Can we connect environmentalist Richard St. Barbe Baker to the main Tree?

Question

Forester, author, and environmental activist Richard St. Barbe Baker was recently the subject of a podcast on Baha'i Blog, and I noticed that he didn't have a WikiTree profile.  Well, he does now.     Would be great if we could connect him to the main Tree!  Can anyone help?

Comments

A well done, bio, Vicky!

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Thanks, Pip!  :-)

Answer 1

Added profile for paternal grandfather, the Reverend John Thomas Wright Baker, with names of his parents from christening record. 1851, 1861 and 1871 England Census listings. Found his marriage index. Cited probate listing at Ancestry and transcribed the information from that source to profile of John Thomas Wright BAKER. Hope this helps.

Comments

Thanks very much, Jeanne!

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Might have found out a little on Richard BAKER, father of John Thomas Wright BAKER. In 1851 he was listed as being a widower and his age suggests a birth of about 1774. His place of birth was listed as Cawston, Norfolk, England in the 1851 census record. In the 1851 record he was listed as being the Rector of Rotley MA.  There was a christening record for a Richard BAKER who was Christened on 1 October 1773 and listed as the son of Richard and Elizabeth BAKER. The christening record - "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NNDW-1W5 : 12 February 2018, Richard Baker, ); citing Item 42, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,657,158. - stated on the record that he was born on 28 September 1773. The bottom of the page was signed, Richard BAKER [Rector]. 

Now although I have not found the proof of it, it is possible that the Richard BAKER who was born on 28 September 1773 in Cawston, Norfolk, England to Richard and Elizabeth BAKER was the same individual as Richard BAKER, the Rector of Rotley MA, and father of John Thomas Wright BAKER. That would be two more generations back if this connection could be proven.

- Possible 1841 - "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M79Z-WZR : 12 December 2017), Richard Baker, Botley, South East Part, Hampshire, England; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast(http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.

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Possible siblings of John Thomas Wright BAKER:

* "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NYWJ-K8N : 11 February 2018, James Scott Baker, May 1804); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,041,204.

* "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N1RG-3T5 : 11 February 2018, Susan Marian Baker, 03 Jul 1808); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,041,204.

Answer 2

I've tried without success (so far) to connect his wife. I can't find any of her New Zealand relatives already on Wikitree, and her lines quickly go back to ancestors with common Scottish names and no promising lines to connect to. I did however find a portrait able to be uploaded.

Comments

Thanks for trying, Suzanne.  Coincidentally, there was an article in one of the newspapers about St. Barbe going to Scotland to search for his wife's ancestors!  I guess they eluded her too!

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I've added a link to the profile that has more detail on her Burnett ancestors - they're easily traced back a couple of generations in Scotland but unfortunately Wikitree doesn't have good coverage in the right counties.

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It looks great - every one has done a wonderful job in their research

Answer 3

There is more about him at https://www.westendlhs.co.uk/home/richard-st-barbe-baker/.

It is likely that they have more about him as they have a lot of information on local people.
He had several siblings that I have found and it is possible that his parents may not be the first marriage between the families as I have found other children with Baker surname and Purrott as mother's maiden name.
I grew up in this area and have visited the museum which has the school registers for West End. My family has deep roots in this village.

Hilary

Comments

I have added the siblings.

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Thanks, Hilary!

Answer 4

I have a very tentative connection, but I really struggle with New Zealand research, so it may not be correct. Richard's wife Caitriana was the daughter of Thomas Burnett and Agnes Little. Agnes's parents were William Little and Agnes Graham (1861-1945). Agnes had a younger sister Caroline (b.1872) who married George Stevenson, and their son George (b.1897) married Eoline (or Evline) Agnes Bowmar. If anyone is confident to try to build and source this connection, then do please go ahead with it.

Comments

Carol, I think the connection is probably sound, but I can't find a firm piece of evidence to confirm that the Caroline Graham who married George Stevenson is the same person as Caroline sister of Agnes.

I think I've just found a stronger link: Catriona's cousin Marawill married Robert England, whose mother appears to be on Wikitree already. I'll join them up over the course of the evening.

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That's brilliant news Suzanne. Thank you for taking a look at my suggested connection, I couldn't source it either.

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Thank you so much, Carol and Suzanne!

Answer 5

I've got a connection through his more infamous brother Thomas. I'd love to find a source for his marriage to Marta (Baum) Specht.

Comments

Well done!

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Randy Schoenberg provided a book source for the marriage, yay! He happened to be dining with the author in Vienna so we might even get a primary source.