Who Do You Think You Are - John Barnes 17th Oct

[Shona]

Stephen Hill married Monica. Did they mention her surname? I'm still intruiged to know more about Stephen. He was associate editor of the oldest newspaper in Jamaica and had enough money to have racehorses. Wasn't John Barnes declared bankrupt a few years ago?

The Gleaner was established in 1833 by Jacob Raphael DeCordova and his brother Joshua - Jewish Jamaicans. Jacob settled in Texas in 1839 and was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. Michael deCordova served as managing editor until 1948.

[kiterunner]

Originally Posted by Shona

Stephen Hill married Monica. Did they mention her surname?

They didn't, but I will see if I can find it out.

Wasn't John Barnes declared bankrupt a few years ago?

Yes, but according to Wikipedia, "A few days after being sacked by Tranmere, Barnes was declared bankrupt. He has described the bankruptcy as a technicality, saying "The bankruptcy issue is a tax oversight which is being dealt with." Barnes' claims of the bankruptcy being a "tax oversight" proved true and the order was quickly overturned"

[kiterunner]

Originally Posted by Shona

Stephen Hill married Monica. Did they mention her surname?

Looking back at my episode summary, Monica was Frank's wife, not Stephen's.

Stephen died in 1937 age 54, so he was born about 1883. And Frank died in 1980 age 69, so he was born about 1911. I'm thinking that Stephen could be Stephen Augustus Hill who was born 20 Dec 1882 at St Andrew, Jamaica, mother Imogene Annetta Fipps (from FamilySearch, which has the images of Jamaican Civil Birth Registrations.)

There is a birth registration 25 Nov 1910 for a son of Stephen Augustus Hill and Daisy Ione Hill, formerly Harrison. Stephen's occupation is given as Journalist. So it looks as though this is the right Stephen!

So, looking at the image for Stephen's birth registration, he was born 20 Dec 1882 at 20 Barry Street, Kingston, mother Imogene Annetta Fipps, a Higgler. Father's name left blank. Birth registered 4th Jan 1883 by Imogene Annetta Fipps, mother, of 20 Barry Street, who made her mark.

[Shona]

Stephen certainly did well, considering he was born illegitimate to an illiterate mother.

[kiterunner]

Googling for the name "Stephen Augustus Hill" brings up some entries from the Daily Gleaner on a site called Newspaper Archive, including one dated 17 May 1937 which looks to be the report of his death. It is a pay site but it lets you view a couple of papers free per day. But I can't get it to show the page large enough to read! When I click on the + sign it is still too small, and if I click on "full screen it asks me to subscribe. The magnifying glass tool just about makes it possible to read enough to confirm that it is the right person.

[kiterunner]

Imogen Anita Phipps was christened 19 Dec 1866 Kingston, father Charles Phipps. Date of birth 28th Jan 1866. Father's occupation Baker.

[kiterunner]

I can't see what happened to Imogen after Stephen's birth. I don't know whether Jamaican records on FamilySearch are complete, though, but I'm thinking not, because I can't find Stephen's marriage to Daisy either. Of course they may not have married in Jamaica.

I'm thinking that Stephen's father's surname was probably Hill and wondering whether it would give his name on Stephen's marriage certificate!

[kiterunner]

Searching on Google books, it seems that Stephen A Hill edited various editions of "Who's Who in Jamaica". I wonder whether he also has an entry in any of them which might give more information about his background. They all seem to be snippet view only for me.

[Shona]

The unseen footage has some more info on Stephen Hill. He appears in the Jamaican Who's Who (which he compiled!) as the son of the late Stephen Augustus Hill. Education: Private tuition and by Jesuit Fathers. Married Daisy Harrison, daughter of the late George and Charlotte Harrison. After leaving school, he joined the composing dept of The Cleaner.

[kiterunner]

Oh, I forgot to look for unseen footage this time! Thanks, Shona.

Here is the link:
http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazi.../footage/13858