census Archives - Geneageek

Alfred Wreford

Just outside the entrance to St Mary’s church in Morchard Bishop, Devon, is a solitary grave.

The grave stone is so worn, only the name ‘Alfred Wreford’ can be made out.

Fortunately, there was a list of burials inside the church which quickly gave me Alfred’s death date and the fact he was only 8 years old when he died.

Of course, I wanted to know more. I was unable to find any mention of Alfred’s death in the newspaper, which indicates he was likely to have died from some kind of illness rather than a tragic accident. To know for sure, I’d have to order his death certificate. But if I ordered every certificate that took my fancy, I wouldn’t have enough money to eat, so that will have to remain a mystery for now.

But I’ve still been able to find some details about Alfred’s life.

Alfred was baptised at Morchard Bishop on 25 May 1863, the son of agricultural labourer Matthew Wreford and his wife, Mary Drew. This was the second marriage for both his parents, and although Alfred would be the only child his parents would have together, he had 7 older half-siblings combined. At the time of his baptism, the family were residing on The Street in Morchard Bishop.

In the 1871 census, Alfred can be found with his parents and 14-year-old half sister, living at ‘Sidbury’ (or Sidborough) which is part of the village of Oldborough (just south of Morchard Bishop).

I was able to find photographs of the house but it looks a lot grander today than it would have done in the 1870s. (Historic England states it was formerly a small farmhouse and adjoining cottage.)

Alfred would die only a few months after the census was taken, and be buried next to the church building, where I would discover him 153 years later.

But since I have a theory that I am related to every Wreford buried in Morchard Bishop, I wanted to find out how this boy was related to me.

Turns out, Alfred was my fourth cousin, once removed, and two sets of his 3rd great grandparents were also my 7th great grandparents:

Set one – William Wreford (1717-1763) and Thomasin Manley (1719 – 1794)
Set two – Matthew Wreford (1712-1752) and Sarah James (1717 – 1763)

William and Matthew were brothers – the children of Matthew Wreford (1682 – 1763) and Elizabeth Manley (1684 – 1757) – and two of Matthew’s children grew up to marry two of William’s children.

Nice to have ‘met’ you, cousin Alfred.

A Walsallian Story

Companion post for the Geneageek’s Gems podcast episode:
A Walsallian Story

(The relationship of George Ebbans and Sarah Ann Crossley was also previously discussed in the post: ‘George the Absconder‘.)

In the 1921 census, Sarah Ann Crossley was recorded in the home of her parents on 35 Farringdon Street, Walsall. Her husband was not with her and I was unable to find him elsewhere, despite George being released from military service in 1919.

page from 1921 census — Crossley family on 1921 census: 35 Farringdon Street.

I knew the couple had stayed together because they had two children who went on to have families of their own: a son, George, born in 1922, as well as a daughter, born in 1925.

old birth certificate — 1922 birth certificate of George Ebbans

George junior’s birth certificate stated that he was born at 74 Upper Green Lane, so I began to search the newspapers for that address, and struck gold! Through these newspaper reports, I was able to piece together the ‘tumultuous’ relationship of George and Sarah Ann.

George Ebbans and Sarah Ann Crossley married in Walsall on 14 June 1917, while George was home on leave from serving in the First World War. Their first child, Renee Victoria Ebbans was born 18 July 1919, and all appeared well with the couple. The following day was Peace Day, and George apparently celebrated a bit too hard, came home drunk, and abused his wife, who was still recovering from giving birth the day before. He also made the vile accusation, that little Renee was actually the child of Sarah Ann’s father. The 1920 Walsall Observer article recounts several episodes of George’s abusive behaviour, including an attack on his sister-in-law at George’s mother’s house (this would have been 140 Bridgeman Street). George blamed his lack of financial support for his wife and daughter, on his inability to work regularly due to ill-health.

newspaper clipping — Walsall Observer, 21 Feb 1920, p8, c3

The cycle of abuse, separation, and reunion continued for another five years, with Sarah Ann often taking refuge with her parents at 35 Farringdon Street. During this time, little Renee died (1921), and two sons were born, George (1922) and Sidney (1924) (Sidney died shortly after or at birth). The 1925 Walsall Observer article reported that George would be gaoled (and often) if his refusal to support his wife and child continued.

clipping from newspaper — Walsall Observer, 8 Aug 1925, p5, c2

Sarah Ann had been pregnant at the time of the previous article, and their last child was born in the final quarter of 1925. By February 1926, George had still not given any money to Sarah Ann and was committed to gaol for two months.

