Was Bewdley in Warwickshire in 1835?

[Filz]

Hi Researchers

I have found a reference to an ancestor, John Bentley, which says he was born in Bewdley, Warwickshire, in 1835 (I have not viewed the original document). 

When I checked a map of England, it looks as if Bewdley is in Worcestershire.

Does anyone know if Bewdley was in Warwickshire in the early 1800s?

Of course, the person who originally wrote down the information may have misinterpreted an abbreviation, such as W/Shire, or could have wrongly read the name "Bentley" as Bewdley (there appears to be a Bentley in Warwickshire).

Cheers
Filz

[Valda]

For Warwickshire to have ever grabbed Bewdley it would really have had to make a take over bid for most of northern Worcestershire in the process. Bewdley is adjacent to Kidderminster on Worcestershire's west side - the Staffordshire/Shropshire border of Worcestershire to its north and west. Warwickshire is on Worcestershire east.
In the end Birmingham took some of Worcestershire's north eastern parishes, but Northfield and Kings Norton was as far west as the city ever went.

Regards

Valda

[Filz]

Hello Valda

Thanks for your response.  I assumed that it was the case. 

I'll check Bentley or Worcestershire.

Best wishes
Filz

[Valda]

On the 1851 and 1861 censuses I can't see any John Bentleys born within 5 years of circa 1835 born Worcestershire. There are two born Birmingham Warwickshire on the 1851 census.

Perhaps if you give the details of the John Bentley you are interested in, it will be possible to find him on a censuses (or further censuses) to confirm his birthplace.

Regards

Valda

[Filz]

Hello Valda

That was very kind of you to look up the censuses.

John Bentley would not appear on them because, according to the information I have, his family migrated to Australia in 1848.

I don't suppose you have access to the 1841 Census?  I will be able to check that census myself, as soon as I can get to our large National Library, which, luckily is in the state where I live (Australian Capital Territory).

Anyway, just in case you have easy access to the 1841 Census, he was called John Charles Bentley and his parents were John and Caroline (nee Green) Bentley.  I have no information about siblings.

Is there anything I can look up for you in Australia?

Best wishes
Filz

[Valda]

Filz

On the index I have access to there are 128 John Bentleys (correctly spelt) born within a 5 year span of 1835. It is unusual for middle names and to a lesser extent initials to appear on the 1841 census.
1 in Worcestershire John W. Bentley
3 in Warwickshire
I checked all of those - no Johns and Carolines together (no Carolines).
3 in Middlesex
1 in Norfolk
3 in Nottingham
1 in Surrey
7 in Staffordshire
1 in Westmoreland
1 in Somerset
4 in Shropshire
3 in Leicestershire
4 in Kent
1 in Huntingdonshire
3 in Hertfordshire
1 in Gloucestershire
1 in Devon
2 in Essex
7 in Derbyshire
1 in Cumberland
6 in Cheshire
No Johns there with a Caroline (though of course there will be Johns with Johns)
All the other John Bentleys spelt exactly that way are either in Lancashire or Yorkshire.
Lancashire has 45
Yorkshire has 28
I haven't checked these two counties or for different spellings e.g. for instance without the last e. (15 show in the index, none in Worcestershire or Warwickshire)

Relationships aren't shown on the 1841 census index.

Thank you for your offer re Australian research. At this point I'm only interested in Australian First World War soldiers records - still to get copies. I must get around to sometime if they are anything like the detail you get with New Zealand and Canada soldiers records (puts the English ones to shame in comparison).

Regards

Valda

[Filz]

Hi again Valda

Thanks for looking these up - yes it seems that the Bentleys are going to be difficult to find.  I can't find any reference as to when they came to Australia, either.

With regard to First World War soldiers records, are you using the following websites? 

Australian War Memorial www.awm.gov.au  If you check under Biographical Data Base and search categories such as Nominal Rolls and Roll of Honour, you may well find your relatives and some details about them.  For instance I  found out when a relative sailed for Gallipoli.

National Australian Archives www.naa.gov.au  These actually have the war service records and some of these have been digitised and are on line - so you may find records there.  Alternatively they will give you details of how to order records.  I have obtained two sets of records from them and they are reasonably comprehensive and not expensive.

Best wishes
Filz

[Valda]

I've checked the remaining John Bentleys in Yorshire and Lancashire and the John Bentlys on the 1841 census. Only one had a household with a Caroline Bentley in it - by her age she could only have been a sister.
When I put Caroline Bentley into the index (any age) only 22 came up 4 for Bently, so the combination of Bentley and Caroline is reasonably rare.

I found one Bentley on the 1851 census born Bewdley
HO107 1985 folio 248
Stottesdon  Shropshire 
Joseph Bentley 40  Bewdley, Worcestershire,  Unmarried House Servant
 
I hadn't checked the Australian national archives website for somewhile so hadn't realised they were digitising soldiers records so it made me check back and also look to see what other records have now been indexed, so thank you for the information.

Regards

Valda