Benjamin Birkett and Martha Jane nee Hogg and their three sons travelled from England to Wellington, NZ in 1840/41 aboard the Slains Castle, and that during the voyage five births took place.
"The "Slains Castle," commanded by Captain James Petrie, left Deal on the 18th September 1840, and arrived on the 29th January 1841, with 41 married couples, 24 single men, 21 single women, 42 children under fourteen, 34 under seven and 15 under one. 5 births and 4 deaths occurred on board"
Source: New Zealand Settler Ships - Slains Castle 1841 (geni.com)
I suspect one of these five births on board must have been of Martha Birkett but, frustratingly, no names are given for these five births on any passenger list nor transcription (of which there are several)
The first evidence we have to support my contention is that on Martha's 1882 death certificate it is recorded that she was born at sea in 1840. i.e. date and location fits. See partial image of her death certificate. NB she lived with but never formally married Thomas Nodder because her first husband, John Slarks Jnr lived until 1913.
The second evidence is that on Martha's 1858 marriage certificate, (to John Slarks Jnr) one witness is 'Edward Birket'. This is, I believe, Martha's brother, born 1833. i.e. the name fits. He was one of the three sons who sailed on the Slains Castle. He was baptised in Wouldham, Kent, England 13 Oct 1833.
The third evidence is that there is a 'Martha Jane Burkitt' listed in the UK "Index to Marine Births 1837-1862" (see attached) but it is only an index of names, with no date nor parents etc. so no proof this is the 'correct' Martha. The index (partial image attached) is available on Family Search here:
FamilySearch Catalog: Index to marine births (births at sea), 1837-1965 — FamilySearch.org
[url]https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/731089?availability=Family%20History%20Library[/url
and also in FindMyPast British Armed Forces and overseas births and baptisms | findmypast.co.uk
Last, it would seem conventional to name one's first daughter after her mother and both are named Martha Jane.
So the circumstantial evidence seems to me compelling, but I need to somehow see the actual entry
in the UK Marine Births Register. Hopefully it will tell me the birth was in 1840 on Slains Castle, and that her parents were Benjamin and Martha Jane, thereby providing documentary evidence of her parents.
Can anyone 'see' the original entries in the Register online, or tell me how/where I can get sight of them?
Make my day, and thanks in advance.
