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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Northumberland => Topic started by: BoHedley on Sunday 30 September 07 17:52 BST (UK)
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My mother, born 1899, was a Hedley and often told me that an ancestor had built the Puffing Billy (ie William Hedley 1773 or 1779 )
I am now trying to prove the truth of this story and have managed to trace our Hedleys back to Newburn with a William and spouse Jane Hedley born 1812.
However I can only find 1841 Census info. on this family who had children, John, Richard and Alice Hedley by 1841.
Is anyone out there researching the Hedleys and does anyone know if there is a society which includes the Puffing Billy invention etc.
Thanks in anticipation of help.
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Welcome to Rootschat
There is a biography of William Hedley here (scroll down).
http://books.google.com/books?id=jeOMfpYMOtYC&pg=PA313&lpg=PA313&dq=biography+%22william+hedley%22&source=web&ots=aAguPY4d2c&sig=HojIsgJMA5ZbS_UQeuuSQy8DHYo#PPA313,M1
It names his parents as William Hedley and Ann Atkinson and his wife as Frances Dodds. They married in 1803 and his 4 sons were Oswald Dodd, Thomas, George and William. It also lists some books written on him.
It appears William left a Prerogative Court of Canterbury will so the family were obviously of some wealth.
Will of William Hedley, Coal Owner of Lanchester , Durham 12 June 1843 PROB 11/1981
How have you managed to prove your Hedley line back to William and Jane if you have only found that particular family on the 1841 census?
Regards
Valda
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Hi Valda - thanks so much for the reply and the information given. I've seen a lot on Google re - William and the Puffing Billy, where he was born and when died etc. but not about his wife and parents.
I sent for a birth certificate of last "proved" relative 'Thomas Hedley 1864 and living in Sheffield. On the certificate it showed his father was a John Hedley, a filesmith, married to Caroline Bradley
I belong to Ancestry so did a search for this John and Caroline and found John was born in Newburn, Northumberland.
The next bit is a bit 'iffy' - the only John born in Newburn at the right time (1832 had a father William (1812) and mother Jane ?both born in Newburn - other children were Richard and Alice (1841) Census. This William is listed as a filesmith too which made me think it may be the right one.
I am still searching for further records of this family and can't find any as yet. I don't know which certificate to send for as birth records only start at 1837and I have not enough information to give.
I am beginning to think that the link with Puffing Billy William may be as a more distant relative??
However you have given me something to go on and I will try to work backwards from the names you gave. So thanks again Valda for taking the time.
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The William Hedley born 14 Feb 1812 in Newburn and baptised 16 Feb 1812 was the 1st son of Richard Hedley, husbandman, native of this parish by his wife Alice late Hudson, native of this parish
Janis
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Thanks for this information Janis - can I follow this up anywhere - your source sounds as though its local.
Regards
Bo
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Hi Bo,
The IGI has this marriage:
Richard Hedley = Alice Hudson
5th Aug 1811
Alnwick, Northumberland
The IGI doesn't show any other children, apart from William b 1812, born to this couple (but of course that doesn't mean there aren't more).
(Janice lives in the USA and I believe she has some parish registers for Northumberland (she's been a great help to me in the past ;))
Good luck with your search, and I hope you manage to find your connection to Puffing Billy!
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Oh aye--I am in the US. I do have many parish registers transcripts--both short form and long version.
Janis
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Hi again Janis! Looks like Bo has signed off. I thought you'd gone too, so I hope you don't mind that I answered Bo's question.
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No problem, we all answer in. I looked for more children past 1812 but I didn't see any in Newburn either. Unfortunately I don't have any records for Alnwick to look there.
Janis
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I did find a possible christening for Alice Hudson. It was the most likely one on the IGI:
Alice Hudson
chr 1st June 1788 Newburn
father William Hudson
mother Hannah (no surname)
None of the Richard Hedleys on the IGI jumped out at me ;).
Would be advisable for Bo to check these for accuracy.
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Dear Ruskie,
Wow! You are all so helpful on this site. Thanks again to all.
I am relatively new to Genealogy so would you mind telling me what the IGI is?
I didnt think you could get birth and marriage records before 1837.
I don't think I will get directly to William Puffing Billy Hedley as all the relatives coming up have basic manual jobs and he obviously came from richer family altogether. My mother obviously had memories 'above her station' - she also told me we were related to the 'Hedley Fairy Soap Family'. Perhaps she thought all Hedleys were related!!
Cheers from
Bo
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Hi Bo,
Here is a link to the IGI (International Genealogical Index). It's the Mormons / Latter Day Saints site (hope it works as I've tried to link you directly to the page where you enter your search criteria):
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true
It can be useful for pre 1837 records, though it is not complete and some areas have better coverage than others. Eg the Alice Hudson christening I found looks to be the most possible one on the IGI, but there may be dozens more Alice Hudsons out there - it does not necessarily follow that the one on the IGI is yours (but she might be ;)).
You can just enter as much or as little information as you like and see what your searches bring up. For example, you can just search for christenings for the surname Hedley in Northumberland.
