Jemima Aitken

[Hugh Thompson]

Hi everyone, I'm trying to find where in Scotland my great grandmother, Jemima Thompson,maiden name Aitken born 1855, might have come from.
All that I know is that she was born in Scotland,parents,Robert and Elizabeth Aitken,sailed to Australia when I don't know, and married my great grandfather in Brisbane in 1874.My great grandfather,William Fraser Thompson was born 1853 Parkhill Angus. I know it's a long shot but maybe someone out there might know something. Many thanks if you do,Hugh

[michaelpipe]

Checked out Scotland's People website, and the only Jemima Aitkin I found around that time (1855) was born in Hawick, Roxburgh, but parents names were John Aitkin and Mary Mitchell, so presumably not the right one.

[birdlip]

Hi Hugh,

don't know if this is any help but I found a Robert AITKEN (or AITKENS) on the HELENSLEE, dep Glasgow 16th April 1862, arr Moreton Bay 9th Aug 1862. All the passengers were apparently Scots. He was travelling Steerage and seemed to be alone. Could be the father emigrating first, then later sending for his wife and children? Its the right port anyway, if Jemima married there a few years later.

Do you know if Jemima came out by herself or with her family as a child? Are there any death records for Robert and Elizabeth in Australia?

regards birdlip

[Hugh Thompson]

Hi Michaelpipe and Birdlip, Congrats Michael,you actually found a Jemima Aitken,I'm dammed if I could, it's a shame the parents weren't the right ones.This girl is a mystery to me but maybe the Robert Aitken that birdlip found in the shipping list could be the one. the time line's right,did it say where he was from? Thanks to both of you. Hugh.

[birdlip]

No details about where he was from, sorry. Other than in the notes it says that all the passengers were Scots.

[Hugh Thompson]

I just found the Helenslee in 1866.I can't find my bookmark for Queensland shipping arrivals (I reorganized them,might take a while),the trouble is that Queensland gained statehood in 1859 I think it was, and their records aren't as easy to get to as New South Wales but I'll find it and search the 1862 lists and see what I can come up with.

HELENSLEE - 1866
Master: Captain W. Brown
Rigging: Ship; sheathed in felt and yellow metal in 1865; fastened with copper bolts
Tonnage: 798 tons
Dimensions: 162.6 feet long, 33.4 foot beam and holds 16.5 feet deep
Construction: 1862, McMillan in Dumbarton; repairs to damages in 1863
Owners: Albion Shipping Co.
Port of registry: Glasgow
Port of survey: Clyde
Voyage: sailed for New Zealand

[Hugh Thompson]

I've just found 5 birth entries for Queensland. parents, Robert aitken and Elizabeth Read, it actually gives mother's maiden names.
years, 1869,1871,1873,1877.1879. I suppose it could be the same family.

[birdlip]

Well maybe.. but probably only if Jemima was the very first child of the marriage. Otherwise, its a possibility that the Robert you've found was an older brother of Jemimas. He could be the same one that came out on the Helenslee. I would certainly hang on to them all though, they may connect up somehow.

[Hugh Thompson]

I've just downloaded every Aitken Born, Died, and Married,in Queensland 1840-1920,it might take a day or two to go through them all.Now I'll try to find ship Helenslee in 1862. I have found a Robert and Elizabeth Aitken apparently with family,looks like this Robert's sibilings and some children,arriving Brisbane 1855,ship William Miles,But No Jemima. Will keep looking.Hugh.

[birdlip]

That'll keep you busy! Its worth doing though I think, especially when the population of Q'land was relatively small back then.

The other thing to look at is what did Jemima call her children? Families at that date would still be using the Scottish naming pattern fairly consistently. You may be able to match some names with families you find, especially if there are some unusual Christian names, or surnames as middle names.

regards birdlip