Pocock Family History
Introduction
This site has been prepared by Daniel Pocock, using numerous resources located online.
Daniel was born in Australia and currently lives in Europe. Daniel can be contacted using the contact details here
Origins and Arms
This site tells us that the name Pocock originated in Durham, near Newcastle in the North East of England.
The site just referenced displays a coat of arms granted to a Pocock, however, it doesn't say which Pococks and their descendants have the right to display those arms. Consult the College of Arms for more information.
Challenges
The UK only started keeping records in 1837. They performed a census in 1841 and again in 1851.
The church where Charles Pocock (see below) was baptised (1844) burnt down in 1867, it is not clear whether records were destroyed in the fire.
Croydon used to be a part of Surrey but has merged into Greater London.
The Pocock family
John Pocock (c1818 - ) and Elizabeth Brown (c1816/c1822 - )
Married, possibly 1843, possibly in St John the Baptist, Croydon, Surrey, UK. Some information on descendants of John and Elizabeth has been found, although the DoB for Thomas and Emma precedes the date of John and Elizabeth's marriage. Elizabeth may have been born c1816 or c1822, according to different sources.
The fact that Emma and Charles both married their respective spouses the same day (see below) may not simply be a co-incidence and they may both be children of John and Elizabeth Pocock.
Thomas Pocock (1837 - )
Christening was 29 Oct 1837, St John the Baptist, Croydon, Surrey, UK
Henry Hazel and Emma Catherine Pocock (1841 - ?)
Emma's Christening was 6 Jun 1841, St John the Baptist, Croydon, Surrey, UK
Emma married Henry 21 May 1865, Saint Paul, Deptford, Kent, England
Charles Pocock (1844 - 1914) and Elizabeth Winifred Parker (1847 - 1923)
Charles was born in 1844, baptised 5/8/1844 at St John the Baptist, Croydon, Surrey, UK.
Charles wed Elizabeth Winifred Parker at Saint Paul, Deptford, Kent, 21/5/1865.
They migrated to Australia at some point in 1868 on the sailing ship Queen of the North. The Mariners and Ships in Australian Waters (State Records Authority of NSW) suggests it was a ship from Liverpool, 1668 Tons, under the master Isaiah Weaver. Another site suggests it was American-built, 1860 in New Brunswick. Another Queen of The North ship appears to have been operating at the same time, 414 (gross) / 398 tons. The ship arrived March 1868, port B Melbourne. Charles and Elizabeth's names are listed as `Chas' and `Eliza' on the records.
They had 12 children including Charles John Pocock, Robert Ernest Pocock and Ellen Agnes Pocock who was born at sea in 1868.
Charles died in Footscray, 1914.
Rose Winifred Pocock (1866 - 1868)
Parents: Charles and Elizabeth
Born 1 Oct 1866, Kent, England
Christening 24 Oct 1866, St Alphage, Greenwich, Kent, England
Died at sea, while travelling to Australia.
Robert Ernest Edward Pocock (1882 - ) and Amy Fordham (1876 - 1906)
Robert was born in FI TZ (those are the letters written on the Victorian Government register, I believe that is Fitzroy), 1882, certificate #16147.
Robert and Amy wed 1906 in Port Melbourne.
Robert and Amy had 3 children, including Walter Ernest Pocock.
Robert served in the Great War, in the Western Front, in France. He was in the 3rd Divisional Train A.S.C, 22nd Company, no. 10768. He received British and Australian medals. Military records refer to him as Robert Ernest Edward and alternatively Robert Edward Ernest. Prior to the war, he was employed as an ammunition worker at Maribyrnong.
Walter Ernest Pocock (1907 - ) and Dorothy Ryder
Walter was born in Footscray, 1907, certificate #1907.
Walter and Dorothy married 1933, certificate #10368.
Their children are John, Walter, Denise, Marie.
Links
Data has been gathered from several sites:
- Military Service Records (National Archives of Australia)
- http://www.coraweb.com.au/shipsite.htm
- familysearch.org
- Victorian Government public records (Births/Deaths/Marriages)
- St John the Baptist, Croydon
- St Paul's, Deptford
- Family Record Centre (UK Government service)
- General Register Office (UK Government Service)
- North West Kent Family History Society (incorporating Deptford)
- Public Record Office Victoria (shipping) and all digitised records
- Museum of Victoria
Queen of the North
From this email:
Ship QUEEN OF THE NORTH, built under special Lloyd's Register of Shipping survey by McMorran & Vunn, of St. John, New Brunswick, and launched in November 1860. Official No. 37168; International Signal Code SCTR. 1668/1668/1601 tons (gross/net/under deck); 202 x 40.3 x 29.4 ft (length x beam x depth of hold); 2 decks, 3 tiers of beams; raised quarter deck 11 tons. Originally registered at St. John, she was sold to Wilson & Co, Liverpool, where she was re-registered in 1862; _Lloyd's Register_ for 1881/82 gives her owner as Milvain and her port of registry as Newcastle.