If you know parent's names you can just enter those to find the children the couple had. Once again, it's just a guide and it's quite usual for some children to be missing off the IGI.
A word of warning, some of the records are extracted (taken from the parish records) and some are submitted (which can mean "made up" so don't necessarily trust them).
Just experiment with the site, it can take a bit of getting used to, but it is useful first port of call.
If you go to the beginners board on RootsChat, I think there will be plenty of tips to help you. Likewise at the beginning of the county boards there is a lot of useful information about each county.
The following are some good sites to start with:
This link takes you to a different page on the familysearch site:
http://www.familysearch.org/
This is a good site - a work in progress. Freereg (parish registers) can be useful depending on the amount of records transcribed for your county - FreeCen - free census - free bmd - births, marriages and deaths:
http://www.freebmd.rootsweb.com/
This is an excellent general site:
http://www.genuki.org.uk/
And of course there is RootsChat - now that IS the best site of all.
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Dear Ruski,
Thanks so much for all this information - it makes me realize how much I have to learn about the researching aspects of Genealogy - instead of jumping straight in and searching for names.
I certainly agree with your last sentence - I have had more help on this site than from anywhere else.
Bo
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Good luck Bo. Hope you enjoy your time here. Many of these family legends do have a grain of truth in them ;).
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Just had a thought - have you looked at the Surname Interest Table (SIT for short)?
At the bottom of each Rootschat page is [your surname interests] in blue , if you click on that, then on the next page click on the box which says Surname Search, go to the letter H and find Hedley, click on the name and you will find a few Rootschat members also researching Hedley in Northumberland and Durham. You might find a cousin!
Distribution of the surname Hedley in 1881:
http://www.nationaltrustnames.org.uk/Map.aspx?name=HEDLEY&year=1881&altyear=1998&country=GB&type=name
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Don't worry about your family thinking "above their station". Many with surnames like Armstrong, Stephenson, Percy , Charlton, etc think/hope they are connected to these famous lines
With my surname I thought I was related to Dixon of Dock Green...the only Dixon of renown..... alas not to be...
On Ruskie angle that family legends do have a grain of truth... my "oral history" had it that my mother's folk were miners who came to England from County Mayo, Ireland, in 1890s. The ONLY grain of truth was that the country was right, everything else wrong ! Rest of oral history.. 50% OK, 50% fibs, inaccuracies, exaggerations
Michael Dixon,
Newcastle
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Well maybe Bo will be related to either Puffing Billy or Fairy Soap Hedley then .... if her family is 50% rightish ;D.
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What details does John give about his father on his marriage?
Marriages Mar 1856
Bradley Caroline Sheffield 9c 343
Hedley John Sheffield 9c 343
Regards
Valda
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Dear Valda.
I found this one , you quote, on BMD but don't quite understand your question "What information did John give on his father"
There was no information about John's father on this marriage entry. Are you suggesting I could find some if I sent for marriage certificate giving these BMD volume/page sources.
Regards,
Liz
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John would give his father's name and his occupation on his marriage certificate which would confirm or eliminate the possibility that his father was called William and a filesmith.
With the GRO index reference for the marriage you can purchase the certificate online from the General Registry Office.
http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/
Regards
Valda
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Dear Valda,
Yes- this is obviously my next route - otherwise nothing further on can be proved and I am still going round in circles with William and Jane after 1841.
With thanks,
Lizian
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I also am researching the Hedley family of Newburn. I am related to William Hedley father of Puffing Billy and his wife Elizabeth Fletcher. I have a fair amount of information. Billie
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Dear Billie,
Thank you for reply but I am now fairly sure that our Hedley line does not go through "William Puffing Billy".
My mother used to tell us about him and described him as a 'famous relative'. When I traced the Hedleys back to Newburn eg. William 1812 born Newburn,filesmith -
maried to Jane? I thought she may be right. But going further it went to a Richard Hedley 1788, husbandman - married to Alice Hudson.
if you have any of these names in your tree I would be very interested to view as they may be relatives. However Hedley appears to be a fairly common name in that area and Newburn was bigger than I thought.
I have my William Hedley's known siblings as John and Robert and his children as John(1832), Richard and Alice.
Whoever they were - they are all very interesting to discover.
Thanks again from Bo in Suffolk
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Richard hedley married to Alice Hudson was the brother of my gggg grandfather Thomas. Richard and Alice had 3 children....William born 1812, Elizabeth born 1814 and died in 1818 and George born in 1818. Alice and Richard were married 05 August 1811...alice's father was William Hudson and mother was Hannah Hargrave. Thomas was the second son of William Hedley and Elizabeth Fletcher. William was married to Jane Atkinson and they had a son named Joseph. William the had a child with Ann Atkinson and that child was William aka Puffing Billy. He then Married Elizabeth Flethcher and they had 8 children.
If you require any information please let me know...Billie
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Dear Billie,
Wow! thanks for all that info - I have been trying to match it up with what I have and am getting more and more confused. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions about the info you gave?
