Ernest was born in Kensington to Urbain Rack, professor of languages, born Bavaria and Emma Gillman in 1877. On the census of 1891 page 42 RG12 1376/112 Ernest is described as age 14 and a patient with many others Parish Grays Thurrock, Argent Street, his occupation is 'Lads undergoing Course of Sea Service On Exmouth but in Conse..... word not completed.' Was this a ship?. He is not around for the 1901 so could he have been at sea? Also why was he stated as a patient? He married Hannah Sharkey in 1901 in Newton NSW. I would love to find if arrived here as crew...Thanks
This might help with background Sue. Code: http://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/TSExmouth/ Will see if I can dig up anything else.
Stop looking. I think I have found him. On the ship Chilligoe 1901 as cook age 24 Karori 1904 chief steward (not sure of this one) age 26 Kakapo 1904 cook age 25 Kakapo 1909 cook age 31. All found on Mariners and ships in Australian Waters...married Hannah in 1910...all fits.
The head of the 'household'is listed as Superintendant of TS (Training ship?) Exmouth Infirmary - hence patient
Thanks Ann that would be great. He committed suicide and it is said that he didn't want to go the way of his father who died in an asylum.
Yes Code: https://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/themes/subjects/mental_hospital_records/manor_asylum_epsom/
Urbain (Urban) has a couple of criminal entries 1877 found not guilty of feloniously uttering 2 forged requests for the payment of money with the intent to defraud and in 1887 got 6 months for Larceny and recieving
Thank you very much. Poor Ernest and it seems his mother Emma and baby brother Frederick were staying with Emma's brother in 1881
There are newspaper reports of Urban's 'crimes' - are you interested? Bit lengthy to post here, but if you want to PM me with your e-mail address (I know I've got it somewhere but....)
Anc has the admission at Banstead 11/7/1882 died 28/3/1902 And another for 1866 in Hanwell The second criminal offence - 6 months was 1878 (not 1887) sorry
Yes please. That would be great. Its not what I thought I would find and I'm not certain that I will use it (perhaps the family don't know about him) but now I'm curious. I was really only after Ernest and how he arrived and his life after that, but hey ho. I will keep it to myself and tip toe around it. Thanks
Ernest was working as a second steward on the British steamship Africander in 1897 "on the high seas". He appeared as a witness in an assault case (another steward attacked the Captain) which was reported in the West Cumberland Times 14th August 1897. He was only mentioned briefly - "Ernest Rack, second steward, gave corroborative evidence."
What a strange man was Urbain... His son Ernest took strychnine and left a 10 year old and a 4 year old. Hard to understand how such a well educated man could be like that.