Robert Brooks from Hatford, Berkshire, UK

[cello]

"When he was a young man he went overseas to New Zealand" as per "A Wiltshire Village" by Alfred Williams.

I am searching for:
Robert Brooks born at Hatford, Berkshire, UK, in about 1824.

1851 census - Living at Hatford, Berkshire with his parents John and Mary Ann Brooks. Unmarried, 27 years old, a grocers assistant.

1891 census - Living at South Marston, Wiltshire with his brother-in-law, Lancelot Whitfield. Single, 68 years old, Farm Assistant.

Some time after the 1851 census it is thought that Robert Brooks went to New Zealand.  He returned to England before the 1891 census.  I cannot find him on the 1861, 1871 or 1881 UK census'.

I have tried to find him on the shipping lists with no success.

Any help would be most appreciated.
Many thanks.
Cello

[CaroleW]

In 1851 he has a sister Maria

In 1871 there is a Robert Brooks living with sister Maria and his occ is shown as "former grocer"

Birthyear 1824 - birthplace Cold Harbour but living in Hatford

RG10 Piece 1259 Folio 12 Page 16

EDIT
Maria died in 1880

[CaroleW]

Robert had a brother John b 1834 and in 1861 - sister Maria is living with him & older sister Mary Ann.  No sign of Robert

[cello]

Thank you CaroleW.

This is the man.  Cold Harbour is a property at Hatford and John, Maria and Mary Ann are three of his siblings - I have found 5 so far.  He is living with Mary Ann and her husband Lancelot in 1891.
This narrows down the search a lot.
For the moment I will assume that because he allegedly went to NZ as a "young man" we can narrow the search for now to somewhere between the 1851 census and the 1871 census.
Does anyone have any suggestions where I might find him on a shipping list - I have tried some of them on the NZ archives.

Cello

[minniehaha]

Hello cello,

This one is a bit tricky because unfortunately the name is not uncommon.

There is mention made of a Robert Brooks arriving @ Auckland per the "Martaban" as a cabin passenger from London.

See website- "Papers Past", 'Daily Southern Cross', dated 10.10.1856 & 14.10.1856.

Minniehaha.

[cello]

Thank you Minniehaha.

The name being common is definitely not helping!

It does look promising though. Years ago I remember looking at original shipping lists for immigrants to Australia which included some personal details - ie. age, previous address, occupation.

Would I be able to find any detailed lists for the Martaban sailing from London on about 16 June 1856 and arriving in Auckland on 8 October 1856?

Cello

[spades]

Hi Cello,

Try this one.

http://www.ozlists.com/genies/shipping/news_nz/nz5610.htm

Spades

[spades]

And a description of the voyage here:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ourstuff/ArrivalMartaban1856.htm

Passenger list but unfortunately only names:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ourstuff/Martaban1856.htm

[cello]

Thank you Spades.

I had found two of those articles but not the third.

Somehow I need to find out more information on this passenger to determine if it is Robert Brooks born about 1824, of Hatford, near Stanford in the Vale, Berkshire.

Regards
Cello