I have the Richard married to Alice Hudson as the father of William Hedley (1812) so Elizabeth 1814 and George 1818 were his siblings?? (If so I have the wrong ones)
Then I had this William (1812) married to a Jane ? Is this the Jane Atkinson you mention. Did he then marry her sister Ann?
I then have William (1812 having son John(1832) Richard and Alice. John married Caroline Bradly and produced my great grandfather Thomas Hedley 1864 and born Sheffield.
We obviously have Richard and Alice Hudson in common but am confused from then on.
Reading your info I got totally lost on the dates because William of Puffing Billy was born 1779 and married a Frances Dodds (according to written biography) so thought he must be a relative of Richard (1788)
Could you possibly give me the dates of the people you mention as there are so many Williams and Thomas's etc.
Many thanks in anticipation from Bo in Suffolk.
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William Sr was born prior to 1753. He married Jane Atkinson 1774 and they had a son Joseph born 1773. He died in 1843. I think that Jane died and he then had a son with Ann Atkinson who was his mistress. That son was William aka Puffing Billy. That William married Frances Dodds. William sr then married Elizabeth Fletcher in September 1784. Their first child was George in 1785 and he probably died. Then came Thomas born in 1786. He was my gggg grandfather. Then came John born in 1788. After John came Richard who married Alice Hudson on the 05 August 1811. After Richard was George who was born in 1792 and died in July 1819. Then came Mary, Elizabeth and Jeremiah.
I found William and Alice on the 1841 census with children Alice, John and Richard. On the 1851 census, I found the family spelled healey and William is a filecutter. Their children are as follows...John, Richard, Alice, William, Ann and Elizabeth. If you will notice...there is a pattern to the names. Hope this helps....Billie
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Thank you for reply and your time billie.
I think I have it now!! This would have taken me months to find.
We obviously are related by William Sr. and Elizabeth Fletcher but only to William (PuffBilly) by William Sr.
So - Hello to a far flung Hedley relative!!
There is just one other query I have. Yo wrote -
"I found William and Alice on the 1841 census with children Alice, John and Richard."
Are you referring to William(1812 the filecutter) here. I have his wife as a "Jane" so I may have gone along the wrong route here. However I have the same children's names and John(1832)is the one who follows my family line. He moved to Sheffield - his son Thomas moved to Manchester and had a very large family there (where I was born)
Old William Sr. must have been quite a character! Is it known that William Puffing Billy was illegitimate. Its never mentioned anywhere. He obviously grew up in quite a good family and financial background.
I had an email from a Pat Barnes and his family have a lot of info on the Hedley line but not a lot on Richard/Alice descendents. Maybe they are your family??
Many thanks again for your help.
Bo42.
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This looks to be the 1851 census entry mentioned by Billie.
HO107 2413 folio 281
Newburn Village Northumberland
William Healey 39 Northd, Newburn Head Married File cutter
Jane Healey 37 Northd, Benwell Wife Married
John Healey 18 Northd, Benwell Son File cutter
Richard Healey 14 Sheffield, Yorkshire, Son File cutter
Alice Healey 12 Sheffield, Yorkshire, Daughter
William Healey 9 Northd, Newburn Son
Ann Healey 6 Northd, Newburn Daughter
Elizabeth Healey 3 Northd, Newburn Daughter
If Ann Atkinson was the sister of Jane Atkinson it would not have been legal for William Hedley senior to have married his dead wife's sister. Does Newburn parish register have the burials of Jane Hedley and her sister Ann Atkinson?
If William Hedley senior - the father of 'Puffing Billy' died in 1843 he would have been at least 90 if he was born prior to 1753.
Since Hedley seems a reasonably common surname in Northumberland and William is a common forename how certain is it that the William who married Jane Atkinson is the same man who had a son William by Ann (if illegitimate it should state it in the baptismal register which would give the child as 'William Atkinson' not 'William Hedley') and then later married Elizabeth Fletcher?
WILLIAM HEDLEY
JANE ATKINSON
Marriage: 10 APR 1773 Newburn, Northumberland
JOSEPH HEDLEY
Christening: 19 SEP 1773 Newburn, Northumberland
Father: WILLIAM HEDLEY
Mother: JANE
WILLIAM HEDLEY OR ATKINSON
Christening: 25 JUL 1779 Newburn, Northumberland
Father: WILLIAM HEDLEY
Mother: ANN ATKINSON
An illegitimate child had no claim on his father and could not inherit unless specifically mentioned in his father's will or if an inheritance was settled on him by his father in his life time.
The illegitimate son William seems to have been better educated and possibly better provided for than the half brothers by his father's second marriage - unless he was in himself a completely self made man? What were the occupations of the sons by Wliiam Hedley and Elizabeth Fletcher - were they similarly provided for?
Did William Hedley senior leave a will?
