Alfred Birch and Mary Ann Owers

[d.v.j.redmond]

Dear All,

Can anyone help me to find a baptism/birth and/or burial record for Alfred Birch?

I have been researching this couple for months and have got absolutely nowhere with it!

I believe that Alfred was born sometime between 1855-1858 in either Marylebone or Chelsea working from the census records of his confirmed relations.

His daughter Lillian Mary Birch was born 15th May 1866 in 3 Absalom Road, Kensington - I've obtained the birth certificate - mother was Mary Ann Owers and Alfred's occupation is labourer.

Working from this I located his marriage certificate to Mary Ann Owers which occured on 15th May 1881 at St. Paul's Church in Paddington. At that time he was living at 32 Desborough Terrace, Paddington and working as a labourer. His father is identified as James Birch, a shoemaker.

On 12 Jan 1890 he was living at 92 Southam Street, Kensington according to the baptism records of his daughters Lillian Mary and Emily Elizabeth. Their baptisms took place at St Andrews and St Phillips in Kensal Green, Kensington.  In 1891 he was living at 147 Southam Street, Kensington and in 1901 he lived at 137 Southam Street, Kensington and is described as a bricklayer's labourer.

At the time of his daughter Lillian Mary's marriage on 13th January 1907 he had died but I cannot find any record of his death.

Any help with this one would be much appreciated.

All the best,

Dave

[groom]

Hi

Have you discounted this family from the 1861 census?
RG9; Piece: 88; Folio: 111; Page: 76


James Birch   33     Gardener     Surrey
Elizabeth Birch   37                         Birmingham
Ester Birch   13                         Marylebone
Elizabeth Birch   10                         Marylebone   
Louisa Birch   9                           Marylebone
Alfred Birch   6                           Marylebone
James Birch   3                           Marylebone
William Birch   1                           Marylebone

All the children were baptised at  Hampstead St Stephen the Martyr  on 6th May 1860. James's birth is given as 29th Dec 1857

Jan

[d.v.j.redmond]

Hi Jan,

I haven't discounted this family entirely. The most glaringly different factor is the occupation of James. He is listed as a Gardener rather than a shoemaker as he was described on his son's marriage certificate in 1881. Of course, people do change professions throughout their lives but it is quite strange to see a person go from a gardeners role to a skilled profession such as a shoemaker or tailor which would ordinarily require an apprenticeship. What are your thoughts on this?

All the best,

Dave

[groom]

The same thought crossed my mind,  it would be a huge change in career and probably not very likely. However, I cant see any other James Birch with a father James in the 1861 census.  Perhaps it might be worth trying to trace this James Birch senior to see what he was in 1881.

Sorry, dont know why I gave you James's birthday.  It should have been Alfred Birch 19th September 1855.

[amber39]

Could this be your Alfred's death ?

Kensington   1a  72  1901(4)   age 40   born 1861.

Regards   Amber39

[amber39]

There is also an Alfred Birch born 1860(4)  in Chelsea     Ref.  1a  182


Regards   Amber39

[groom]

There is also this one

Alfred Birch
Date of Registration:   Oct-Nov-Dec 1855
Registration district:   Chelsea
Volume:   1a Page:   162


This looks like the Marylebone one

Alfred Birch
Date of Registration:   Oct-Nov-Dec 1855
Registration district:   Marylebone
Volume:   1a  Page:   419

[chelseaborn]

Dave
no help on your quest, but my mothers name was Ethel Lillian Ester Birch, born in Chelsea in 1918.
way too much of a coincidence
Dave

[jennifer c]

It does not look like it is the same family Dave, your Ethel's mother's maiden name was Judd.

Jennifer