Doncaster area - Help needed to find John Wales

[jenet4]

Hi,

I am trying to find out as much as possible about the life of John Wales who was born in the Doncaster area probably in 1836 but it could have been as early as 1833.

My starting point is his marriage to Mary Ann Ramsden on 10th January 1859 in Wakefield Parish Church.  His occupation on his marriage certificate is given as Sailor and his father’s name is given as John Wales, occupation Waterman. His age is given as 23 and his residence at the time of his marriage is given as Kirkgate, Wakefield.

Throughout the census returns he is proving to be very elusive. Probably because he was a Mariner and eventually became a Master Mariner. However, I am even having problems with where he was in 1841 & 1851 and wondered if anyone can help.

A possible entry for him in the 1851 census is a Sheffield (St Johns, Canal Bason (basin?)) entry as follows:

John Wales   Serv(ant) 15 Assist(ant) Waterman  Yorks Fishlake

He is with a William Moresby (& the Moresby family) from Thorne.

Is SKS able to check baptismal etc records in the Fishlake area for this John Wales’ parents/family to see if there are any clues as to whether he could possibly be the John Wales I am trying to track?

A possibility for the rest of his family in 1851 is

Doncaster Christ Church 14 East Laith Gate

John Wales M 74  Head Labourer Hurst
Ann Wales  M 38 Wife  Barnby Dun
Susannah Wales U 10 Dau Doncaster
Thomas Wales U 7 Son Doncaster
Amelia Wales U 1&1/2 months Dau Doncaster

If this is the correct entry then a John Wales & Ann Stevenson were married on 29th December 1831 at  Barnby Dun. It is possible this would fit in with the above entry.

Have had no luck at all at finding them in 1841. If anyone could help with any of the above it would be much appreciated.

[Redroger]

This sounds to me as though he was probably employed on the South Yorkshire Navigation canal, quite likely on a "Humber Keel". Try googling that,it should give a lot of information, and look on the censuses for any bargees anywhere on the canal between Sheffield, Rotherham, Mexborough, Doncaster, Thorne and out towards Hull and Grimsby.

[Ken S]

 I have St George, Doncaster burial records 1557 - 1890 ... for the Wales surname, this register contains the following .......

WALES Agnes .. dau of: William(waterman)  buried: 3 Sep 1849 age: 20  address: Fishergate  d:3 Sep
WALES Ann  26 Jul 1853  42  West Laith Gate
WALES Ann wife of George  15 Mar 1829  age: 66
WALES Charles Fredrick  son of Robert (painter)  18 Apr 1838  age: 10  Sunny Bar   died: 15 Apr
WALES  Emma  da  John (lab)   21 Feb 1847  1   East Laith Gate
WALES George  labourer  30 Nov 1830  78
WALES James  so  John(waterman)  20 Apr 1839  1+  Fishergate  d: 18 Apr
WALES Jane Ann   28 Jun 1853  6m  East Laith Gate
WALES John  so  John (hostler)  22 Aug 1800  6m  fits
WALES Martha  wi  John (waterman)  26 Feb 1826  57
WALES Mary  wi  John (waterman)  29 Aug 1837  67   St Sepulchregate  d: 26 Aug
WALES  Robert    painter   30 Mar 1851  age: 51  Sheffield
WALES Robert  so  Robert (waterman)  14 Apr 1833  5 weeks
WALES Robert Joseph  son of Robert (painter)  7 Sep 1836  age: 2
WALES Thomas  so John (waterman)   buried: 9 Sept 1814  age: 9
WALES William  waterman   16 Jun 1843  45  Fishergate  died: 15 Jun

[jenet4]

Thank you so much for the St George, Doncaster burial information for the Wales family.  It looks as though I will have to be careful that I am researching the correct branch of the family.

Thanks again,
Jenet4