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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: ARBELLA on Friday 23 August 24 11:04 BST (UK)

Title: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: ARBELLA on Friday 23 August 24 11:04 BST (UK)
Thank you, Rootschat experts, for vital past help! I’m now trying to check if a village child, with a distinctive name, had a Methodist baptism. His parents were John Thomas Lidget Thompson and Mary Ann Thompson. (N.B. For complex reasons, his mother’s maiden name may be given as BORRILL (or variants) or BLOW.) Willie Borrill Thompson’s birth was registered in 1886 (July-Sept) in Gainsborough District p.722 Vol 7A. Date of birth in 1939 Register for Willoughton, Lincs: 5 June 1886. He was named as William Borrill Thompson in a 1962 newspaper after he died in Willoughton. The Willoughton (church) Baptism Register is available for the 1880s via FindmyPast, but I can’t see this child. (1911 Census: the couple had 8 children, & sadly lost 3.) There are church baptisms for Sarah Ann (Bishop Norton, 1877) John, & James (Willoughton, 1880, 1895). My free sub to Family Search yields this possible ref. for Willie. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XF4-VQVH The transcript details match (tho’ 2nd name is Burrill) but no village is given. Do you have access to an image of this record, please? If so, can you confirm that this is a Willoughton child – and is it a Methodist baptism? I’m very keen to know, as I’d like to write about the Primitive Methodists, a huge force in my Victorian village! Many thanks!





Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: rosie99 on Friday 23 August 24 15:53 BST (UK)
Sorry but your post was hard to read

Thank you, Rootschat experts, for vital past help! I’m now trying to check if a village child, with a distinctive name, had a Methodist baptism.

His parents were John Thomas Lidget Thompson and Mary Ann Thompson. (N.B. For complex reasons, his mother’s maiden name may be given as BORRILL (or variants) or BLOW.)

Willie Borrill Thompson’s birth was registered in 1886 (July-Sept) in Gainsborough District p.722 Vol 7A. Date of birth in 1939 Register for Willoughton, Lincs: 5 June 1886.
He was named as William Borrill Thompson in a 1962 newspaper after he died in Willoughton.

The Willoughton (church) Baptism Register is available for the 1880s via FindmyPast, but I can’t see this child. (1911 Census: the couple had 8 children, & sadly lost 3.) There are church baptisms for Sarah Ann (Bishop Norton, 1877)
John, & James (Willoughton, 1880, 1895).

My free sub to Family Search yields this possible ref. for Willie. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XF4-VQVH The transcript details match (tho’ 2nd name is Burrill) but no village is given.

Do you have access to an image of this record, please? If so, can you confirm that this is a Willoughton child – and is it a Methodist baptism? I’m very keen to know, as I’d like to write about the Primitive Methodists, a huge force in my Victorian village! Many thanks!

The GRO index has this for the registration of his birth
THOMPSON, WILLIE  BORRILL     mmn BORRILL 
GRO Reference: 1886  Sept Quarter in OF GAINSBOROUGH  Volume 07A  Page 722
 
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: CaroleW on Friday 23 August 24 16:17 BST (UK)
Would be better if your post was on the Lincolnshire board so I have asked the moderator to move it for you
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: rosie99 on Friday 23 August 24 17:07 BST (UK)

He was named as William Borrill Thompson in a 1962 newspaper in Willoughton after he died.

The Lincolnshire Echo 29th December 1962 and The Gainsborough Evening News 1st January 1963 named him as Willie Borrill Thompson

His death was also registered as Willie
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: ARBELLA on Friday 23 August 24 22:13 BST (UK)
Sorry but your post was hard to read

Thank you, Rootschat experts, for vital past help! I’m now trying to check if a village child, with a distinctive name, had a Methodist baptism.

His parents were John Thomas Lidget Thompson and Mary Ann Thompson. (N.B. For complex reasons, his mother’s maiden name may be given as BORRILL (or variants) or BLOW.)

Willie Borrill Thompson’s birth was registered in 1886 (July-Sept) in Gainsborough District p.722 Vol 7A. Date of birth in 1939 Register for Willoughton, Lincs: 5 June 1886.
He was named as William Borrill Thompson in a 1962 newspaper after he died in Willoughton.

The Willoughton (church) Baptism Register is available for the 1880s via FindmyPast, but I can’t see this child. (1911 Census: the couple had 8 children, & sadly lost 3.) There are church baptisms for Sarah Ann (Bishop Norton, 1877)
John, & James (Willoughton, 1880, 1895).

