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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: beeby on Saturday 27 October 07 15:17 BST (UK)
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Is there anyone who can help me find my great Grandfather JOSEPH WHITFIELD please ?
He was born 1848 in Workington, Cumberland, England to John and Mary Whitfield (nee Beeby).
In 1869 he married a Letitia Sophia Davies in Workington, Cumberland.
On the 1871 census he was living Dalton in Furness, Lancashire with two sons. Another son was born 1875 in Durham.
After the 1871 census he has disappeared completely, altho' I know he must have been around in 1875 ish as the birth certificate for his last son shows he was the Father.
I haven't found a correct marriage or death for him in the UK.
At this time he had a successful brother in Australia and I wonder if he went to Australia to seek his fortune ?
Joseph was a Slater by trade but on one census was shown as a Slater/Plasterer.
In 1886 his wife Letitia remarried as a widow, she had been living with her new partner from at least the 1881 census, he was a relative of Joseph which confused things somewhat but that is now all sorted out.
Regards Mary
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This looks like his marriage
Sept qtr 1868
Cockermouth
Letitia Sophia Davis
Joseph Winfield
10b 673
(Davis spellt without an "e" on record
Suz
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Suz
Thank you - I had the wrong year even though I have the certificate ! And yes, I agree it should be Davies without the 'e'.
What I suppose I should have said is that I have never found a re marriage for him after 1875, even though his wife was living or a death for him after 1875.
I'm grateful for your help.
Regards Pauline
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Hello there
there is a marriage in Victoria
Joseph Whitfield born cumberland married Catherine Shanahan in 1877 reg no 11
they had children Joseph, Ann Maria, Elizabeth Mary, William
are these family names?
Will look for this Joseph's death
regards Jenn
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Are these the sons in 1881?
South Shields Workhouse
Durham
Joseph Whitfield 13 scholar Cardiff Wales
Richard Whitfield 11 Scholar Liverpool
RG11 5019 131 7
What was the name of the child b. 1875 Durham???
There is a death
Joseph Whitfield
Dec qtr 1873
Stoke on trent
Staffs
6b 107
I can't find a Joseph Whitfield b 1848 living in Staffs in 1871-so as Joseph seemed to move around it could possibly be him
Then letitia met someone -had a child b. Durham, it would be quite possible to put Joseph as father (I have come across that happening a few times in my family)
Of course it is also possible the Joseph in Victoria is him
What name did letitia use when she married in 1886?
Suz
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Dear Suzard
Thanks for your message, yes these are the other two sons in the Workhouse, one (Richard) was my Grandfather but the Workhouse Records which I have seen show no mention of Whitfield unfortunately. They were reunited with their mother on the 1891 census, after she remarried (actually to a cousin of my great Grandfather Joseph). It has all been very complicated but it remains that Joseph is not found after the 1871 census. I agree that the father of the child born 1875 may not have been Joseph !
I have the death cert. for 1873 in Staffordshire, it wasn't him.
I have this family well documented after the 1871 census but it's just Joseph who is a brickwall.
When Letitia remarried she used the name Whitfield.
Interesting someone has found a marriage in Victoria, Australia - I'm excited by this.
Thanks for all your help.
Regards Pauline
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Jen
Thank you so much for this - you have found something which I have been searching for for quite a while, I've looked at Passenger Lists to Australia as I have a hunch he went there to join his brother William. Is there any way that I could find who this Joseph's parents were - where could I apply for a marriage certificate (I live in England by the way).
I'll do a bit of digging on the Internet today to see what I can find.
No the names are not family names apart from Joseph of course, but he did have a brother William.
It could be (if this marriage is the right one) that Letitia not knowing of a death had to wait at least 7 years for him (Joseph) to be presumed dead and this is why she waited until 1886 to marry Joseph's cousin John even though her and John had several children before marriage.
This has been a complicated family to sort out and I still have a few brickwalls but I'd love to find my great Grandfather Joseph.
I'm grateful for your help. Regards Pauline
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Jenn seems to be still around - looking for a death probably 8). Most death indexes in Australia give parent names. Victorian certificates can be downloaded online - they are $17.50 but contain much useful information. Marriage certificates should give parents of the couple & where the couple were born & current age. Death certificates give parents and children and spouse and burial information (assuming the informant knows the information
http://online.justice.vic.gov.au/bdm/home
Probably worth waiting to see what else is found in the indexes before buying certificates - the reg number will also save an extra $1 as you will not have to look it up online
Trish
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There is a Jos WHITFIELD father Jos mother Ann REDSHAM died age 58 Glenorchy 1891 ref 6376 (Birth c. 1833) - doesn't seem to fit ???
Trish
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Trish
Thanks so much for the useful link - I will give it a go.
No the death you found is not him - his parents were a John Whitfield and Mary Whitfield (nee Beeby).
I'm grateful for your input.
Regards Pauline
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Hi Pauline,
Do you know the given name of the "successful brother" who preceded Joseph to Australia. Or have I missed this in you info? Was it William... as you refer to a brother named William
Knowing this may be helpful as often first place of setltement and other events will be where relatives are.
Sue
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Sue
His brother was William Whitfield, he was a sea captain and probably arrived Australia in the mid 1860's, he travelled all over Australia in his career and married in Mittagong 1879. A relative in Australia did all hi research but she never came across a Joseph unfortunately.
Regards Pauline