RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Dorset => England => Dorset Lookup Requests => Topic started by: miggins on Wednesday 21 January 09 21:00 GMT (UK)
-
Have been looking for the marriage of my Gt. Grandfather John WILLS to Caroline BARTLETT for many months now. I think they would have married about 1885/86 in Dorset, possibly Evershot(?). Their first child was Fred (Frederick) born 1886 in Leigh,Dorset and followed by James in 1888 born in Yeovil. Would appreciate any help. Have some birth certs. for John Wills not of use to me but perhaps of use to others.
OnLine Parish Clerk of Dorset is an excellent site for those with interests in that County.
Thanks.
-
Just for reference - 1891 census for Hampshire
John Wills 35 cowman b Yeovil
Caroline 28 dairywoman b Batcombe Dorset
Frederick 5 b Leigh - Dorset
James 3 b Yeovil
Percy 1 b Carisbrooke IOW
Ellen Hall 14 nursemaid b IOW
RG12; Piece: 897; Folio 14; Page 7
Did you get Caroline's maiden name from one of the children's birth certs or from this submitted IGI entry - www.familysearch.org
Percy George Wills Birth: 29 MAR 1890 Carisbrooke, Hampshire,
Death: 18 AUG 1979
Father: John Wills Mother: Caroline Bartlett
I also found this christening on Ancestry
Henry James Wills Birth Date: 31 Mar 1888
Christening Date: 27 Mar 1892 Brixton, Hampshire
Age at Christening: 3yrs
Father's Name: John Wills
Mother's Name: Caroline
-
Hi CaroleW
Many, many thanks for the info. from the 1891 Census for Hampshire. I got Caroline's maiden name from my Grandfather's Birth Certificate - he's the Percy George shown on the Census. Frederick was his elder brother.
Still looking for their marriage - perhaps it's on the Parish Register for Batcombe. Thanks once again.
Miggens.
-
Hi I am wondering if you could tell me if you found out about your Grandfather John Wills, my grandfather was Percy Wills who was born in June 1873 at Shaftsbury, Dorset, England and later in life was married to Emily Lillian Brown. And if I am right John Wills was Percy's Father.
Would love to know
John Wills
-
Hi John & welcome to Rootschat
Your Percy was born in 1873 but the Percy shown above was only born in 1890
In 1881 - your Percy is shown as Percy G Wills aged 7 visiting his unmarried uncle Ebenezer Wills in Gloucester
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X3BM-F1K
Births June qtr 1873
Percy George Wills Shaftesbury 5a 240
-
This one is for Miggins - original poster
I found this baptism which may be of interest in view of the fathers middle name
John Percy Wills baptised 15.4.1883 Dorset - parents James Bartlett Wills and Mary Ann
-
I have been collecting info about anyone living in the IOW with the name Wills.
John Wills b yeovil Caroline Bartlettt from Batcombe.
Percy George
Walter William
Albert Edward
Violet Mary
Sidney Charles
Elizabeth Jane
Victoria Mary
Winifred Daisy " 1898
I know they are not my relations. Hope this helps.
-
Hi CaroleW
Many thanks for your post about the baptism of John Percy Wills 15.4.1883 - a strange coincidence but perhaps there is a link there.
To date, have still not found the marriage of John Wills to Caroline Bartlett but perhaps the reference to Brixton, Hants may be of use.
Thanks again and regards
Miggens
-
Hi Willsy777
Good luck with your search. Unfortunately, Wills is a very common name in the West Country and the family of W.D. & H.O. Wills (tobacconists) was very large too! Sorry my Percy isn't yours but CaroleW is very helpful.
Regards
Miggens
-
Hi silaswall
Many thanks for your post. It is very helpful as it gives my Great Aunts' correct names!
Regards
Miggens
-
You refer to the family of the tobacconists. Where did you find their details?
-
Hi silaswall
Opps! Seem to have pressed the wrong button!
If I remember correctly, I googled W.D. & H.O. Wills and it came up with the history.
Good Luck.
Miggens
-
Thank you. My late aunt visited the factory where she saw a large family tree. She saw names she recognized on it. Bit of a mystery as "we" were definetly on the IOW by 1700. Could be a family myth!
-
Hello again silaswall
You have that story in your family too!!! My grandfather also said we were related to the Wills of Burke & Wills of the Australian Explorer ilk. I suppose there is a strong possibility of some connection somewhere but I think it would need quite a lot of research.
It's good to meet up with the other Wills family of the IoW. My family were late arrivals compared to yours.
Regards
miggens
-
Googled as you suggested. Found tree for the "cigarette people". No connection what so ever. As I suspected! Will continue with info I have as I think we were probably on the IOW in the 1500s. Unfortunately family funeral today. Will see what other stories are circulating!
-
Hi silaswall. I don't suppose our family are connected to the "cigarette people but they are an interesting family aren't they? Very prolific!
Would be interested to hear any other stories you unearth. Was interested to discover that Brighstone used to be called Brixton. Do you know when the name was changed? I'm still struggling to find the marriage of my Great Grandparents John Wills and Caroline Bartlett. I assume they must have married as they seem to have had their children baptised. Would the Church have done this if the children's parents weren't married? Something else to dwell on!!!
Sorry to hear of your family funeral.
Regards
miggins
-
Have you checked "Isle of Wight Family History Society" then click on databases. You will find BM&D indexes for the IOW. Also has useful links to IOW Record Office.
-
Hello again silaswall.
Yes, I have used the IoW Family History Society and it has proved very useful. I've always assumed that John Wills and Caroline Bartlett married on the mainland as John was from Yeovil, Somerset and Caroline was born in Batcombe in Dorset. I believe they met in Leigh, Dorset so thought they would have married there. Their first child, Fred, was born in 1886. The GRO can't find any record of a marriage so I've not been able to make much progress in tracing my family tree apart from knowing that my Grt. Grt. Grandfather William Wills was a Glove Manufacturer in Yeovil. His wife was Jemima Newman.
Thanks for your helpful suggestion.
Regards
miggins