Trying to find a British/Bermuda ancestor

[PearlStringer]

Hello,

This is my first post.

I am trying to find the first name of a female maternal ancestor who lived in Bermuda in the 19th C. I have spent many, many hours since January, and can't find her in any records.

My 4th cousin told me how the surname Scott got into his family:

My female ancestor, with the surname Scott, may have come from England to Bermuda, or may have been born there. At any rate, she had three children by a man, who may have been a former slave. However, I've seen varying birth years for Sam--anywhere from the late 1820's-1830's to 1850. Slavery was abolished in 1834, so, if he were a former slave, he couldn't have been born in 1850.

They had three sons together--the first one, either circa 1850 or 1873. The first son was named Charles Scott; then Stuart Scott; then Lou Scott.

No one knows Miss Scott's first name, nor her story. All I know is that Sam met her, fell in love, and had three sons with her. Also, since it was a mixed-race relationship, poor Sam had to spend some time living in a cave for his own safety, as someone was threatening him. Whether it was Miss Scott's family or locals, I don't know.

My Mother's family were from the Birmingham area, with a few Lancashire transplants. I can't find anything in Bermudian records.

Thank you for your advice.

[Pam Downes]

Hello PearlStringer,

Welcome to British-Genealogy.

There's a lot of 'mays' and some widely differing dates in yourpost, but not many actual facts, and it's those that we need.

My 4th cousin told me how the surname Scott got into his family:

So are Sam and his children direct ancestors of your 4th cousin, or of you? Or are they just branches?

However, I've seen varying birth years for Sam--anywhere from the late 1820's-1830's to 1850.

So where have you seen those records, and what are they? e.g. US census, baptism, death registration, family tree on Ancestry..

They had three sons together--the first one, either circa 1850 or 1873. The first son was named Charles Scott; then Stuart Scott; then Lou Scott.

That is a wide variation - basically a generation. Again, what evidence do you have for those births for Charles in either of those years?

My Mother's family were from the Birmingham area, with a few Lancashire transplants. I can't find anything in Bermudian records.

Have you found Scotts in your mother's family tree? If so, what details do you have about them?

Apologies for all the questions (and no answers) but (for me) there's not enough information to even guess at anything at the moment.

Pam

[Megan Roberts]

Where were the sons born?

[garstonite]

Lou - Lewis ?
do you think this could be him ?
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26053411
a long shot I know ...the only L Scott I could find in Bermuda
St Peters church graveyard , St Georges Parish ,Bermuda - see if they have a website - maybe someone could have a look at the head stone

[PearlStringer]

Let's revise my first post. I didn't realise that I had to prove my research in my post. Please understand that when I say that I saw records stating something that I did as much research as possible before posting it here. Also, what I state is a combination of my own research, after consulting with my fourth cousin. There were some discrepancies in things he told me, which I found out later. My own research comes from online Census records, immigration records, family trees, FamilySearch.org,Ancestry.com and similar sites, and I have spent about 1-3 hours on the average each day since January researching this mystery.

1. My maternal Great-Grandmother's maiden name was Scott.

2. Sam, a Black man living in Bermuda. Born circa 1850, probably in Bermuda.

3. My female White ancestor, whose maiden name was Scott. From here on, I will refer to her as "Miss Scott". No idea where she was born, circa 1850. I am trying to find her first name.

4. Sam met and fell in love with Miss Scott. I don't think they were married. I believe that inter-racial marriage was not legal in Bermuda at the time(?), so, if they were ever married, it could not have been in Bermuda.

5. Sam and Miss Scott had two sons: Charles and Stuart, born circa 1873.

6. Sam either took Miss Scott's surname as his own or perhaps his descendants just referred to him as Sam Scott (?).

7. His sons, Charles and Stuart certainly had the surname "Scott".

8. My cousin told me that Lou was one of Sam's and Miss Scott's sons, but I went to one of his family tree posts on another site and saw that Lou was actually the wife of Stuart Scot--complete with a photo of them together. So, Lou Scott was a female. Sorry for the confusion!

