Genealogy Chat

I am trying to get hold of 2 birth certificates - one for 1866 and the other for 1872. Both children were the offspring of the British Honorary Vice Consul in Chile (Peru initially before the war there) and therefore one would have thought that registration would have been among the consular records. They also had British Citizenship but there doesn't appear to be any entry at all for any of the children. Their mother was Argentinian, but was also a British citizen.

Any expert advice please?

Jackie

Have you checked the overseas indices available on Findmypast or Family relatives websites?

If you have not checked these I am happy to look them up if you post the details
Pete

Hi Pete

Yes- I have looked through these and can't for some reason find them. Another pair of eyes may help. Thanks for the kind offer

I have:
Florence Ellen Syers- Jones (or Florencia Elena) Syers-Jones born Melipilla, Chile Dec 1872
Alfred Frederick Syers-Jones b1866 Pisagua, Chile

Father was John Syers Jones and mother was Maria Luisa Barbara Petronella Zuloaga.

John Syers Jones added the double barrel to the name, taken from his middle name, Syers, as he felt Jones was too common!! I have looked under the Consular records for Jones and Syers. I am also looking for a death certificate of John Syers Jones who died 4th july 1880 in Tacna, Chile aged 43. He was at the time of his death the Honorary British Consul in Mendoza.

Would maybe Kew have any records? A general search of the TNA site hasn't flagged anything up although I have heard from a fellow researcher that the Archives do hold a letter written by him, although it was found by a third party.

Hi Jackie,

I have had problems finding a death and marriage (Welsh relatives) in Bolivia for death 1888 and marriage year or two later.

I have Emailed many people and been told that records were not kept until early 1910-20s unless they were Catholic!!

So my search for this couple has come to an end!!

Hope you get better results, good luck.

Lynn

Thanks Lynn

That may explain why the children's births weren't in the Consular records. However, they were Catholic - I would have also thought that being a diplomat also, he would have had his children registered. Maybe he felt it wasn't necessary due to his status but how did they get British Nationality?? They were in the UK in 1901 with their widowed mother. Would his diplomatic status have given them automatic British Citizenship?

Jackie,

The death of John Syers JONES is listed in the overseas index

Year: 1876-1880
Surname: JONES
Name: John Syers
Registrar's District: Arica (It's hard to read but I think that's what is says)
Volume: 6
Page: 1361

Armed with the above info you will be able to order a copy of his death cert from the GRO

I couldn't find any of the birth registrations for his children

Pete

Jackie,

Have you found the family in London in the 1891 census?

Name Age
Maria L Sagen Jones 56 (born Mendoza, Argentine Rep)
Amelia J Sagen Jones 22 (born Pisagna, Peru)
Maria J Sagen Jones 19 (born Pisagna, Peru)
Florencia E Sagen Jones 18 (born Millepilla, Chile)
Bernarda V Corzaley 40
Mary Bowden 27
Amalia Payen 21

Thank you so much for finding this one for me pete. Very grateful.

Yes- this is the family in 1891. Believe that John Syers -Jones died intestate and Maria came to England to try and sort out his finances. Eldest son Alfred remained as Vice Consul (talk about keeping it in the family!!)
Jackie