Aaaawww! Why Mauritius?.....

Post by **emanday** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 6:33 pm

My Grandad, George Stewart, was born in 1882 to John Stewart and Ann Robertson. Couldn't find any signs of either John's or Ann's births although on the 1881 Census (Barony, Lanark) it says she was born in Stirling and he was born in Glasgow. I dare say they are out there somewhere, but that same census also brought up the fact that John's younger brother by 11 years, Robert, had been born in, of all places, Mauritius

His sister Margaret, 15 years younger than John, was born in Glasgow

Now I'm wondering if John was also actually born in Mauritius. I mean could his parents have gone out to Mauritius between him and Margaret, having Robert while out of the country?

What sort of situation where both man and wife travel so far?

As I said - Aaaawww! Why Mauritius?

Post by **Tracey** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:22 pm

What sort of situation where both man and wife travel so far?

John was a soldier ?

Having the Attestation papers (period 1828-1849) of one of mine helps explain why............
He married his wife in Malta and one of his children was born at sea on the way to Bermuda

One possibility.................................

k

Post by **emanday** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:29 pm

Good thinking!! =D> Not sure about the soldiering - but it is very possible. It would certainly explain a lot.

What are Attestation papers and where would I find them, please

Post by **paddyscar** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:00 am

Hi Emanday:

As Tracey offered, maybe John's father was a military man, so he may have been stationed to that part of "The Empire", taking his wife and child with him.

By 1882 the Suez Canal had been opened, so Mauritius would have been off the Main shipping lanes for a birth to have taken place while 'on the way to' India, Australia, etc.

What occupation is listed for him in the 1881 and the 1901 census?

Could he have been attached to commerce, sugar or shipping? There's a significant gap in the children's ages (given the time) so they could have been stationed abroad as you say.

Frances

Post by **emanday** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:43 am

Bit of a breakthrough since my last post (though my living kith and kin will be surprised to find that we are a little bit more than just a quarter Irish

).

Discovered he married in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland in 1845; This from IGI, but no indication of occupation then. On John's marriage record in 1872 he was shown as a Carpet Weaver.

I think I'll have to list this all out properly and put it in my next "episode". Maybe I have got completely off track (it has happened before!!).

Post by **paddyscar** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:04 am

Wouldn't seem that a carpet weaver would be in 'high demand' in Mauritius, does it?

Bit of a breakthrough since my last post (though my living kith and kin will be surprised to find that we are a little bit more than just a quarter Irish ).

Then, Emanday, you may be interested in IanS's post:

IanS wrote:A chance for anyone with Irish ancestors to have a free go on Irish Origins.

Quote from todays newsletter.
The Origins Network is offering free access to both British and Irish
Origins on the 4th July to celebrate US Independence Day. Free access
will begin at 00.00GMT and will run until 08.00GMT on the 5th July 2006.
In order to access, simply go to www.originsnetwork.com and click on
the link to sign up or login
Unquote

Happy hunting

Post by **emanday** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:17 am

Wouldn't seem that a carpet weaver would be in 'high demand' in Mauritius, does it?

Oh, I wouldn't say carpet weavers might not be useful in the military. My Dad served in the Royal Artillery before and all through WW2. Did Dunkirk and D-Day, plus a few other assorted fracas.
Tell you what, though; He reckoned he earned a few cigarettes because he was good at repairing kit like webbing and the like

.

Then, Emanday, you may be interested in IanS's post:

IanS wrote:
A chance for anyone with Irish ancestors to have a free go on Irish Origins.

Quote from todays newsletter.
The Origins Network is offering free access to both British and Irish
Origins on the 4th July to celebrate US Independence Day. Free access
will begin at 00.00GMT and will run until 08.00GMT on the 5th July 2006.
In order to access, simply go to www.originsnetwork.com and click on
the link to sign up or login
Unquote

Sounds well worth a visit.

Post by **emanday** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:35 pm

$\:D/$ Found a record of Robert's birth in a list of Army Births & Baptisms on 1837...

Stewart, Robert - Born Mauritius 1859. Father's Regiment 5th, VOL 924 Page 7

Here's the thing... Volume 924 page 7 of WHAT exactly? Anyone know

Post by **paddyscar** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 3:35 am

emanday wrote: $\:D/$ Found a record of Robert's birth in a list of Army Births & Baptisms on 1837...

Stewart, Robert - Born Mauritius 1859. Father's Regiment 5th, VOL 924 Page 7

Here's the thing... Volume 924 page 7 of WHAT exactly? Anyone know

Emanday- There is a topic 'Armed Forces' in the forum, where you might wish to post this query as well.

Frances

ninatoo · Post by **ninatoo** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 4:14 am

Hmmm, can somepne help? I signed up for origins free offer. I did a search. When I ckick on the results I am told I have to subscribe to British Origins to see it. Does that mean I have to sign in th BO too, and is it for free today too?

Nina