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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Gloucestershire => England => Gloucestershire Lookup Requests => Topic started by: zoobiscuitz on Sunday 14 January 18 12:08 GMT (UK)
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Hi everyone,
I am hoping someone here is interested in helping me uncover a mystery that has been annoying me for years...
I am trying to trace my family in Bristol, but have hit a wall in the mid-1800s. My ancestor born then was Philip Johnson (birth records: Johnson, Philip Hugh, Bristol, vol.6a, page 48). Looking at birth and marriage records, as well as censuses, I know that his parents were Joseph Thomas Johnson (b. circa1820) and Ann Keller (b. circa1820). I know that Ann's mother was Irish, so although I have not been able to go any further back than Ann's parents, I know that I probably can't due to a lack of records.
However, it perplexes me that I cannot find Joseph Johnson's parents! I've been research my family tree for almost a decade and still haven't found anything that takes me back a generation (aside from the name of Joseph's father - Patrick Johnson). If you're keen to help me out I'd really appreciate it!
Here's a link to JT Johnson in my tree: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/114130536/person/260131297604/story
I have placed documents in the gallery section of his profile.
Many thanks,
Zoe
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Just to put a date to Philips birth :)
JOHNSON, PHILIP HUGH mmn KELLER
1856 December Quarter
BRISTOL Volume 06A Page 48
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Do you have this marriage certificate :-\
Marriage Mar qtr 1841
Johnson Joseph
Keller Ann
Bristol 11 183
ADDED Does it give an occupation for his father
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There are also these 2 children
JOHNSON, ANN mmn KELLER
1842 March Quarter in BRISTOL Volume 11 Page 141
JOHNSON, MARY ELLEN mmn KELLER
1842 Dec Quarter in BRISTOL Volume 11 Page 130
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With his fathers name being Patrick I suspect he was of Irish origin and suspect that your answer may be in catholic records for Bristol which don't appear to be available online as far as I can see.
Annette
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Firstly, thanks, Annette for the suggestion. While I know Ann's family was Catholic I have never thought to look specifically for Catholic records!
Regarding his marriage and father's occupation, all of those records are here :https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/114130536/person/260131297604/gallery (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/114130536/person/260131297604/gallery)
Joseph was a tailor. The last record mentioning him that I have seen is Philip's birth. Afterwards he disappears. This is another mystery for me as Philp's marriage certificate from 1881 gives "Joseph Thomas Johnson" as his father and does not list Joseph as deceased at that time... so where was he?
I think Patrick John Johnson was a mariner. You can take a look at the doc at the address above... the handwriting is hard to read but I think it says mariner.
Thanks all for your thoughts on the matter!
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Hi
Regarding his marriage and father's occupation, all of those records are here :https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/114130536/person/260131297604/gallery (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/114130536/person/260131297604/gallery)
It is always better if you post information on your thread, it easier for those trying to help if the information is in one place. For those without an ancestry account your links only take them to a sign in page.
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Thank you for pointing that out, rosie99. I had not realised.
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The last record mentioning him that I have seen is Philip's birth. Afterwards he disappears. This is another mystery for me as Philp's marriage certificate from 1881 gives "Joseph Thomas Johnson" as his father and does not list Joseph as deceased at that time... so where was he?
When Philip married the clergy would have asked for his fathers name and occupation, there is no requirement to ask if he is dead or alive.
Just for info for anyone looking 1861 Ann is with the children (No Joseph) RG09 /1723 f88 p21 -her occupation Staymaker-Married -born Bristol
1851 census has Joseph's occupation as Commercial Traveller age 31 born St Michaels, Bristol H0107/1953 f68 p58
His marriage in 7 January 1841 gives occupation as Tailor - his father Patrick John Johnson is a Mariner
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Hopefully the marriage cert that you have is clearer than the online copy which is making me cross-eyed! Can you confirm the addresses please, also the witness names.
When I next go to Bristol archives, hopefully sometime soon, I will check the rest of the info you have against the original registers as there are discrepancies with the transcripts I have seen.
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Hi RustyNuts,
That would be fantastic! Unfortunately, I have a very blurred image of the marriage certificate as well, and am unable to read the addresses or witness names clearly.
It looks like Joseph's address was Old Park.
The marriage is listed in the Bristol Non-Conformist Church Records 1777 - 1936 as Josephus Johnson and Anna Keller. I don't know if that helps?!
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Tks,
I agree Old Park for Joseph's address and think Ann's was Trenchard St. Her place of birth shown on 1851 census was Redcliff, Bristol. I guess you didn't find them in 1841?
Ann's father, Patrick Keller, may have been a annuitant and I would not be surprised if Joseph was a sailor at the time of his marriage.
Joseph's baptism on 12 March 1820 shows his godparent/sponsor as Mary Kaler so possibly a family link with the Johnsons.
I'll get back to you when I've seen the originals.
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Thanks again, I look forward to hearing if you find anything 😀