I am trying to figure out my G.grandfather's real name. He went by the name of William Jarvis but I believe that may be a dead comrade's name. He used to slur what his real name was, and family thought it "McGregor", but Y-DNA results have not shown this
He joined the Royal Navy at Woolwich in 1859; sailed on the "Fisguard", "Termagant" (during the American Civil War, and the ship guarded the British Consul); and on the "Falcon" during the Maori Wars of 1864 under the command of Sir William Wiseman of the "Curacao"; He took part in the seige of "Gate-Pa" Tauranga N.Z., - this is the only recorded time the "blue Jackets" have fought on land, and during these skirmishes a William Jarvis was wounded and died of his injuries. My g.grandfather jumped ship in Adelaide in April 1865 and lived a long and happy life with wife Emma (nee Stone) producing 15 children. The above information is as per newspaper interviews on his retirement, and 50th wedding anniversary. He died in January 1921 at age 80, having had only "20 birthdays" - i.e., leapyear - 29th February 1840.
Are there any Naval Historians willing or able to trawl through the British Naval Ships' records of the above named ships, and perhaps find a McKellar, or McKebla, or any derivitive of that name, including McColl, or Cole on all ships ?
on 2016-06-13 06:39:13
lollyrock , from Born and raised in Adelaide South Australia. Now residing in New Zealand., has been a Family Tree Circles member since May 2015.