Cape of Good Hope

[Tuppence]

My gr.grandfather's 2 eldest sons were born in the Cape of Good Hope and I am wondering why he would have been there and how would I find out if that was where he married. I have tried the S.A. site with no luck. Does anyone know what was happening around 1845 - 1852 that he would have been out there. Thanks
Tuppence

[Sue Mackay]

There were considerable trading links with the Cape, and at this period a lot of British navigators went out to contructs roads and railways. I also know of at least two sea captains whose wives travelled with them on certain long voyages and even although the children were born on board, presumably somewhere off the coast of Africa, some later census returns listed them as being born at the Cape. Also not all emigrants to the Cape stayed there. perhaps they emigrated, got homesick, and returned.

A lot of 19c South African baptisms and marriages have been transcribed by members of the ZA-IB Rootsweb list. What was your great grandtaher's name?

[Geoffers]

As suggested by Sue, where to look depends very much on his occupation. Do you have any clues as to that from census returns, certificates, family knowledge?

Geoffers

[Tuppence]

Hi Sue & Geoffers,
Thanks.
Here is what I have so far:
George Gamblen (Gamblin, Gambling) born 18 June 1820 Titchfield, Hants
1841 Titchfield Census he appears to be the head of the family as there is no mention of their parents.
1861 Census he was a publican of the "Horse & Groom" in Buriton. There were 4 sailors staying there at that time.
1871 Census he is now a labourer and Methodist preacher.
At some point he married a Maria but have not yet located where. His son George William and Charles were born 1849 and 1851 respectively at the Cape.
Maria is supposed to have been born in Buriton but have not found her in any list from there as yet and this is the info that she gave to the census takers.
Should he have been aboard a ship where could I get that info or is it possible that he was a publican out there? Just thinking aloud so to speak.
Thanks
Tuppence

[Geoffers]

I wondered if he might have been in the services and so searched TNA's online catalogue: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/
I couldn't find him - There's a gap in indexed records into which he could fall - However, enter 'GAMBLIN' in the name field and in the document or class field, enter WO97 and you get a single hit which may or may not be a relative of your chap - maybe his father?

So, since some of your family were born in South Africa and just maybe George was in the army, you might try searching the military records on the pay-per-view site 1837online - check for births under both the Regimental Registers of births 1861-1924 and also the Army Chaplains' returns of births 1796-1880 (also check the army chaplain returns for a possible marriage of George).

continued......

[Geoffers]

part 2....

You mention a date of birth for your chap - so presumably you know where he was born - it may be worth checking the records held at TNA in MH12 - these record applications for assisted emigration as a result of the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834. It may be that George just wanted to emigrate.

Does anyone know what was happening around 1845 - 1852 that he would have been out there

There was a skirmish in 1845 at Zwartkopjes. The Free State was annexed in 1848, the British abandoned Bloemfontein as a result of an uprising and a force under the Governer Sir Harry Smith defeated the Boers at Boomplaats. 1852 the independence of the Transvaal was recognized.

Geoffers

[nancyt]

Hello Tuppence,
I've only just joined but looking through posts saw yours. Though sent some time ago I wonder if you are still looking for information about your G Grandfather.
My G Grandfather William Robert Ashfield was in the Cape about 1851, according to his army records he was there for 11 years serving with the 73rd of foot. His wife was out there with him. They married in Swansea in 1843. Had two children born in South Africa about 1851 and 1856.So I assume she went with him. I would love to know more about them out there and what they were involved with., but his army record is very basic just detailing how long he spent in each country in all. So I'm not sure if the 11 years were just one posting or two or three even. I would love to know how your search went.
nancyt

[kay70]

Dear Tuppence, I think that we may very well be related in some way, you have described my GGG Grandad and his family tree, it would be very interesting to hear from you. HTH Kay.

[Barnzzz]

Hi Tuppence, my GG grandfather (John) went there in 1849. He couldn't make his mind up whether to go to the California gold rush with his friend, or to try South Africa where they were offering land to settlers. In the end he decided he wasn't sure about his friend and went to Africa.

This point in South Africa's history was fairly quiet, it was before the Zulu wars and before diamonds were discovered. Settlers were being offered land grants around this time and this tempted a lot of people to go. Many people travelled in groups but John went on his own although he travelled with a party of Wesleyans.

John claimed his land but discovered it flooded every year ! After various failed ventures he went home to Hartlepool. If he hadn't, I suppose I'd be speaking to you from South Africa now !

Sue