Family and Forebears

I've been fascinated with my Great Great Grandfather, Duncan Barnes ever since I started researching my roots back in 2005. I hope to get to Newfoundland one day to find out more and visit the places he lived but for now, I'll have to settle for online research. Today I would like to share some information about my seafaring ancestor.

Duncan Barnes was born on Friday, March 20, 1863, in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. He was the son of Ebenezer Webber Barnes and Jane Pike (possibly Parsons, I have conflicting information) and was baptized at the Methodist Church in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland on May 16, 1863.

Duncan was a Master Mariner that shipped cargo around Newfoundland and also took sealers up to the ice fields for their hunts. For a time he was the Captain of the S.S. Aggie, a steamer that took lumber and other supplies, as well as passengers around Newfoundland.

Duncan had three wives in total but also had an illegitimate child. As far as I can work out the mother

While researching my great-great-grandfather, Duncan Barnes - A Newfoundlander from Harbour Grace -  I came across this great register in the Ancestry.com Card Catalog called "England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921".

My Dad told me that his grandfather and his uncle were Freemasons.  I thought maybe his great-grandfather was too.  Sure enough, he shows up in this register twice.  The first mention is on folio number 275 under Avalon Lodge in St. John's, Newfoundland (1).  Duncan Barnes "Date of
Initiation" was September 27, 1905.  He is 42 and living at Pilley's Island (where most of his children are born).  I know all of this information is accurate but I have his occupation as a "Master Mariner" in my family tree and this register lists his profession as "Trader". This gives me a little more detail about what he may have done on those ships.




The second mention of Duncan shows up on folio number 71 (2) but mentions that he " Resigned Dec 1919".  In 1920 Duncan left Newfoundland with his 3rd wife Theresa and purchased a house in