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George? Espagne born France 1861

George? Espagne born France 1861

Posted: 16 Jun 2015 12:17PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Espagne
I am trying to trace arrival details for the above person to South Australia. On his naturalisation documents he stated that he arrived in South Australia either Port Adelaide or Port Pirie on board the SS General Gordon ex Cardiff Wales on 10th May 1885. I have to hand a copy of his birth record in France which backs up the information he provided on the naturalisation docs but I have not been able to establish any confirmation of his arrival date in Australia or any travel details from France to England/Wales? One of those dear little family stories says that he jumped ship, but there are conflicting stories as to whether he was a crew member or a member of the French army. Again I have not been able to confirm if he was in the French army. Any help will be appreciated.

Re: George? Espagne born France 1861

Posted: 25 Jul 2015 2:40AM GMT
Classification: Query
The year of arrival should be 1895 as stated on page 14. If you add up the years in Australia that he gives in 1929, it totals 33 years. He states in 1924 and 1929 that he has been in the country for 30 years which is obviously an approximate rounding. I doubt that the actual day and month are correct, I have never seen a naturalisation record which is accurate, especially after that many years.

The General Gordon arrived at Port Pirie in July 1895 from Barry Docks which is just south of Cardiff. It was a cargo ship and seems to have mostly carried wool to the UK.

George was gaoled for 21 days on 10 August for theft from a person who I assume was another crew member.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/197614244

The ship sailed for Newcastle on 16 August so George was not onboard.

This may be of interest:

http://www.archives.sa.gov.au/content/gaols

You would need to contact SA State Records to ask if any non immigrant shipping manifests have survived.

Re: George? Espagne born France 1861

Posted: 25 Jul 2015 4:15AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Espagne
Thank you so much for your reply to my query. I did already have the Government Gazette entry mentioning George's release and this information backs up and confirms the details in the Gazette as well as George's arrival details on the ship General Gordon. I am wondering if the Trove article has only recently been transcribed as I did attempt to find newspaper information but couldn't find anything. Anyway - great result and many thanks. I have recently sent away for what I believe will be record of George's mother's birth in France (French not very good so not sure what I will be receiving) so that will be another step in the right direction. My next objective would be to try to find out how and why a non-English speaking Frenchman came to be in England and was a member of the crew of an English ship. All very interesting. So thank you again and good to be in touch. Cheers Sue Collett (Australia)
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