Birth at sea

[Foxglove]

I would love to know more about the birth of Emma Ann HODGE in 1801. The birthplace description on the 1851 census reads "On board BS Asia". Later censuses simply say "At Sea".

The only records for births at sea that I've found so far start in 1844. Is there somewhere that details earlier births?

I did find the name "Asia" under a list of convict ships sailing to Australia but the earliest date for those was 1822. What does BS stand for?

I have no details of Emma's parents so no clues there as yet.

Can anyone make any suggestions how to find out more?

Marian

 

[p.risboy]

BS = British Subject.

Where is she in the Census. Under what name. I can't find her under Hodge.

Steve.

EDIT: Under Emma Richards, ??

 

[p.risboy]

This maybe something or nothing.

Name: Emma Ann Hodge
Gender: Female
Baptism Date: 15 Feb 1807
Baptism Place: St. James, Bristol, Gloucester, England
Father: Edward Hodge
Mother: Ann.


As Emma Ann Hodge(Richards), is in the locailty of Gloucestershire, and Bristol, it could be a possibilty.

It would help if you could see the original entry, to see if Edward Hodge was a sailor, or connected to shipping.


Steve.

 

[Foxglove]

Thank you. I never thought to put the name the census entry was under -but clearly you found it! I'll try to remember that in future.

I'll have a hunt around and see if that baptism is for her. It certainly looks possible. All the more so as the first witness at Emma's marriage was Edward Hodge. Though she was a spinster of the parish of Frome in Somerset by then.

Would records have been kept of vessels entering or leaving port in those days? I'm wondering how to find out what kind of ship Asia was.

I'll keep hunting.

Marian

 

[p.risboy]

I don't think there was a ship Asia. BS of Asia = British Subject of Asia.

I would hazard a guess, she was born Asia. Possibly somewhere the East India Company operated. Possibly Hong Kong, among many others. There were so many Ships under the East India flag, also plenty of Privateers.

Baptised on the return to England, hence the later baptism.

Steve.

 

[DaveHam9]

This is a bit of a puzzle.

As 'at sea' is obvious and BS = British Subject appears in many census. There seems to be no ref until 1820 for a vessel named 'Asia' so born at sea somewhere in Asia on an unnamed vessel?

The Asia was built at Aberdeen in 1819. She made voyages to New South Wales with convicts in 1820 1822 ...

Dave

 

[Foxglove]

Thank you. That puts another slant on it.

I suppose there have to have been a lot of sailors in and around Bristol so finding one wouldn't be too surprising.

I shall attempt to find out more about Edward Hodge.

Marian