This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: johnlwatts Surnames: Forsyth Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.forsyth/612/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The hunt for John Ernest Forsyth, first husband of my great aunt Annie Eliza Watts. Seeking thoughts and ideas on the origins of John Ernest Forsyth born about 1862. John Ernest appeared on the scene when he married Annie Eliza on 15 June 1890 in St James the Great Bethnal Green. Very little is known about his life before then as he has only appeared in the 1901 census and had disappeared from home circa 1905-1906. He was declared deceased about 1912 when Annie Eliza married for a second time. His occupation is known to be a Merchant Seaman from his marriage certificate, the 1901 census, the birth of 5 children and from his Merchant Seaman Campaign Medal Record card. These represent the only tangible evidence that I have of him. No birth has been found yet as the 1901 census gave his place of birth as Wales N K (Not Known)and the Campaign Medal Record Card as New Zealand. He was not at home in the 1901 census. Family folk lore has it that he returned to New Zealand about 1905-1906; never to be seen again. Interestingly when Annie Eliza applied for his WW1 medals she was invited to apply to South Africa! No UK birth certificate has been found and as yet nothing from New Zealand. John Ernest's father is known to be Edward Forsyth from John Ernest's marriage cert. but nothing else is known about him. Could he have been an early New Zealand settler - no real evidence yet. Feedback most welcome. My tree is public on Ancestry. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>