One of my brickwalls - Isabella PAPE

[WandaBlue]

Hi, I've come across a tree online that has Isabella marrying Sowen Anderssen in 1873 (I've attached a copy). This tree also has my great-great grandmother Elizabeth (Betsy) Whitfield on it who was Isabella's sister  There are a few death records on familysearch.org for Isabella Andersons who'd have been born in and around 1846 in the right area. Good luck!

[pushkin]

Hello Wanda
Nice to hear from you and yes the tree is my Whitfield tree.  Betsy (Elizabeth) Whitfield has been lost to me after the 1871 census when she was a Sweeney by marriage.  Would love to know your connection, obviously she survived after the 1871 census if she was your great Grandmother.  Would love to know the details, she has been my brickwall for years and years.

Isabella was her sister who is found on the 1871 census a young widow (married briefly to a Roger Pape) living with her sister Betsy.  I have her marriage to what would appear to be a Danish or Swedish seaman and after that nothing.

Can I help with anything ?

Can't wait to hear what you have to tell me !  Kind regards, Pauline

[WandaBlue]

Hi Pauline,

on the tree, the Joseph Sweeney at the bottom of Betsy's branch was my grandfather (born 1900). I don't know a lot about the Whitfields other than what I found in the wonderful piece online about brother William, and vague family rumours. According to my sister, there was always talk that Mary Ann Whitfield (their mum) had money and I had a vague recollection of John (I was probably only about 10 when it was being talked of). I'll see if my sister can find out anything else as she still has vague contact with some of our older Sweeney family members (I was one of the youngest of all of our cousins so I missed out on most of the gossip  ).

I'll let you know if I find out any more,
Gail

[pushkin]

Thank you Gail for replying so quickly !  Bit confused, Mary Ann (you say their Mother) Betsy and her siblings had parents John and Mary (nee Beeby) not a Mary Ann, a Mary Ann was the sister of Betsy.

I'd be interested to know if either you or your sister have found Betsy after the 1871 census ?

As regards money, James would have been the only one, certainly not John or Mary.

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Where do you live ?  I live in England.

Pauline

[WandaBlue]

Hi Pauline,

I found their mum as Mary (Beeby) but my sister said that she was know in the family as Mary Ann Whitfield. William married a Mary Ann as well  I know that John worked in the Seaton Iron Works (where he was killed) so I doubt he was wealthy. Mary Beeby's brother Jacob was rich and he left his money to James.

I've attached a brilliant piece I found on the internet about William Whitfield with references to other family members.

I'm originally from North West London (Harrow) but now in Orkney. My dad was born in Gateshead but his family moved south not long after he was born. Whereabouts in England are you?

Gail

[pushkin]

Hello Gail
Thanks for the attachment which I had not seen although I know the author.  together we have been working on the Whitfields for over 20 years so we know as much as each other.
Agree that Jacob was wealthy and most of his wealth was left to James W, I think this is where the money aspect comes into it.  Whether there was any distribution of it I don!t know.
I'd love to know how your sister knows that MB was known as Mary Ann, her daughter Was Mary Ann.
I find typing into this little square rather frustrating, do you think it would be safe to swap email addresses ?
I am descended from Joseph Whitfield who again disappears after the 1871 census just like Betsy although years later there is evidence of him in Australia although no entry records, marriage, death etc.
Look forward to hearing what your sister has to say, where does she live ?
I live in Warwickshire, the Orkneys sounds a wonderful place to live.
Regards Pauline