William Ralph of Bilston

[Willow 4873]

Hiya Rachel & Charlie

Thanx for clearing that one up Rachel it was one I was not sure of and couldnt discount either and as I could only find Moses on his own in a later census I wasnt sure if Harriet had died. Your really getting into the swing of things 

It sounds like you might be on to something exciting Charlie. Dont worry if you cant get me on the new address I still have my old one so use that instead.

The info I sent you I wasnt sure if you already had it but thought it was better to pass it on

Willow x

[Willow 4873]

Yep Emma Eliza born 1890 4th 1/4 6b 498 and died 1891 3rd 1/4 6b 299

John married Harriet 1889 4th 1/4 6b 912 

[RachelK]

And probably ours...

March 1/4 1908 deaths

Eliza Ralph aged 87 W-ton 6b 383

(Mathew's wife)

[Charlieralph]

Just a Quick Q`s

Have you made any connection with Mears and  Hannah Boffy of Warrington or any other Boffy?

You can now take it that Eliza was born in 1821
1908-87= 1821. Thats one sorted out.

Eliza Rolph 81  Bilston. Can any one spell or add dates up in this family?.
A family from Walsal exsist with this name or near it. I`ll check it out
This may open up a different line. Hope not because it all seems to fit at present, but it will have to be checked out.

[RachelK]

This is them on 1871

Hannah Boffy 23  Bilston, Staffordshire, England Sister  Wolverhampton  Staffordshire   
Thomas Jones 55  Brewood, Staffordshire, England Visitor  Wolverhampton  Staffordshire   
Harriet Mears 39  Griesly, Leicestershire, England Wife  Wolverhampton  Staffordshire   
Harriet Mears 15  Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England Daughter  Wolverhampton  Staffordshire   
James Mears 38  Appleton, Lancashire, England Head  Wolverhampton  Staffordshire   
Mary Ann Mears 13  Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England Daughter  Wolverhampton 

So from this all I can assume is that Hannah Boffy is James' sister, but she is listed as unmarried. I thought perhaps Boffy would be her married name? Don't know anything else I'm afraid.

If she was a widow it would say wouldn't it? Or do you think for some other reason they have different surnames?

[Charlieralph]

Brill,
Hannah Should be Harriets sister Harriet Mears nee Boffy dont you think?
I know its not adding up, and I need time to make the Warrington connection but could this be James
James Mears 13th Nov 1832, Mount Pleasent Wesleyan Stafford of James / Rosehannah Ellis

[RachelK]

LOL Charlie, getting frustrated with our ancestors bad spelling?!

Eliza is Rolph on 1901 but she was definitely Ralph on 1891 living with Harriet Embery, so I hope the former was just written down incorrectly by the enumerater. No idea how to spell that, I've inherited the bad spelling haha!

I just checked Willow's tree on Genes Reunited, and I see she had James Mears' wife Harriet as Harriet Boffy. Maybe she thought Hannah was Harriet's sister not James'?

*Just read your new post in the middle of this, I get it now. It confused me (again) because I thought people were listed in terms of relationship to the head, in which case if Hannah was Harriet's sis, it would say sister in Law.

[Charlieralph]

This all starts to add up. The Mears and Boffy family are Methodists. The Boffy family come from around North Stafford and she should have a brother also called James who moved to Warrington from Wolverhampton
and was Christened in Burton on Trent. All I have to do now is find which circuit of Methodists is Burton on Trent
and hope they are listed.
Charlie

[Charlieralph]

The Mears / Boffy connection has fallen flat on its face.
but has brought up how Boffy may have been spelled
Boffey, Boffy or Boffie ?

James Mears 13th Nov 1832, Mount Pleasent Wesleyan Stafford of James / Rosehannah Ellis (Leek Circuit)could be your James. Worth a check of records for Leek circuit and a copy of record.
With ref to Appleton birth, could he have been connected with the canals? If he had been born in Appleton then he should have known it was in Cheshire not Lancashire and even if he was born in Appleton it doesn't mean he came from the area or was Christened in it. Having said that the Leek circuit may have included Appleton.Once again worth checking.
The James Boffy 1845(from Wolverhampton, living in Warrington had his kids Christened at Bold St Methodists Warrington)I was looking for had 3 sisters who are Christened Boffey:-
Harriot 3rd Sept 1826 Wesleyan circuit Burton on Trent
Hannah 3rd Set 1826 (Twin ?)
Martha 1st Feb 1832
So near yet so far
Charlie