Looking for William Jelf Hepworth

[weered]

Hi!

We are looking for information on William Jelf Hepworth...we think he was born in Yorkshire around 1857, he moved to SA (in the army we think) and then Australia. He then settled and died in New Zealand.
He married Elizabeth Gray Dyason in SA around 1888 but we have no knowledge of his birth, when he went to SA, siblings, parents etc.

Can anyone help???


Nancy

[ev]

hi nancy

checked census records and births but nothing standing out
hepworth is a common name in yorkshire

ev

[Valda]

What further information does his New Zealand death certificate give about his parents?

Regards

Valda

[weered]

Hi Valda..

Unfortunately there is nothing on his NZ death cert about his parents - completely blank....not sure why!!!!

Nancy

[Valda]

Was he still in the army when he arrived in Australia? If so do his children's birth certificates give an indication of which regiment?

Regards

Valda

[weered]

Valda,

We're not really sure. Don't think so.
He left England at some point to go to SA - married in 1888 and all the children were born in SA. Then after the Siege of Mafeking (where we think he was in the British and South Africa Police) the children went to England to school then Australia in 1913.
W.j. Hepworth may have been in the Royal Engineers before he went to SA? We have somewhere that he was at Sandhurst and his father was a Colonel but that may or may not be true.

Nancy

[Valda]

There is one record for him in the South African archives online database

ILLIQUID CASE. TRANSFER OF PROPERTY.
WILLIAM JELF HEPWORTH VERSUS WALTER SCOTT.

http://www.national.archives.gov.za/

though I'm not sure that will help much.

There is I believe a Mafeking Seige Register compiled by Colin Walker but his website no longer seems to be operating. Do books on the Seige mention William?

Royal Engineers soldiers' records will be held at The National Archives which probably means engaging a military researcher. If he was an officer you should get enough information to help trace him further.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=13

If William was a reasonably prominent citizen you would also expect the local New Zealand newspaper to run an obituary on his death. Have you checked this source for further information?

Regards

Valda

[emmsthheight]

Hi

There is a William Hepworth (Middle name not given), on this link for 1881 census at familysearch.

Within a two year range for Yorkshire, there were a good handfull, but this one's in the forces, on the naval ship "Crocodile"!  Born Dewsbury, 78th regiment>  I can't see where the bost was.

No proof by any means, but it might be worth trying to fond out where and what the 78th reg. were doing at the time?  I'll check the otheres for military links.

Maybe if it's any use, someone will look up the other censuses?

Good luck!

Best wishes
Emms
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ib/


PS Sorry, only gives the search page, but the number is
RG 11 - 5633 - 39

Details William Hepworth, Single, Male, 23yrs, B Dewsbury Yorkshire, Royal Navy, England.

[emmsthheight]

Hi

Sorry, we've got a second contender - apart from any who may be abroad -

William Hepworth born Woolley, Yorks, about 1856, at

Victoria Barracks, New Windsor, Berks, a Private in the Grenedier Guards.

Number, RG11 - 1325 - 129

So two regiments to look at in this country.

Another thought though, did he reenlist in Australia?  Is he on Australia for passenger or Immigration records?  You probably know much more than me, but I'm amazed what they have online.  Or what about the children going over there from school.  Have you had a full ship's manifest?

Only ideas!

Good luck!

Emms