Hello to everyone.
This is my first time using this site so my greetings and blessings to everyone.
My partner and I are trying to trace his ancestors who we believe came from Ireland. Unfortunately we have no idea what part of Ireland.
What we do know is:-
Grandpa's name was Archibald Wilfrid Holmes who was born in Stutterheim South Africa on 5/9/1899 shortly after his parents arrived on a ship, name of ship unknown.
Greatgrandpa's name William Isaac Holmes
Greatgrandma's name Annie Magalene Holmes (maiden name possibly O'Hagen)
Believe it or not Grandpa grew up, got married and had some children, one son he called Sherlock Holmes..... no I kid you not..... and that Sherlock Holmes (born in Southern Rhodesia) also had a son who he called... yes you know.... Sherlock Holmes.... who I happen to be 'partnered' with. Yep he had a son who he called Sherlock Holmes, but that one had the sense to change his name to Sean as soon as he possibly could.
Does anyone have any hint of how I can possible start to try and trace great grandpa and grandma. I have no dates of brith for them, I have no idea what ship they may have come over on. Perhaps I am clutching at straws but we have to try.
I look forward to hearing from anyone.
God Bless
Mary on behalf of Sherlock Homes
Sherlock Holmes
Saturday 13th Sep 2014, 06:00PMMessage Board Replies
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There's a public tree on ancestry that includes a William Isaac Holmes that married an Annie Heigan in 1875 in Saint John's Anglican Church, Post Retief, South Africa. The tree includes details of a number of children, including a Archibald Wilfred Holmes born 2 Sep 1899
The tree is unsourced but sounds like it would be worth following up on, as the person that posted the details. username clarearonson, may have more information and certs etc.
Shane Wilson, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Saturday 13th Sep 2014, 08:34PM -
Wow Shanew147
WHat a wonderful thing to wake up to on a Sunday morning. Where do I find the public tree on Ancestry.
Gosh I am so exicted, Sherlock (jnr) will be amazed if it is the family line. He was convinced that Great Grandpa came over in 1899 but it may be that it was earlier than that.
Thank you thank you thank you for giving me / us some hope.
Best
Mary
Sherlock Holmes
Sunday 14th Sep 2014, 03:12AM -
Ancestry is a subscription site, so a link will not work for you, but I've attached a screenshot of the search details I used, and the first page of the details below. Up until recently they had a free version of the their Public Trees on a site called Mundia but this was recently closed down. The owner of that tree could possibly share it with you if you could find them...
Ancestry do special offers, free trials etc so might be worth keeping an eye out for these, also worth checking if a local library has access to Ancestry - these library versions dont always include public trees etc but might be worth checking.
Shane Wilson, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Sunday 14th Sep 2014, 08:58AM