Sarah Ann Barfield - Runcorn

[themagusman]

Hi Folks,
I am trying to track down my (somewhat elusive) great-grandmother, Sarah Ann Barfield. She was born in 1849 according to most censuses, but reported various birthplaces on different censuses, including Runcorn on 2 censuses. She married my great-grandfather, John Measures, on 12 October1873 at All Saints in Leicester. On the marriage certificate, her father is given as George, a butcher.
I have been unable to find any valid record of Sarah Ann before her marriage, or of her father George at all. She may have a brother John J., a house-painter, born about 1854, who was a lodger with her in the 1901 census.
Any clues from local Cheshire records would be gratefully received!
Thanks!
John Measures
Ontario Canada

[CaroleW]

FOR BACKGROUND INFO ONLY

1901 shows her birthplace as Wolverhampton 1849 which is the same birthplace as John J Burfield (image shows Burfield)

1891 shows Runcorn Cheshire 1849

1881 - Runcorn Lancashire 1849

So her birthyear is spot on every time - but not her birthplace

[CaroleW]

The free 1911 index shows her as aged 62 - so again b 1849

having found her on the index - I tried searching again using, Runcorn, Cheshire and Staffordshire as her birthplace but got no match

I then used Wolverhampton and up she popped so we now have 2 Runcorns versus 2 Wolverhamptons

I also searched for John Barfield in Leics and found John James aged 56

I then searched again showing his birthplace as Wolverhampton and  other members of the household Sarah Measures - got the same match so he was still with Sarah in 1911

Unfortunately - not one bit of the above info has helped me to find her or John  on earlier censuses!!!!

[themagusman]

Thanks for posting the info, Carole!
Confusing isn't it!
I wonder if any of the local trade directories show her father, George Barfield, Butcher.
John

[trish1120]

Just a shot in the dark

1861 Census
62 Stafford St,
Wolverhampton, Staffordshire
RG9/1992/63/5
John ALLEN, 43, Head, Mar, Master Butcher, born Hertfordshire
Anne, 36, Wife, Mar, born Eldersfield, Worcestershire
SARAH ANN, 12, Daug, Butchers Assistant, born Prunschom (Runcorn?), Cheshire)
JOHN JAMES, 8, Son, Scholar, born Wolverhampton, Staffordshire
Alice Jane, 5, Daug, born Wolverhampton
George Frederick, 3, Son, born Wolverhampton

Will try and find John Allen in 1851.

Trish

[trish1120]

1871 Census Ann (no E) is a Widow, Charwoman, born c 1812, Salford, Lancashire. George now 13, is with her and that is the only way I found her!
RG10/2939/68/12

I cant find John Allen in 1851 at all.

[themagusman]

That's really interesting & the first time anyone has found anything remotely encouraging!! Thanks so much.
So since her "father" George Burfield/Barfield attended  Sarah's wedding in 1873, presumably Anne remarried & Sarah took her step-father's name?

John

[trish1120]

OH, so George was alive in 1873?
And he was a Witness at the Wedding?
Mmm not sure where to go with thiis now as I am completely confused.

[themagusman]

Me too! I have found no record of George before or after that fits to him being to Sarah's father, but given that he might not be Sarah's biological father, it changes the search criteria, so I'm going to revisit my previous searches.
Thanks again
John