B is for Barker

Samuel Barker - Catherine Keough Family
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Andrew and Catherine's eldest daughter (also a Catherine) was baptized on 2 Aug 1814 at St. John's Roman Catholic church. On 5 May 1846 Catherine Keough married Samuel Barker in Keels, their witnesses were Patrick Keough and Mary Keough (her brother and sister). The marriage was recorded in the King's Cove Roman Catholic church register. Samuel and Catherine had eight children, 4 daughters and 4 sons. (And yes I did notice that the marriage register follows after 3 of their children arrive.) 

As you can see my Barker family needs some attention. Does anyone know who Samuel Barker's parents or siblings were. Does anyone recognize these Barker children and can you help fill in the blanks on this family.

Seary's Surnames of Newfoundland references Barker as follows: Samuel, of Open Hole (now Open Hall), 1829 (Nfld Archives KCRC); Samuel, of Plate Cove (Bonavista B.), 1859 (Nfld. Archives KCRC).  Modern status: especially at Open Hall. 

The following is the baptism information from The King's Cove Catholic church registers found at The Rooms in St. John's. I spent a few weeks transcribing and/or photographing various records at a number of research facilities. From these baptism entries, note the sponsors (godparents) for these children - Aylward, Barker, Keough & Murphy surnames. Also note the spelling variants for Keough (Kehoe, Keogh). A reminder that spelling was not a concern, spelling often depended on whomever filled out the register (clerks and priests), and family members rarely saw the registers.

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I have several more Barker entries in my Excel workbooks for baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials - information transcribed while researching in Newfoundland. So calling all Barkers, especially those originally from Open Hall - let's find our connections. Thanks.

See you back here tomorrow for the letter C!