Genealogy Chat

Hi Genies Can anyone tell me what that means. I think I've found a rellie on the Ancestry site. The message box stated: Elizabeth Sarah Gillett. Chapter G. Page No. 68 When I took a look, Elizabeth Sarah Gillett was no where to be seen, instead it was a William Gillett. S Lent T. Dolphin May 1766 Ht. Could any one tell me what that means please, or where I could find Elizabeth Sarah Gillett on this Emigrants in Bondage page. She was born around1806 [poss in Berkshire Reading] Thank you for any help you may be able to give Tralena

Do you mean what does 'emigrants in bondage' mean? If so it means they were felons and were transported. They differed from slaves in as much as they had to labour for a term , and then afterwards were awarded free status, and could return home or stay.

The problem with ancestry when you search the old docs on there is that it will pick up any of the words you have entered - as in your case, the Gillett - and bring it up as a result - it probably doesnt have anything to do with your lot Im afraid.

Thank you for the explaination about the bondage. I have grown up with the knowledge that we were from French decendents...would the French have sent their criminals to the UK. If so, do you know where I could find more information on it. I am quite new to this and still finding my way. Thank you. Tralena

Hi there, as in my note above, you may find that ancestry just picked up on a matching word in your search and that record does not have anything to do with your Elzabeth.

Hello Tralena, your Erbas name seems to be more spanish than french. I found Erbas in Spain, Mexico, Peru and Bolivia. Rather than me rattling on, have a look at www.surnamenavigator(.)org and choose 'International' and only tick one box at a time, good luck, Derek in France

Hi Derek Harridence in France. My Maiden name is Mason. I married a man with Turkish origins. He was brought up in Lyon France.. My ancestors names are Absalom, Bailey, Warburton Shilliam and I've just resently found a Gillett that married an Absalom. I dont know how far back the story goes but its always been said we had French and Scottish blood. I would love to know whom gave us the French blood, but as yet, no luck in finding her/him. Tralena

Hi Heather Positive Tinker When I was on Ancestery, I typed in the name Elizabeth Gillett b.abt 1806. The response was: Elizabeth Sarah Gillett. Chapter G. Page no. 68. on the Emigrants Bondage page. As Ancestery gave a full name of a person it makes me feel it wasnt from a keyword it picked up randomly. When opening the veiw, there was no Elizabeth, but a William Gillett. I would just like to know what happened to the Elizabeth Sarah Gillett and how I could find more details on her. Love Tralena

'would the French have sent their criminals to the UK' In a word no! Not as far as I know anyway. Until very recently, last century, France was pretty much our largest rival on the continent and relations far from cordial to say the least. I can't see any reason we'd accept their convicts! Do you have any more info on the person your looking for, husband children, occupation etc. Perhaps we can find her on the census and work back from that.

HI Richard Thank you for your offer of help. The information I have is: Abraham Absalom b. 1795 born in Putney Surry Occupation: Plaister. Married on 15th. September 1833 at St. Anns in soho Westminster, to: Elizabeth Gillett b. 1806 in Berkshire Reading. no occupation stated. Children: Henry b.1834 at St.Mary le Strand George b. 1837 at St. Mary le Strand (one of my great x?Grandfathers. he was a labourer in 1851 John b. 1841 at St. Mary le Strand James b. 1844 at St. Mary le Strand William b.1847 at Mary le Strand Hope this is of help. Love Tralena

Tralena I see your problem now. No likely Elizabeth Gillets in Reading 1800-1810 on IGI, so if, as is probably likely the parish records holds no clues to her parents it is going to be difficult. Bear in mind though that the IGI is by no means a complete index, not all church records have been filmed, and even those that have many not yet transcribed and on the database. What you may need to do eventually is get down to the Berkshire records office and check through the parish records on microfiche for Reading churches and hopefully you may find her that way.

Thank you Richard I'll have to get my wellie boots on and do some foot work searching...hehehe

Im afraid you could make up an outlandish name and ancestry would highlight part of it and pick it up in documents on there.

I spent many a wasted hour trawling their docs years back with the false expectation that my Edward Horstead 1735 would be on them and only finding refs to the village of Horstead, no Edward.

I think the bondage records refer to america, dont they? Have you tried entering the name and searching the family trees on ancestry?Or indeed, having a google with the name?

Try a google search with "Gillett genealogy" - there are lots and lots of good sites coming up.