Please can anyone advise?

[zzr-rider9]

I am researching the Halsall family line, and wow is it a common name.

I am trying to trace just WHICH John Halsall married Elizabeth Hodge, in 1863 in Scarisbrick (comes under Ormskirk).  His birth is quoted as being in Southport (or North Meols in some references) about 1830-1835.

His father was called James, that is all the information I know.

I can trace him after his wedding quite well via the censuses, but it is his birth/baptism I need to check in order to get details of his parents.

As it is such a common name, how can I research this further, and know that I am tracing the right JOHN HALSALL?    Even if I find a baptism record in the right kind of time frame, how would I know that is him?

Head going round in circles, hope someone can help!

Thanks in advance
 

[Keith Bateman]

Hi

If you have his name on a census - have you found any of his siblings - then trace these back to find which ones have the same parents as your Johns - if say all 3 have John and Ann as parents they could be the same family!
Its a start anyway
Good luck

Cheers
Keith

[zzr-rider9]

unfortunately not, Keith, that is why I am stuck.

I only have him on a census once he is married - i.e. 1871 census.  I really need someone to look up the 1861 for the area and have already asked a couple of people to do this who were offering but no replies yet.  Trouble too, is that there were loads of John Halsalls in that area and still are today!!

Thanks for responding

[Olly]

Hi,

Just checked on Freebmd and found a John Halsall born December quarter 1839, Ormskirk   Vol 21 page 531

Maybe be someone else but it was worth a try.
Any info is sometimes useful.
Good rooting!!

Regards,
Olly

[zzr-rider9]

many thanks Ollie I shall have a look. I think, however, my John Halsall was born earlier than that... around 1830 - 1835.  But as we all know the ages can sometimes be very distorted can't they.

Thanks for taking the time to check - all the best for Christmas

[Little Nell]

Hi there,

You may have more luck with the 1851 census - indexes are more readily available.  Sorry but I can't help you with that, but I'm sure someone else may be able to.

What about 1881 - what was his age then?  The more details you can gather together will help narrow down the time-frame for his birth.  How did you arrive at 1830-35?

Nell

[Candolim_Imp]

A very late response, I hope you get notifications from rootschat.

I have the 1851 census for North Meols (which is the old name for the entire area which is now generally known as Southport, though North Meols still exists in terms of political wards etc).

I have 2 John Halsalls in the return, one aged 14, one aged 18... who seem to most closely match your search (nearest other ages either side are 2 and 61)

Here are the returns:

Westward (Marshside, North Meols). All born North Meols.

Mary Halsall. Head. 44. Charwoman
Esther Halsall. Dau. 20. Silk Weaver
John Halsall. son. 14. Silk Weaver
Margery Halsall. dau. 12. Scholar
Ellen Halsall. Dau. 9. Scholar
Alice Halsall. dau. 7. Scholar
Jane Halsall. Dau. 3. Scholar
Mary A Halsall. G/Dau. 1 month

Crossens. All born North Meols

Jane Halsall. Head. 44. Farmer
John Halsall. Son. 18
Alice Halsall. Dau. 14
Robert Halsall. Son. 8. Scholar
John Howard. Serv. 49. Farm La

I know it happened less as time went on, but it was still common for firstborn children of each gender to be given their paternal grandparents' names (then 2nd of each gender getting the maternal ones), so perhaps the mothers' names might help.

Also is the fact that one John clearly came from a very humble background, wheras the other was a farmer's son... which might be reflected in his later occupation or home.

Marshside and Crossens are fairly near to each other, but perhaps the different places of origin might crop up in birthplace or later home.. alternatively, researching the other John might help... if the one who isn't yours can be found still with his mother after your John's marriage, you should have it nailed.

I'm a Hodge, and have a large proportion of the Hodges of North Meols researched... I don't have any John Halsalls in my tree at present, but I will have Elizabeth Hodge's ancestors (all Hodges of the area descend from William & Dorothy, c1580-1639).

[jkitchin]

Hi

There is a John Halsall on 1861 census in Scarisbrick but it indicates he was born in Scarisbrick in 1831. The other family details are:

County/Island . .
 
 James Halsall abt 1847  Scarisbrick, Lancashire, England Grandson  Scarisbrick  Lancashire   
 John Halsall abt 1831  Scarisbrick, Lancashire, England Son  Scarisbrick  Lancashire   
 Joseph Halsall abt 1828  Scarisbrick, Lancashire, England Son  Scarisbrick  Lancashire   
 Margaret Halsall abt 1789  Scarisbrick, Lancashire, England Head  Scarisbrick  Lancashire   
 Margaret Halsall abt 1839  Scarisbrick, Lancashire, England Granddaughter  Scarisbrick  Lancashire   
 Richard Halsall abt 1826  Scarisbrick, Lancashire, England Son  Scarisbrick  Lancashire   
 Henry Pennington abt 1847  Scarisbrick, Lancashire, England Grandson  Scarisbrick  Lancashire 

They were living at 82 Hares Lane, New Hall. They were farm owners so if this is him it is unlikely that he moved far away when he got married. Do you have the address from the 1871 census? I could trace that back in the 1861 census if you do.

Jean