I require assistance in tracing the baptism record of my Great Grandmother, Maria Magdalena de Lait.

Sharon Keanly01

I require assistance in tracing the baptism record of my Great Grandmother, Maria Magdalena de Lait. She married John Darby Woolward on 16 May 1883. Her age is recorded as being 18, so I would assume no prior marriages. She died in 1942.

According to my mother, her grandmother was of Portuguese decent and she thought her surname was Da Silva. Obviously since I found the marriage record of her grandmother, I discovered it was De Lait. Her DN however has her name recorded as Maria Magdalena de Silve-De Lait, so now I'm confused. I found a probate record of a Joseph de Lait (full names Antonio Joseph Francisco de Lait or Leite, as it is recorded in some records, born in Lisbon, Portugal. In the probate record amongst the children listed is Maria's name. Joseph married a Christina Magdalena Johnson in 1850 in South Africa. I am convinced this is her father, as I traced her sister Annie and on her death Annie left Maria a few pounds. Maria's husband, John Darby Woolward, also witness some documents, so there is definitely a family connection. I'd really like to solve this puzzle and would appreciate any help you can offer. Many thanks.

Jacqueline B Roy

I have not been able to find anything for Maria, but in case you don't have these -

There is a record for a mortgage for him in the archives:

DEPOT KAB

SOURCE DOC

TYPE LEER

VOLUME_NO 4/1/1257

SYSTEM 01

REFERENCE 2067

PART 1

DESCRIPTION MORTGAGE BOND. JOHN DARBY WOOLWARD.

STARTING 19070000

ENDING 19070000

 

...and here is his estate file reference:

DEPOT KAB

SOURCE MOOC

TYPE LEER

VOLUME_NO 6/9/4176

SYSTEM 01

REFERENCE 35753

PART 1

DESCRIPTION WOOLWARD, JOHN DARBY. ESTATE PAPERS.

STARTING 19320000

ENDING 19320000

 

 

 

Sharon Keanly01

Hi Jacqueline, thanks so much for taking the time to search for me. Much appreciated. Yes I do have all the correspondence for my GGrandfather John Darby Woolward.