Dear all,
I've been 'doing' genealogy for ten years now and have never yet been this stumped. If anyone can help, I'd be most grateful!
In the small Cheshire village of Malpas, 16 miles South of Chester, Ann (or Anne) Jones was born around 1826. Her birth year comes from information given in the 1851 and 1861 censuses. Her father – as we know from her marriage certificate – was an Officer in Customs and Excise and was named Thomas Jones.
Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a baptismal record to match this information. Likewise, I am unable to find Ann on the 1841 census.
Ann’s first appearance on any actual records comes in 1851 when she is found at 23 Vauxhall Road in Liverpool working as a servant in a public house owned by the 36 year old widow Hannah Rushton. Her age is given as 25.
On 19th July 1857 whilst still living on Vauxhall Road, she married Thomas Forsyth at St. Nicholas’ Church in Liverpool.
Thomas’ origins are similar shady. We know that he was born around 1835 (according to the 1871 and 1881 censuses – the 1861 census states 1833). We know he was born in Liverpool (or, more specifically, Toxteth Park, according to the 1861 census) and we know that his father was one Thomas Forsyth, a porter.
Thomas himself, a carter, was living on Trueman Street at the time of the marriage.
In the 1861 census – our first for Thomas, as I cannot find him in either 1841 or 1851 – the family are living at No.11 Catherine Street South. Thomas is a 28 year old carter, whilst ‘Anne’ is 35. What is confusing is that there are two children – listed as Thomas’ son and daughter with the family. William is aged 22 and is a carter born in Toxteth Park, and Jane is a 17 year old former servant.
Judging by their ages, Thomas would have been six years old when his son was born. They are thus much more likely to be Ann’s children (born c1839 and c1844), but even then the dates can’t be quite right.
I can’t find any reference to the childrens’ births either.
In early 1861, the couple have a child of their own - Mary Ann, and another two years later, Thomas William (my Great Great Grandfather) on 27th December 1863. The family are still at No.11 at this time. Thomas is still a carter, and Ann (formerly ‘Jones’) registers the birth herself.
Ann dies in either 1865 or 1868 and Thomas remarries in 1869.
And so these are my difficulties. I would like to find Ann on the 1841 census – and also find a baptismal record. For Thomas, I would like to find him in 1841 and 1851, and also find a baptismal record. And I want to work out where William and Jane came from!
Any help or ideas would be most gratefully received!
Stephen
I've been 'doing' genealogy for ten years now and have never yet been this stumped. If anyone can help, I'd be most grateful!
In the small Cheshire village of Malpas, 16 miles South of Chester, Ann (or Anne) Jones was born around 1826. Her birth year comes from information given in the 1851 and 1861 censuses. Her father – as we know from her marriage certificate – was an Officer in Customs and Excise and was named Thomas Jones.
Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a baptismal record to match this information. Likewise, I am unable to find Ann on the 1841 census.
Ann’s first appearance on any actual records comes in 1851 when she is found at 23 Vauxhall Road in Liverpool working as a servant in a public house owned by the 36 year old widow Hannah Rushton. Her age is given as 25.
On 19th July 1857 whilst still living on Vauxhall Road, she married Thomas Forsyth at St. Nicholas’ Church in Liverpool.
Thomas’ origins are similar shady. We know that he was born around 1835 (according to the 1871 and 1881 censuses – the 1861 census states 1833). We know he was born in Liverpool (or, more specifically, Toxteth Park, according to the 1861 census) and we know that his father was one Thomas Forsyth, a porter.
Thomas himself, a carter, was living on Trueman Street at the time of the marriage.
In the 1861 census – our first for Thomas, as I cannot find him in either 1841 or 1851 – the family are living at No.11 Catherine Street South. Thomas is a 28 year old carter, whilst ‘Anne’ is 35. What is confusing is that there are two children – listed as Thomas’ son and daughter with the family. William is aged 22 and is a carter born in Toxteth Park, and Jane is a 17 year old former servant.
Judging by their ages, Thomas would have been six years old when his son was born. They are thus much more likely to be Ann’s children (born c1839 and c1844), but even then the dates can’t be quite right.
I can’t find any reference to the childrens’ births either.
In early 1861, the couple have a child of their own - Mary Ann, and another two years later, Thomas William (my Great Great Grandfather) on 27th December 1863. The family are still at No.11 at this time. Thomas is still a carter, and Ann (formerly ‘Jones’) registers the birth herself.
Ann dies in either 1865 or 1868 and Thomas remarries in 1869.
And so these are my difficulties. I would like to find Ann on the 1841 census – and also find a baptismal record. For Thomas, I would like to find him in 1841 and 1851, and also find a baptismal record. And I want to work out where William and Jane came from!
Any help or ideas would be most gratefully received!
Stephen
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