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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: ryanh315 on Thursday 01 June 23 15:38 BST (UK)
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Hi all,
can anybody help me decipher Henry WATSON's occupation?
Many thanks
Ryan
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Oh that's a bit difficult, could you maybe show a clip with Henry Watson in the middle so we can see the top part more clearly?
What year census is it - 1841? Does he survive to the next one, if so what occupation does he have there?
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Sure here it is!
It is the 1851 census; as far as I know, it is the only census he appears on as, for most of the time, he was based in British Guiana. His children, however, do appear in further censuses. Mainly boarding schools or with family.
He died in 1881 (2nd July) in London. However, I can't find a suitable census record in 1881. So I assume he was still based in Guiana.
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First part may be-
Attorney at Law
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That's better thank you.
Next part
"practicing at...."
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The transcription attempt sure isn't much help is it :-X
Attering At Daw Pracking At Cumerina B C Y I P Thno
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Is the last part ' JP there', ie the place he was practising law. I assume this is in the Scottish Census. He doesn't appear in the England and Wales census, as far as I can see.
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For the line above, Alexr Macintosh, the occupation appears to be 'Deputy Lieut[enant] of Invernessshire'
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The place where he is practising law looks awfully like the place where his son was born, that is in B Guia[na]?
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I think it's Demerara, in British Guiana
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The probate record of the Hon Henry Watson is on Ancestry.
Name Henry Watson
Death Age 63
Birth Date 1818
Death Date 2 Jul 1881
Death Place Euston Hotel London
Occupation Administrator General Of British Guiana
John
added
WATSON, HENRY 63
GRO Reference: 1881 S Quarter in PANCRAS Volume 01B Page 61
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Two examples of correspondence between Henry Watson in Guiana and the British Government in London concerning leave of absence:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C344810
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C344787
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WATSON, HENRY 63
GRO Reference: 1881 S Quarter in PANCRAS Volume 01B Page 61
Strange that although his birth was registered in London, on the census in 1851 his place of birth is shown as Banffshire.
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WATSON, HENRY 63
GRO Reference: 1881 S Quarter in PANCRAS Volume 01B Page 61
Strange that although his birth was registered in London, on the census in 1851 his place of birth is shown as Banffshire.
Thats his death registration.
John
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Thank you everyone for the help! Appreciate it a huge amount.
Best wishes
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Freecen transcription
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5903d7f3e9379091b1fad144/henry-watson-1851-midlothian-edinburgh-1819-?locale=en
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Thats his death registration.
John
Thanks, John. That's twice in two days, I failed to read something on RC correctly!
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This is Henry Watson's birth or baptism:
HENRY WATSON
Parents HENRY WATSON/JANET WATSON
17/05/1818
Ref 149 20 / 175
Boyndie, Banff
Monumental memorials in Boyndie include:
1878. Erected by Henry Watson, Administrator. General of British Guiana, in memory of his father, Henry Watson, who died at sea 12th January 1818, aged 26 years. Also of his mother, Janet Watson. who died at Whitehills 11th June 1816, aged 84 years; also of his sister, Janet Watson, wife of George Watson, who died 26th September 1842, aged 26 years; and of their son, William, who died 22nd May 1871, aged 30 years.
http://charlesflett.co.uk/BoyndieMI.htm
Monica
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Supporting his occupation in 1851, the British Guiana Directory for the year 1860 states:
Henry WATSON - Justice of the Peace for Demerara Attorney at law
Commissioner for administrating oaths to affidavits.
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~nyggbs/RogerAustin/TheMemoirsofBruceWatson.pdf
I think it was around 1866 that he was appointed Administrator, General of British Guiana.
Monica
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Thank you Monica!