Help re: William and Edward Fisher London

[jef_613]

Hi!

I hope that someone can help me. I have traced my Fisher ancestors to London, but as that is a terribly common last name, I've hit quite a dead end.
This is what I have so far:

Edward Fisher b. 1870, likely in Bromley, emigrated to Canada in late 1800's
parents: William Fisher b. abt 1829, likely in Shoreditch/Bethnal Green/that general area, likely died before 1876....Mary Ann Shepherd, b. abt 1830 in Suffolk. They married 22 Aug 1852 in Bethnal Green. His father is likely Edward Fisher; hers is likely William Shepherd.

I've found them on the 1871 census; however, cannot find them on the 1861 or earlier.

If that looks familiar to anyone, I would greatly appreciate an email at *or a reply on here. I've struggled with this one for months...years?!?!....and am not quite sure how to break through this.

Thanks in advance!
Best luck in your searches,

Jeni

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[avm228]

Hi Jeni and welcome

So this is the starting point (I know you already have it):

1871 census: RG10/569/59/19
18 Gate St, Bromley St Leonard, Tower Hamlets

William FISHER Head Mar 42 Dock labourer Shoreditch Mdx
Mary Ann do Wife Mar 39 Box maker Suffolk
Elizabeth do Daur Unm 13 Mile End Midx
Caroline do Daur 10 Scholar Bethnal Green Midx
William do Son 8 Limehouse Midx
George do Son 4 Bethnal Green Midx
Edward do Son 1 Bromley Midx

[avm228]

There's a suspiciously similar family in 1861, but called MILLER.  Hmmm...
I shall post them in case they become relevant.

1861 census: RG9/286/93/12
7 Henry St, St Anne Limehouse, Tower Hamlets

William MILLER Head Mar 32 Boiler maker London
Mary A do Wife Mar 31 Suffolk N[ot] K[nown]
Elizabeth do Daur 5 Middlesex Limehouse
Caroline do Daur 2 Middlesex Limehouse

[jef_613]

Hi AVM,

Thank you for replying!

The 1871 census is the starting point. Likewise, I have a copy of the marriage registration for William Fisher and Mary Ann Shepherd (Sheppard).  

Essentially, what I know is that Edward Fisher came to Canada as a home child with Barnardo's as did his brother George.  From Edward's Canadian marriage and death records I know his parents are William Fisher and Mary Ann Shepherd (so the 1871 census and the marriage regs is for the right family).  Barnardo's has also confirmed for me the parents and siblings names (and supplied photos of Edward and George and children, which has been priceless).  According to Barnardo's, William died before the children were handed over in or around 1876.

I can trace Mary Ann through to 1911 on census records.

But, anything before 1871 is a mystery.  I've found a couple of "could bes" in 1851 censuses but they are purely guesses and I don't have nearly enough to go on to use them to confirm anything.

Any other suggestions or advice would be appreciate more than I can say.

Cheers,
Jeni

[jef_613]

Hi Again, AVM,

That really is quite an odd coincidence....but Miller and Fisher are not similar names...that would have to be a real leap in transcription.

Very interesting though....it's too similar to disregard it!

Jeni

[avm228]

A possible baptism for Caroline:

Baptism, St Bartholomew, Bethnal Green

16 Dec 1858

Caroline FISHER (born 12 Oct 1858)

daughter of William FISHER, labourer, and Mary Ann.  Address: 8 Upper Norfolk St.

[avm228]

...and for Elizabeth:

Baptism, St Bartholomew, Bethnal Green

1 April 1858

Elizabeth FISHER (born 31 October 1855)

daughter of William FISHER, labourer, and Mary Ann.  Address: 8 Upper Norfolk St.

[avm228]

...and for George:

Baptism, St Matthias, Bethnal Green

25 November 1866

George Edward FISHER (born 5 November 1866)

son of William FISHER, labourer, and Mary Ann.  Address: 2 Three Colt Lane.

[jef_613]

My goodness, you're quick at that!

I really appreciate this.

I've got other branches of my tree that I've been able to trace back several generations, it's these darn fishers that have been proving more difficult.