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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Berwickshire => Topic started by: aspin on Sunday 23 March 08 21:35 GMT (UK)
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Published in the Genealogist Australia June 1993
From the deaths Column of Berwick Advertiser July 2nd 1854
"At Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,drowned on the 1st April
last by the upsetting of a boat whilst-in the
execution of his duty as a pilot and attempting to
land the crew and passengers of the brig,Columbine,
wrecked outside the Heads , Captain Matthew Davidson
late of Spittal ,Berwick on Tweed.Deceased left a
widow ans five children to deplore his loss
This has been passed onto me by another relative who is also searching the Davidson Tree can anyone help
I have 2 Matthew Davidsons father and son both from Spittal matthew sen born 1803-1860
Matthew jun 1831-1862
Elizabeth
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The death of this Mathew Davidson appears to be well documented ... another report similar to that passed to you appeared in the Newcastle Courant newspaper published on Friday 28th July 1854 although this entry gives no mention to the Widow or children.
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Thank you Falkyrn
He is most likely of the same family I just wondered where he fits in
Should I enter this into the Australia thread and maybe someone could find out something about the Ship
I have tried an Australian site i have but cannot find the ship never mind Matthew Davidson
Elizabeth
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Either reposting the query on the Australia board or asking a Moderator to move this thread there might yield better results.
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Ive never done anything like this before
I clicked on the moderator but its for abuse
Elizabeth
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There's no problem clicking on "Report to Moderator" and making your request ..... one of its uses is for reporting abuse but it can be used for other things. . The other way is on the Rootschat home page there is a list of users online at that time, the moderators are in red and clicking on their names should allow you to send them a PM (Personal message).
It may be easier overall to simply post a new message in the Emigrants to Australia board and if you wish post a link back to this thread.
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Thank will do so
Elizabeth
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It would seem that there were several ships using the name Columbine during that period.
One of these was HMS Columbine was an 18 gun brig who ended her days as a coal depot ship in the late 1850's.
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/explore/object.cfm?ID=BHC3266
I don't think this would have been the ship concerned as there would have been a bigger fuss made of any difficulties involving a Naval ship .
There would also appear to have been at least two merchant ships bearing the name, one which plied a trade between Europe and the UK and the second a schooner which went from India to the UK although the reports do not mention the owners of the ships, again neither of these fits as the newspaper report refers to the "Brig" Columbine.
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Had a look in there its a lovely painting
I have posted the letter in the Australia thread so will see if they can help me
Thank you again
Falkyrn
Elizabeth
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Elizabeth
I have discs of BMDs in Victoria, Australia from 1836 onwards but no Matthew Davidson appears for 1854. Your post mentions two by that name but the death years don't agree with the newspaper report of 1854. If there was a drowning, it's likely there would have been a magisterial inquest (have a similar thing with a member of my family who migrated here and drowned in a creek). Our State Library in Melbourne keeps the microfilms of all Victorian newspapers so I could try there if you can confirm the year. Any information would be helpful. There's lots of info available in Oz if you know where to start looking. I'm no expert but will have a go.
If you want, contact me on
Moderator comment: email address removed to prevent spam and other abuses. Please use the Personal Message system to exchange such details.
I was born in Dunbar and know the East Lothian/Berwickshire area very well. Now in Oz. Happy to help where I can.
Cheers, Gillian
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Thanks Gillian for your reply
I have a feeling this Matthew Davidson is a nephew to my Matthew 1808 - 1860
as you say the dates differ
I cannot find anymore on this family of Davidsons to my direct line
I have some other family of Davidsons born London
this was with the help of rootschat
Any help will do
don't put yourself out in any way
Gillian I was up at Dunbar just last week our accountants office is there
it was a cold damp day then just like it is today
Elizabeth