In discussing the legacy of Richard, St. Barbe Baker, founder of the two international movements, “Men of the Trees”, and “Children of the Green Earth”, a question often arises; “Is St. Barbe part of the surname?”
Photo of Richard St. Barbe Baker
Courtesy: University of Saskatchewan,
University Archives & Special Collections,
Richard St. Barbe Baker fonds, MG 71
On delving into the family tree of Richard Edward St. Barbe Baker [St. Barbe], it has been discovered that St. Barbe (9 October 1889 – 9 June 1982) was born to John Richard St. Barbe Baker and Charlotte Purrott in West End, Hampshire, United Kingdom. According to a genealogical researcher St Barbe’s mother was born between July 1859 and September 1859, in Croydon RD, Surrey, England. John Richard St. Barbe Baker, St. Barbe’s father, had a birth date between 1829-1889 and died January 1, 1944. St. Barbe had three younger siblings, James Scott Baker (b. about 1892), Ethele M. (b. about 1894), Thomas Guillaume St. Barbe Baker (1895-1966),
The 1901 census at The Firs, West End lists the St. B. Baker family as;
John R. St. B. Baker Head, Married, 40,m Living on own means Evangelist and Tree Grower, West End.
Charlotte S. Do [Ditto] Wife, Married 40 Surrey Croydon.
Richard E Do. Son 11 Hants. West End.
James S Do. Son. 9 Do Do
Ethele M Do Dau. 7 Do.Do.
Thomas G. Do. Son 5 Do. Do
At the age of 57, Richard St. Barbe Baker married Doreen Whitworth Long of Strensham, Worcestershire, United Kingdom, on January 23, 1946. Doreen and St. Barbe had two children, Paul (b. 1949) and Angela (b. 1946). This marriage ended in divorce seven years later.
On October 7, 1959, now aged 70, Richard St. Barbe Baker, married Catriona Burnett, and took up residence in New Zealand. In 1969, St. Barbe sought to trace his wife’s Scottish ancestry during a Scotland lecture tour.
So this research uncovers the fact that Dr. Richard St. Barbe Baker L.L.D 1971, O.B.E.1977 – whom the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is named after – bore a surname of “St. Barbe Baker”, as his dad, John Richard St. Barbe Baker, also has been registered as having the St. Barbe Baker surname. To further delve into the query, a genealogist of the St. Barbe Baker family lineage has been contacted to see if there are any further clues as to how “St. Barbe” came to be part of the family surname, if known. The reply has come back, that this is unknown at this time.
Those who knew Richard St. Barbe Baker, said that he was known as “St. Barbe” to his friends. If anyone has any further information about this, please email StBarbeBaker AT yahoo.com Thank you kindly.
“And when I die may my body be laid to rest at the roots of a tall tree so that my spirit may arise in the branches and give thanks”
Bibliography:
Baker, Richard Edward St. Barbe
(1889–1982) Bahai Encylopedia Project. 2012 National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. Date accessed May 30, 2016.
Capt Thomas Guillaume St. Barbe Baker M.C.
Richard St. Barbe Baker wikipedia.Date accessed May 30, 2016.
Charlotte Sophie St. Barbe Baker (Purrott (Porret)) deceased – Genealogy Genie. Managed by Randy Schoenberg. Date Accessed May 30, 2016.
Forestry man tracing his family tree. The Glasgow Herald. September 3, 1969. Digitized online by Google Newspaper Archives. Date accessed May 30, 2016.
John Richard St. Barbe Baker (b-1944) – Genealolgy Genie.com. Date accessed May 30, 2016.
Miller, Ruth Wright. Saskatchewan Heroes and Rogues Digitized online by Google Books. Date accessed May 30, 2016.
Richard Baker My Heritage.
Richard St. Baker Twitter feed out of Sydney, Australia on twitter Date accessed May 30, 2016.
For directions as to how to drive to “George Genereux” Urban Regional Park
For directions on how to drive to Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
For more information:
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada north of Cedar Villa Road, within city limits, in the furthest south west area of the city. 52° 06′ 106° 45′
Addresses:
Part SE 23-36-6 – Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A
Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A
S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A
NE 21-36-6 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063
Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot
Web page: https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com
Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map
Where is the George Genereux Urban Regional Park (Afforestation Area)? with map
Facebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park
Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Please help protect / enhance your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail)
Support the afforestation areas with your donation or membership ($20.00/year). Please donate by paypal using the e-mail friendsafforestation AT gmail.com, or by using e-transfers Please and thank you! Your donation and membership is greatly appreciated. Members e-mail your contact information to be kept up to date!
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What was Richard St. Barbe Baker’s mission, that he imparted to the Watu Wa Miti, the very first forest scouts or forest guides? To protect the native forest, plant ten native trees each year, and take care of trees everywhere.
“We stand in awe and wonder at the beauty of a single tree. Tall and graceful it stands, yet robust and sinewy with spreading arms decked with foliage that changes through the seasons, hour by hour, moment by moment as shadows pass or sunshine dapples the leaves. How much more deeply are we moved as we begin to appreciate the combined operations of the assembly of trees we call a forest.”~Richard St. Barbe Baker
“St. Barbe’s unique capacity to pass on his enthusiasm to others. . . Many foresters all over the world found their vocations as a result of hearing ‘The Man of the Trees’ speak. I certainly did, but his impact has been much wider than that. Through his global lecture tours, St. Barbe has made millions of people aware of the importance of trees and forests to our planet.” Allan Grainger
“The science of forestry arose from the recognition of a universal need. It embodies the spirit of service to mankind in attempting to provide a means of supplying forever a necessity of life and, in addition, ministering to man’s aesthetic tastes and recreational interests. Besides, the spiritual side of human nature needs the refreshing inspiration which comes from trees and woodlands. If a nation saves its trees, the trees will save the nation. And nations as well as tribes may be brought together in this great movement, based on the ideal of beautifying the world by the cultivation of one of God’s loveliest creatures – the tree.” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.
“I believed that God has lent us the Earth. It belongs as much to those who come after us as to us, and it ill behooves us by anything we do or neglect, to deprive them of benefits which are in our power to bequeath.” Richard St. Barbe Baker
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 