John Rintoul REID 1874-1922

vickory · Post by **vickory** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:29 am

Hello Everyone,

I have received the probate packet for John Rintoul REID, which included his handwritten will

so am very pleased & would like to thank all who helped in my searching.

John was the son of David REID & Jane RINTOUL, born Glasgow 1874 & died in Shanghai, China in 1922.
His estate was bequeathed to his Mother Jane & nieces Jean & Isobel BAILLIE

I'm happy to share a copy with any other descendants.

Regards, Vicki.

Post by **joette** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:36 pm

Great I bet it makes great reading.

vickory · Post by **vickory** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:26 pm

Hello Joette,

Yes it certainly was interesting reading... informative, too informative because now I have heaps of new names to chase up

Now if I can just locate the death certificate to go with it I'll be really pleased.

Seems strange to have the probate before the death certificate but at least I now have something.

Regards, Vicki.

Post by **joette** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:42 pm

Would love to see that.I know this sounds daft but will it be in Cantonese with an English translation or will it be one which was recorded in the British Embassy there?.

Post by **SarahND** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:55 pm

vickory wrote:Seems strange to have the probate before the death certificate but at least I now have something.

In most of my ancestors in the U.S. all I can ever find is the probate, since death certificates are a relatively recent requirement (for some states not until well in the 20th century). Sounds like you have a fascinating document!

Regards,
Sarah

vickory · Post by **vickory** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:36 pm

Oh my goodness Joette...
It never entered my head that the death cert might be in Cantonese or anything other than English... well I'll worry about that if ever I track it down.

The probate comes under the letterhead of...
"Petition for probate form 95...
In His Britannic Majesty's Supreme Court for China... at Shanghai"
signed by Registrar G.W. KING.

John died at the Victoria Nursing Home, Shanghai... I just presumed the death cert would be in English.
Trouble is that his Mariner's papers say the death cert was sent to Sydney, AUS 9/9/1922, that seemed a long time lapse from his death 15/4/1922, Sydney authorities say they don't have nor have ever had any such cert.

My fear is... what if the cert was sent to Sydney but to a private person rather than an authority... surely that wouldn't be the case, well I hope not because I'll never find it if that happened.

I must try harder to find someone that understands the chinese system.

The shipping company that he was employed by have no records surviving either.

The probate was granted 29/5/1922 & there is a notation that says " Duty Certificate No. 16 of 1922 issued on 16th June 1922."

I don't know what 'duty certificate' means, perhaps this was the 16th probate of a British subject processed in Shanghai in 1922.

John was a Scot, his mariners papers were issued in AUS, he died in China, I found the probate at UK National Archives... I know he travelled to USA, perhaps I should look there for the death cert

Regards, Vicki.