Mary Ann Searle 1834-1891

Mary Ann Searle (13 September 1834 – 25 May 1891)

Mary Ann Searle was born on 13 September 1834 in Brighton, Sussex, England, the daughter of Thomas Searle and Lucy Searle. She was baptised on 30 November 1834 at St Nicholas Church, Brighton, Sussex, England.

The first record of Mary appears in the 1841 England Census, where, at the age of seven, she was living in Littlehampton, Sussex with her family.

On 2 April 1861, Mary married John Locke at St John’s Church, Paddington, Middlesex. Together they raised a family of six children:

The family appears in the 1871 England Census, living at 89 Bramah Road, Lambeth, London where Mary is recorded as John’s wife. By the time of the 1881 England Census, Mary had been widowed and was the head of the household at 1 Merrow Cottage, Avondale Road, Camberwell, London. Ten years later, in the 1891 England Census, she was living at 35 Avondale Road, Camberwell, London with two of her children, Rosalie and William Henry.

Shortly after the 1891 census, Mary embarked on a voyage to Australia aboard the S.S. Orizaba, departing England on 8 May 1891. Sadly, she died during the voyage on 25 May 1891, aged 58. Her death was officially recorded in the GRO Marine Death Index.

According to notes written by her son, William Henry Locke, Mary was buried at sea in the Red Sea on 26 May 1891 at approximately 5:10 a.m., at latitude 14°10’N and longitude 42°45’E.

Mary’s story spans from her childhood in Brighton to her final journey across the seas, leaving behind a family whose descendants continue to preserve her memory through these records.

1. Name and Surname of Deceased.2. Sex.3. Age.4. Rank, Profession, or Occupation.5. Nationality or Birthplace.6. Last Place of Abode.7. Cause.8. Date.9. Place.10. Name of Ship.11. Official Number.12. Port of Registry.13. Trade.14. Regr. Genl. of Deaths to whom Reported.15. Source of Information.
Locke, Mary AnnF58wifeBrightonLondonHeat Apoplexy25.5.91Sea 14.10 N 42.45 E.Orizaba93688LiverpoolAustLL.B.

The above transcribed document is a British marine register of deaths, specifically recording a death that occurred at sea.

  • Purpose and Authority: It was likely compiled by the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen based on the official logbook (“L.B.”) of the vessel. British law required ship captains to record births and deaths at sea and report them upon arrival at a port.
  • Historical Context: The ship Orizaba was a passenger vessel on the Australian trade route (“Aust”). The coordinates provided (14°10’N, 42°45’E) place the ship in the southern part of the Red Sea. This perfectly aligns with the cause of death, “Heat Apoplexy” (an archaic term for heatstroke), which was a common and tragic occurrence for passengers traveling through the sweltering Red Sea en route to Australia via the Suez Canal during the late 19th century.
  • Principal Individual: Mary Ann Locke
  • Role in Document: Deceased
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: 58
  • Rank/Profession: Wife
  • Birthplace: Brighton
  • Last Place of Abode: London
  • Cause of Death: Heat Apoplexy
  • Date of Death: May 25, 1891 (written as 25.5.91)
  • Place of Death: At sea, coordinates 14.10 N, 42.45 E (which corresponds to the Red Sea)
  • Associated Ship Details:
    • Name of Ship: Orizaba
    • Official Number: 93688
    • Port of Registry: Liverpool
    • Trade: Aust (Australia)
    • Source of Information: L.B. (Log Book)

There are a couple of strangely curious things regarding Mary Ann Locke

1: William Henry Locke kept some “vague” notes of the voyage aboard the Orizaba but makes no reference to his mother’s passing only giving the date of burial at sea and a grid reference.

2: According to the Public Record Office of Victoria https://prov.vic.gov.au/ Mary Ann Locke (Mrs Locke) arrived in Australia on the 1st Jun 1891 along with the rest of the Locke’s Charles, Rosalie and William Henry.

“Mrs LOCKE; Arrival year 1891; Origin Code B; ship name ORIZABA; Fiche 545; Arrival month June; Age 49; Ship master DIXON GF; Page 2; Date of Arrival 1891-06-01”