The last ‘sighting’ of George was in the 1930 Birmingham Daily Gazette, when he was sentenced to another three months in prison for owing a whopping £174 in maintenance arrears.

The 1920 article gave George’s address as 38 Farringdon Street but he was not there in the 1921 census. Fortunately, I was finally able to locate him by browsing the other Farringdon Street pages/returns. It turns out that in 1921, he was lodging with the Greatrex family at 32 Farringdon Street.

1921 census page — George Ebbans on the 1921 census: 32 Farringdon Street

Where George went, and what he did AFTER 1930 is still a mystery. Any information regarding this would be very welcome (rumours or fact). (Contact Me)

Listen to the episode: A Walsallian Story

Show notes and post-show notes for this episode can be found on the podcast page.

Mary Wilcox – A Minor Mystery Solved

(continued from previous post: Who was Mary Wilcox?)

The first step was to do a ‘blanket search’ for Mary born c1828. There was another Mary Wilcox of a similar age recorded in the 1841 census, however this one was recorded with her parents, so I was able to rule out any record for this daughter of William and Jane Wilcox.

I found a baptism record for Mary of the correct age – born 22 October 1828 (baptised 1832), daughter of snaffle maker John Wilcox and his wife, Mary. This means she was 12 at the time of the 1841 census which matched up neatly with the Mary Wilcox recorded with the Thomasons. But another clue lay in where she was baptised – the ‘Independent’ Bridge Street Chapel, Walsall. This was the same place Hannah Craddock and her brother Samuel had been baptised about two decades before. Samuel Craddock was also a snaffle maker, indicating a possible family trade.

Baptism entry — 1832 Baptism of Mary Wilcox – Bridge Street Chapel, Walsall

But where was the Craddock link?

I searched for the marriage of John and Mary and… BINGO! There was a marriage on 1 November 1824 at West Bromwich of John Wilcox and Mary Craddock. (Unfortunately there was no image.)

I was unable to find a baptism record for Harriet Wilcox, but did find her with parents John and Mary in the 1841 census. This supports my theory that the Harriet Wilcox, also with the Wheeley family on the 1851 census, was the sister of Mary Wilcox.

family entry from 1841 census — Wilcox family on 1841 census – Blue Lane, Walsall

So, there we are – minor mystery solved:

Mary Wilcox was the niece of Hannah Wheeley (nee Craddock); daughter of Hannah’s sister Mary Wilcox (nee Craddock).

We will probably never know if Lydia Thomason (nee Walton) was introduced to Samuel Craddock by Mary or vice versa – but we at least know that connection was there.

However, another minor mystery has emerged…

Mary’s sister, Harriet Wilcox, went on to marry miner James Pearson in 1855 – was he related to Mary’s fellow servant, Sarah Pearson, in the 1841 census? I think I’ll leave that one for ‘another day’.

Who Was Mary Wilcox?

I first came across Mary Wilcox quite a few years ago. She was recorded on the 1881 census, in the home of Thomas Henry Wheeley, as his cousin. At 53, Mary was considerably older than 30-year-old Thomas, but since the term ‘cousin’ could be used rather loosely, this did not necessarily mean they were first cousins. The exact relationship between them was unclear.

1881 census – 36 Garden St, Walsall: Mary as cousin

As I worked backwards through the censuses, Mary kept cropping up. In 1851, 1861, and 1871, she was recorded with Thomas Henry’s parents, Thomas and Hannah Wheeley. In 1851, she was recorded as a 22-year-old japanner and servant to Thomas Wheeley (as was a 17-year-old Harriet Wilcox).

part of 1851 census record — 1851 Census – Garden Walk, Walsall: Mary Wilcox as servant

However, in 1861 and 1871, her relationship was recorded as ‘niece’.

family entry on 1861 census — 1861 census – Garden Street, Walsall: Mary Wilcox as niece

In my experience, relationships to the head of the family, can refer to either the head or his wife, so this Mary Wilcox was the niece of either Thomas Wheeley or his wife, Hannah Craddock – great, good to know – and basically she was put in the ‘for another day’ pile.

