Deaths at sea(COMPLETED)

[dracon1a]

Hello Rootschatters,
                             I am wondering if you can help me find where to look for info on deaths aboard ships heading to Tasmania.  I have a GGGrandmother that I am trying to find some info on and have been given some family history that she, Ada Gaylor, was born on the ship bound for Tas in 1860 and that her parents both died on the voyage out. Raised by an Aunt in Launceston and took over land from her parents when she came of age. The mother was married 3 times and there is listed a maiden name of Margaret Gee or Morris.
Is there a way of finding out the name of the ship through the deaths? Or a place where the deaths are registered.  Hoping you can help me.
Looking forward to hearing from you.        Regards Lauren

[Neil Todd]

Hi lauren,

This may be of assistance but I fear without more structured evidence of names and departures and ages it could be a long and arduous task.

Neil

http://portal.archives.tas.gov.au/menu.aspx?search=91

[Dundee]

Hi Lauren,

The surviving passenger arrivals into Tasmania have been indexed on their archives site (currently only surnames A-I). I can't see any notations for deaths onboard for this surname and the only GAYLOR death registered around that time is for a Charles in 1855.
http://portal.archives.tas.gov.au/menu.aspx?search=91

The Tas Archives are very helpful and perhaps if you contact them they might be able to advise you.  You can also have a look through the newspapers of the time at http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/home

When you say "The mother was married 3 times and there is listed a maiden name of Margaret Gee or Morris", do you mean the Aunt?

Marriage
Morven, Tasmania
12 Jan 1854

William GALOR
Margaret GEE

There were two female children registered with William GAYLOR as the father, one in 1860 and one in 1863 both with mother as Margaret MORRIS.  It appears that this family may have moved to Victoria.

Have you looked at these records, particularly the 1860 birth?  Does it say that the child is not theirs?  Was Ada married in Victoria?  What are the details on her marriage certificate?

Debra 

[dracon1a]

Hi Debra,
Yes she did move to Victoria as I have a copy of her marriage cert. that states she married Joseph Allen on 24th Feb 1883. The Parents are listed as William Gaylor and Margaret Gaylor nee Gee. I tried to buy a birth cert. from Tas BDM but they said the couldn't find one for Ada Gaylor born 1860 Launceston. Apart for what I have been told, through family members of hers from what they understand was her history. I was looking to see if this was provable, the fact that she was born on ship and the parents died and maybe the name of the ship.  No date for her birth has been entered on her marriage cert. or the death cert. of her son or her death cert. from Adelaide. Maybe its something that has been blurred in time. Maybe the Gaylors were her Aunt and Uncle who raised her.

[Dundee]

Hi dracon1a,

The female children born in Tas to William and Margaret were both not named at the time of registration - just "female" and this was fairly common.  All pre 1899 Tasmanian events are on microfilm and there is a link here which lists the libraries which hold the microfilm. It is far easier (and cheaper!) to look at the entries yourself.
http://portal.archives.tas.gov.au/menu.aspx?search=8

Does Ada's marriage cert have a place of birth?  Did Margaret die in Victoria?  If so, her death cert should name all of her children, including those from previous marriages, both living and deceased.

Sometimes when people can't find exactly what they are looking for they make up scenarios (she must have been born on the boat, and they aren't her real parents because there is no birth registration) but the fact is that many births were not registered at all, and as I have said, many were registered as male or female only. 

Debra 

[dracon1a]

Dear Debra,
                 Many thanks for the search links and I have had a good look through the site. Have come across some info on Ada and William Gaylor. I dont think somehow that the deaths on ship happened. There is a death date for William Charles Gaylor later than 1860 when Ada was born so couldn't have died on board. The only place of birth on the marriage certificate is for 1860 Launceston. She was married in Victoria and died in Adelaide Sth Aust in 1945 aged 85.   Many thanks for your efforts but I dont think I can follow her back any further. At least from her marriage in Victoria we have most of her history and family.
It was worth a try. Much appreciated.                                  Regards Lauren