

Hi All,

I have just discovered that our "John May" who went to Australia was in Sandhurst, Bendigo, Victoria in 1877 as a new cousin has the letter he wrote home to his ancestor. In this letter he was not well.
From Victoria burial index there was a death for a John May born in Ostend (like my one) but whose age was given as 91. In actual fact, he would have been about 81 at that time but believe this to be the right one. They also had him down as a Seaman - similar to a merchant. That death occurred on the 27th February 1878 and he was interred in White Hill Cemetery on the 1st March 1878.

Any help of additional information about John would be appreciated.

Sarah
Kent, England

[blue eyes]

Found the following on the 1851 census:-

Civil parish Allhallows, Lombard Street, Middlesex,
Reg dist Lonfdon City, sub reg dist London City South.

Household members:-

Eliza Fewkes age 34 Nurse
Adelaide E May age 16
Alexander May age 8
Eliza May age 6
Frederick May age 1 month
Green? May age 2
John May age 53 British subject born (Ortend) Belgium
Louisa May age 18
Rebecca May wife age 39
William W May age 4
Ling? Parrott age 60 servant
Patience Vickers age 13 stepdaughter
Rebecca Vickers age 15 stepdaughter

[smithy]

Hi,

Yes thanks, this is the right John May. In the 1861 and 1871 census Rebecca is in London with the family. From a letter in 1861 we know that John is in Australia. Seems he never returned!!! Would really like to know what happened to him in Australia.

Sarah

[ChristineR]

From Victoria burial index there was a death for a John May born in Ostend (like my one) but whose age was given as 91. In actual fact, he would have been about 81 at that time but believe this to be the right one. They also had him down as a Seaman - similar to a merchant. That death occurred on the 27th February 1878 and he was interred in White Hill Cemetery on the 1st March 1878.Do you or the new cousin have his death certificate? This will probably give you the name of his wife and children, if any. Also will say when and where he married. Cause of death, and if there was an inquest. But most importantly should give an idea of how long he had been in Australia. But all is only as good as the knowledge of the informant.
An uncertified certificate can be purchased online for $A17.50 from the Department of Justice.

I live near Bendigo if a followup needs to be done at the local library for newspaper reports, or check for headstone.

Christine

[smithy]

Hi Christine,

Via the internet we have (my cousin) the uncertified certificate. The information from this was:
Died: 27 Feb 1878
Intereed: White Hill Cemetry 1 March 1878
Age of death 91 (Should have been 81, so a transcript error or did the informant not really know)
Born: Ostend
Occupation: Seaman (in his younger days was a merchant between Ostend and London).

I need to get the actual certificate and hopefully it will say how long in Australia, marriage etc.

If you are able to help as you live near Bendigo it would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Sarah

[ChristineR]

The uncertified certificate will be identical to a certified, the only difference is it is downloaded from the internet, whereas the other is initialled by the registrar and dated - so perhaps you have only partial information from a different source. You did say a burial record - ahh, the penny has just dropped - it is a burial record from the actual cemetery records - these record such information.

This is the death index entry with the registration number. I have never seen a death reg without an age, so if they didn't know then they probably made it up - maybe he wasn't ageing too well with his illness. For some reason a section of our death records have the birthplace listed instead of the death registration place which is normally shown (they usually use only 4 letters (if it is a two word town they sometimes use two letters from each word! eg STAR is St Arnaud)

cont..

[ChristineR]

MAY John, Death, Parents: Unknown, Age: 91, Birthplace: OSTE, Year: 1878
Reg Number: 3340

It looks like the informant didn't know the details. Sometimes, if they died in hospital the exact marital details also are not recorded. Now just dont hold your breath waiting for me to find something in Bendigo! I expect to go in a few weeks. (40 minute drive) I'll make a note on my to do list.

Christine

[smithy]

Hi Christine,

Many thanks for all your kind help. It is definately appreciated.

Sarah

[ChristineR]

MAY John, Death, Parents: Unknown, Age: 91, Birthplace: OSTE, Year: 1878
Reg Number: 3340

....Now just dont hold your breath waiting for me to find something in Bendigo! I expect to go in a few weeks. (40 minute drive) I'll make a note on my to do list.

Christine

Hi Sarah,

I have been to Bendigo but not 'to do' family history stuff. Umm, I seem to recall you telling me, soon after this posting, that the hospital records were located by a cousin of your cousin with easy access to Bendigo? It is all sorted now isn't it?

Christine