Regards
Valda
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William hedley sr was born prior to 1753. He married Jane Atkinson 10 April 1774 and one child, a son Joseph was born in 1773...christened September 1773 and he died in 1843. Jane was buried February 10 1778. William then took a mistress by the name of Ann Atkinson. I do not know if Ann was the sister or sister in law of jane. A son was born 13 July 1779 and he died January 9 1843. That is a different story, however, he would have been a self made man as his father was a grocer. William sr then married Elizabeth Fletcher the 13th September 1784. Their first son was George who was born 1785. The second child was Thomas born 1788. He was my gggg grandfather. The third child was John born 1788. The fourth child was Richard who was born in 1790. He married Alice Hudson 05 August 1811 and they had 3 children....William born 1812, Elizabeth born 1814 and died in 1818 and George born 1818. Richard died September 1824. After Richard came Jeremiah born in 1789 and then George who was born in 1792 and he died in 1819. Finally, there came 2 daughters,,,Mary born in 1794 and Elizabeth 1801. All of this information came from Newburn church and cemetery records.
Billie
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If William senior was a grocer he ran his own business, so there is a reasonable possibility he might left a will.
Regards
Valda
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Dear Valda,
Thanks for all the info. in the 1851 Census - I have to re-subscribe to Ancestry so couldn't look it up.
I have an email from Pat Barnes which gives William HEDLEY (senior) as 1748 so he was only 70 when he died.
This info came up on Ancestry and does not mention Ann Atkinson - the mystery continues.........
[i]Name: William Hedley
Birth: 1748 in Newburn Parish, [parish], Northumberland, England
Death: Jun 1818 in Newburn Parish, [parish], Northumberland, England
Father: Allen Hedley (-)
Mother: Mayonet (-)
Spouse: Jane Atkinson (-)
Spouse: Elizabeth Fletcher (-)[/i][/b]
However - since coming on RootsChat I have gleaned more from you and Billie than a month on Ancestry!!!
Theres a lot on Google about William'Puffing Billy' Hedley so I'll do a trawl through.
Thanks again to both of you
Bo42
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So if on the off chance that he did leave a will...where would one be able to look at a copy of the will?
Billie
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Received this message from Jessie today
Folks,
It is clearly shown in my database that William (Puffing Billy) b.1779 was
the son of William Hedley and Ann Atkinson. Ann was actually William Snr's
sister-in-law. His first wife Jane, Ann' sister having died in 1778.
At that period in time it was not legal for a man to marry his dead wife's
sister.
William later married Elizabeth Fletcher and they produced 8 children,
Richard being born in 1790.
Billie Hedley received her information from me.
Can you let me have Richard's descendants, please
Jessie
So it looks even more definite that William'Puffing Billy' was illegitimate. Perhaps the Atkins family had money and means.
cheers to all from Bo
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Pre 1858 wills were probated by the church. There were different church courts covering different areas. The highest church court with jurisdiction of the whole of England was the Prerogative Court of Canterbury which despite its name was actually in London. The wills and administrations of the PCC are held at The National Archives. The wills but not the admins have been indexed and the index is electronically online (William senior did not leave a PCC will). William junior - Puffing Billy left a PCC will and you can easily obtain a copy of it electronically from TNA. The next court in order of importance was the Prerogative Court of York which had jurisdiction over the north of England. PCY wills are held at the Borthwick Institute in York. There is as yet no online indexes for PCY wills apart from one on a subscription website but that only covers part of the period of the 1850s. The remaining courts were more local and at diocesan level only. Those locally proved wills are usually held in county record offices. Most of Northumberland came under the Consistory Court of Durham so those wills are held by Durham University library.
http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/asc/
There is a projest to index the wills
http://familyrecords.dur.ac.uk/nei/
but it won't get online until 2009 but as you know the date of death of William senior you could email them to check whether they hold a will for him. If that draws a blank as he certainly didn't leave a PCC will the only other place where a will could be would be the Borthwick.
http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/bihr/
Again you can email Borthwick for a search but this would only be worth doing if Durham drew a blank. The majority of people did not leave wills but since William was a grocer there is a fair chance he may have left a will.
Ann Atkinson may have subsequently married so William might have been brought up by his mother and possibly by a stepfather. Though you can and could call yourself by any name you like if William was illegitimate his automatic right was only to his mother's surname.
Regards
Valda
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Hi
Sorry to jump in on this search, but I think my relatives may be related to this puffy :) fella too (never heard of him until I read this!)
I can get back to a Catharine Hedley (1889) whos Father is Joseph Hedley c1799. In the 1851 and 1861 Census it names his wife as Barbara, but in the 1841 it's Mary. Looking on family search I can only find a marriage with a Mary Potts. But they had a son Robert, who doesn't appear on the 1841 Census ( he would have been 12).
Anyway - my Joseph Hedley c1799 was born in Newburn.
Can anyone help on where he links into this story?
Thanks (and sorry if this is a confusing mail, I'm just very excited to find this post!)
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The main Hedley family research members are Pat and Billie, whom I am sure you will hear from when they access the site.
They have both supplied me with loads of information on the Hedley ancestry from Newburn.
