Missing death index and certificate [Brickwall]

[Love&Leaves]

Oh hopefully!

That is so funny re the type of crime back then - what a difference to the world we live in now!  Sometimes it seems to have been so hard but actually things were maybe simpler and therefore easier.

I received the Wellesley book this morning so have had my head in Victorian North Shields most of the day.  The author paints a rosy picture of life aboard and it was nice to hear that it was held in high esteem and that most of the boys went on to better things and to look back on their time on the ship with fondness.  I'm going to clarify some details for the Battista's on the Roll of Honour... they have William Armstrong correct but John George is mispelt as Battister and then there is a J. Cattista who I would think is the youngest sibling James.

[WolfieSmith]

Same address for Pasquair in the newspaper article. Only 3 months after 1911 census.

On the Newcastle Electoral Rolls I noticed Vincenzo Battista is down as Battista Vincenzo for several years, then Vincent Battista is down as Battista Vincent. Maybe a common Italian misunderstanding.

Alan.

[Love&Leaves]

Oh yes - we can say for sure that the ice cream seller Pasquair obstructing the street is the same Pasquale who married Marieta De Carlo and had a son Bernardo Battista. 

[River Tyne Lass]

Glad to hear book has arrived Sophie and that you are going to correct some errors.  I didn't even notice the Cattista mistake.  I think you are likely to be right and this is probably James.

I agree about the rosy reference you have made.  When you see the photo of the young boys on deck in their little camp beds with what looks like a thin blanket .. poor mites!  This doesn't look at all comfortable and North Shields is often cold at the best of times, probably worse moored out on the river.  I suppose this life on the Wellesley may have been better than a lot of alternatives.   However, I can imagine it would not have been easy by any means - all that discipline, structure and lack of real freedom.   

[Love&Leaves]

True RTL there was little comfort for these boys who were just children - they did mention the Captains wife and the (positive!) impact her arrival had on an all male environment.  A cuddle and some kind words would have gone much further than work and discipline  .

I was just looking back over the Battista/Loreta 1911 census entry and noticed that Marieta/Maria and Loreta (aka Pasquale/Pasquair) state they have had 2 children, one having died.  So if they married in 1906, had Loretto in 1907 and he is 3 in 1911 this can't include Bernardo who wasn't born until 1912.  A quick look online shows another Antonio Battista born 1909 in Tynemouth... I may order his certificate to see what it says.  I don't have him on my tree anywhere and Pasqualino's branch were the only ones in North Shields. 

[River Tyne Lass]

Here is another report found in microfilm at North Shields library:

Shields Daily News - Wednesday, August 9, 1911

'ICE CREAM VENDOR CAUSES OBSTRUCTION

At Whitley to-day, an ice cream vendor named Pasquair Battista (65) of (25 or 23?) Coronation Street, North Shields, was fined 7s 6d and costs for having caused an obstruction on the Whitley Promenade on the 26th ult.'

Obviously, the newspaper must have made an error when reporting his age as 65.  House number looks part missing so could be 23 or 25 in reportage.

[River Tyne Lass]

The next time I can get to the archives I could look up for a baptism for this Antonio.  I wonder what became of them all and in what way they may possibly be connected to Giovanni's family?

[WolfieSmith]

The Antonio Battista born 1909 in Tynemouth district. GRO website says mothers maiden name was Palombi ?

Alan.

[River Tyne Lass]

Possibly a mad thought of mine but I wonder if Giovanni may have disappeared off with one of these Battistas of North Shields if they left the area.  It seems that more North Shields Battistas seem to be coming to light now.  Coincidence? Or could they have been family and interconnected?