1851/61/71 - Smith - Towcester

[wamwig]

Hi

Looking for an ancestor of mine, John Smith (yes really) born 1850 Towcester, by 1891 he was a shoemaker in Hertford, married Catherine (Kate) Clarke in Northampton in 1883. Any Help appreciated.

Regards

Anthony

[Arranroots]

Hi Anthony

There are no exact matches for your man in earlier censuses.

Have you identified him in 1881?  If so, could you post the details please?

Do you have any idea of his parents' names, or have you found a marriage?

I suspect that his age is out - possibly he altered it down to match his wife's age more closely?

kind regards, Arranroots 

[wamwig]

Arranroots

This is from the 1891 census in Hertford

RG12/1110 Folio 27. Page 7
29 Church St
All Saints
Hertford

SMITH
John, Head, Married, 41, Shoemaker, b Towester, Northamptonshire
Kate, Wife, 26, b Northampton
Frank, (No relationship given) 6, b Braintree, Essex
May, ditto, 3, b Hertford, Herts
Eleanor, ditto,  1, b Hertford, Herts

FreeBMD indicates a John Smith and Catherine (Kate) Clarke married in Northampton in 1883, so he could have been there in 1881 or earlier, or even in Braintree, I suppose. Have tried to confirm the 1881 location on Familysearch but the server appears to be down at the moment.

Any help?

Regards

Anthony

[Arranroots]

Hi again Anthony

After some fruitless searching I tred going to 1901 - and find that John is Samuel!

They all seem to have developed the middle initial "M", which I assume from your earler post is Marriott?

Might make it easier to confirm the marriage.

Will have a look for Samuel in earlier censuses.

Arranroots 

[wamwig]

Hi Arranroots

Yes I think you are probably right in that the M would be for Marriot, I believe most, if not all, of the children have that as a middle name, although the relevance of it appears to have been lost over time. My father thought it could have been Kate's maiden name although if Clarke is correct that seems to be eroneous. Did you find them in Hertford in 1901 then?

Regards

Anthony

[Arranroots]

I am assuming you don't already have this record? - sorry our posts crossed! 

RG13/1305/6/4

SMITH Samuel J W Head Mar 52 - upholsterer for Murdoch & Co Goods - Towcester
Kate M W M 37 - Northampton
Frank M son U 16 - commercial clerk - Braintree
May M dau 13 - nursemaid - Hertford
Eleanor M dau 11 - do
Lilian M dau 9 - do
Kate M dau 8 - do
Harry A M son 6 - do

Address 3 Church ST, Hertford, Hertfordshire

 

[wamwig]

Arranroots

Thanks for that, I didnt have it, but it means the age I had for Harry previously was in error and I think I have now found a birth that matches, Arthur Harry Smith in the March quarter in 1895, as well as some other Smiths that may have a Marriot as one of their middle names. Frustrating this isnt it!

Regards

Anthony

[Arranroots]

If you search on Marriot* as a first name a little set of them pop up!

I think it would be a REALLY good move to obtain a certificate at this stage.  Otherwise it is going to be a long haul!

I have just been through a whole lot of the 1881 census and Samuel/ John is not appearing.

I wonder if he was married previously, as he was quite old when he married Kate - at least judging by the ages of their children and her own age.  I have taken that into consideration when searching.

I see you have been searching for other SMITHs - what is the connection between them, if any?  That might help.

kind regards, Arranroots 

[wamwig]

Arranroots

Thanks for all your help, I think it probably is time to get a certificate or two now, but it will have to wait till next pay day as I've already ordered a few this month and I need to limit myself.

I think the other smiths were probably a mistake as they do not appear to be connected at all, and were only living closeby. Oh well suppose we all go down the wrong road sometimes.

Guess I'll probably be back when I've found out some more from certificates. Many Thanks again.

Regards

Anthony