However,in case they do not reply the following info. is what I have from that time.
1)Thomas Hedley born 1722 in Newburn married to Ruth Unlock(1743)
Their children were William Hedley- 1748, John Hedley - 1749, Thomas Hedley 1750 and Joseph Hedley -1753.
William Hedley 1748 married Jane Atkinson and had a child called Joseph in 1773.
Then he had a child by her sister Ann Atkinson (wasn't allowed to marry wife's sister. This child was William Hedley, inventor of Puffing Billy 1779-1843.
William (1748) then married Elizabeth Fletcher and had the following children: George -1785, Thomas -1786, John -1788, Jeremiah 1789, Richard 1790, George 1792 and Mary 1794.
The Joseph above (1753) married Elizabeth Charlton in 1786 and among other children had a Joseph born 1797 - could this be your Joseph?? Can find no mention of his wife.
However, perhaps Billie and Pat have more on this so hope they will elaborate. If you don't hear anything - post again and I will email them.
Our family is growing by the month!!!
Regards from Bo Hedley.
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Hi Bo
Could be my Joseph - one of the Census puts his Year of birth at 1797.
Ohhh it is all very exciting (or I have a very boring life lol)
Lesley
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Joseph Hedley baptized 3rd December of Newburn was the twin of Elizabeth and together with Thomas hedley baptized 5 may 1791 were the children of Joseph hedley and Elizabeth Charlton. They were married 18 December 1786. Thomas Hedley married Isabella Ralphill and they had a son named Joseph.
Billie
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Hi Billie
Thanks so much for replying !!
:-\ I'm confused! Why couldn't these people have original first names?
Do you have it in a tree format anywhere I could see? I work better in diagrams :)
Which Joseph was the twin? Which was the son of Thomas ans Isabella .... argh my brain is exploding!!
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Joseph Hedley born c1753 was married to Elizabeth Charlton. Their children were as follows:
Ruth c1787, Thomas c1791, Margaret c 1793, Joseph c1797, Elizabeth c1797 and Robert c1806.
Billie
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Thanks
Hmm according to the Census my Joseph was born between 1798 and 1801 each one says he was born in Newburn.
What do you think the odds are that it's not actually this Joseph? I dont' want to lay claim to a family that isn't mine
Thanks,
L
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I'm not too sure about the actual DOB's for individuals on the census. Look up on the census information in reference to years of birth. I believe that they are not accurate and although I cannot remember the reasoning behind this, something in the deep recesses of my brain niggles at me. I think that is why on the census, it often says c and the year of birth. Hope this helps...Billiel
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hmm whenever I find a possible relation I try to find reasons to convince myself it isn't them.
But it all seems to be pointing towards it being the same Joseph! I mean it's not as if Newburn is a big place - I can't believe 2 Joseph Hedley's were born within 2 years of each other.
Thanks for all your help
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Hi Everyone, and hello to my cousin Billie..
I am a Hedley Descendant through my mom, as her father's name was Charlton Hedley, with the help of Jessie, i have found that my line traces back to i think Allen Hedley & his wife Mayonet.
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Bo,
Or should I call you nn cousin yy times removed? First saw your posting in mid-December but with Christmas coming and me already in a major re-write of my web site (design methodology rather than content), I had to postpone my impulse to respond immediately.
However, tonight, in fact just 10 minutes ago, I decided to go live with what I had done to date and hang the consequences. There are probably still some bugs around and there are certainly some tweaks I still need to add but I just couldn't wait any longer.
I am also descended from John and Caroline although from their son Arthur, rather than Thomas. I must admit at this stage I have not added any new information to my web site based upon the details published in this thread but after getting copies of the source documents, I shall certainly be doing so! The most exciting information (apart from finding a distant cousin of course) was that John had more siblings after 1841 - terrific piece of information. But, I would also like to add my thanks to all the other contributors - this discussion has really moved my knowledge of my Hedley ancestors further forward.
I hope you will take a look at the site and let me know a little more about Thomas's life and family. My home page link is: www.kblink.com/genera/index.htm (http://www.kblink.com/genera/index.htm) and the link to John Hedley is on www.kblink.com/genera/gen0003.htm (http://www.kblink.com/genera/gen0003.htm).
Hope we get to share more details soon.
Ken
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I have a dissertation on the development of the Wylam Locomotives. William Hedley was involved in the early stages of the locomotive development with Jonathan Forster and Timothy Hackworth.
There is a book `William Hedley, Inventor of the Railway Locomotion` published 1882 which you might be able to order from your library.
frek
PS `Inventor` not strictly true!
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Hi frek.
It seems there are a number of different titles for the same book. The one I know is: 'William Hedley: the inventor of railway locomotion on the present principle' by Mark Archer (this was the title of the 3rd edition published in 1885 of his original work published in 1882). For those who might be interested: it is largely about Hedley's attempts to be recognised for developing the early use of steam engines for traction especially with smooth wheels on smooth tracks - something which had not been used previously and which was fundamental to the future development of the railways. There are quite a few books about the early days of steam and Hedley's contributions, a local historian in Wylam, Philip.R.B.Brooks wrote two excellent books 'William Hedley – Locomotive Pioneer' and 'Where Railways Were Born' just 10 or so years ago. Unfortunately these are a little more difficult to get hold of than Archer's book which, as you said can be obtained through a library (at least this was possible a few years ago when I wanted to read it). You mention a dissertation - could you please give more details and where a copy might be found?
