India: Help please with Baker 1880's West Bengal

[looby loo]

Yeah know what you mean. My dear old aunts bless them, it took one of them almost a year to tell me her granddad had dark skin. Then a 2 years ago she told me that somewhere back in the tree there is supposed to be a Gurkha, she did say it was her dad's granddad - meaning William Baker. I have researched this theory with the Gurkha Museum and although there was a William  Gurkha it didn't fit with mine. I just thought it was something the family came up with!!!!

Within the last few weeks though her sister has now thrown that theory to kingdom, because she says' she remembers seeing a photograph of a man in uniform which she was told was a gurkha uniform. Again it could be a story, but it seems more credible. I'm off to visit her tomorrow to see if she can remember anything else, I'm not expecting anything new as she is in her 80's and apparently she was a child when she saw the photo, but you never know.

The plot just seems to be getting more and more interesting. I've been reserching my WHB for about 5 years, but with the new info Chris gave me on his death and employment it give more hope.

I have found a William Baker b 1858 leaving the UK in 1880 but arriving in New York!


But I must say there are quite a few co-incidences. 

[chris2705]

Hi Lou and welcome to the thread!

I have sent you a summary of the children of WHB which might ring a few bells. The children of WHB (apart from the unfortunate Frederick seem to have all settled in the South East by 1920-30's namely Surrey and Hampshire as well as a couple of mentions along the South Coast.

With regards to WHB I know that he was possibly in the following places from the childrens' births and school records

1881 Jeypore                       Mechanical Engineer, Water Works
1883-1887 Chinsurah          Foreman, Hooghli Bridge Works
1894 Gwalior/Agra               ?
1905-1909 Gwalior              ?
The death record of Jan 1909 for WHB, son of William and Sarah describes his profession "Chief Supt. G & L Railway" 

On Cedric's birth certificate in 1897 WHB is described as "Civil Engineer" and this term is used on the army applications of Frederick and Cedric as well as Helena's death certificate.
 

[chris2705]

British Library look-up's:

I am planning a trip this week to try to shed more light on WHB. I was proposing to look up the following records but please suggest any others that you think might help:-

1) WHB death record again and get a copy this time
2) Try to find a will for WHB (where do you start?)
3) Frederick's baptism in Gwalior (to see WHB profession)
4) Frederick's Sandhurst application (might have some info on WHB)
5) Frederick's senior police promotion (aparently these records have quite bit of family background)

[looby loo]

Hi Chris, Have replied.

I am with you on this one, I havne't got a clue where to look for WHB's will. I've already tried the National Archives.

I would have also suggested the Lloyds Register of Shipping for William Snr' to find out whether he worked for the R & O or the P & O. I have been in touch with the British Library and they say their holidings for the LRS is in the process of being moved. They also confirm the initials are clearly R & O and not P & O on his death cert. But they think the LRS could help clarify this.

Also I would try and look up the Gwailor  Light Railway for his employment records for the suspected WHB. I have already written back to the British Library to see if they hold them there. I've also asked if they hold Will's there

I am not sure whether a will which most probably would have be drawn up in India would be help in England, but I shall plug away and see if I can find anything.

Yes it would be great to have a copy of his death record, sometimes we miss things the first time around only to discover some tiny snippet of info at a later date.

I would think you have enough to look for when you get the the library. The only other place I can think of is the National Archives, but I've tried to search their on  line and haven't found much. But it is a web site I alwasy get lost in and find it hard to use.

[hepburn]

Same here Lou with the National Archives,I find it very hard to negotiate..

[chris2705]

Hi Lou

I know what you mean about the NA website, I have never found much on it compared to the amount of searching. What is the "LRS" please?

I think I can confirm the place of death for WHB. "Morar" was mentioned on the death record and I have found that Morar was a town 3 miles east of the old town of Gwalior. Morar has now been swallowed up into Gwalior as it has expanded. It was the site of a British Military cantonment and a center for trade and training. Presumably he would be buried somewhere in the area?

[looby loo]

Hi Chris,

 Can't remember if your Frederick had a middle name but have found this on National Archives,

Memorandum of admission of Frederick William Baker under the will of William Bak...[Sutton Local Studies Centre, Records of Carshalton...] Date: 1899   P5/12/66  17 Aug. 1900

does this tie in with your Frederick Baker?

[chris2705]

Don't think it is him, Frederick's full name was Frederick Clarence Scindia Baker (poor lad!)

[looby loo]

LDS is the Latter Day Saints site or family search or Mormons site. Different people call it different things but its' the same site.

Just received a reply from The British Library. They don't hold any will there for William and they don't hold any employment records for the G L Railway, so it's back to the trail again.

I've never found anything at the Nat Archives and I also find their staff most unhelpfull. I wrote to them once for clarification on an item and they just sent me back loads of leaflets which didn't help at all, they couldn't even be bothered to put pen to paper and answer the question.

I looked up Morar and found it to be in India, as I didn't think Morar was in England. I am off in a shile to try and visit my elderly aunt I told you about. I am hoping she can shed some light on at least how old she was when she saw the photo of the gurkha and hopefully find out if she know whether it was a close or distant relative.

At this moment in time I can't think of anything else for you to look up, but will keeping thinking.

I've taken a look at your thread on here and have printed it off, well>>>> I would only printer gave up the ghost last night.... the new ink we bough has caused some problems so hubby going to sort it tonight, but I have been trying to digest it all. you've done great with what you've found out so far.

Will keep ploddong on, but will have to dash for now.  Will send you message via other thread - re photo.  thanks that would be great and likewise. of my granddad.  But will have to dash, got the aunt to see before she goes out.