Hi Christine

Thank you ever so much for the lead that you sent in your posted message on the RootsWeb Message Board in reply to my query on the St. John Family.

This has now given me a starting point. My grandmother was a St. John but none of the family ever knew her father's name so it was very difficult to trace back. Your information will give me a name to try and track her background.

Thank you again for your help. One question I do have. In those early days, were there any records of births and marriages kept? What I am looking for is my grandmother's mother. I understand that she was a lady related to the Cakobau's. My grandmother did tell me her name but I cannot remember. It might have been Adi Seru or Adi Torika. Would there be any records of my grandmothers
birth. I do not have her date of birth but she died in 1957 at the age of 92. So she might have been born in 1865. Members of her family were:
Nellie St. John - My grandmother
Garfield St. John - her brother
Noel St. John - brother
Minnie - St. John - sister
Adelaide St. John - sister
There were two others but I cannot recall their names. She was married to George Foxing Whippy. I will use Samuel A. St. John and try to track his ancestry to see how far back I can go.

Once again, many thanks for your help, Christine

That's why I posted it. I thought it would help.
Yes there are registrations, but in a case like yours there may not have been a registered marriage. There could have been a church marriage, or nothing.

It is more likely that the children's births would have been registered, and this may give the mother's name

Go to www.familysearch.org, ; library, catalog, fiji, civil registrations, and look for the films that would cover the right period. The first births film might be the right one. Take its number
Then go to your nearest Mormon Family History Centre and order that film.
When it comes, the births are listed in alphabetical family order, under the father, and all the children are listed in a group.

Read the whole film, as there are odd things at the end.

There is also a Royalty website which has the Fijian lines, and you may find her mentioned under the Cakobaus. I can't remember its name, but Google
Royalty- Fiji- Cakobau
Christine

Hello,

There are BDM records at the Fiji National Archives for your ancestors. I spend time there when I can researching my own family lines, and keep an eye out for names I am familiar with.

Most of the records you are seeking will be found in the Fiji Archives and Methodist Church Archives (also kept at the Fiji Archives building. you will need permission from the Methodist Church however to view these).

As a matter of interest, please be informed that MANY of the records kept at the LDS site are mostly IN-ACCURATE.

hi there,
Im Garfield St John i was also searching for the St John family and i came across your article and i was so happy to see it. My grandfather use to tell me stories about the st john family when i growing up.