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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: chrisnick636 on Tuesday 29 June 10 18:39 BST (UK)
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Hi
I am hoping someone can help me by looking up Joseph Castelow, born 1819 in Wakefield, Yorkshire in the Tasmania census returns or any other records that may be relevant but aren't available online. He was transported to Norfolk Island and then to Tasmania where he worked around the Launceston & Hobart areas. He bought his freedom in August 1853. I have his convict conduct record and have asked the Archives Office of Tasmania for a copy of his indent. After 1853 he seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Any info or pointers in the right direction but be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks
Christine
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Could you please give us his parents names, this will further help in finding his death in Australia
thanks Jenn
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Hi Jenn
His parents were William Castelow (died 1823 in England) & Sarah Pickles (also died in England a couple of years after Joseph was transported). He would be about 34 years old on his release. He had two children in England who were both under five when he left in 1844 and his wife died shortly after his transportation as he was described as a widower on his arrival in the southern hemisphere. Other than their baptisms I can find no trace of them. I thought he may have returned to England to be with the children but I can't find any evidence to support that but neither can I find any evidence that he remained in Tasmania. Castelow is often written wrongly, ie Castalow, Castlow, Castlelow, etc.
Many thanks!!
Chris
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Hi there,
Joseph was granted his freedom (they couldn't "buy" it) in August 1855, not 1853 (looks as though it was written incorrectly and then changed). In 1853 he had an extra 18 month sentence added to his already colourful career, and more after that to take him up to August 1855. Sorry this doesn't help with finding him, just adds another two years in Tas. Have you found a death registered for his wife? If this info came from Joseph it may not have been true.
http://search.archives.tas.gov.au/ImageViewer/image_viewer.htm?CON33-1-83,234,46,L,80
Debra
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Hi Debra
Thank you for the information. I have been finding it hard transcribing the convict conduct record but yes, you are right it was 1855 when he was released. I thought the word next to the release date was 'cash'. Given his record, I suspect he may have come to the attention of the authorities again somewhere along the line. I know of a cluster of Castelows in the Victoria area of Australia but they come from another branch of the family who emigrated to Australia legitimately.
Thanks again
Chris
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The word just looks like a squiggle to me - I only know it says "cert" from prior knowledge of what to expect ;D If you are having problems with abbreviations, this site will help http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~austashs/convicts/conabbrev.html
Would the name COSTELLO be another possible variation?
Debra
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Hi Debra
Yes, the name could be written as Costello. Actually, tonight while I was messing around on the Tas Archives site I came across an inquest for a Joseph Costellow, age 60 who died 29 Oct 1888 from brain disease. I am pretty certain that this is him and am so happy to know he lived another 30 years after being released. It still leaves me wondering what happened to him during those 30 years and if there are more records out there.
Best wishes
Chris
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Hi
I am hoping someone can help me by looking up Joseph Castelow, born 1819 in Wakefield, Yorkshire in the Tasmania census returns or any other records that may be relevant but aren't available online. He was transported to Norfolk Island and then to Tasmania where he worked around the Launceston & Hobart areas. He bought his freedom in August 1853. I have his convict conduct record and have asked the Archives Office of Tasmania for a copy of his indent. After 1853 he seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Any info or pointers in the right direction but be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks
Christine
So he was part of the second settlement at Norfolk Island?
I found this 1846 and 1849 convict muster, is this your chap?
Moderator Comment: Images Removed. Only a small portion of an image may be for assistance with handwriting
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sorry wasn't thinking...
quoting from convict muster
number 19208 Castelow Joseph
Ship Agincourt to
place and date of trial Yorkshire 1843
sentenced to 10 years
hired by E Gosney, Hobart
and the 1846 muster
Castelow Joseph tried Yorkshire 10 years
Agincort to Norfolk Island
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Hi Chris,
I am researching Ann Middleton, who I think was Joseph's wife in England. Do you have any evidence that she died (other than his status on arrival in Australia)?
My research suggests that she lived with and had several children with my great-grandfather, John Rayner (born c1820, Wakefield) and is therefore my great-grandmother. She appears on the census with him between 1851 and 1881 and also died in 1888.
I can find no evidence that they ever married, although she used the name Rayner. The lack of a marriage would make sense, if she was still married to Joseph.
There is also a George Rayner on the 1851 census, who could be the younger of Joseph's two children (the age is right).
thanks
Kate
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Hi Kate
Many thanks for your message. The only evidence I have to suggest Ann died was taken from the indent that was filled out when Joseph was transferred between Norfolk Island and Tasmania. In the remarks column I think it says: "Sent a letter at Norfolk Island from my sister saying my wife was dead." The writing is very hard to read but I'm pretty certain it says "dead". However, despite hours of research I can find no evidence that she did die. I have found her first son, Thomas, living with Ann's parent's but can find no further information on George. Your message today came as quite a shock but I wouldn't put anything past this family. I have evidence that Ann was involved in Joseph's crimes if you haven't already come across this yourself.
One question, how did you come to the conclusion that Ann was a 'Middleton'?
Looking forward to taking this further. Are you on Ancestry?
Kind regards
Chris
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Thanks for responding, Chris.
I got Ann's name from her daughter's birth certificate (Catherine Rayner, born 1864 in Sheffield)
I guess the letter from the sister was a way of cutting links to Joseph. Ann had another child in 1846 in Wakefield, according to the census returns, followed by a couple somewhere around Manchester and they finally settled in Sheffield. John was a file cutter.
Interesting stuff!
Kate