John Starkey

[Kark]

Please can anyone help me. My Gr. grandfather was John Starkey, born 1854 in Hanover Germany. His father was also called John and both were shoe/bootmakers.
I do not know when John Jnr came to the UK and also rumour in the family is that the surname was changed but I do not know what the German name was. I am at a complete standstill.
I cannot find him on the 1871 Cencus but he was married in Claines Worcestershire in 1877 to Sophia Brown.

If anyone can help me I would appreciate it.

Kark

[jorose]

In 1881 it looks like he is listed as BS (British Subject), also in 1901.
As he is not listed as "naturalised" but simply as British it is likely his father, at least, was from the UK. His birth might turn up in consular birth records.

When he married, who were the witnesses?

[Kark]

   Thank you for checking this for me. I do have these records but had no idea about the consular records....are they available on line, do you know.
The witnesses on the marriage certificate are as far as I know, not family names. They are William Moseley and Sarah Minchinton ?
The 1911 Cencus says that he was from Germany and doesn`t mention being a BS.

Kark

[jorose]

Interestingly I think William and Sarah might have married in 1878; perhaps they were just friends of a similar age (does hint, perhaps, that there weren't family around).
Several sites have the GRO overseas indexes (findmypast, familyrelatives, etc); I can take a look for you this evening if you'd like.

[Kark]

That is very interesting. Did they marry in Claines Worcester.
I would be grateful for your help. If you wouldn`t mind checking for me, that would be great.
I feel better about this already.... you have come up with new ideas. Things that I had not thought of.
Thank you,

Kark

[jorose]

No, they seem to have married in Worcester district which I don't think covers Claines.

1881 shows your Starkey family at 9 Temperance St in Worcester, Richard and Emma Minchinton, possibly Sarah's parents, at number 4, and William and Sarah at number 3. William was a coach painter and Sarah and her family seem to have worked as glovers.

Was the marriage of John and Sophia by banns or by license, and what were their addresses at the time?


ETA: checked consular births, army chaplains and regimental births returns, no sign of him

[Kark]

John and Sophia married at Claines Parish church so will have been banns. Claines does come under Worcester according to the marriage cert..
The address for both of them looks like Chessnut Street. ?
The occupation for Johns father was Shoemaker so I dont think that he would have been connected to the Civil Service.
I will check the Cencus as you have done. They could well have been friends with William and Sarah.

I do appreciate your help...you obviously have more knowledge than I do. Can the Cencus records be checked by street name?

Kark