From a historic perspective all of these books and many more like them are fascinating but apart from references to Willam's marriage and his sons, there is very little other family related information I'm afraid. I must admit I enjoy reading about what was happening early in the 19th century - it really adds meat to the bones of bmd.
Ken
ps Subsequent to posting this message I noted a number of hyperlinks in the text. Please accept that I did not create or include these hyperlinks in my message. If you other any other reader also see these hyperlinks (which, when your mouse hovers over, pops-up to advertise certain Amazon books) please note that these are being inserted by the bulletin board system and have nothing to do with me. I am afraid I cannot stop them.
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Hi can any one help . for the last 47 years I have been told my GGG Grandfarther was William Hedley (puffing Bill) But yesterday I found out It might be wrong.
I have a copy of Williams son William which has some very intresting items.
I know my G Grandfather was John Thomas Hedley Born 1863 Died 22.12.1927 who married Sarah Elizabeth (Millin) and Had 11 children 1: Carrie/Caroline b 1887,2: John Thomas Hedley (my Grandad) B 22.4.1888 D 19.4.1957, 3: Frederick B1888, 4: Robert Valentine went to USA B 1882, 5: Dorothy B1884, 6: Lilly, 7: Elizabeth B 1890, 8: Ernest, 9: Joseph, 10: May B1904, and 11: Aurthur B1890 D1891 Approx 18 M old. I did believed that Oswald Dodd was my GG Grandad. But finding that Williams Father had children with 3 wives/ partners. Jane Atkinson no 1, Her sister Anne no 2 Williams Mother. and Elizabeth Fletcher no 3.
At the family grave there is a grave stone see attached of Thomas Hedley died 1813 aged 61,is this Williams brother or uncle.
D Hedley
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Marriages Dec 1885
Hedley Thomas Farnham 2a 153
Millin Sarah Elizabeth Farnham 2a 153
1891 census RG12 3178 folio 59
Openshaw Lancashire, Thomas Hedley and family. Thomas was aged 27 and born Sheffield. The older children were born in Hampshire and Surrey including John Thomas Hedley born Ash Surrey.
Births Jun 1888
Hedley John Thomas Farnham 2a 105
1901 census RG13 3776 folio 156
Blackley Lancashire, Thomas Hedley and family. Thomas was aged 36 and born Sheffield, an engineer's clerk.
Births Sep 1864
HEDLEY Thomas Sheffield 9c 322
Deaths Dec 1927
HEDLEY Thomas 63 Manchester N 8d 716
1881 census RG11 4649 folio 98
22 Ct3 Brightmore Street Sheffield
Caroline Hedley 47 Head Widow Charwoman London Middlesex
William Hedley 22 Son Grocer's porter Sheffiled Yorkshire
Thomas Hedley 17 Son Pupil Teacher School Sheffield Yorkshire
Maria Hedley 11 Daughter Sheffield Yorkshire
Alice Hedley 8 Daughter Sheffield Yorkshire
1871 census RG10 4683 folio 53
Ct 10 Brightmore Street Sheffield
John Headley 38 Head Married File Cutter Newburn Northumberland (same birthplace on the 1861 census)
Caroline Headley 37 Wife Married London Middlesex
Arthur Headley 14 Son Errand Boy Sheffield Yorkshire
William Headley 12 Son Sheffield Yorkshire
Eliza Jane Headley 9 Daughter Sheffield Yorkshire
Thomas Headley 6 Son Sheffield Yorkshire
Ann Headley 4 Daughter Sheffield Yorkshire
Maria Headley 1 Daughter Sheffield Yorkshire
and then back to the 1856 marriage to Caroline.
Marriages Mar 1856
Bradley Caroline Sheffield 9c 343
Hedley John Sheffield 9c 343
Regards
Valda
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Dear Valda,
The "Headley" you mentioned in the 1901 census is not Thomas Hedley's (1864) family. In 1901 they were living at 1, James Street, Blackley, Manchester.
I have Thomas Hedley's birth certificate and transcripts of 1901 Census.
He was my great grandfather too.
I have informed 'Gaffer'
Regards,
Arline (Liz)
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Hi
I am directly descended from the Hedley's if you follow my Grandfather Charlton Hedley, his Grandparent's, my Gr Gr Grandparent's were William Hedley & Rachel Lee.
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The full entry for the 1901 census as stated in my previous message.
