I am seeking any information related to a CARL FRIEDRICH GUNTHER who worked as the above in many ports including Shanghai and Shantou in the 1880s. He had 3 children by a chinese girl. The children were educated in UKK.
He was buried in Shantou. Where I dont know.
Any information or ideas gratefully received.

Annette,

I just did a simple search on the internet for "Shantou cemetery" and, much to my surprise, came up with this link to a lone cemetery on Double Island (Masu) in Shantou (aka Swatow) which was used to bury foreigners who had died there: http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/History/Customs/TalbotStones.pdf
Because this list was compiled quite late in 1922, many of the headstones were already not legible for recording any details. Unfortunately, this link only lists 17 foreigner burials that were legible, and the name "Gunther" were not among them. However, this does not mean that Carl Gunther was not buried there. You can start your search with the Royal Asiatic Society in Shanghai, to which this list was sent. With any sort of luck, perhaps they may have information on a complete listing of foreigners buried at Double Island. Good luck!

Raymond

Annette,

It may also be worthwhile for you to check out this link to the China Coast Family History portion of the Chinese Maritime Customs Project at http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/History/Customs/ancestorincustom...
If Carl Gunther had any connections with the Chinese Maritime Customs Service, you may be in luck for additional information.

Raymond

Raymond
Thankyou so much. I will follow your advice.
Annette

Your ancestor was a member of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs. It was a well respected Customs Service which was very international in character. There are several excellent websites about it and good records on the personnel.

Thank you for that. I am not sure how I would go about finding any information as to where he was buried.We belive he died in Shawtou in 1895
Do you know of a web site that would carry information regarding deaths etc of forgeign Customs Staff. I believe the Germans had an emmbassy in Shawtou at the time but I have never been able to find a site.
Annette

The best place to start is the website begun by Professor Robert Bickers, which is here:

http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/History/Customs/

Hello Annette,

I just read through your thread and I am interested if you found anything. My grand parents are buried in a cemetery near Swatow but I have not been able to find anything on the net.

Thanks,
-Erik (e_ingermann@yahoo.com)

I had a look at the Chinese Maritime Customs site from Bristol University and see they now have lists by nationality. I think your Gunther is in the German list. The bulletin board for this site comes up with a different site.
Has anyone contacted the Nanking Archives where the records for the CIMCS are kept?
Regards Gerry