William Messer c1804 Greenwich

[Martin A J]

I am trying to find DOB or christening for William Messer.

Census records from 1841 to 1861 all indicate born in Kent (the latter two: Greenwich) and his ages are consistent with birth year 1804 ish.

William was married to Eleanor Bedwards and their children were christened in St Alphages, Greenwich (1827 to 1849).  However, during the same period there was another family: William Messer with wife Maria whose children were also christened in St Alphages (1821 to 1833).

Any help would be appreciated,
Martin

[PaulineJ]

It's fairly well-represented on the IGI, and baptisms at that time are eye-wateringly difficult to search.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hughwallis/IGIBatchNumbers/CountyKent.htm

Pauline

[Martin A J]

Hello Pauline,

Thanks for speedy response.

Have already trolled the IGI for Greenwich and Deptford; that has been my main source for information on this family so far.

Am I looking and not seeing?  I followed your link but still can't find him.

Martin.

[Martin A J]

From 1841, 1851 and 1861 census records I have given ages for William consistent with being born in 1803/1804.

All three records show born in Kent, the latter two specify Greenwich.

He was married in Saint Mary's church, Lewisham in 1826.

Virtually all their children were christened at Saint Alphage's, Greenwich.

I would appreciate any help with his birth/christening and his parentage.

Martin

[PaulineJ]

If it ain't indexed or transcribed then you'll have to go to original records.
He may not even have been baptised.

http://www.nwkfhs.org.uk/pub_pr.htm

Pauline

[casalguidi]

St Alfege Greenwich baptisms

11 Dec 1803
Jn'o son of Wm MASSER mariner & Catherine (born 17 Oct 1795
Wm son of Wm MASSER mariner & Catherine (born 21 Nov)

I have looked through Jul 1802 to Dec 1805 and these were the only entries resembling the surname that I could see.  However, viewing these old registers is tiring on the eyes so I can't promise that I didn't miss something.

Casalguidi

[Martin A J]

Thank you Casalguidi,

The mariner comment is interesting; my William's occupations on census records are given as labourer (1841), general labourer (1851) and waterfront labourer (1861).  However, on Emma's MC in 1851 (his eldest daughter) his profession is Mariner.

Martin.