William T? or maybe A? Burke ^{1 2}

  General Notes:

This 1881 census was the first of a number that have been found for the name William Burke of the Coast Guards. The 1881 census shows his wife Agnes in Cockburnspath, Berwick Scotland, residing at the Coast Guard Station.

This particular William Burke dies in 1900 in Elgin, Scotland leaving a wife Agnes , four daughters and a son William (born about 1883 in Dunbar). The family can be found on the 1891 census from Branderburgh, Moray where he is listed as a Station Officer, Coast Guard.


1881 census, Vessel: "Lord Warden" (Royal Navy)
Census Place: Queensferry, Edinburgh, Great Britain
Source: FHL Film 0224065 GRO Ref Volume 670 Page 7 (of many)
Marr Age Sex Birthplace

William BURKE M 35 M Ireland
Occ: Com boat P.O.
____________________________________
Further research of October 2005 indicates a few other possibilities for our William Burke of the Coast Guard.

(1) The William Burke shown above turns out to be William Burke, born 13 Feb, 1846 in Whitegate, Cork as per the Naval files that are now on-line at the National Archives. Entered the service: 19 Oct, 1864, number 31217. Served on the "Lord Warden" from April, 1878 to Sept 1885. In 1891 last posting was at Lossiemouth, Moray which matches the 1891 census data for him. Pensioned in 1892 to 1899. Grey eyes, Brown Hair, height: 5ft 9., Fresh complexion

(2) Another one is William Burke born 5 January 1839 in Ballycotton, Cork, , entered the service: prior to 1873, number 39352, serves on the "Valiant" for the first part of his career , a Coast Guard ship in Ballyheige, Ireland 1873 , then in Guidore, Ireland May 82-June 85, then onto Inniscrone? from june 85 to Aug 85. then "Shannon " or the "Limerick" (a bit confusing here) until 31 Oct 1893, when he is pensioned until 1895. Grey eyes, fair hair, height 5ft 6, Fair complexion.

(3) William Richard Burke, born 16 April, 1848, Cork, Cork, entered the service: 10 April 1866, number 25164, Serves on the "Glasgow" Jan 1873- July 1875, the "Hector" (Coast Guard) in England until Apr 1886. In 1891 serving on the "Invincible" in East Cowes as a Chief Officer. Then the "Newhaven" from Apr 1892 - July 1901 . Discharged D.D. with Dysentry Systitis. A search of the 1891 census for the "Invincible" did not locate him however. I have yet to find him on the 1891 census for England and Wales. Black eyes, black hair, height 5ft 6. Dark complexion. tattoo'd bracelets.

  Research Notes:

October 2005.
continued research into the identity of this William Burke, Coast Guard pensioner.

The National Archives of England show a number of reasonable candidates for this William Burke of the Coast Guard in the Royal Navy Seaman files that are now on-line and available for purchase. To date have selected 3 files and have purchased them.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Coastguard Pensioner, 1901. ¹

William married Kathleen Stampe.