Good Morning all
Please forgive me if I repeat anything that has already been said.
I research Kirkers worldwide being the grandaughter of a Kirker I became fascinated by them and was lucky enough to be able to build upon research done by mother's cousin in the 1980s. I have a public family tree on ancestry - Kirker Family Tree. It is made up of many many branches which sadly do not interconnect - although I live in hope one day.
The Kirkers are a Scots Irish family who have been in Northern Ireland since the 1680s. If you do any research in Scottish records there a very few to be found and all after that date.
To the current topic of William. It has been a few years since I tried to find his origins. In 2017 I wrote notes that can be found in the Gallery on my tree.
I found 4 in Australia/New Zealand.
1. William Kirker who married Isobel was in NZ by 1884.
2. A William Kirker in Queensland in 1889.
3. A William Kirker whose body was found at Waikato Heads in 1891 and
4. William Kirker who died in 1887 at Southland Hospital, Invercargill (my family).
William Kirker who married Isobel's obit states that he was born in Victoria, Queensland. He was 70 years old and was born c. 1844. Most of the Kirkers that I can think of at the moment in Australia all emigrated after 1844. This group originated from Belfast/Antrim. The other Kirkers arrived in Sydney, Alexander and Sarah, in 1841. They have been referred to in above messages. Alexander was married twice and had no issue. He died in 1886 and his will benefitted Ellen and Samuel Kelly (wife Sarah's convoluted family who were brought to Australia by them) and Alexander's wife. Many newspaper articles.
You can check my tree list for other Williams I have found.
Kirker convicts.
New South Wales, Australia, Convict Records, 1810-1891
Phoenix Hulk: Weekly Transportation Entrance Books 1838-1846
Volume Number 4/4538
Name of Prisoner: William Kirker
Ship: Henry Packer
Colonial Conviction
Where: Circuit Court: Berrima - New South Wales
When: 10 Sept 1846
Offence: House Stealing
Sentence: 12 years
Second Conviction
Probationary Gang - Van Diemen’s Land
There is also a John Kirker who was sentenced in York, England for 7 years transported on the Ship Moffatt2. Convicted in York, England. Freed 1 Sept 1843 Tasmania - having been pardoned on 12 July 1843. Nothing else known about him.
Sady I am stumped, but records turn up all the time… I hope some of my references will help with your research. DNA may be your best route.
Good Luck. Karen
