Joseph SHEPHERD & family, Aller 1870s

[MelGee]

I am trying to trace Joseph Shepherd who was born between 1868 and 1872 (depending on different ages given in different censuses / marriage certificate etc).  He was born in Aller or Langport and had a father called William who was a farmer.  William died before 1917.

I have searched numerous online BMD records but can find no Joseph Shepherd in this area.  Closest I can find is a Josiah Shepherd born in Langport in Q3 of 1871.  Can anyone help me to find Joseph?

Thanks,
Mel

[CaroleW]

Hi

Have a look at these 1871 & 1881 entries - father William was a farmer

RG10; Piece: 2396; Folio: 27; Page: 5 Shepherd

RG11; Piece: 2380; Folio: 83; Page: 1 Sheppard but same family and son Josiah b Aller

[CaroleW]

Sorry

Here is the 1871 entry for Aller.  All b Aller except Laura

William Shepherd 39  farmer
Laura Shepherd 41 b Huish Episcopi
John Shepherd 14 
Ellen Shepherd 12 
William Shepherd 10 
Walter Shepherd 8
Elizabeth Shepherd 6 
Sarah Shepherd 4
George Shepherd 3 
Clarence Shepherd 1 

The 1881 is free at www.familysearch.org but surname is shown as Sheppard on the image and Josiah is aged 10

[MelGee]

Thanks for your help, this seems to be the only family in the area who come close to the description.  I will keep hunting though as I have yet to find Joseph in 1881...

[CaroleW]

The 1881 entry for the above family shows as Josiah and not Joseph so perhaps he decided to change it when he was older.

I am trying to trace Joseph Shepherd who was born between 1868 and 1872 (depending on different ages given in different censuses / marriage certificate etc).  He was born in Aller or Langport

 
Which censuses are you referring to as I can't find one b Aller or Langport in 1891/1901

[MelGee]

I know from family members that he was a policeman and that he settled in South Wales, and I have found a Joseph Shepherd in 1891 in Aberdare whose occupation is Police Constable so I am confident that is the right person.  Frustratingly he gives slightly different ages in 1891 (23) and 1901 (29).  By 1901 he is married to Miriam with a son William and living in Pontypridd - again this ties in with info I have from relatives.  Maybe he claimed to be older than he was to get into the police force?  He remarried in 1917 though and is then listed as being 48!

Furthermore other siblings of Josiah Shepherd appear in Ystradyfodwg in South Wales in 1881 which might provide a reason for him to have gone to South Wales in the first place.

There is a lot of circumstantial evidence so maybe he did change his name...