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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: sanmiles84 on Monday 30 March 09 23:35 BST (UK)
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Would anyone be so kind enough to find out how my Great Grandfather came to Australia?
Benjamin Thomas Miles
Born: 26 Jun 1901, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, Wales (Biracah Cottage, Goodwick.).
Marriage: 12 Feb 1924, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Death: 15 Dec 1953, North Melbourne, Vicotira, Australia
So, I know that he came to Australia sometime before 1924...
His Parents names were: John Miles and Hannah Mary Williams.
Any help would be highly appreciated. :)
Sandra
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Hi Sandra
Just did a basic search on http://www.ancestorsonboard.com/HomePageController.action and ruling out a few "B Miles" this is all I could come up with
MILES B Sex Unknown Arrived 1919 From Liverpool to Australia
Unfortunately that doesn't confirm anything.
There were some Benjamins with the wrong birth year, and a B Miles with the correct birth year but listed as Female(?).
Les
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do you know his wifes' name?
Leanne
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From
http://proarchives.imagineering.com.au/index_search.asp?searchid=23
MILES B 40 years Arrived May 1919 KURSK Port B Fiche 925 Page 003
Age a tad out :)
Leanne he was married in Vic in 1924 to Laurel BURROWS.
Cheers
Cando
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There is an interesting passport entry enquiry on:
http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/recordsearch/index.aspx
For a Benjamin Thomas MILES with wife Laurel.
Does not answer Sandras' question re: when Benjamin arrived but she may be interested to look at the entry.
It is digitised.
Leanne
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While "Googling" Benjamin Thomas Miles, I came up with another post from Sandra on the Ancestry Notice Board. On it she indicates she thought(?) her Benjamin may have been a merchant seaman (if that helps anyone here). She also has his Australian marriage to Laurel, and a second marriage where he was charged with bigamy. It appears Sandra does has a fair bit on him in Australia, its just his arrival to Australia she really wants to find.
Sandra, perhaps you could enlighten RootsChatters a bit on this theory of him being a merchant seaman? Some one here could then try that course of research.
Les
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Les there are two records one for voluntary enlistment in the Militia in 1939 on NAA but with wife Maud. Is it the same person ? Lists time 1915-1918 as mercantile marine.
Another for an enlistment in 1944 in Sydney for his son with same name and NOK Laurel.
Cando
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There is a B (possibly BT) MILES who is a seaman up and down the east coast in about 1919-1921. The problem is he appears to have been born in about 1888 and he says in London.
There is one in 1821 says BT Miles aged 24 but again it lists birth in England.......Kris :)
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The second marriage in SA
MILES Thomas 24 Single father George MILES = BELL Bella Maud 19 Single father George BELL 25 July 1925 Salvation Army Citadel Adelaide Dist Ade 304 220
so it would appear he used the name Thomas. (or at least in SA) Also fathers name does not agree :-\
There was a child born to "Thomas" and Bella in 1926. SA births are only available to 1928. Will be happy to pass on the details of the birth privately if you dont have it. (possible living person)
Kris :)
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There is also a birth of a son to Benjamin and Laurel in SA on 27 Jan 1925.
Cando
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As Sandra is currently off-line, and there are a few RootsChatters trying to help, this is part the information Sandra had in her other posting. It may help. Other parts of her posting dealt with his family's Welsh background.
Amendment: Another RootsChatter Pm'ed me about this reply, indicating it was thought I could in breach of copyright using information from another board. This reply was only copied in part, and therefore I thought it was okay. The infomation was taken from another public forum notice board as RootsChat is. To allivate any concerns, I have edited this original reply, and just added facts that I read from the other public Notice Board.
Facts:
*Benjamin Thomas Miles*
Born: 26 Jun 1901, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Sandra could not find him on 1901 Welsh Census.
In 1924 he married a Laurel Burrows in Victoria.
He married a year Bella Maud Bell. He went to prison for 6 months for
bigamy.
In 1939 he joined the military service. His wife is indicated as Bella Maud Miles.
His military record indicates he was in the Mercantile Marine between 1915 and 1918. -
Sandra thought he amy have been a seaman i]
Sandra, hope you didn't mind me doing this - just trying to help you and the other RootsChatters ;D
Les
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The 1901 census was taken on the 31 March 1901, therefore Benjamin will not be on it as he was not born intil the 26 June. His parents should be, but you may now have all that..........Kris
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Sandra do you have his death certificate? The years in Victoria should be detailed and that may narrow down the period to search. If he was a seaman there is the possibility that he may have jumped ship.
I see that Bella [d.1964], Benjamin and their daughter Barbara Joyce [d.1936]who was born in Adelaide are buried at Fawkner.
and another snippet
Australian Electoral Rolls
1936 Victoria
MILES Benjamin Thomas 125 Arden Street North Melbourne Labourer
MILES Bella Maud 125 Arden Street, North Melbourne HD.
Cando
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Thank you all for your help, It is highly appreciated.
As you would have noticed I have been searching for years on how Benjamin Thomas Miles came to Australia and when. I dont want to give up searching so i thought i would see if anyone could help me on Rootschat.
Thank you Cando, I had found the Birth of a daughter between Benjamin and his second wife Bella Maud Miles (late Bell). Unfortunately she died 10 years later.
Thank you Kris, I had the marriage details to Bella already and yes Benjamin lied about his father. He was also already married at the time :) He did go to prison for 6 months for Bigamy. (Yatala labour prison).
Dear Les,
Thank you for your help. I have located most of Benjamins Records on the National Archives, and it was here that i came across the enlistment for a Volunteer in the army. On this document it states that he was in the "Mercantile Marine between 1915 - 1918". However, I have not been able to find anything in regards to this.
I did also see on the National archives that there is a passport enquirey from his first Wife Laurel and it also states that she did not know how or when he came to Australia. she has just advised that it was sometime before 1924. (which is obvious since thats when they were married).
I dont really have any further information then what is aleady on this forum. If anyone would know another way he might have come to Australia or how to find any records for the Mercantile Marine, it would be appreicated.
Dear Cando,
Yes i have his death Certificate. It states "Wales, Great Brittain, 30 Years in Victoria".
He died 15 Dec 1953 in Victoria aged 52 years.
Thank you,
Sandra
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30 Years in Victoria
Well if accurate that would mean he emigrated in 1923.
Cheers
Cando
Edit to amend info
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Sandra on Benjamin's enlistment in 1939 he mentions 1915-1918 Merchant Marine and written below there is something about War medals....read this link.
http://www.medalsuk.co.uk/ww1/ww1index.html
Mercantile Marine Medal This medal was awarded by the Board of Trade to personnel who had served at sea for not less than 6 months between 04 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 and had made at least one voyage through a war or danger zone.
I think you should post another request for help to locate a possible record in the UK. Perhaps someone on the Armed Forces board could point you in the right direction for the Merchant Marine records.
Link to Armed Forces Board
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/board,300.0.html
Good luck
Cando
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Dear sanmiles84 - I know of a George Henry Miles who lived in Lower Fishguard - no more than a couple of miles from Berracah Cottage. He had a son called Percy who is named on the war memorial at Fishguard as he was killed in WWII in 1941 aged 21 yrs. There may be some connection ???? I can certainly find out more. Berracah is a chapel which is still a going concern, though the membership is dwindling & I'm sure that I have a photo of the old cottage across the road as it was. I could also take a digital snap of it as it stands today. It has a lovely view across Fishguard Bay. Are you interested ?? - hhughes