1851/61 Census lookup for James Drew, Wells

[drewsearcher]

Hi, I have just started researching my family, thanks to the BBC 2 programme Who do you think you are?!!  I now have the bug.  I have one great aunt left who knew absolutely nothing about her family other than they came from Dinder, Somerset.  She didn't even know her grandparents christian names!  So, in the past 3 days I have traced them all back to a James Drew, born 1833 in Durcote, (Wells on 1881 census).  He married Ellen (born 1837 in Worminster) and had numerous children, the oldest being Ellen Maria (born 1860 in Wells).  I am trying to trace James' parents, who they were etc and I was wondering if someone could trace James on the 1851 census.  Any advise on how to go back even further would be greatly appreciated as I am new to all this. 

Also, does anyone know how to get information on a soldier who died in WW1 who is not on the Commonwealth Graves Commission website?  My grandfather's uncle, Gilbert Victor Drew (born Dinder, 1897) fought in WW1.  I have found a mention of him in Somerset County War Memorial book, but can't find any other details.  I would love to know where he is buried, or at least if there is any memorial with his name on in advance of rememberance day.  To my great Aunt's knowledge, no-one has remembered this guy for a long time, she never knew he died in WW1.   So much for lest we forget hey!

Thanks

Lisa

 

[Heather D]

Hi and welcome 

The only Drew family I could find in Wells 1851 are this one :-

Wells St Cuthbert H.O. 107/1934

188
Burcott Lane
DREW George 40 Ag. Lab. Chapel Allerton
Miriam 39 West Harptree
William 19 Ag. Lab. Wookey, Som.
James 15 Gardener Labourer Wookey, Som.
Mary 9 Scholar Wookey, Som.
Elizabeth 6 Scholar Wookey, Som.

Of course they may not be yours as the age for James is a little out and the family could have moved on by then. For a start it would be helpful for you to get a marriage certificate for James and Ellen, which will show their fathers' names. The witnesses may also give you a clue. Can't stress how important it is to not assume anything and back up with hard evidence when you can!

Worth hanging on to this family's details though in case they fit in. Heather

[drewsearcher]

Hi Heather, Thanks so much for your prompt response.  It kind of ties in as I know that James had a brother William and a sister Mary, but that was as far as I got.  I will now have to see if I can dig a little deeper.  This family tree building thing is a bit addictive!!  Stayed up til 2.30am last night searching the web for various Drew members.

Thanks so much for your help, really appreciated.

Lisa

[PaulineJ]

This looks like wife & child in 1861.
RG9/1720 Bristol  ,St James  Fol   77 
23, St james (Something)
Mark Cox abt 1830  Warminster, Wiltshire, England Head  ?..? Horn? Dealer
Mary Ann Cox abt 1836  West Pennard, Somerset, England Wife 
Clara Cox abt 1860  Bristol, St James Daughter   
Elizabeth Cox abt 1790  Pilton, Somerset, England Mother 
Ellen Drew abt 1837  Warminster, Wiltshire, England Visitor 
Ellen M Drew (9m, abt 1860)  Dule?? , Somerset, England Daughter 

and this may be james.
RG9/1665    Wells  Fol   20 
Wells St Cuthbert In  Somerset

George Drew abt 1811  Allerton, Somerset, England Head   
Mary Drew abt 1812  West Harptree, Somerset, England Wife 
William Drew abt 1832  Wells, Somerset, England Son 
James Drew (25y) abt 1836  Wells, Somerset, England Son    Ag Lab, MARRIED.
James Drew abt 1858  Wells, Somerset, England Grandson   
 
Pauline.

[David_Underdown]

I appreciate that this is rather an old thread, but I have some information about Gilbert Drew.

He did indeed serve, he then contracted diabetes, which was attributed to the strain of active service (particularly service on the Somme), he was then discharged, and died a few months later at home in Dinder as the result of his diabetes.  He therefore meets the conditions laid down for commemoration by the Commonwealth War Graves Commemoration, and I have set in motion the process for them, and the MOD to review his case, and in a few months time he will hopefully finally be added to the register.

His pension papers are now available see http://search.ancestry.co.uk/iexec/?htx=View&r=5538&dbid=1114&iid=miuk1914a_084212-01800&fn=Gilbert+Victor&ln=Drew&st=r&ssrc=&pid=258121 and medal card http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=2846661 (there will also be a colour version of this on Ancestry, but I don't have the link to hand).

My interest in him is that he also appears on the Roll of Honour of the Central Council for Church Bell Ringers, a photo of the page on which his name appears can be found at http://www.cccbr.org.uk/rolls/gtw/book/pages/index.php?name1=Dewes&name2=Evans&type=gif&width=900&height=1170 and more info at http://www.cccbr.org.uk/rolls/gtw - I've been helping to find out more about the men named.

David