Is This Your Sam ???

[grandarog]

Hello Australia
12 December 2010
Hi All Down Under,
                             I thought I would give my post a nudge up and maybe someone will have a new ancestor  for Xmas.
                            Sam is not related to my family.
                   I just hope he will find one of you to add him to yours. Please read the post thoroughly to save any confusion.
                               Good Luck and Merry Christmas  Rog   

This is a transcript of a postcard sent to my Mums favourite brother, my Uncle John(Jack)Waghorn at Chilham in Kent from his best mate Sam.

Hannam St. Arncliff Sidney NSW
Dear Jack,
                  We arrived here after our long journey, we had it rough at times. Made us sea sick, funny feeling it is, but we soon got over it. We all got off at Cape Town. Had a good look round, but we couldn’t see much for the wind blew a hurricane the air was thick with dust, we soon had enough of Cape Town. We landed here Feb 22nd 1913 (Port) the harbour was a lovely sight as well as Sidney. Our house is about 6 miles from Sidney. I am going up country soon so will tell you all about it. Dont forget to write when you are coming. Better be soon..  From Sam.

Unfortunately John(Jack) never made it to Australia to join Sam as WW 1 broke out in 1914 and Jack died on Active service in Palestine in 1918 aged 22.
    I have never been able to trace Sam’s Surname or age presumably about the same as Jack. My Mum has been long gone and I can never recall her using his surname just referred to him as her brothers best friend. I have often wondered who he was and how he got on ,now nearly 100 years later this may help you find a bit more about your ancestor Sam and answer my wonderings.

                                                                 Best Wishes Rog.

                                               

[Rochdalian]

Hi

Have you tried searching the passenger lists on findmypast.com I'm not sure if they give arrival dates but its worth a look.

Bob

[grandarog]

Cheers Bob ,
                   I found 2 Ship Arrivals ages ago for Sydney,22 feb 1913, Sharnhorst was one I cant recall the other. But the Samuels on the lists were way off in age and surname.  Tongue in cheek I think his surname was probably Coppins but I dont have any proof thats why I ommitted from post.
       I really am hoping to delight someone in Aus who can recognise him in their family tree.
       Sam is purely of interest to me but could be of signifigant importance to a descendant. Thats the main reason  I posted.
        Thanks for your input ,   
                                            Regards, Rog.

[Lones]

Rog

Did Sam die serving in the Aussie or British army?  We have a National Archive that can be searched for WWI soldiers, it is a very good sight.  Just Google National Archives of Australia and search as a guest.  Most of the records of WWI soldiers are listed and you can download the digital copies for free.  If it was our army he served in, his enlistment papers will be there with his signature and his next of kin.  It could well be worth a shot.  I did a quick search on Coppins and Coppin, there were quite a few, but no Sam's.  He could have just been called Sam and his name could be something else, but I am at work so no time to check places of birth etc, but they are listed as POB, so if you care to check you could find him in there

Good Luck

Lones

[em]

Rog

This might not help, but was your Uncle John married before Sam left for Australia.  If he was, Sam might have been a witness at your Uncle's wedding and his name could be on the marriage certificate.

Regards

em

[briant]

What about the NSW Post Office Directories?


Regards BrianT

[tropicalj]

Hello  thee

it would appear after reading the postcard  that Sam did not travel alone

assuming he was roughly  the same age as his best friend in 1913 he was about 17  So  he  may  have come  with  his family  or even a wife!

By  the Sand Directory  for NSW  in  that time frame there was a George coppins  living in Arncliffe  but not the same address.  Unfortunately  you can  only search by name and not the actual address.

It is more than likely  he of course  the missing Sam  that is could have also fought in the great War.

kind regards Jenn

[grandarog]

Dear Jenn,
                   Thank you Jenn ,,(and  Brian, Em, lones ,Bob) for your input.
  I had better clear up a few points.

1. Sam is not related to our family.
2. He was a friend /mate of John/Jack. prior to emigrating.
3. As far as I am aware there was never any more contact from Sam after this postcard.
4. Obviously I have no idea if he served in the Australian Army or even stayed in Aus.
5. I have no idea if he lived or died in or after WW1(even whether he servred or not,I haven't found any references to a Sam Coppins))
6. I put this post on more for the benefit of possible descendants of Sam in Aus who would recognise from it.

Jenn thank you for reading the transcript thoroughly. The George Coppins adds fuel to my belief the Surname was Coppins. Presumeably they could have moved about in temporary accomodation when they first arrived. Sam states he was going upcountry but dont know if alone or wityh parents.

I assume that Sam travelled with his parents and Siblings.
If I am right that his surname was Coppins they were
      Father George Coppins age 55 ish on arrival in Australia in 1913
      Mother   Annie Coppins age 54   --------ll-------------
      Sis.        Nellie  Coppins age 22   --------ll------------
                     Sam  Coppins age 19   --------ll------------
      Bro.   Thomas  Coppins age 16   --------ll------------
      Bro .    James   Coppins age 12   ------- ll------------ 
   
This is pure assumption ,his Sister Nellie at 22 may not have gone with them .
In fact Sam may have travelled alone and merely referred to friends he had made on board. The ref to our house could have been digs he was staying at.
    If some one in Australia recognises him as one of their Ancestors I will be happy as that was the orriginal idea. I have done quite a lot of digging arround for info but your George is the first semi positive so far. (Unproven as a connection but a possible)
In truth Sam may have been someone else altogether!!
                                          Best Wishes to you all
                                                    Thanks again Rog.

[grandarog]

Hi All Down Under,
                             I thought I would give my post a nudge up and maybe someone will have a new ancestor  for Xmas.
                            Sam is not related to my family.
                   I just hope he will find one of you to add him to yours. Please read the post thoroughly to save any confusion.
                               Good Luck and Merry Christmas  Rog