Well, that day has arrived!

While extending the Wheeley branches, Mary Wilcox popped up AGAIN in an unexpected place.

Hannah’s brother, Samuel Craddock, married Lydia Thomason (nee Walton) in 1853. Lydia was the widow of Charles Thomason. In the 1841 census Charles and Lydia Thomason were living with their two young children at Potters Lodge (near Full Brook), Walsall. Also there, was 20-year-old japanner Sarah Pearson and 12-year-old servant, MARY WILCOX.

part of 1841 census image — 1841 census – Potters Lodge, Walsall: Mary Wilcox in home of Charles and Lydia Thomason

Does this mean Mary was actually related to Lydia? Or had Lydia met her next husband Samuel via Mary’s relationship to him? Or was this a completely different Mary Wilcox altogether?

Who was Mary Wilcox?

Next post: Mary Wilcox – A Minor Mystery Solved

Five Men Drowned – Two Recovered

Continued from previous post Five Men Drowned

Two of the bodies were also picked up by the boat, but both were quite dead.
Dundee Courier, 12 February 1872, p2, c6

The Two Recovered

Of the five men who drowned when their boat was overturned near Rattray Head on 9 February 1872, only two were recovered. The bodies of Andrew Buchan (34) and Andrew Bruce (24) were taken ashore in the boat that rescued James Buchan, the sole survivor.

image of death record — Death records of Andrew Buchan and Andrew Bruce

Andrew Buchan

Andrew Buchan was the son of fisherman Andrew Buchan and his wife Elizabeth Buchan. He was the eldest of eight siblings, all born and bred at St Combs.

Andrew married Catherine Buchan on 7 November 1861.

In 1871, Andrew and Catherine were recorded at 54½ Mid Row, St Combs with their four young children, Mary, Elspet, Andrew, and James.

After Andrew’s tragic death, his widow Catherine was recorded in the 1881 census still at 54½ with their sons, Andrew and James, now 13 and 11. She appears to have at least had some support from Andrew’s parents who were ‘next door’ in number 54 (54 and 54½ appear to be attached).

Eldest daughter Mary married James McLean in 1886 and Catherine was recorded in their Peterhead home on the 1891 census. Catherine appears not to have remarried.

Daughter Elspet (15) appears to be working as a servant for Peter Bruce in 1881. She later married fisherman William Shand in 1886 and lived in Peterhead.

Son James broke with family tradition and became a baker in Govan, Lanarkshire, marrying Willamina McDonald in 1893.

It is unclear what became of Andrew – due to his common name, tracing him reliably (and cheaply) was not possible. Any information would be welcome.

Andrew Bruce

Andrew Bruce was the son of fisherman Peter Bruce and his wife, Isabella Murray. He grew up with at least six other siblings in St Combs.

Andrew married Ann Buchan, daughter of fisherman John Buchan and Elizabeth Cow in 7 April 1870. Their first child, Peter, was born only five months later. He was born at Peterhead, which may have been the home of a relative. Andrew stated that he was present at the birth when registering it a few days later.

In 1871, Andrew, Ann, and 6-month-old Peter were recorded in the census at 81 East Row – the home of his father. Nine people were in the house that night (2 April).

1871 census image — Andrew Bruce with his wife and son in the 1871 census

Less than a year later, Andrew was drowned. At the time, his wife Ann was a few months pregnant with their second child. Their daughter was born in July (at 96 St Combs) and was named Andrew Ann in honour of her father.

Ann never remarried. In the 1881 census, she was recorded with her son Peter, and her widowed father, John Buchan at 96 St Combs. Ann was described as a grocer. In 1891, she and her father were still at Number 96 but Ann was now recorded as a ‘merchant (Bread-seller). This time, 18-year-old daughter, ‘Andrewina’ was with them.

Son Peter had broken with family tradition and become a joiner. He had moved to Lanarkshire by 1891 and married Margaret Anderson the next year, staying there until his death in 1924.

Ann died at 96 St Combs in 1895, aged 45, of “Influenza Bronchitis”. Two years later, daughter Andrew married fisherman William Strachan and lived in St Combs until her death in 1954.

Next post: Five Men Drowned – Three Buried At Sea

Companion post for the Geneageek’s Gems podcast episode: A Walsallian Story