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Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/XZH.2ACIB/249
Message Board Post:
Does your Canning (or other) family have a penchant for unusual given names, such as
Meriones, Marinus, Marionus, Botrine, Baltriune, Botriune, Beautrine, Boutrenne,
Boutorine, Boutrinne, Botrean, Pyrithoe, Fingal, Achille, Raftan, Rafton, and the like?
We've just found our English ancestor, Civil Engineer Alfred D. Canning, thanks to
some very generous online help. His descendants sported these rare names, and more. At
least one of his and his wife Anne Powell Canning's children were born in Rotherhithe,
in "a cottage on the Rector's Island," in the early 1800's. Anne at
least, and possibly the whole family, also lived in Paris. The addresses we have for them
in the mid-1800's are all a couple miles from and north-northwest of the Field of
Mars. Raftan was a "commercial agent" in Paris, while owning "an ale and
stout depot in London." (Georges) Boutrenne was a "Gentleman" in France.
Alfred and Ann's descendants had a penchant for long-range travel, with one moving to
Australia (where he became Registrar in NSW and MP in WA), and another joining the
American Civil War (on the side of the South). One married a said-to-be attendant
(teacher) in the Court of Napoleon III.
One, Arthur Canning born around 1830 or so, "lived with mother in France; died in
Spain," we have in our lore, but have not found his actual documentation.
Please contact me either here or via my website,
www.lionsgrip.com.