Genealogy Chat

Hi Jean, Unfortunately I've been unable to find William Smart and family on the 1891 census so far. Was he still in Warwickshire on the 1901 census? Emma.

Hi Jan, Glad you've found Walter. I'm still unable to find John/William, I've even searched every Sarah between 11 and 13 born in Wickham! I've tried looking for Ann, John and William either he's very well hidden or he didn't fill in the census!! I found a "Bongaminghus Fright" in Margate when I was looking for John, surely that can't be a name - it just shows what some names got mistranscribed as, there could be no knowing what John is listed as! Emma.

I've found Walter on the 1901 now, aged 43, and he is shown as Wood Machinist. Thanks again, Jan

The age of 35 and the fact that he's a machinist put me off this one, but when I enlarged it and looked closely, I'm sure that he is 33, which would be spot on from the 1871 Census. Perhaps he's a wood machinist, the others all seem to be carpenters (until they turn into bakers!). Thank you so much for your help - if only William John would materialise, I would have the complete set. Jan.

Jan, I know how frustrating it is. I have a David William Wheeler who is sometimes David others William and once even Frederick ! I'll get the kids' tea sorted and have another look. You mention the change in Walter's age - the Walter on RG12/538, folio 87, page 29 in Plumstead isn't yours is he? He's 35 in 1891. Emma.

Thanks, Emma, its very much appreciated. I've found what might be a further complication. Comparing the 1871 results (which I've only just received) with the 1881, I think that the John in the 1881 might be the William in the 1871. As their father is William, he might have been William John, but called John for convenience sake. So he could be either in the 1891. Also, in the 1871 Walter is shown as 13, whereas in 1881 he is only 20. So there again, he may be 33 by 1891. But I still can't find them. Jan.

Jan, I'm sorry I can't find anything for Walter or John either. I've tried every way I can think of. I do use the ancestry site - the way I found Frederick and family was to put in Mary's name as Mary Fo* born Essex and in the age box put 2*. I'll keep playing around with the others - short of not filling in the name box at all, putting born Kent and the age and just trawling through the whole list I can't think of what else to do. Emma.

many thanks, i dont mind what you call me - i am just very grateful for your help. you have given me a lead to one of my lines i have been stuck on for 3 years. thanks very much lisa

Hi Lisa Firstly apologies for calling you Lynda earlier on!! I've not had much luck with the other children I'm afraid - the only Annie Swift I can find is: Annie Swift, serv, sing, 17, Domestic servant, Yorkshire Sheffield in the household of Harry Walter and family a wood sawyer at 32 Corporation Street, Sheffield. RG12/3816, Folio 13, page 19 Sheffield Yorkshire I've found one Sarah Ann Swift William White, head, mar, 38/58?, sprung knife culler?, Sheffield Elizabeth White, wife, mar, 34/54?, Sheffield William H White, son, 12, half ? in bake house, Sheffield Arthur White, son, 10, scholar, Sheffield Sarah Ann Swift, relative, 12, scholar, Sheffield RG12/3819, folio 70, page 5 Sheffield Yorkshire A? 12 1 house St. Philips Road No luck with Theresa so far. Emma.

Thank you so much, Emma - I've searched and searched for Frederick Foster/Forster, and you found him. Does that mean that the index on the 1891 site definitely isn't complete? Or do you use that site and have a magic wand? I haven't heard of young Lillian, but the name is in the family, so I am sure this is the right one. Could I ask you also to look for Walter Forster/Foster, age 20 in 1881, born Bexley Heath, and also John Forster/Foster, age 29 in 1881, Bexley Heath, with wife Ann, 25, Plumstead, and daughter Sarah, 2, Wickham, Kent? Thanks again, Jan

Hi emma, could you look for the following children: Annie E Swift, age approx 18 in 1891, unmarried born sheffield. Theresa Swift, age approx 14, born sheffield. Sarah Ann Swift age approx 12, born sheffield. they are from same family as William Swift and Ibbotson but they seem to have been seperated after the death of their mother. thanks very much for your help. regards lisa

