Newby requesting help - Henry Smart

[ursulahvz]

hi all
i'm new to this forum though not new to genealogy. i'm south african born currently living in mozambique.  my father in law turns 80 in May 2010 and my husband would like to give him a printed copy of his family tree. i've been able to research most of his family but are having problems with his great grandfather. here is the information i have -
Henry Smart * circa 1861 Glascow, Scotland died 10 Jul 1933 Reismierbult South Africa. Married Wilhelmina Martha Ekstein in Pietermaritzburg South Africa. she died on 2 Dec 1993 at Ventersdorp Hospital, South Africa.  they had three children
Charles Henry Smart
Jessie Ivy Smart
Wilhelmina Martha Smart - Hubby great grandmother

i need help in finding birth records for Henry Smart as well as information about his parents.
Any information will greatly be appreciated
groete
Ursulah

[PrueM]

Hi Ursulah 

I have moved your message to the Scotland board, as that seems to be where you need help with this one.

Do you have the marriage certificate for Henry Smart and Wilhelmina Ekstein?  I'm not au fait with SA records but I would have thought that at least his father might be named on that document.

You can search for Scottish BDMs at http://www.ScotlandsPeople.gov.uk - civil records from 1855 and parish records prior to that.  It is pay-per-view for search results but you can then download most records immediately (for a further fee).

The IGI (http://www.familysearch.org) has quite good coverage for many Scottish records and is free, so could be worth searching there initially if you have not already done so.

Cheers
Prue

[ursulahvz]

hi Prue
thank you for moving the message to the right board.  still new to this and have lots to learn. i found the death certificate for Henry Smart in South African archives but it does not give his parent's names - it shows they're deceased. i need to know his religious denomination to find his marriage certificate in South Africa. unfortunately i don't have this information.
will have a look at the other resources you mention.  thank you very much for your help
groete
ursulah

[PrueM]

Hi again 

You could try posting  a message on the South Africa board here at Rootschat, and the folks there might be able to help with the marriage cert problem.

Cheers
Prue

[ursulahvz]

have done and no new information forthcoming
Ursulah

[MonicaL]

Hi Ursulah

Just looking at the dates you have posted. Was Henry's wife much younger than him? If he was born c. 1861 and died in 1933, and then Wilhelmina died in 1993?

What sources do you have that indicate a Glasgow birth for Henry? I assume you have arrived at an estimated birth year from his age at death from the cert. If you look at IGI on www.familysearch.org, you can search for free. There are at least 3 Glasgow births showing for a Henry Smart between 1859-62.

Have you tried looking at shipping manifests to see whether you can find Henry's crossing to SA?

Sorry for all the questions!

Monica

[MonicaL]

One more question from me  What was Henry's occupation in SA? It might help in trying to find him on the Scottish censuses if he shows with the same occupation in the UK prior to departing for SA.

Monica

[ursulahvz]

hi
oeps, big mistake.  Wilhelmina also died in 1933. (a bit of a finger problem-typing error)
i have a copy of Henry's deathe certificate, obtained from the SA archives.  yes the birth year is estimated.
i have not looked at familysearch or the shipping manifests yet.  will do so right away. thank you for the tip.
according to the death notice henry was a carpenter by trade.
groete
ursulah

[MonicaL]

There is one possibility I think for Henry in the censuses and also may match with a birth entry I saw on IGI:

A possible birth showing on IGI:

HENRY BIRRELL SMART Birth: 10 APR 1862 High Church, Glasgow
Parents: CHARLES SMART and MARY BIRRELL

Likely marriage for this couple showing on the Old Parish Registers on 18 MAR 1846 in Glasgow

A few census entries for this family:

1861 - everyone born in Glasgow apart from father Charles:

Charless Smart 41, Labourer In Brewery, b. Arbroath, Fifeshire
Mary Smart 39
Janet Smart 14
John Smart 10
Mary Smart 2

Address: 496 Duke St, High Church, Glasgow

1871 - I am wondering whether father Charles may have died between censuses?:

Mary Smart 50, Washer & Dresser b. Kirkcaldy Fifeshire
John Smart 20, Engine Altondant (attendant?)
Henry Smart 9

Address: 21 Greenhead Street, Bridgeton Glasgow

1881:

Mary Smart 59, Sweeper In A Mill b. b. Kirkcaldy Fifeshire
Henry Smart 18, joiner (apprentice)
Mary Emmit 28, boarder

Address: 92 John Street, Calton Glasgow

This is the last census I can easily see for this Henry so a good possibility. You do need to be able to verify at least his father's name though to be more certain.

Monica