James GARCIA birth Richmond VIC 1876-78

[Shadwell]

Hi there
None of my family have been able to find details of my grandfather's birth or christening in Melbourne despite visits and searches of commonly available records there and in NZ.  We believe James GARCIA was born on 13 January 1876 (NZ school admission record, although anytime 1875 to 1878 is possible) in Richmond, Melbourne (Cyclopaedia of NZ) or at least Melbourne (death certificate).  His parents were Miguel Paschal GARCIA (sometimes known as John GARCIA, emigrated from London) and Mary Jane GARCIA (nee AMY, emigrated from Jersey, likely of Presbyterian faith).
The Garcia family lived in Richmond (Charlotte St, Rowena Parade, Brougham St) from 1876 to about 1887 (Directories).  James’s early education was at Yarra Park State School in Melbourne.  The family also had a son named Stanley GARCIA, born on 14 or 16 August 1882 (NZ school record, probably in Melbourne) who we believe was adopted.  Possibility, therefore, that James GARCIA was also adopted, which could explain why we are unable to find his birth record.  The birth details of James GARCIA are an important link for our family as a GARCIA family reunion looms in January in New Zealand.  We would be grateful for any help to find James GARCIA's birth details or other Australian information on this GARCIA family.  Kind regards.   

[cando]

Hi

Had a quick search of the indexes using the mother's name only - no births to Mary Jane AMY in the period you request.  There are only births to a Charles John GARCIA with wife Louisa Amelia BUTCHER and to a David GARCIA with wife Rose ISAACS between 1854 and 1874. No other Garcia births on the disc to 1888.  I agree with your suggestion that James may have been adopted as was his brother.

I will pm you all the GARCIA registrations on the index to 1888.

Cheers
Cando

[Shadwell]

Many thanks Cando

GARCIA is certainly a popular Spanish name, but unusual enough in Australia and New Zealand in the 19th century to make searching quite easy - if the right names are there.  The name has been misspelt in Directories as Gracier and Gacia, and no doubt there are other variants.

This family line is a bit of a mystery, especially with the mention of adoptions.  But the fact that family oral history had knowledge of Stanley GARCIA being adopted and possibly reverting to his birth name WHITE, while there has never been a suggestion in the family that James GARCIA was adopted might still suggest James is the biological son of Mary and Miguel (John) GARCIA. 

Could some birth records at that time have been destroyed?  Would Church records provide some help perhaps?  Does anyone know if Yarra State School records are available or whether adoption records would have been available at that time in the 1870s/1880s and how I might access them?

The family seems to have been in the wake of the gold rushes - in Otago late 1860s, in Victoria in the 1870/80s and Thames, NZ, in the 1890s, so there might be some material there.

Thanks again for such a quick response.

. 

[sparrett]

Hi Shadwell,
As a Richmond person, I wish I could give you concrete helpful findings.  However can only offer a few hints about Richmond in general which may have bearing.

There were/are 2 state schools in Richmond with similar names and they are often confused.

One is Yarra Park State school which my own grandfather attended in the 1890's.  It is on the corner of Punt Rd and Victoria Pde and was converted to elegant apartments a few years ago.
Here is a picture.

http://www.domain.com.au/Public/PropertyDetails.aspx?adid=5491859

The other is Yarra Primary School in Davison Street Richmond.  Here is a picture.
http://www.yarraps.vic.edu.au/aboutUs.html

From the addresses of the homes that the family lived at when in Victoria both schools were a possibilty though neither were really close to home, except when they were in Rowena Pde.  Either would be convenient from that street.

Richmond had in those times, a very  large Catholic population and St Ignatius Church on the Church Street Hill was a source of great pride and community activity.If they were Catholic the addresses of your family are close to the church, especially Brougham Street.
Here is a picture.

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/heritage/photodb/imagesearch.pl?proc=detail;barcode_no=rt35886

[Whoops, that's a biggie.  might have to come back and shrink it]

No, I don't think you will have much luck with records from Yarra Park.  I have tried in regard to my grandfather.  You could easily contact Yarra Primary, if in fact that is the school.

The Church records might be a possibility,but I am not sure of the avenue. Someone else may know.
Sue

 

[Shadwell]

Hi Sparrett
I really do appreciate your local knowledge of Richmond and the links to the images you sent.  Cando has helped me locate the death certificate of my great-great-grandmother Elizabeth Garcia who died at Brougham St in 1881.  She was buried by a Minister Dawe (looks like) of Methodist Free Church and was buried at St Kilda cemetery.  Is there a Methodist Free Church in or near Richmond (or was there in 1876-78) where I could locate records of the birth or christening of James GARCIA - 13 January 1876 is the most likely date, so that might also help locate a baby who was adopted near that time, although I'm thinking less now that James was adopted.
Cando has achieved a real breakthrough for our family.  Now if we could just find the James GARCIA link.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
 

[sparrett]

Hi Shadwell,,
Sorry, wrong end of the day for me with the  biggest horse race of the year being the focal point for many this afternoon....not that I am horsey, but we all get a bit interested in November!!!
I think there is something about a Church of that denom.  and will have a look for it tomorrow.
check your P.Messages now as I have sent you something which may be of help with a  St Kilda Cem look-up.

Sue   

[sparrett]

Hi Shadwell,

I believe the Church you are seeking is the Methodist Church at 314 Church Street, Richmond.  It may now be called 'Uniting".

I will pm you a map showing its location.  [copyright probs maybe?]You will see that it is very close to Brougham st. and Rowena Pde.

The Richmond Historical Society have in the past been very helpful in my searches, and here is a contact link.  These groups of course are not able to do things quickly as they are run by volunteers etc., but I think it would be worth asking where/whether records could be found for the Church.  They do seem to have good holdings at their headquarters, including rate books which may be of interest to you.  I am not sure whethr there would be a rsearch charge.

http://localhistory.ymrl.org.au/histsocs.htm#rbhs

Sue

[Shadwell]

Hi Sue
Local knowledge could be a real help.  The Richmond Historical Society has some interesting publications on their site and I have emailed them today.  I'm more than happy to pay a research charge.  We have so much more information and possible leads now for the Garcia family in Victoria.
They seem to have come out to Victoria about 1860 but I can't find them on the assisted nor unassisted online searches.  I'll keep looking though.
You've been an awesome help.

[gennig]

Hi Shadwell

Is this of any interest?

Stanley Edward WHITE born Richmond Vic 1883 Reg: 19166
Parents: Father: Unknown Mother: Sarah White

Is he a possiblity for the brother, I note his WW1 army records list him as Stanley Edward GARCIA born St Kilda/Melbourne.

A Sarah White also gave birth to a James WHITE in Melbourne in 1875.

There are indexes at the SLV library on Orphanages & receiving homes.  I'll see if I can find something when I go.

Regards


Genni