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 George Thomas Sweetingham
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| threefunnels |
Posted on 13/08/2009 18:24
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 New Member  Posts: 1 Joined: 18/07/2007 |
I would like to say hello to everyone and introduce myself. Whilst I have been a member for sometime now, I have only just got round to taking a more intimate interest in the site (and a brilliant one at that) as I am just embarking researching my Great Grandfather George Thomas Sweetingham. as part of my family history. Born in Porstmouth in 1836, I believe he was in the Royal Navy when young, although I have not researched that in detail yet. However, around 1870 he moved to Hastings and his first son was born - registerd place of birth as Ecclesbourne. The 1871 Census shows him as Coastguard Boatman living at Ecclesbourne. I assume this is the Coastguard Station as other Coastguards are listed at neighbouring dwellings. I believe he was there until sometime in 1877 afterwhich he moved to the Isle of Wight and was a Coastguard Boatman at Freshwater (Freshwater Station I presume). In 1879, in Kelly's Directory, he is listed as Chief Boatman. I then have a record of him at Atherfield Station in 1880 whwre he assisted with the rescue of the Austrian Barque "Atlas" (or "Atlast" as documented in some records). I get a biit confused here between Freshwater, Atherfield and Shorwell as to whether they are different Stations or one of the same. In the 1881 census he is recorded as Chief Coastguard at Shorwell Preventative Station - Is this the same as Atherfield? In 1888 he is documented as directing the rescue of the brig "Kongset Holmestrad" at Blackgang Chine, and in the same year was involved with the rescue of the "Sirenia" - a well documented disaster. In 1892 George and his family returned to the mainland where he was Chief Coastguard at Woolston until his retirement around 1896. The 1891 census shows him living at Coastguard Station No.1. He died in 1908. I would be grateful if anybody could clear up my confusion as to which stations he actually was based at. I have submitted the census records to the the records section of the site. I would be delighted if any members had ancestors serving at these Stations around the same time as my Great Grandfather, or if they have any details about the Stations. I have submitted a couple of photos of Ecclesbourne, and one of Fairlight (even though I am not sure he served there in my confusion with the Station names). Please feel free to visit my Family History website www.sweetingham.co.uk (if you are interested) where I am at the beginning of trying to plot the histories of my male ancestors, the majority of whom were Royal Navy, with George becoming a Coastguard, and my Father and Grandfather becoming Customs Officers after leaving. The site is still very much work in progress, but I have virtually completed my Grandfather's profile. I hope very much to contribute more to this site as I get deeper into researching George Thomas's past. Once again ... brilliant site, and a fitting tribute to the very brave men of HM Coastguard. Clive Sweetingham Edited by threefunnels on 03/08/2010 22:37 |
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| Tony |
Posted on 19/08/2009 11:46
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 Administrator  Posts: 136 Joined: 28/04/2007 |
Hello Clive, I am pleased that our site has aided you in your Coastguard research. The only mention that I have of George Sweetingham is from quarterly Admiralty 'Navy Lists' of 1881 and 1882 ( I do not have complete lists) (Name) Sweetingham,George. (Seniority) 27 April 1880. (Rank) Chief Officer. (Year) 1881 April. (Station) Atherfield. (County) Isle of Wight. (Name) Sweetingham,George. (Seniority) 27 April 1880. (Rank) Chief Officer. (Year) 1882 Oct. (Station) Atherfield. (County) Isle of Wight. He mostl likely entered the Royal Navy and after seven years service at sea could then have applied to join the Coastguard service. Admiralty service records are on-line from the National Archives, Kew, london. Regards Tony |
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