Gibb of Glasgow, Scotland
I am researching my maternal line. The name GAYBBA! Which, I think was originally GIBB. My GG Grandfather James Gaybba is first
recorded at his marriage to Helena Susanna Amandina Lerm in 1857, in
South Africa. On the record of his marriage and death certificates, it's noted that he
originated from Glasgow, Scotland. I have researched the internet,
and at the Mitchell Library in Scotland, but the name Gaybba does not
exist. After an extensive search at the Mitchell Library, I found a
family with the name GIBB on the 1841 census,who had all the relevant
names, that are hereditary names in the Gaybba line, although the
date of birth is recorded as 1824, whereas on his death record it's
recorded as 1830. However, I discovered in the 1851 census, James
was missing, and one of his brother's John, was a sailor. Which has
some significance to a couple of stories that have circulated in the
Gaybba family over the generations.
One story suggest's he stowed away aboard ship, and jumped off at
Saldanha Bay in South Africa. Another story, suggests he was a fugitive from the law. From the surviving passenger records for the
period around 1850, there are no records of a passenger by either
name. Suggesting that there may be some truth in one of the stories
of his passage to South Africa.
Another story recalls him walking into town with two others in kilts, there has been a suggestion that the two were brothers of his, however no brothers, or kin of brothers have been found.
One other clue on the reporting of his tragic death, his sister with the surname of Grimes was there with her children.
Are there any Gibb's out there who recognise this small portion of
a story? Any Gibb's who have a relative who they're researching
that dissappeared around 1850? Or anyone researching the name
Gaybba, but cannot find the origins of the Gaybba name? Or any Grimes with links to South Africa. Outdshoorn, Clan William, Saldhana Bay.
Mimsi
Comments
Hi Mimsi
I hope that you see this note!!!
I am researching John William GRIMES. He maried Susannah Florentina LERM, daughter of Johan Hendrik LERM. I am trying to find out his origin and just about everything else about him.All that I have been able to find out is that GRIMES was a Shoemaker and Konstabel in Oudtshoorn, South Africa during the 1860s.
I know more about his son, also John William GRIMES, born in 1862, and baptised in Oudtshoorn. He became a Blacksmith. He married Ignatina LERM, daughter of Petrus Johannes LERM. They lived in the 'dorpie'of Buffelsjachtfontein, between the towns of Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn. The LERM family had many members, and several GRIMES married LERMs.
This is all that I know about the GRIMES family at that time. Family rumour has it that one of the GRIMES ancestors was from Ireland. Irish immigrants settled in the Clanwilliam district in the mid 1800s, via Saldhana Bay, a whaling station. I think that John GRIMES senior must have been born around 1835. His wife Susannah, was born in about 1839.I don't know when or where they married.
Regards Peter
Hi Peter,
Thank you so much for the information. What you have given has solved a part of the riddle of my ancestor James. I wish I could reciprocate. I am a member of ancestry.co.uk and if there is anything you would like me to look up there I'm quite happy to do so, to aid you in your search.
Regards,
Mitzi
Hi Mitzi
The John Grimes that married Susannah Lerm definitely had the middle name William, like his son. This is shown on John Jr's baptism No 167 in the Baptism register.I have been unable to find the marriage.
I have been looking at the St Jude's Oudtshoorn Burials, and although the Lerms and the Grimes' families had marriages and baptisms there, only Grimes burials are recorded, so one wonders where the Lerms from Buffelsjachtfontein were buried? Any further help would be appreciated.
Regards
Peter
Hi Peter,
I forgot to mention I live in the UK, so I have passed on information you have given to me to a couple of Lerms in SA I've been in touch with throughout my research. Hopefully they may be able to help. I discovered from a Gaybba cousin of mine where Buffelsjachtfonein is, she told me it used to be farming area, so perhaps buriels were on the farm! After looking at Ancestry24, I've seen that quite a few were buried on their own land.
Regards
Mitzi
Hi Mitzi,
I'm not sure but could my great-great grandfather have been one of James two brothers,.
My grandfather William Frank Richard Gaybba born in Wynberg,South Africa 1899 was the son of William Eugene Gaybba married to Marie Lawson.
I'm from Canada and have been looking for a long time to understand my heritage.
Please read my story at Gaybbagrandson on this site .Thank-you
Hi Daniel,
With the name Gaybba you certainly are related! After reading your journal, I see you are cousin to Susan. I shall get in touch with you through your journal on a private message for e-mail details etc.
Regards,
Mitzi