Miscellaneous Countries.
In his book 'The Blackstones of Beverley', Christopher Blackstone makes two references:
"A Mr Blekxtoon from Rotterdam, who was researching his ancestors, whom he claimed were descended from Blackstones of London. In particular, he identified Caleb Blackstone, a gold and silver drawer who emigrated to Holland in 1656." I can add to this in that I would speculate that this Caleb was a descendent of the Rev Henry Blaxton of Chichester. Caleb and Joshua were both names he gave to his children. Likewise A Caleb was christened in London in 1630 son of John. This Caleb had a brother Joshua.
Christopher chanced across a Mr & Mrs Blackstone in a restaurant who turned out to be descendents of a Russian Jewish family who had adopted the name. There are a number of such Russian & Polish Families evident in the 1881 Census. These families can be found at Leeds, York, Liverpool & London and included Tailors & Cabinet Makers amongst their ranks.
ASIA
Burma, Rangoon: for many years I've been unable to find any information on one of my father's uncles, George Blakeston bn Walkington, East Yorkshire on the 14th Jun 1879. A cousin of my father's gave me a clue in that she mentioned a George who had prizes for shooting obtained out in India. Then in 2005 whilst putting together a book on the Blakeston's of East Yorkshire another cousin mentioned that George had served out in India with her grandfather Edward (Ted) Blakeston (my father's uncle). Ted had returned but George had married a local Dr. and stayed behind. Either there or in Burma. If you look at my home page you will see George & Ted's parents. It seems a little unbelievable that an agricultural labourer from such a poor working class family would marry a Dr.. Also I couldn't imagine that circa 1900-10 there were many female Drs.
Well it seems there may be some truth to both stories. There is a file in the British Museum Library, India & Burma Records Office, on Miss Elizabeth Blakeston. The file is dated 1947 but relates to her evacuation from Rangoon, Burma in 1942. At that time she lists herself as a House Surgeon and Dr., in private practice. She is aged 25. her father is named as George Benson Blakeston. He and her brother are listed as Customs Officers in Rangoon. Her father it appears worked from 1907-32 as a Customs Officer or 'Preventative Officer'. He died in 1938 and is buried at Kemmedine Cemetery. Her mother is listed as Suzii San. She had two brothers. George Benson who died an infant and James Henry Blakeston. James was working as a Customs Officer in 1940/41. I've been unable to find out what happened to George's wife and children and can only hope they escaped the atrocities that occurred in that region.
* Since I wrote this I've had an Email from Elizabeth's grandson. It appears she went first to Chunar in India and then to Hong Kong. In 1972 she emigrated to Australia.