I'm not really sure where or how to find out the following information.
I am trying to find the 'roots' of my Swedish great grandfather. He was born
in 1843/4 in Malmo, into a sea-faring family. He also became a master
mariner. At some time he decided to live in the UK, in the
Newcastle-upon-Tyne area and then, after marrying, in Heworth, also on the
Tyne, but near South Shields.
In the UK he took an English name, John Alfred Johnson and at various times
was recorded as J. Alfred Johnson and Alfred Johnson. In the 1871 Census he
was already named as a British Subject.
He married Frances Mary Stawpert in 1869. They had 4 children. On the
wedding certificate John Alfred's father was named as Andrew Johnson. .
In the 1901 census he was recorded as Alfred Johnson, Master, on board SS
Tiflis. I believe he was killed at sea in World War 1, his ship being torpedoed, but cannot find a record of this.
I have tried to find online, his naturalisation papers, at Central Record
Office, Kew, London, without success.
I am making every effort to discover where and when he was born,
and, to whom, for my very elderly uncle, Alfred Johnson's grand-son. He has
mentioned Swedish names such as Jansen, Jonsson and Johansson but being such
common surnames it is difficult to know where to start.
If anyone thinks that they recognise this man from this description, I also have 2 photographs of him which might help someone to identify him.