My free sub to Family Search yields this possible ref. for Willie. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XF4-VQVH The transcript details match (tho’ 2nd name is Burrill) but no village is given.

Do you have access to an image of this record, please? If so, can you confirm that this is a Willoughton child – and is it a Methodist baptism? I’m very keen to know, as I’d like to write about the Primitive Methodists, a huge force in my Victorian village! Many thanks!

The GRO index has this for the registration of his birth
THOMPSON, WILLIE  BORRILL     mmn BORRILL 
GRO Reference: 1886  Sept Quarter in OF GAINSBOROUGH  Volume 07A  Page 722

Thank you! Very interesting that this version of William's mother's maiden name was used here! Very best wishes!
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: ARBELLA on Friday 23 August 24 22:19 BST (UK)
Would be better if your post was on the Lincolnshire board so I have asked the moderator to move it for you

Thank you! That is most helpful. I was not sure of the best board to use for this one. I am sure Rootschat has experts on Lincolnshire Methodist records. I look forward to replies. Grateful best wishes!
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: ARBELLA on Friday 23 August 24 22:35 BST (UK)

He was named as William Borrill Thompson in a 1962 newspaper in Willoughton after he died.

The Lincolnshire Echo 29th December 1962 and The Gainsborough Evening News 1st January 1963 named him as Willie Borrill Thompson

His death was also registered as Willie

Thank you! It's very interesting how full names and abbreviations both appear in official documents (and press reports). His family also used both versions of his first name (at different times) in Censuses. Thank you very much for your time!
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: trish1120 on Sunday 25 August 24 13:56 BST (UK)
Cant seen to see his bapt either except what you posted;

Can find John Thomas 1880/James Arthur 1895 in Willoughton
+ Walter Sydney Dennis Thompson 18 Sep 1900

James Arthur buried 27 Mar 1897 age 21 mths

All on FreeREG

I presume you have the Marriage of Mary LIDGETT/Isaac THOMPSON.

1861 Census
Thomas Borrell 65 Head Ag Lab
Mary Ann Borrell 25 Wife
Mary Ann Borrell 1 Daughter

FreeBMD has a 1860 Marriage Thomas BURRILL/Mary Ann BLOW on same page

GEORGE Burrell bapt    01 Sep 1854 Willoughton
Illeg Son of Mary BLOW and Thomas BURRELL
Father a Labourer/Servant
+
MARY Blow bapt same place, Daug of MARY ANN Blow, illegitimate

Trish :)
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: ARBELLA on Monday 26 August 24 17:18 BST (UK)
Cant seen to see his bapt either except what you posted;

Can find John Thomas 1880/James Arthur 1895 in Willoughton
+ Walter Sydney Dennis Thompson 18 Sep 1900

James Arthur buried 27 Mar 1897 age 21 mths

All on FreeREG

I presume you have the Marriage of Mary LIDGETT/Isaac THOMPSON.

1861 Census
Thomas Borrell 65 Head Ag Lab
Mary Ann Borrell 25 Wife
Mary Ann Borrell 1 Daughter

FreeBMD has a 1860 Marriage Thomas BURRILL/Mary Ann BLOW on same page

GEORGE Burrell bapt    01 Sep 1854 Willoughton
Illeg Son of Mary BLOW and Thomas BURRELL
Father a Labourer/Servant
+
MARY Blow bapt same place, Daug of MARY ANN Blow, illegitimate

Trish :)


Thank you very much for your time and your meticulous list of records! It is a great help to know that you, too, can't access the original baptism record for Willie. I am particularly grateful for your list of the baptised Thompson children from the parish register, as I was afraid I might have overlooked some. I am also grateful for your list of the associated records for this family as, again, I was afraid I might have missed some. It is a very interesting family, which in many ways runs completely counter to pre-conceived ideas people might have about Victorian villagers... Thank you very much for helping me build up an accurate picture. Finally - I wouldn't normally venture to comment on this, but it is so relevant to my query - what a lovely photograph! Thank you again very much for your time.
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: Daisypetal on Monday 26 August 24 22:19 BST (UK)

Hi,

I notice that the familysearch transcription says to cite the record of "England, Northumberland Non-Conformist Church Records, 1613-1920".  I wonder if this is a mistake, it's very far from Willoughton.

Can anyone check the images for this collection?

