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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Norfolk => Topic started by: Cockerpoo Dad on Saturday 30 December 23 22:08 GMT (UK)
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My paternal FH has a family unit, coming from Whissonsett, going by the surname WILLMERSON (1861 Whissonsett census RG9/1244).
The family moves to North Yorks. In the 1871 Marske census (RG10/4852) the family goes by the surname ROBINSON and retains that name going forward.
But why? Why would a family totally change their surname? Did something happen in Whissonsett?
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There is more than one Willmerson family in Whissonsett. We would have to look at every one to find the ref you have given. Please post names & birthyears
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1861 (Whissonsett)
John Willmerson (Head) - 36
Maria Willmerson (Wife) - 30 (nee BISHOP)
John (son) - 6
Henry (son) - 5
(Ann) Amelia (daughter) - 2
1871 (Marske)
John Robinson (Head) - 46
Maria (Wife) - 40
John (son) - 16
Ann Amelia (daughter) - 12
Hannah (daughter) - 7
Fuller (son) - 4
Hannah is recorded as WILLINERSON in June Quarter of 1864 in Mitford. Mothers maiden name BISHOP
Fuller was registered as WILMERSON in Sept. Quarter of 1866 in Mitford. Mothers maiden name BISHOP.
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The usual reason was to claim an inheritance - any evidence of a change in circumstanceas?
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Change in circumstances?
Not that I’m aware of, other than drawn to North Yorkshire/ Teesside by the booming iron industry (as we’re pretty much all of my ancestors). Still remained labourers.
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Marriage 1854 shows him as Williamson as per full GRO index
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Did they take a family members name?
Needs research
There is a James Robinson who married a Mary Bishop 1866 registered Mitford
EDITED
Ignore above
Looking a t the original entry it's James Johnson to Maria Bishop transcription is wrong.
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Something must have happened 1867.
All the children were baptised the same day 30 May 1867 at Whissonsett
John age 12 born 27 February 1855
Henry age 10 born 8 September 1856
Ann Amelia age 7 born 14 April 1859
Eliza age 5 born 6 June 1862
Hannah
Fuller born 25 July 1866
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Hannah's has born 1 August 1866 bap 6 August 1866 PA 30 May 1867
but Hannah's birth was registered 1864 so the dates are off by 2 years.
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What happened to Henry and Eliza they are not on the 1871 census in Yorkshire
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Willmerson does seem to morph into Williamson the further back you go in Whissonsett records! Is that to do with illiteracy?
Is the en-masse baptism unusual? I’m sure I’ve come across the same in other parts of my FH, but what would compel parents to do all the children at the same time?
I don’t know what happened to Eliza after her baptism.
As for Henry, he is my GG Grandfather. In 1871 he pops up as a servant on a farm in Marske which is run by a George Dove. Again his surname is Robinson.
Henry had an unfortunate, nasty death - fell into a hot brine pan at the age of 41 in Port Clarence.
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Long shot
Could John have been illegitimate & born as Robinson?
Mum then married Mr Williamson/Willmerson so John was known under his stepfathers surname.
At some later stage - & I still can't offer a reason - he decided to use his birth surname
I have come across instances of the above when researching
Does he give a fathers name on the 1854 marriage cert?
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https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-653S-8R2?i=35&cc=1416598
Father was John Williamson labourer
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In my family there were variations on the surname of the father who was illegitimate. The children were known by either surname, sometimes changing from one to the other and back again. One of the sons used both surnames at the same time, ie John Smith Jones sometimes and occasionally reversing that so it became John Jones Smith!
The things our ancestors do to confuse us!
Ray
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No indications of illegitimacy that I can see.
As above, John’s father is named Williamson on the marriage cert. and there is a Mary Ann Williamson as a witness (sister possibly).
John was Christened on July 30th 1826 at Stanfield, Norfolk. Father John Wilmerson, mother Hannah.
The only other thing which I wondered about is this:
John had a brother, called Fuller (1834-1912). He served 20yrs in prison for attempting to murder his wife (1881 census is in prison in Portsea). Was a name change brought about by disassociation? I don’t know the date of Fullers trial as to whether dates match up however.
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There are many newspaper reports of the attack by Fuller Williamson which took place in February 1878 and he was sentenced in August 1878.
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Baptism of all the children.
Possibly they left for Yorkshire shortly afterwards, and in case something happened to the parents the children would have a village they were associated with, if in need of parish assistance.
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There are many newspaper reports of the attack by Fuller Williamson which took place in February 1878 and he was sentenced in August 1878.
Thank you. The date rules out disassociation then.
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Baptism of all the children.
Possibly they left for Yorkshire shortly afterwards, and in case something happened to the parents the children would have a village they were associated with, if in need of parish assistance.
Thank you. Makes sense I guess. Plus extended family remaining in the village.