9. I share my DNA with my fourth cousin via Miss Scott.

10. I am trying to find Miss Scott's first name and any other information.

11. No one knows the death dates of Sam or Miss Scott. My cousin's family do not seem to know what happened to them. Judging by Sam's photo, I'd estimate that he was around 50-55. He was dressed up in a suit, for a formal studio portrait, complete with a flower in his lapel. I think this may have be a photo connected with one of his sons' wedding--and that age would put Sam in his 50's then, circa 1903.

12. Charles Scott is listed in the 1930 U.S. Census as being 57 years of age. Mother's birthplace=Bermuda (and also his Father, Sam's birthplace is listed as Bermuda).


Thank you.

[Pam Downes]

Let's revise my first post. I didn't realise that I had to prove my research in my post.

It isn't so much about proving your research, it was more about clarifying some of the information you gave. And if you read a hundred other posts in the forum, you'll probably find that in a quite high percentage of them we ask 'where did you find these details'.

Please understand that when I say that I saw records stating something that I did as much research as possible before posting it here.

We don't dispute that. What is helpful is knowing which records you've already looked at as it saves us wasting tiime duplicating that research.

Also, what I state is a combination of my own research, after consulting with my fourth cousin. There were some discrepancies in things he told me, which I found out later. My own research comes from online Census records, immigration records, family trees, FamilySearch.org,Ancestry.com and similar sites,

And it was those discrepancies we were trying to clarify. (e.g. Sam possibly being born in 1850, with son Charles being born 1850 or circa 1873).

and I have spent about 1-3 hours on the average each day since January researching this mystery.

So about the same amount of time our forum members can spend helping people with their queries.

1. My maternal Great-Grandmother's maiden name was Scott.

Do I assume that you think Miss Scott was a relative, either same generation or an earlier one, of your great-grandmother? (Sorry, but I was no good at science at school so the intricacies of DNA are somewhat above my understanding.)
If so, then you need to trace your great-grandmother's sisters, mother, and aunts, etc, to find out which one(s) just seem to vanish into the ether, and which might be the elusive 'Miss Scott'.

2. Sam, a Black man living in Bermuda. Born circa 1850, probably in Bermuda.

3. My female White ancestor, whose maiden name was Scott. From here on, I will refer to her as "Miss Scott". No idea where she was born, circa 1850. I am trying to find her first name.

Do you mean white as in 'white-skinned', because in the UK White with a capital letter is understood to be a surname.

4. Sam met and fell in love with Miss Scott. I don't think they were married. I believe that inter-racial marriage was not legal in Bermuda at the time(?), so, if they were ever married, it could not have been in Bermuda.

5. Sam and Miss Scott had two sons: Charles and Stuart, born circa 1873.

6. Sam either took Miss Scott's surname as his own or perhaps his descendants just referred to him as Sam Scott (?).

7. His sons, Charles and Stuart certainly had the surname "Scott".

8. My cousin told me that Lou was one of Sam's and Miss Scott's sons, but I went to one of his family tree posts on another site and saw that Lou was actually the wife of Stuart Scot--complete with a photo of them together. So, Lou Scott was a female. Sorry for the confusion!

9. I share my DNA with my fourth cousin via Miss Scott.

10. I am trying to find Miss Scott's first name and any other information.

11. No one knows the death dates of Sam or Miss Scott. My cousin's family do not seem to know what happened to them. Judging by Sam's photo, I'd estimate that he was around 50-55. He was dressed up in a suit, for a formal studio portrait, complete with a flower in his lapel. I think this may have be a photo connected with one of his sons' wedding--and that age would put Sam in his 50's then, circa 1903.

12. Charles Scott is listed in the 1930 U.S. Census as being 57 years of age. Mother's birthplace=Bermuda (and also his Father, Sam's birthplace is listed as Bermuda).
Have you found Charles and/or Stuart on any other census?

Thank you.

Have you found Charles and/or Stuart on any census other than the 1930?

I can't see anything on the Bermudan government website about when BMD registration began. Have you contacted them to ask and, depending on the date, thought about asking them to search for a birth certificate for either Charles or Stuart?

Pam

[Jomot1]

I cant help with Sam, but I think there may also have been a daughter, Marion, born around 1872.

