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

While researching my HOWELL family I found a record for my Great Great Grandfather, Isaiah HOWELL.  This record is the "Application For Registration of Birth" created in 1935.  It tells me that he was born February 18th, 1862 - Cobbler's Island, Newtown (Bonavista Bay), Newfoundland and that his parents were Willliam and Mary (SAINSBURY).  It also tells me a few bits of information that interests me.

1. His father was a School Master.
2. There are "...records of the Howell family (are) kept very carefully and treasured in the old family Bible."

I would love to see the family Bible that is mentioned.  Please contact me if you know more about this family treasure.



To see a few branches of Isaiah Howells family tree visit The Barnes & Howell Family Page.  You can also have a look at the Index of Names to see other Howells I have in my family tree.

Original Post 8/29/2016 (Lisa's Family Pages)

Original Post 10/08/2014 (Lisa's Family Pages)

Original Post 8/14/2014 (Lisa's Family Pages)

Original post 3/9/2014 (Lisa's Family Pages)

A few weeks ago I sent a request to the Anglican Church of Newfoundland.  I asked for a copy of the marriage record for John Barnes and Louisa Tucker married June 2, 1821, in Carbonear.  John Barnes is our first Barnes ancestor to Newfoundland.  I wanted to see if the original would share the names of their parents.

This week I received a reply from the Honorary Archivist at The Archdeacon Buckle Memorial Archive - Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador.   I was very excited to see a copy of this very old document.  Unfortunately, it does not share the names of his parents,  but it does provide the names of two witnesses - one being William Barnes.  William is likely related to John and I am hoping that researching William will help me discover more about John's family in England.

I have included an image of the document below as well as a transcription because it's a bit hard to read.



Transcription:
Entry #10 Parish of Carbonear - Marriage Register 608, Box 2, File 4

Carbonear Church,  Newfoundland,  2 June 1821.  John Barnes,  Bachelor of Wimbourne in the county of Dorset, England and Louisa Tucker, Spinster of Harbour Grace, in Conception Bay Newfoundland, were married in this church by consent of Parents as certified this second day of June one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one by me J. Burt Clerk (?)

This marriage was solemnized John X Barnes & Louisa Tucker between us. 

In the presence of Edwd Peters, Wm Barnes (Edward Peters and William Barnes)

I hereby certify that the above is a just copy of nuptials

J. Burt - Clerk