Can anyone help me to find the truth and fill in the gaps about my great grandfather Helmer William Seeling ( or Suling) and establish where his parents came from? This has been a 30 year search by myself and another descendant.
Family lore was that he was a remittance man, that is a black sheep in a wealthy family who is paid to leave England. Another story was that he was a graduate of Cambridge but unable to prove either. Family does not sound at all wealthy, but he appeared to be well educated.
What we do know is that he came to New Zealand on the "Woodlark" arriving in Wellington 24 March 1873, having left London on 14 December 1873. On the passenger list he was listed as William Suling age 34 from Middlesex.
He was single when he arrived but later married a widow and fathered 8 children, some of whom were registered with the Suling surname instead of Seeling. All the children though used Seeling as their surname. One son Charlie Seeling played in the 1905 All Blacks Rugby team and later played Rugby League for Wigan.
His New Zealand marriage certificate called him Helmer William Luling apparently a misspelling. His life here where he called himself Helmer William Seeling is well documented but the only absolute evidence we have of his life in England is a copy of letter written to him from Anne and Richard Keefe, a family he had been friends with and they call him Mr. Seeling. This however may have been changed from Suling to Seeling by the person who copied it as it clearly states it is a copy.
In the letter from his friends, reference is made of an Eliza. “As for Eliza, we often see her but of course never speak. I fancy she is married as she is never without a baby”. Reference is also made of passing on his regards to Mr. and Mrs. Scotchford.
In the 1861 Census William Suling born abt 1839 in Mile End of Town Stepney, was living at 24 Devonshire St, St Paul, St George in the East, aged 22
Estimated Birth Year:abt 1839, Spouse's Name:Eliza
Where born:Mile End O Town, Middlesex, England
Occupation: General dealer
Also living with him were Eliza Suling19 and Mary Ann Suling 9 Months
I have found a baptism record for an Aylmer William Suling which includes 2 brothers. Helmer and Aylmer are similar sounds.
These are the particulars for each brother christened same day 25 September 1842 for parents Henry Frederick and Sarah Suling. Henry’s occupation is given as a sugar refiner.
Henry Frederick Suling born 6 May 1833 at Great Street, Holborn
Henry Christian Suling born 3 November 1834 at Upper Cornwall Street
Aylmer William Suling born 8 Oct 1838 at Greenfield Street
Parish or Poor Law Union: Christ Church, Watney Street
Borough: Tower Hamlets
Then another record I have found is the marriage of a Henry Frederick Suling son of Henry Frederick Suling to Sarah Ann Clements on August 28 1859 at Saint Anne, Limehouse, Stepney. Witnesses to the marriage were James Charles Scotchford and Ann Scotchford.
Henry Christian Suling emigrated to Australia on Royal Essex ( named Seeling on this), arriving in Melbourne 26 January 1853 and changed his name to Fitch as reported as a missing person in a 1881 NSW Police Gazette.
Found a marriage bann for a Henry Frederick Sealing and Sarah Keys, 9 Dec 1832, St Botolph without Bishopsgate, possibly his parents.
That is all! He is missing in the censuses of 1841,1851,1871. No England birth or marriage certificate has been found. His mother was not named on either his New Zealand marriage or death certificates.
I do have his photo and will though!
Family lore was that he was a remittance man, that is a black sheep in a wealthy family who is paid to leave England. Another story was that he was a graduate of Cambridge but unable to prove either. Family does not sound at all wealthy, but he appeared to be well educated.
What we do know is that he came to New Zealand on the "Woodlark" arriving in Wellington 24 March 1873, having left London on 14 December 1873. On the passenger list he was listed as William Suling age 34 from Middlesex.
He was single when he arrived but later married a widow and fathered 8 children, some of whom were registered with the Suling surname instead of Seeling. All the children though used Seeling as their surname. One son Charlie Seeling played in the 1905 All Blacks Rugby team and later played Rugby League for Wigan.
His New Zealand marriage certificate called him Helmer William Luling apparently a misspelling. His life here where he called himself Helmer William Seeling is well documented but the only absolute evidence we have of his life in England is a copy of letter written to him from Anne and Richard Keefe, a family he had been friends with and they call him Mr. Seeling. This however may have been changed from Suling to Seeling by the person who copied it as it clearly states it is a copy.
In the letter from his friends, reference is made of an Eliza. “As for Eliza, we often see her but of course never speak. I fancy she is married as she is never without a baby”. Reference is also made of passing on his regards to Mr. and Mrs. Scotchford.
In the 1861 Census William Suling born abt 1839 in Mile End of Town Stepney, was living at 24 Devonshire St, St Paul, St George in the East, aged 22
Estimated Birth Year:abt 1839, Spouse's Name:Eliza
Where born:Mile End O Town, Middlesex, England
Occupation: General dealer
Also living with him were Eliza Suling19 and Mary Ann Suling 9 Months
I have found a baptism record for an Aylmer William Suling which includes 2 brothers. Helmer and Aylmer are similar sounds.
These are the particulars for each brother christened same day 25 September 1842 for parents Henry Frederick and Sarah Suling. Henry’s occupation is given as a sugar refiner.
Henry Frederick Suling born 6 May 1833 at Great Street, Holborn
Henry Christian Suling born 3 November 1834 at Upper Cornwall Street
Aylmer William Suling born 8 Oct 1838 at Greenfield Street
Parish or Poor Law Union: Christ Church, Watney Street
Borough: Tower Hamlets
Then another record I have found is the marriage of a Henry Frederick Suling son of Henry Frederick Suling to Sarah Ann Clements on August 28 1859 at Saint Anne, Limehouse, Stepney. Witnesses to the marriage were James Charles Scotchford and Ann Scotchford.
Henry Christian Suling emigrated to Australia on Royal Essex ( named Seeling on this), arriving in Melbourne 26 January 1853 and changed his name to Fitch as reported as a missing person in a 1881 NSW Police Gazette.
Found a marriage bann for a Henry Frederick Sealing and Sarah Keys, 9 Dec 1832, St Botolph without Bishopsgate, possibly his parents.
That is all! He is missing in the censuses of 1841,1851,1871. No England birth or marriage certificate has been found. His mother was not named on either his New Zealand marriage or death certificates.
I do have his photo and will though!
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