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Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: TadlowNewell on Friday 21 June 24 13:44 BST (UK)
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Benjamin Birkett and Martha Jane nee Hogg and their three sons travelled from England to Wellington, NZ in 1840/41 aboard the Slains Castle, and that during the voyage five births took place.
"The "Slains Castle," commanded by Captain James Petrie, left Deal on the 18th September 1840, and arrived on the 29th January 1841, with 41 married couples, 24 single men, 21 single women, 42 children under fourteen, 34 under seven and 15 under one. 5 births and 4 deaths occurred on board"
Source: New Zealand Settler Ships - Slains Castle 1841 (geni.com)
I suspect one of these five births on board must have been of Martha Birkett but, frustratingly, no names are given for these five births on any passenger list nor transcription (of which there are several)
The first evidence we have to support my contention is that on Martha's 1882 death certificate it is recorded that she was born at sea in 1840. i.e. date and location fits. See partial image of her death certificate. NB she lived with but never formally married Thomas Nodder because her first husband, John Slarks Jnr lived until 1913.
The second evidence is that on Martha's 1858 marriage certificate, (to John Slarks Jnr) one witness is 'Edward Birket'. This is, I believe, Martha's brother, born 1833. i.e. the name fits. He was one of the three sons who sailed on the Slains Castle. He was baptised in Wouldham, Kent, England 13 Oct 1833.
The third evidence is that there is a 'Martha Jane Burkitt' listed in the UK "Index to Marine Births 1837-1862" (see attached) but it is only an index of names, with no date nor parents etc. so no proof this is the 'correct' Martha. The index (partial image attached) is available on Family Search here:
FamilySearch Catalog: Index to marine births (births at sea), 1837-1965 — FamilySearch.org
[url]https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/731089?availability=Family%20History%20Library[/url
and also in FindMyPast British Armed Forces and overseas births and baptisms | findmypast.co.uk
Last, it would seem conventional to name one's first daughter after her mother and both are named Martha Jane.
So the circumstantial evidence seems to me compelling, but I need to somehow see the actual entry
in the UK Marine Births Register. Hopefully it will tell me the birth was in 1840 on Slains Castle, and that her parents were Benjamin and Martha Jane, thereby providing documentary evidence of her parents.
Can anyone 'see' the original entries in the Register online, or tell me how/where I can get sight of them?
Make my day, and thanks in advance.
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Here's the two missing attachments
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The FindMyPast Consular/Overseas birth entry includes "Line Number 97" - this I believe is the GRO reference number to be entered when ordering the certificate from the GRO.
i
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Hi TadlowNewell,
I can't assist with your query but I can provide a link regarding the Slains Castle's adventures after leaving Wellington in 1841, recorded in Henry Brett's White Wings (volume II).
THE LUCKY SLAINS CASTLE
https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Bre02Whit-t1-body-d2-d3-d3.html
I certainly agree with you that all the circumstantial evidence you have found suggests that Martha was one of those children born during the voyage to New Zealand.
Spades
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The FindMyPast Consular/Overseas birth entry includes "Line Number 97" - this I believe is the GRO reference number to be entered when ordering the certificate from the GRO.
i
On the GRO site, instead of going to the usual search the index, select top right “order a certificate or PDF” follow through all the questions and eventually you get to a question about the GRO index number. Enter the references from the index you posted, and as Hanes Teulu said, FindMyPast has the additional note “line 97”.
But there is also the option to just give the year and ask them to search.
£12.50 for the first option and £16 for the second. Eek.
I agree with Spades. I think you have sufficient circumstantial evidence.
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is this any help - Edward Birketts tree - but remember not all trees are correct
https://gw.geneanet.org/saxtrix?lang=en&pz=keven+frank&nz=shaw&p=edward&n=birkett
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Did Benjamin Birkett/Burkett leave a Will?
Children may be named.
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Nothing found on Archives NZ search portal for either spelling.
Spades
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Yes I looked also.
Trees dont seem to know when Benj died also;
Found this interesting;
🌀 R24445022
From: Henry St Hill, Sheriff, Wellington Date:14 August 1844 Subject: Reporting escape and recapture of "Benjamin Birkett" from Gaol
1844 Wellington
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There is also a Martha Jane Birket Marriage 1851 to William Mayers 1851 on F/S.Org.
+ Death Reg;
1854/389 Mayrs Marth Jane age 43Y
EDIT the Tree that has Benjaim possibly dying in Berkshire is incorrect as you likely know.
BURRETT, BENJAMIN age 77
GRO Reference: 1841 M Quarter in WOKINGHAM UNION Volume 06 Page 206
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Thanks Trish1130, Well done for finding Martha Hogg/Burkett/Mayers death entry, despite both surname and firstname being misspelled! I am impressed!
Benjamin Burkett was in hospital 1848 (https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ourstuff/ColonialHos2.htm (https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ourstuff/ColonialHos2.htm)) and Martha remarried 1851 (NZ BDM reg. 1851/1485) suggesting Benjamin died sometime around 1849/50
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My New Zealand colleague, who is related to Martha Burkett is going to request a certificate following the instructions provided by MCHKA. I will let you all know the outcome.
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Please do let us know the outcome :)
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My correspondent in NZ received Martha's birth certificate from GRO a few days ago. Attached is a heavily cropped version. We were correct that Martha really was born on Slains Castle on the way to NZ. The details given here were apparently very helpful when filling out the request from GRO.
Amazingly, it seems the ship left Deal on 18 Sep 1840, and Martha was born just four days later, on 22 Sep 1840. One can only imagine how her heavily pregnant mother felt as she stepped aboard.
If anyone wants a full copy I can ask my correspondent.
Topic can be re-closed now. Thanks for all your help.
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Thank you for coming back with that. It is Always satisfying when you are proven correct!
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Congratulations TadlowNewell,
You cracked it. :) :) 8) 8)
Spades
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Excellent ;D