HELP needed

[Matsmam]

Hi,
I am trying to research a Thomas Whittington (wittington) I have found him on the 1881 census living in Middlesbrough with his wife & family who  all seem to have been born in Birmingham (Warwickshire) His occupation states Wire Drawer/ Grocer, But here is where I  hit a brick wall.
Census info says he was born in Gloucester Gloucestershire DOB c 1831.
I have tried to find a birth but failed, and cannot find him on any other census.
 I have found a Thomas Whittingham  in Birmingham (occupation Wire drawer but surname not written the same!) 1841 census.
As you can see I am either hopeless  or did names get transcibed so differently?
Any help greatly received

Regards
Matsmam

[suzard]

Yes names do get VERY mistranscribed at times

The problem is
Many of the working class in 1800s had never been taught to read/write -so baptism/marriage/death records were written as the registrar heard them
Similrly with the census -the enumerater wrote down what he heard -or how he thought the name was spellt.
Forms were entered in very "artisitic" handwriting -so there was difficulty sometimes in reading it.
Then census were transcribed -and again names written as the transcriber saw them.
In addition some of the letters were written differently to how they are written nowadays.
e.g. double "S" is usually written in a long letter -so can be mistaken for "FF" - victorians were notorious for dotting their "I"s -but not crossing their "t"'s -so don't be surprised if you come across Wittington transcribed as Willington!!!!
If you look at the census images you will understand how it is sometimes very difficult to read them.

have you looked on the IGI for a birth???

Registration (found on FreeBMD) didn't begin until Sept qtr 1837 -and even then it wasnt compulsory.
so you really need to look for a baptism for Thomas - but also remember although baptisms were usually carried out within a few days/weeks of birth, some were later - often you will come across 3 or 4 of the children being baptised at the same time -so when searching IGI for baptisms you have to be a little flexible with the age.

Also do you know which part of Gloucester Thomas gives as his p.o.b.??

That can narrow it down when searching parish records.

A good idea to confirm you research is to send for a marriage cert -which gives fathers name and occupation - it helps with not following an incorrect line

If you have Thomas in 1881 it may be better to try to find him in 1871 and then work back census by census

Hope this helps

I will have alook around for Thomas

Suz

[SueTeakle]

Hi Matsmam,

From my parish transcriptions there is this baptism which looks to be a possibility  

Thomas Whittington - 19th February 1826 at St John the Baptist, Gloucester
Son of Thomas & Esther of St Mary de Lode, Gloucester
Fathers Occupation - Wire Drawer


Sue

[Matsmam]

Hi Sue & Suz,
Thanks for you replies.
To date I have searched every census but come up with nothing other than the 1881 which I know to be correct, or the 1841 which has a soundex of Whittington, but having the same occupation and was registered in Birmingham which the Thomas Whittington's (1881 census) children where born, although place of birth on that one reads " outside census county" .
I will try and follow the birth that you have sent Sue and see where that takes me . Wish me luck.
Matsmam

PS: Suz ,what is IGI and where do I find it ?

[SueTeakle]

You`re most welcome Matsmam, good luck 


Sue

[suzard]

IGI =International Genealogical Index and is is found free on familysearch

It has some birth/baptism/ marriage/ burial details

Some of the records are "extracted" - from bishps transcripts etc and can bee trusted

some are "member submitted" and should be treated with caution - sometimes they are accurate -othertimes nothig more than a guess

If you have the place where some one states they are born then it is worth having a look t see if there is a baptism which matches

Suz