William Bethel

[Madmaxi]

Hi, Ive just started trying to trace my family tree.  My great grand father was William Bethel.  He originally came from Gibraltor.  Would anyone know how I could find out why he ended up in Gillingham, Kent. 

Thank you.

[KGarrad]

It looks as if William's father may have been in the Army?

1891 census, reference RG12, Piece 659, Folio 48, Page 10
6 Rebecca Place, Gillingham

Bethel, W  Head  M  39  Labourer  b East Indies
Bethel, Lavinia  Wife  F  33  b Gillingham
Bethel, William  Son  M  13  b Gibraltar
Bethel, Albert  Son  M  10  Scholar  b Gibraltar
Bethel, Lavinia  Daughter  F  8  Scholar  b Malta
Bethel, Alice  Daughter  F  6  Scholar  b Malta
Bethel, Edith  Daughter  F  4  Scholar  b Gillingham
Bethel, Ernest  Son  M  2  b Chatham

FindMyPast has the births of William Frederick, Albert H, Lavinia Maud and Alice Annie listed under Armed Forces Births.

Not easy to read the father's occupation and place of birth!
What do you think?

[suzard]

William's mother was from Kent
His parents were married in Kent

Marriage reg FreeBMD
Sept qtr 1874
Gravesend
on same page
William Bethel
Lavinia Moverly
7 611

Marriage cert would give William's occ at time of marriage

Suz

[Eyesee]

William and Lavinia were married at Gravesend St George.

Image from Cityark - bottom right

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0mt5/

Ian C

[KGarrad]

Great stuff! Confirms my theory about WIlliam being in the Army!

[Eyesee]

Lavinia was batised at Gillingham St Mary

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0mt6/

Ian C

[KGarrad]

Myself and Suzard think WIlliam's place of birth could be Kurrachee? a.k.a. Karachi!

[Eyesee]

Baptism of Edith at St Mary Gillingham.

William was then a prison guard by the look of it.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0mt7/

Ian C

[Eyesee]

William died Dec qtr 1891 age 40, and Lavinia remarried in 1894.

His death was registered as William Henry. There is a William Henry BETHEL born 10 Sep 1851 in Kurrachee, but his father is listed as Francis, not John. He was in the 64th.

Ian C