1901 census RG13 3776 folio 156
13 James Street Blackley Manchester Lancashire
Thomas Hedley 36 Head Married Clerk Engineers Sheffield Yorkshire
Sarah Elizabeth Hedley 34 Wife Married Kensington London
Caroline Emma Hedley 14 Daughter Hooker Finishing works Flanelette Aldershot Hampshire
John Thomas Hedley 12 Son Ash Surrey
Frederick Wm Hedley 11 Son Aldershot Hampshire
Robert Valentine Hedley 9 Son Gorton Lancashire
Dorothy Hedley 7 Daughter Openshaw Lancashire
Lily Hedley 3 Daughter Openshaw Lancashire
Elizabeth Hedley 1 Daughter
I'm not sure why this isn't the correct family - it seems to fit in every detail?
Living at 1 James Street Blackley Manchester on the 1901 census was Margaret Butler, her granddaughter and a boarder.
Regards
Valda
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Sorry Valda,
I saw the Brightmore Street and wrong "Headley" spelling and compared it to the 1901 census instead of the 1891 census.
My brain is a bit fuddled at the moment. I am working on 4 separate trees!!
You are indeed correct.
Regards from Arline
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Dear All,
Ever since Billie's post on Oct 26th last year, I have been wanting to have a look at the original record of the census for John and Jane 'Healey' in the 1851 census (a big blank in my continuity record) and today I finally got round to it. I downloaded the census image from Ancestry and I believe the transcribers may have got it wrong. Don't know if any one else has done this but the 'a' in the surname looks awfully like a 'd' to me and not like the other a's on the same page (I don't think I have breached copyright by illustrating this in the attached image (family surname and forename of the youngest daughter, Elizabeth). I have posted a message to Ancestry.
Hope this helps someone.
Kengen :)
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This is the only place where i can allow someone who posts here see what i have to say.
Lesleyta
what i post here for you will mainly be on my branch of the Hedley's.
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This is the only place where i can allow someone who posts here see what i have to say.
Lesleyta
what i post here for you will mainly be on my branch of the Hedley's.
Twiglets,
There is no need to post anything here for me, I very rarely check this site as I don't really have the time any more. I'm also in email contact with others, and between us we share any information.
Thanks anyway
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oh well, then i guess you will be getting the information on me from them, no matter what..
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I also forgot to ask if you're related to a David Hedley..
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Lesley
some of those people who you speak of, happen to be cousin's of mine, people like Jessie, Billie, and Possibly Bo, even you, might possibly be related to me.
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I thought that everyone would like to hear this, but just today, i was going over some notes with my aunt on the Hedley's, and found that I have have connection's to Hedley's in Australia, Texas, & up in Northern BC, at a place called Hedley, British Columbia, a town that got named after some relatives of mine...
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Hello All,
Just to add my penny's worth, I am one of only two living descendants of William Hedley the inventor (other than by marriage, where two are also extant). I have long corresponded with Pat Barnes and Jessie Pitt, the latter being the real 'Hedley guru'. My public member tree on Ancestry has a few pictures of said WH the bastard.
According to Deuteronomy my Grandchildren, should I be so blessed, will be the first of the line permitted to enter the Kingdom of Heaven - bummer for me!
All the best, distant cousins,
Mark Beattie
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Hi Mark
LOL ... I'm sure there's more fun in the other place anyway :)
Welcome to the family !!
Lesley
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Yes welcome to the Family....
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Dear Mark,
I am confused - if there was a heaven - why will only your grandchildren be able to enter and not their forebears??
Nice to hear from you again - I'm sure you'll get there if you believe hard enough!
Best Wishes to you and all the Family from
Bo - (Liz in Suffolk)
NB. The "Bo" is what my husband calls me - short for Bodicea (old spelling) "Warrior Queen" of East Anglia. Probably not complimentary!!
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I thought it was seven generations that needed to pass before the descendants of a complete and utter bastard could be permitted into Paradise, (Deuteronomy somewhere - it's been avery long time since I delved...)
I could be wrong. Let's hope so or I may well end up with Lesley !!
Hope you have all visited Puffing Billy in the Science Museum. There is a working replica at the Beamish open air museum that I must try.
All the best............
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Hi Mark
William Hedley & Jane Atkinson are my 8 x Great Grandparent's on my mom's side.
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I thought it was seven generations that needed to pass before the descendants of a complete and utter bastard could be permitted into Paradise,
Dear Mark,
This seems to be written with such feeling! Biologically and socially he couldn't help being a 'Bastard' but to be a 'complete and utter' bastard appears to throw aspersions on his character.
What did he do to make you call him thus???
Best Wishes (for the after-life!!)
Bo (Liz)
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Dear Bo (Liz),
From the research that I have done, I get the feeling that WH was actually rather a good egg (although there is not much info other than on his achievements ii the coal industry). Sadly his diary, which was around in the 20th century has disappeared. 'Complete and utter Bastard' was a much-used phrase by Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmonson during the 1980s and an much over-used phrase by me in the early 21st century.
I am eternally grateful for all WH's endeavour as it led to a prosperity for his progeny which has filtered down to this day. I have a rather splendid oil portrait of him which you can see on my Ancestry.co.uk tree.
