Genealogy Chat

Just wanted to say............frustration is something every person who is researching their family comes across at some time.

I was not looking for help this time, but thank you most sincerely to those that did come up with info. To let of steam to fellow screemers lifted a load off my shoulders, and if I did that in a none acceptable form the purists on this site seemed to have a field day.

This is a site that has helped me many, many times, and again I thank all the kind GR members who did so. Surely, we do not research in a strictly methodical way, and to "loose ones way" on occasions is not a crime.

Kathlyn

Probably the same place I did after MC gave me the heads up on the 2nd thread ;-)

I wonder where NanaSue disappeared to?

....................her help is conspicuous by its absence

Could this be your grandfathr, having made another trip to Australia?

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be an image for this.

Name: John Mawdsley
Birth Date: abt 1873
Age: 47
Port of Departure: Brisbane, Australia
Arrival Date: 15 Oct 1920
Port of Arrival: Liverpool, England
Ports of Voyage: Sydney
[Melbourne]
[Durban]
[Cape Town]
[Glasgow]
Ship Name: Aeneas

Now having read the other threads, I think that your feelings about his stepfather may be based on a false premise. £18 in 1893 was a large amount of money for a baker.

The 'Victorian England' website has annual wages for "lower middle-class" (head teachers, journalists, shopkeepers, etc.) £150-300 in the 19th century.

Considering 1893 is late in the century, if you take £300 as the stepfather's annual salary that is about three week's wages. Not to be sneezed at.

I think it is far more likely that your grandfather didn't like the situation he'd got himself into, wrote a heartfelt, apologetic letter home and his stepfather rescued him.


Ozi


P.S. ......No "naughty" activities, no family problems.......
Surely burning down your stepfather's bakery might be thought to bring some sort of tension in the family. It's quite possible your grandfather got into another scrape after he returned from the army. He seems to be someone who ran away from his problems rather than face them.

Have you tried searching local newspapers or his obituary for information?

The whole point of not starting a new thread is so that helpers know what has already been checked and done.

There are some VERY experienced members here. They'll know if there is something that needs to be followed up or re-checked.

Name changes are often very difficult to fathom. The person changing their name has a good reason and often doesn't want to spread it around. It is quite possible near relatives didn't know the reason either, and their children seem to be the last to find out.

Good luck with your search.

Ozi

Susanne

How kind of you to offer to go over old ground.........hope you enjoy it

We'll watch with interest to see what you come up with

Good of you to volunteer your help NanaSue. I'm sure your fresh eyes will spot something that's been missed :-)

I quite agree that Kathlyn (and all of us!) should have a good scream, we all deserve to vent now and again.

I was hopefully stopping anyone else needing a scream after looking up stuff that's already been found.

So what has changed since August NanaSue?

The people that try to help on the boards or the records?

Kathlyn

Scream as much as you want it is a free world - a fresh link is just the ticket - things change and fresh eyes may be able to help

Susanne
:-D :-D

Kathlyn, you're not that low a user - you've made over 2,000 posts so far!

The guidelines are one thread per family. Use the "My Threads" link to get back to previous threads. Add new requests for info (or screams!) to the existing relevant thread.

I am very sorry if I have caused any problems with my screeeemmm, but as a very low used to this site, I am not fully aware of the routes to take.

Kathlyn

Kathlyn - we have already covered him on previous threads.

What you should do is add your scream to an existing one (use the "My Threads" link on the left.

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/ancestors/thread/1308788

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/ancestors/thread/1309013

Sorry Reggie, I do not understand your reply.

Kathlyn

Presumably, there are other threads...............

Just need to screeemmmm.......I have broached this subject on GR before and have followed the many thoughts members gave me, but I am still unable to break through this brick wall and part of me wants to give up, the other parts says..."No way is this going to beat me."

I think granddad must have been spinning a story to keep children amused about his exploits down under....but I am still unable to fathom out why he changed his name.

No "naughty" activities, no family problems....but he left Liverpool about 1893 as a Roberts and appeared again in the London dock area in 1901 as a Maudesley. (His mothers maiden name.) On his marriage, his stepfather came down from Liverpool to act as a witness, in fact his stepfather paid £18 to have him released from the army in 1893.

Sadly, all aunts and uncles who may have had some knowledge have long since passed away.

Kathlyn