John Wilkinson Barker -arrival in Aust.?

[trish251]

Hi Del

I went to the archives today & had a few wins - (but more losses). There were 8 references I found to John Barkers in the immigrants index - including one only John W - who is probably the one you have been checking. I checked two that referenced the paper files, but then realised they were 1860s and too early for your John. I ran out of time to look at any of the others - on film. Let me know if you would like me to check them in the future. On the index is simply the name and a reference to the file number - sometimes you get an age but usually not - which is annoying. The paper files are very quick to check - the films take a little longer.

Trish

[DelB]

Hi Trish,
Many thanks for taking the time to do that for me.  If there are no ages on record it's a bit of a lost cause so don't spend any more time on it.  I'll pursue the English end and continue checking the census reports to see if I can track him down that way and at least find out when he was in England.  As I haven't found him in the 1871 census although I have found the rest of the family it is possible he left as a 16 year old, or soon after. Interestingly, he always had with him his mother and father's photographs and the front page of the family bible with his grandparents family listed,and I would have thought his sister Mary would have kept those in England!
Thanks again for your help.  Much appreciated.
DelB

[trish251]

Hi Del

The ages are usually on the films - it's simply the index that omits them. If you find an approx year of travel and/or ship let me know. I'm happy to check the films - just rather slow. It's rather a shame we don't seem to have too many family bibles with children listed any more (the last one in my family belonged to my grandmother). They have been much help to my family searches.

Trish

[DelB]

Hi again Trish,
Pauline very kindly doing look-ups for the 1871 census found a WILKINSON BARKER aged 19 in the Cavalry Barracks, Leeds and wondered if he had put his age up.
A little research has shown that they paid 1 Guinea to join up so I guess that is a possibility.  He was certainly feisty enough to make his way to Australia and the Gold Mines here!  The question is when?!
If you come across any Wilkinson Barkers on the ships lists it is a combination I hadn't thought of although I searched for John Wilkinson and found one in the 1871 census living with J.W.B.'s mother's cousin, Abraham in the same street as J.W.B.'s father.  I can't find a son for Abraham of that name as yet so it is possible John was still in England in 1871.
More mysteries to pursue.  Thanks again,
Del

[DelB]

Hi Trish,
After a break away, I have found more information about John Wilkinson Barker.
In the 1871 census he is 16 and living in Rastrick with his Uncle John Barker.  Still unable to determine whether he is still in England for the 1881 census as all the data is too vague.
We have just returned from a trip to the U.K. (among other places) and actually got to visit Rastrick and take some photos of Toft's Grove where he lived.

A friend who was at the Qld. archives found a J.W.Barker arriving in 1880, age 25, but didn't investigate it further.
This would make the age right (born 1855).

I wonder if you have some spare time could you look this one up for me please.  Sorry I don't have more information to help.
Hope you have had some successes for yourself!
Cheers,
DelB

[trish251]

Hello Del

I just hit the wrong button & lost all of my reply.  This about sums up 2005 for me - it has been a ghastly year.

Meanwhile, my apologies that I didn't get back to the archives & follow up your man. We will be away in January, but I will plan a day there as soon as we return & John will be at the front of the queue.

You trip to UK sounded fabulous.

Wishing you a very happy Christmas

      

Trish

[DelB]

Thanks Trish, and a very happy Christmas and New Year to you too.
Cheers,
Del

[rastrickjan]

Message for DelB - by a miracle, I have photographs of John Wilkinson Barker, his wife Sarah Binns and their son ... presumably Tom.

In addition, I have photos of John's sister Mary (and William Mawson), and John's cousin Martha.  Martha married one of my relatives, Fountaine Shaw.

You might, of course, have all these photos.  But if not, I'm very happy to share. 

Very exciting to find that John was an early gold miner!

Jan

[Jool]

Hi Jan, welcome to Rootschat 

According to his profile DelB hasn't been on Rootschat for about a year, he should get a notification of your post on this thread and hopefully get in touch soon.

Jool