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Indian Navy 1850's Can anyone help me please?

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~Looby Loo~

~Looby Loo~ Report 17 Feb 2009 10:34

If my ancestor was English why would he be in the Indian Navy?

On a census it stated that he was in the Royal Navy, but I have since found that it must have been the Indian Navy. I now have evidence that he was the chief engineer on the ship Berniece which was a steam paddle ship, and also have a letter from the Admiralty stating the ship was built for the Indian Navy, and not the Royal Navy. Why would he be in the Indian Navy rather than the Royal Navy? He was in Bombay in 1859.

Would he have to have been of Indian Nationality to be in the Indian Navy?

I know he applied for a passport in June 1853 and his wife applied in August of 1853 but I don't know whether she joined him.

I have a Bombay baptism record of a child dated 1859 but the child's dob was in 1857, is there anyway I can find the original Indian birth certificate for this child?
Anyone got any ideas?

thanks, Lou

Researching:
Baker, Blann. Coyne, Jackman, Parr, Price,

AnnCardiff

AnnCardiff Report 17 Feb 2009 11:46

what's his name?

Researching:
Breakspears of Berkshire and Cardiff, Williams and Harman of Whitchurch, Melingriffith &Tongwynlais,Glamorgan WE HAVE NO CONNECTION Do not share your tree with me

Roy

Roy Report 17 Feb 2009 11:56

Lou
You have to remember the huge British population that remained in India after the fall of the Raj and saw their life as Indian but still considered themselves Brits. There is also the possibility that part of the deal for the ship build would be the avialability of key RN personel to man the ship and train the new incumbents.
Not much I know but maybe will give you some thought.
reagrds

~Looby Loo~

~Looby Loo~ Report 17 Feb 2009 12:22

His name was William Baker, and the 'son' was William Henry Baker.

I have traced the Baker line back to 1763 all born in England, except for William Henry Baker. I am trying to find out whether this son was his illigitimate child or an 'adopted' child. My gt grandfather was the brother of William Henry Baker, he is also a 'suspect' child. In that his birth was registered in England in 1860, but on 1 census it states he was born 'Sea' which means either at sea or overseas. Plus both of these boys had the features and colouring of Indian origin. As far as I can tell their sister's ancestors were all of English origin.

Their father was back in England by 1871 and remained here for the rest of hs life as did his family.

I understand that some went out their to work and I first thought he had something to do with the Train Company as he was an Engineer, but now I'm not so sure. I was wondering if the family had some family connection to India, hence why he was in the Indian Navy rather than the Royal Navy.

Lou

Researching:
Baker, Blann. Coyne, Jackman, Parr, Price,