Regards,
Daisy
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: ARBELLA on Tuesday 27 August 24 11:53 BST (UK)
This is just a grateful note to thank you for asking if any Rootschat expert can access this record. Methodist was a huge force in Lincolnshire, from the 19th century to my early lifetime. But, as an amateur, I have rarely managed to find Methodist records online for the people I'm researching. It would be most interesting to see an image of this rather baffling record. Thank you for your interest!

quote author=Daisypetal link=topic=885195.msg7583927#msg7583927 date=1724707186]

Hi,

I notice that the familysearch transcription says to cite the record of "England, Northumberland Non-Conformist Church Records, 1613-1920".  I wonder if this is a mistake, it's very far from Willoughton.

Can anyone check the images for this collection?

Regards,
Daisy
[/quote]
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: Gibel on Tuesday 27 August 24 21:45 BST (UK)
Have you checked with Lincolnshire archives that the relevant registers of the Methodist chapels in Willoughton have been lodged with them? Alternatively if the chapels are still in use are the registers still in the chapel?
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: garden genie on Wednesday 28 August 24 09:13 BST (UK)
I would recommend getting access to a family history library to see what the image says. Some while ago I remember reading elsewhere of a lady who was puzzled by the location given in a similar nonconformist transcription. On viewing the film (on a library computer) and paging back to the beginning, it turned out to have several volumes on the film from different places. They had all beeen indexed under the location of the first volume with no reference to the others. If I remember correctly the register containing her entry of interest wasn't even nonconformist either - it was a parish church!
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: rosie99 on Wednesday 28 August 24 09:39 BST (UK)
Unfortunately that entry was transcribed by a volunteer and does not appear to mention a film number which would have helped.  I did wonder if it was the 61903 mentioned but that is not coming up on a search.  That would be the normal way to ascertaining which parishes are on which films.

There is a facility to browse those records on FS but those I selected are not available at this time

https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/England,_Northumberland,_Non-conformist_Records_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: trish1120 on Wednesday 28 August 24 09:56 BST (UK)
I am glad I could help a little.

The photo I should change sometime as we are now both nearly 15 years older ;D
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: rosie99 on Wednesday 28 August 24 10:11 BST (UK)
The photo I should change sometime as we are now both nearly 15 years older ;D

It always makes me smile when I see that photo  :)
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: ARBELLA on Wednesday 28 August 24 15:17 BST (UK)
Have you checked with Lincolnshire archives that the relevant registers of the Methodist chapels in Willoughton have been lodged with them? Alternatively if the chapels are still in use are the registers still in the chapel?
Thank you! I began my research in the pandemic, but am now planning a long-delayed visit to the Lincolnshire Archives. I will add this to my list of topics.Thank you very much for your suggestion1
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: ARBELLA on Wednesday 28 August 24 15:21 BST (UK)
I would recommend getting access to a family history library to see what the image says. Some while ago I remember reading elsewhere of a lady who was puzzled by the location given in a similar nonconformist transcription. On viewing the film (on a library computer) and paging back to the beginning, it turned out to have several volumes on the film from different places. They had all beeen indexed under the location of the first volume with no reference to the others. If I remember correctly the register containing her entry of interest wasn't even nonconformist either - it was a parish church!
Thank you! I wonder if there is a mistake in the description of this record. I hope to go to Lincolnshire before too long to answer some queries. As this record seems unavailable to me online, I will try to find out in advance where the Methodist records for my village are archived. Many thanks for your help!
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: ARBELLA on Wednesday 28 August 24 15:24 BST (UK)
Unfortunately that entry was transcribed by a volunteer and does not appear to mention a film number which would have helped.  I did wonder if it was the 61903 mentioned but that is not coming up on a search.  That would be the normal way to ascertaining which parishes are on which films.

There is a facility to browse those records on FS but those I selected are not available at this time

https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/England,_Northumberland,_Non-conformist_Records_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records

It is very good of you to check this! I am coming to the conclusion that this record won't be accessible to me online. I was planning a visit to Lincolnshire to check other queries. As Willie's baptism does not appear in the village church baptism records, which are available online, I will see if I can find out in advance if the Methodist records for my village are available in Lincolnshire archives. Your checks have been most helpful to me. Thank you very much for your time!
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: trish1120 on Friday 30 August 24 11:35 BST (UK)
Let us know the outcome Arabella :)
Title: Re: Did William have a Methodist baptism?
Post by: rosie99 on Friday 30 August 24 11:42 BST (UK)
In case these are helpful

https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LIN/Willoughton#ChurchRecords

https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LIN/nonconformist