All the best,
Mark
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Hi all
I have just found out I also have hedley in my tree.
Jeremiah Hedley married Eeanor Tulip had a daughter named Elizabeth who married Robert Robosn.
Has anyone found Jeremiah Hedley who married Eleanor Tulip while researching their line
thanks
Mary
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Dear weeMary,
You give no dates for your Jeremiah but I have found one in the Hedley tree born 1870 in Earsdon and son of Thomas Hedley 1831 and Ann Oliver. His siblings are listed as Mary Ann 1854, George, Joseph, and John 1873.
Jeremiah does not run through MY Hedley line but I am in contact with people who have a lot more information on this particular line.
If the dates and siblings match do reply - we would be most interested.
Happy Christmas from Bo.
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:)
Hi Bo, my Hedley ancestor was born Abt 1745 - Northumberland, England
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http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hedley/j_g_trip/puffing_billy_wylam.html
info on William Hedley "puffing billy"
forgot to say, when you check out all the different links it takes you to hedley genealogy
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hedley/
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Hi been reading with great interest the Hedley linage. My great Grandmother is Gertrude Hedley 1887 she spoke of WilliaM Hedley and he was related to me. I'm having one problem and that is linking Robert Hedley b1827 married to Ann Young and had 5 children George 1852 Jemima 1855 Samuel 1858 (who I think this is my GGrandmas father) Gertrude 1865 & Alburn. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Mel
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::) ps I have my Great Grandmothers Copy of Marriage Cert in front of me she married James Albert Goodwin on 28 May 1910. Gertrude was a dressmaker born Ilkiston? Nottinghanm England 1887. On my Grandmothers Birth Cert it says born Bradford England. Great Grandma emigrated to New Zealand in 1907. ::) Been a long day looking and working out stuff. As for the person who said they have relatives in Australia they are correct I was born in New Zealand but have been in Aust for 31 yrs. My Grandmother passed away last June and very sadly missed at the good age of 95. She was Kathleen Crosby b1912
Goodnight
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Can anyone help me with my Hedleys? (Or to be more correct, my OH's Headleys). His Grandmother was Isabella Hedley, born 25th March 1913 in Northumberland, to John Hedley and Mary Annie (nee Crawford). And that is about as far as I can go at the moment......
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Thanks to Pat. Billie & Bo for their info on the Newburn HEDLEYS, in particular.
"1)Thomas Hedley born 1722 in Newburn married to Ruth Unlock(1743). Their children were William Hedley- 1748, John Hedley - 1749, Thomas Hedley 1750 and Joseph Hedley -1753."
This may well be the answer to our many years of searching for 'our' Thomas.(even a trip across the pond).
1) is this Thomas in anyone's tree?
2) did this Thomas marry Martha Weatherley in Chollerton 1773?
see our web page at: http://www.hedley.ca/genealogy/text/j_g_trip/thomas_martha_marry.html
3) Is there records available to verify the information on Thomas?
Thanks to all: Hedley2 in Ontraio, Canada
http://www.hedley.ca/genealogy/text/index.html
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Twiglets - I think I may be one of your distant relatives from Australia. My ggrandfather was Thomas Hedley, who sailed to Victoria in Australia from Canada - as per Hedley Genealogy Index Page Cht 4 - I think I am a 4th cousin of David Hedley in Canada. Like David I would like to know more information about Thomas Hedley born about 1850 - from Birtley. My husband and I visited Northumberland last year using the Prelude section of the Hedley Genealogy Index Page as our guiding light. We visited Newburn church and found the grave plot with 3 headstones - 1. William and Frances Hedley, 2. Three of their sons and 3. Thomas and Mary Hedley of Newburn - I am interested to find out more information about this Thomas of Newburn. Is this our Thomas of Birtley? The death dates don't seem to coincide. I was intrigued to find the Uncle (Thomas) of William Hedley in the same grave plot. Perhaps someone may have some information about this Thomas of Birtley.
I live in Western Australia.
Thanks.
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Hi, I just found out tonight that my great grandmother was a Hedley, I haven't much information except that she was Mary and her brother was Jimmy. From what I understand her mother was Lady Gordon (some kind of royalty in England?)
Apparently my grans family in England still get royalties (money) from the Government, something about my great grand mothers family inventing or patenting the rubber for Dunlop tyres and about "puffing billy" train.
But my great grand mother Mary and her parents were visiting South Africa via ship, but cut her off inheritance because she met my great grand father here and fell in love and did not want to go back with them. Apparently my great grand mother was to marry into royalty?!?
Can anyone help confirm this story?!?
Thank you :)
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I have William Hedley(father of Puffing Billy)born 1746 Throckington.died 1818 Newburn.He was married to Jane Atkinson 1773,Anne Atkinson was Puffing Billy's mother.I think she was a sister of Anne.He then married Elizabeth Fletcher born 1789 died1827.Jane had Joseph 1773 and John born 1778.Elizabeth had George,Thomas,Richard,Mary and Elizabeth.I have a lot of info but too much to put here.cheers ann