From the 1930 US Census (New Jersey) we have:
Sidney OBlenis Head Negro aged 42 first married aged 25 born New Jersey, as were parents. Baker
Eleanor 36 Wife Negro first married at 18. Born British Bermuda. Immigrated 1908 & Naturalised
James 19 Son Negro born New Jersey. Father born NJ, Mother Bermuda. Chauffeur Beef Truck
Sidney Jr 3.5 yrs old Negro born NJ
Eleanor Scott 54 Mother in Law Negro first married at 15. Born Bermuda. Immigrated 1908. Alien
Charles Scott 57 Father in Law Negro married at 18. Born Bermuda. Immigrated 1921. Jobbing Mason
Marjorie Lowell? 12 Niece? Negro born New Jersey, parents born Bermuda

1914 New Jersey – Sidney OBlenis married Eleanor D Scott

Living with Sidney & Eleanor in 1920 is a 9 y/o son named Albert. All are described as Mulatto

In the next household in 1920, but originally written as Cousin
Gerald Easton 25 born Bermuda. Porter
Estelle 23 born Washington. Parents born Virginia
Gerald 3yr 4m born NJ
Theodora 2yr 10m born NJ
Donald 10m born NJ
All described as Mulatto

As Gerald is the only one born Bermuda then he must be cousin to Eleanor OBlenis nee Scott, meaning one of his parents was a sibling to one of Eleanor's parents.

I've noted numerous passenger lists of various family members arriving - some multiple times, often escorting various children - including these:

Arrived 9 Aug 1907 aboard the Bermudian
Gerald Easton 11 going to mother Mrs W Easton 200 Van Houston Street Paterson NJ. Described as Mulatto

Border Crossings 13 Jun 1910
Helen Scott 18 (presumably Eleanor). Father: Charles Scott, Warwick, Bermuda
Previously in US 1909 as tourist NY
Going to Aunt, Mrs Wm Easton 395 East 27th St, Patterson NJ

Arrived 26 Aug 1909 aboard the Bermudan
Marion Easton 37. Relative in Bermuda – Stuart Scott, Brother, Paget Bermuda. Going to Husband Wm Easton
Robert Easton 5
Stewart Scott 41, Wife: Mrs S Scott, Paget Bermuda

William Easton died 8 Feb 1910 (see FindAGrave - noted as aged 39, husband of Marion) and Marion married Walter E Davis in 1913. She is on the 1920 & 1930 census, but I'm not sure after that.

1910 Census for reference (and possibly explaining William Eastons death)
1910 US Census, New Jersey Sanatorium for Tuberculosis Disease
Marion L? Easton 37 Patient, Widow, born Bermuda. 15 children born 7 still living
AND
1910 US Census Paterson Ward 4 NJ
Marion Easton 38 Head Widow born West Indies Eng. 6 children born/living. Immigrated 1904
Everett 18 Conductor Elevator
Gerald 14 Helper YMCA
Stuart 11
Jennie 9
Robert 7
Wesley 5
Robert Easton (no age) Father in Law

[Pam Downes]

Jomot1,
I won't quote your post #7, but simply say

I had tried to find Sidney and Eleanor (and Charles and Eleanor) on earlier US census, as well as Sidney and Eleanor's marriage, but without success.

You've also taught me the importance of reading every column in the US census, and not to stop after the birthplace. (Only have one distant twig - who I have yet to research - in the US.)

Pam

[PearlStringer]

The Scotts married into the Lovell family (Marjorie Lowell is a misspelling in the original record; it should be "Lovell").

I saw the immigration record for Stuart some time ago. I did see the reference to his sister (Marion), but it didn't sink in until now! I also noticed the Easton name then--but wasn't sure if they were family. My cousin doesn't list Easton in his family tree. I also questioned "Mrs. S. Scott" as Stuart's wife. Cousin is on yet another family tree site, and Lou is stated as Stu's wife--there is a photo of them together, circa 1880's, I'd say from the clothing. The OBlenises are my cousin's family, as well. John Sidney OBlenis, b. 1888 (?) married Eleanor Scott (b. 1894?)

Thank you so much!

[Jomot1]

. I also questioned "Mrs. S. Scott" as Stuart's wife. Cousin is on yet another family tree site, and Lou is stated as Stu's wife

'Mrs S Scott' may well be Lou. Women were often referred to by their husbands name but with Mrs in front, ie Mrs Stuart Scott. The records I mentioned in post #7 refer to Marion as Mrs W Easton/Mrs Wm Easton.