Hi Lynda, RG12/3817, Folio 68, page 5 Sheffield Yorkshire 10 Malinda Street Annie Ibbotson, head, sing, 44, Yorkshire Sheffield John H Shepherd, nephew, 15, Road ?, Yorkshire Sheffield William Swift, boarder, wid, 47, cord waner, Lincolnshire Boston William J Swift, boarder, 8, scholar, Yorkshire Sheffield Ernest Swift, boarder, 6, scholar, Yorkshire Sheffield Hope this is them. Emma.

Hi Lucy, could i ask for an 1891 look up for a friend please? William Swift, age approx 46. born Boston, Lincs. wife theresa in 1881 living at 10 ct 3 spring street. sheffield. many thanks lisa

Jan, Did they have a daughter Lilian? There's a Frederick Foster, baker born Kent with wife Mary A born Essex and daughter Lilian M 1 born Middlesex in Mile End - RG12/303, Folio 119, page 5. Emma.

Emma, if you are still volunteering to do 1891 lookups, would you try one for me please? I've found most of the family in that census, but this one has eluded me. I'm looking for Frederick Foster/Forster, aged 18 in the 1881, Carpenter, and aged 37 in the 1901, Master Baker. He was born in Bexley Heath, Kent. Also missing is his wife Mary A, aged 34 in 1901, born Grays Essex. I've found their 2 yr old daughter in the 1891 staying with her grandmother, but of Frederick and Mary I can find no trace. Some of their family were listed as Foreter. I've tried all the wild cards I can think of. There is one Frederick Forster of the right age, also born Bexley and living in Barnes, Surrey, but unfortunately he is the wrong one. I'm particularly anxious to see what his occupation is in 1891, in view of his rather drastic career change. Many thanks, Jan.

Elton, Don't think this will be much use as Thomas is on his own so no extra information to give you except occupation. RG12/1053, Folio 43, pg 29 Barnet, Herts Underhill Thomas Reed, head, sing, 45, General Labourer, Middlesex London Emma.

Thank you very much Lucy - Just want to let you know that i appreciate the look up you have done for and also the time you have take to list the details. Ta

Hi Emma! Ah, yes Latter Day Saints, sorry my brain hasn't been working lately. Loss of sleep due to worry. Being taken to court by James' ex wife. She wants more child support. I've never heard of blood being taken from a stone, but she seems to think it can be done. I have actually been on that site, had a lot of fun with it. It's nice to see a free access site, since we have had to pay for lawyers lately I don't seem to have a dime for myself. Uh oh, gotta go. Baby's crying. Thanks again and I'll talk to you again soon! Amanda

Hi Amanda, My name's Emma but don't worry about calling me Lucy it's my fault because I used my sister's log on. The lds site I mentioned is the Latter Day Saints site www(.)familysearch(.)org which has the 1881 Canadian and English/Welsh census and the 1880 UK census and IGI records. The other site I mentioned was freebmd(.)rootsweb(.)com which has the indexes. I'm glad you've managed to track your Ann Toft down - you're having more luck than me I have a David Wheeler I'm trying to track who seems to change his name every census! I'm not sure what Irish records are on the ancestry site - I'll have a look and let you know. Emma.

Hi Lucy/Emma! Is your name Emma? I've been calling you Lucy! Can't seem to find the thread that I was last on, you mentioned a LDS site to look up. What is that site? Have had some success since last here, found Ann Toft was originally Ann Clark(e). Possibly illegitimate child of large household. HMMM. Lees are all the same. Was wondering, is the ancestry.co site worth the membership fee? I don't really have a lot to spend on this, but it seems like the only place to look up info on my N Ireland rellies. Thanks again for all your help. You're indeed a saint. Amanda