Dear Sue and Jerry, and everyone else who has contributed,
I wanted to check back in and provide an update on my search. Before I go any further, I want to send my most heartfelt thanks to all of you who have helped me so far. In particular, Sue and Jerry, I want to acknowledge your previous help and the links for shipping records and suggestions you provided. I realise now there were several details I needed to process and be reminded about before sending this post, and I am so grateful for your patience and for pointing me in the right direction.
What I’ve done so far:
Based on the clues found here, I have officially ordered the birth and death certificates for Wilhelm. I am doing this with the understanding that these Queensland records may not be 100% accurate. I know that certificates from this era are only as reliable as the informant’s knowledge—especially for immigrants whose families may not have known the exact German village of origin. I’m also mindful of potential anglicisation or misspellings of our surname by officials at the time.
Additionally, I have put in a request with our state archives for Fredolin’s application for naturalisation. I am hopeful this document might explicitly name the ship he arrived on, which would be a massive breakthrough for the family tree.
What I’m planning next:
I haven’t emailed the German archives as yet, but I will be contacting the German Federal Archives (Bundesarchiv) and the Arolsen Archives soon. I want to ensure I’ve left no stone unturned in the old country, specifically looking for parish records or exit papers that might match the voyage of the Armin (often transcribed as the Army, Armen, or Harmein).
Information I’ve gathered regarding Carl’s birth:
The Ship and Voyage: I am focusing on the Armin (Master: Capt. Sommer), which arrived in Port Jackson in November 1858 but was still in port through Jan/Feb 1859. I’ve learned there were 10 births on board during that voyage.
I have never been able to find a birth certificate for my great-grandfather Carl, but I am now wondering if he was actually born in early 1859 while the family was in isolation. Because of a reported case of smallpox on board, the passengers were moved to the North Head Quarantine Station at Spring Cove.
I now understand they were kept in a "liminal state" in barracks and tents, segregated between the Healthy Ground and Sick Ground. This explains why I haven't found a standard birth record; if he was born there in Jan/Feb 1859, his record would likely be in the Marine Registers (M-prefix) rather than the standard civil registration, or perhaps listed simply as "Quarantine Station." This theory finally makes sense of the 1859 date in our family records!
I am feeling so much more hopeful now. This community is amazing, and I truly appreciate the time you took to help me find these vital pieces of my family puzzle. I’ll be sure to update you all again once the certificates and naturalisation papers arrive!
With much gratitude and appreciation,
Leisa
