Source
r/Genealogy•
hydradarr

Wondering if I can pick your brain on my 2nd great grandfather from Deptford, Kent, England...

I am trying to track down my 2nd great grandfather Robert Aurelius King and looking for a second set of eyes or someone familiar with my scenario. He was a mariner, baptized at St Paul, Deptford, Kent England in April 2, 1817, born March 8th and then buried in same church in 1825. His parents are Robert and Elizabeth King. He was a Commander of ships and was in the Chinese opium wars. His sons both were also master mariners. He married in Shanghai China to a Caroline Gibson, who's father was also a commander of a ship in China. Master mariners certificates I have found on all of them. But I can't seem to nail down his parents. I don't think a commander of a ship just happens upon that job? It seems like the family was from Deptford during this time which was a shipbuilding era there. There are several Robert and Elizabeth Kings. However looking to see if anyone has any incite into the whole mariner trades and maybe suggestions where I can look. If he was a commander, his brothers, sons and nephews were similar it leads me to believe his dad must have also been in maritime or ships. And how does a poor country boy become a commander..I don't think they do. Any ideas? And thank you for any suggestions.

1st edit: His father Robert King died in 1825, Robert Aurelius died in 1900. 2nd edit: Sorry for my errors on this submission: Robert Aurelius King born March 1817 in Kent, England. He died in 1900 Marylebone, England per one registry but then another shows Camden, London. Robert King, his father, was born 1778 England (per death records) and Died 1825 St Paul, Deptford, England. His father is who I am trying to find more information on.

Posted May 6, 2019, 3:02 AM UTC · edited

28
Coffey_GroundsResearcher 35+ years. USA, UK, Germany, Norway, Sweden•

It appears a mistake was made in one of the dates you posted. Born in 1817 and died in 1825 makes him age 8 at death.

5
hydradarrOP•

Sorry, Father died in 1825 and Robt Aurelius died in 1800.

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nderflowbeginner•

17 years before his birth? Please edit your post to make it clearer!

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hydradarrOP•

Sorry I will correct.

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JaimieMcEvoy•

As a couple of others have stated, your post needs to be edited to make things clearer. Happy to then advise.

In the original post, it would seem Robert Aurelius King became a Commander and died by age 8.

In your clarification, Robert Aurelius King died 17 years before his birth.

Typos are easy mistakes, no worries, just update the info more clearly.

If these are in fact the dates you do have, then there is a problem with your original information, or records are actually for more than one person.

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hydradarrOP•

Sorry, I will clarify. thank you

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BookwormZA•

According to the FreeReg transcription of Robert A's baptism, and the image on Ancestry, Robert senior was a gentleman. Based on other trees, Robert senior died in 1825 - have you checked for a will of some sort? Additionally, given that Deptford was very much a naval area, I am not surprised that he ended up as a mariner. Looking at other transcripts of Kings born in Deptford in that time frame, there're quite a few master mariners in that area. Growing up with friends whose fathers are mariners, particularly if yours is dead, is probably an inducement to become a mariner.

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hydradarrOP•

Yes, this is correct. I knew senior died in 1825 but didn't really calculate that son would have only been 8 years old. I need to find a will. I thought I found a will but I don't believe its my Robert King. I will keep looking.

And a gentleman, so maybe that will help me narrow down his birthplace and or date. Thank you for your info! That definitely helps.

1