Individual Notes
Note for: Elma Alcée, 8 JUL 1926 - 10 FEB 2001 Index
Individual Note: Piano player and musician, she was a Professor of Music at Adelphi University and lived in NY. SSDI records list her birth and death dates. Her Social Security number was issued in New York in 1951.
Individual Notes
Note for: Samuel Bernez, 1 JUN 1828 - BET 1875 AND 28 APR 1898 Index
Individual Note: Samuel was born in Lee, Department of Basse Pyrenees, France. Last known child in his family. His marriage contract (Folio 33, number 9777, 10th June 1871) confirms the names of his parents, as obtained by a French researcher. We do not yet know why Samuel came from France to the Caribbean. One story is that he was with the French Military and jumped ship in Martinique. Another story is that he was running away from the second French Revolution (1848 / 1849). Either or both of the stories may be accurate, but that is yet to be determined.
It is believed that Samuel and Uranie came to St.Lucia from Martinique with Fr Tapon, who built the Cathedral (dates to be confirmed). It is said that Samuel helped Fr Tapon to build the Cathedral, but we do not know how. Uranie had a hotel in Castries. When Uranie & Samuel came to St.Lucia from Martinique they brought a slave (or ex slave) called "Old Joe" with them. Samuel and Uranie signed a marriage contract that legitimised the first four children, lists property and values. Samuel's occupation was later listed as "proprietor" at time of marriage in 1871.
At the time of Marguerite's marriage to Frank (28th April 1898), both Samuel and Uranie had already died. Samuel died of septicemia after being pricked in the foot by a lime thorn on the estate at Union. He had asked Felicite Meyers to look after the children (as Uranie has already died), the "books", the land etc but she spent all the money and went on a round the World cruise.
Individual Notes
Note for: Uranie Pierre Silvestre, 12 JAN 1843 - BET 1875 AND 28 APR 1898 Index
Individual Note: The entry for Uranie's birth states that she was born at 11pm. Witnesses were Eleonard Blaise, mason and Daniel Edouard, police sergent, both living in Ducos. Pierre and the witnesses signed, but Cecile does not know how to write.
The marriage contract for Uranie confirms the names of her parents, as previously obtained via FHC microfilm. Auntie Barbara recalls Papa saying she was a mulatto. Angela Bernez recalls her father saying she was a Carib. Dianne Rankin nee Bernez, says that in Ducos, Martinique today there is an important Sylvestre family still. No contact has been made yet.
Individual Notes
Note for: Henry Bernez, 10 APR 1875 - Deceased Index
Christening:
Date: 17 MAY 1875
Place: Castries, St.Lucia; Quality: 0
Individual Notes
Note for: Jean Joseph Chrysostome Bernez, ABT 1873 - Deceased Index
Christening:
Date: 18 MAR 1873
Place: Castries, St.Lucia
Alias: /Joseph/
Individual Note: Lived in New York and had a son called Bob. I am now in touch with Bob's son, Ted, who responded to a note I'd left on a genealogy message board on 3rd April 2004.
In the USA New York 1910 census on www.genealogy.com (taken 15th April) there is an entry for a Joseph E Bernez aged 39 (hence born around 1871) and his wife of 10 years, Eleanor aged 29. We have Joseph Bernez baptised (certificate 1873, #53 not yet obtained) in St.Lucia on 18th March 1873, but do not have an actual birth date for him. The dates are a very close match, and both were living in New York. In addition to this, at the Ellis Island site (www.ellisisland.org) there are two entries for Joseph Bernez entering the USA from St.Lucia. First in 1896 (14th Sept) aged 23 (hence born around 1873), where he arrives on the ship "Madiana" and gives his occupation as a clerk. Then in 1913 (22nd Sept) aged 40 yr 9 months (hence born around 1872), where he arrives on the ship "Guiana" and gives his occupation as Engineer (possibly Stationers Engineer - does that refer to railways?). In 1913 he mentions that his last entry to the USA was in 1896, and that he has been living in NYC for 17 years, so I have assumed both records are his. His place of birth is St.Lucia, he is 5' 9" tall, with light skin, black hair and brown eyes. In 1913 his marital status is married and he is returning to live with his wife, Eleanora Bernez. Her address is not 100% clear but looks like 101 W115 *** NYC.
On the 1910 census his colour is given as mulatto, and his profession as an Engineer (tallies with the Ellis Island 1913 entry). Eleanor is also listed as mulatto. There is then detail of where he was born and where his parents were born. He gives his place of birth as B.W.I and then seems to cross the B and leave it as W.I. French. His father's place of birth is not clear, but is Fr French and his mother's is Martinique, French. However there is then a line through it and something indecipherable above. This list of places of birth fits, as Joseph was born in the BWI (St.Lucia) son of Samuel from France and Uranie from Martinique. His wife, Eleanor gives her place of birth as Dist of Col (assumed District of Colombia), with both of her parents being from Virginia. On the census Joseph's year of entry into the USA is unclear, although it is 18**. From the Ellis Island records, I assume this year to be 1896. The census states that neither of them have any children at this time (1910). So between Ellis Island and the NY 1910 census we know that Joseph was married to Eleanora from 1900 (10 years before census) to at least 1913 (when he re-enters NY). Following discussion with his grandson, Ted, it appears that Joseph was later married to Camille, but I have not further details of the marriage or dates.
Individual Notes
Note for: Annella Bernez, 1864 - Deceased Index
Individual Note: God mother to Henry Bernez, born 1875
Individual Notes
Note for: Jean Pierre Bernez, 1866 - Deceased Index
Individual Note: God father to Henry Bernez, born 1875
Individual Notes
Note for: Theodore Robert Bernez, 1917 - 27 JUL 1997 Index
Alias: /Bob/
Individual Note: Lives in New York, USA
Individual Notes
Note for: Marie Josephine Bernez, 1895 - Deceased Index
Christening:
Date: 6 APR 1895
Place: Castries, St.Lucia; Quality: 0
Individual Notes
Note for: Marguerite Marie Bernez, 1896 - Deceased Index
Christening:
Date: 4 APR 1896
Place: Castries, St.Lucia; Quality: 0
Individual Notes
Note for: Charles Henry Joseph Bernez, 1897 - Deceased Index
Christening:
Date: 22 APR 1897
Place: Castries, St.Lucia; Quality: 0
Individual Notes
Note for: Busfield William Bernez, 1899 - Deceased Index
Christening:
Date: 31 MAY 1899
Place: Castries, St.Lucia; Quality: 0
Individual Note: Lived in Cuba