Elizabeth Moore, born Hong Kong 1886

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/23/2010 - 19:21

I am trying to trace any information about my grandmother, Elizabeth MOORE, who was born in Hong Kong on 28.09.1886.

Her father was Edward Moore, born 1854 (approx) in Harleston, Norfolk. He enlisted as Private in 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot 20th February 1871 in Colchester. Subsequently, he purchased his discharge 18th April 1879, in Hong Kong, with rank of Lance Corporal and died there on 3rd March 1894. While in Hong Kong, he worked as a “Club Steward”. I have no information about her mother other than she was Caucasian.

My grandmother was raised by (Anglican?)nuns presumably in an orphanage where she then taught, before going to work for Butterfield and Swire in Hong Kong. She eventually left in about 1923, then living in South Africa, Jakarta and Queensland before settling in England about 12 years later.

I would welcome any suggestions regarding possible sources of information.

You may find some help in the Carl Smith Archive at http://www.grs.gov.hk/ws/english/ps_online_cata_csc.htm#

If you key in Elzabeth Moore you will find two mentions.

My grandmother's name was Annie Louisa Moore Burke and I think she was born in HK but have not been able to find a birth cert. If you are interested have a look at www.thehongkonglegacy.com where I have recorded what I know about her in the chapter "Growing Families and Growing Expectations. 

It is interesting that your grandmother was raised by nuns. According to my family memory my grandmother may have lived for a time in the Italian Convent on Caine Road.

Hope you get lucky.

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Submitted by
John Hill (not verified)
on
Wed, 12/08/2010 - 01:05

I am the author of the original question.

Thanks for the tip re Swires. They have confirmed my grandmother worked for them and also her real age (she was actually 2 years older than we understood - which means she was 96 when she passed away).

I have also found my great grandfather Edward Moore on the Jurors List in 1892 and 1893 where his was listed as "Steward - Hong Kong Club" with his address as the club. Is there any source of detailed history of the club from those times?

John

 

A friend wrote me:

 

I have just checked the online catalogue and found that there are (at least) two cards, Nos 127215 and 127217, that refer to an Edward Moore.  The catalogue can be searched using the following URL: http://www.grs.gov.hk/ws/english/ps_online_cata_csc.htm.

 

Update

I just looked at the Carl Smith cards, and they refer to an Edward Moore, but one who was on the jury lists in 1870 [clerk P&O], 1871[assistant, Union Insurance] - and refer to buying and selling of Kowloon Marine Lot 29.

I think I may have further lead here. As in my origonal mail which started this thread, my grandmother was Elizabeth Moore born Hong Kong in 1884. Her father was Edward Moore born England in 1854, died in Hong Kong 1894. Previously, we have only presummed her mother was dead as my grandmother grew up in an orphanage - it would appear possible that her mother was Elizabeth Maria Moore who is buried in Hong Kong Cemetery - the age of 38 at death is recorded and the adjacent graves are from about 1890. This fits in the known dates well. It is recorded that there is a 2nd person in the grave (Marion Harriet Moore - maybe Elizabeth died in childbirth of Marion?)  

As Sean mentioned elsewhere, Moore is typically a Irish Catholic name. Edward Moore served in the 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot but regimental records show his place of birth as Harleston in Norfolk and he enlisted at Colchester where the register was based. So far I have nothing the confirm whether he was Catholic or not, but my grandmother was staunch Anglican in adult life (and later a Christian Scientist). What I do know now is though Edward Moore died in Hong Kong he does not appear to be buried in the Hong Kong Cemetery.

Maybe he is buried in a Catholic Cemetery?

I'll keep looking.

Regards

John

 

Just a quick update on my progress:

a) Have traced Edward Moore's baptisim in England - 11th May 1854 at St Pauls church in Needham Norfolk, so now know he was Anglican.

b) Christine M Thomas http://www.researchhongkong.org.uk/  has traced that Edward Moore died of pneumonia on 3rd March 1894 and was buried in the Colonial Cemetary, Section 34, Grave no. 5583.

Regards

John

John,

Thanks for the update, and good to see you're still making progress.

Up at the top you mentioned your grandmother had taught at an orphanage. Do you know which one, and have they any records that tell you more about her?

I've also added a list of resources since you first wrote. You've probably seen them already, but worth a check.

Regards, David