Joshua Oldfield birth

[MattH]

I'm not entirely disregarding the fact that Joshua wasn't born 23 years following the marriage of Thomas Oldfield and Mary Hopkinson. It just seems a bit unlikely. I, too, have had experiences in my searches with other people that has produced children up to around 20 years past the marriage date. However, I have found that when the first child is married (typically around 18-25 years) then the parents end their childbearing efforts. There are possible exceptions to this, depending on the needs of the family (i.e. more hands needed on the farm).
I may have a peek into those resources you mentioned. Do you, perhaps, know if the silk/cotton framework knitters during that time period were apprenticed? I think if Joshua was apprenticed, the paperwork regarding that might yield at least the father's name. That's assuming that the paperwork is still in existence. (Again, despite the different occupations, I'm referencing the Len Goodman episode of "Who Do You Think You Are?") Are there any resources out there that might give me a good idea about that profession?

[sunflower]

Hi MattH

As you perhaps already know Joshua Oldfield married Jane Bull at St Mary, Notts on 19.8. 1836.  Have you seen the original marriage entry ? There may be clues with the witnesses.

Carol

[MattH]

Carol,
I have not seen the original marriage document. I was able to deduce that Joshua Oldfield was married to Jane Bull from death certificates in the US. In fact, Jane died in the US in 1897. I actually was unsure about the marriage date and place, to be honest. How were you able to find out that information?

[sunflower]

Hi

I have a lot of stuff relating to Nottinghamshire including Baptisms, Marriages & Burials.   I do visit Notts Records office every few months so can look at the original entry for you the next time I go.

Carol

[MattH]

Thanks, Carol. I look forward to seeing what you find.

[nottsgirl1]

Hi

Marriage details;

Joseph Oldfield and Jane Bull St Marys Nottingham 19 Aug 1836, witnesses John Adcock and Ann Oldfield.

Nottsgirl1

[MattH]

Thanks for supplying the list of witnesses here. I don't seem to recognise the surname Adcock from my memory. And, Ann Oldfield is interesting because it could be an un-married sister or a sister-in-law. I don't believe it would have been his mother, if I'm still under the assumption that her name was Mary.
If I had to guess, Ann would be his sister. According to the records I have, Joshua would have had a sister named Ann. She was married to a James Frost on 30 December 1839 at St. Mary's in Nottinghamshire. I'm still scratching my head over Mr. Adcock, however...will need to do more investigating!

[nottsgirl1]

Hi Matt,

I would think that Ann is his sister as often siblings are ususally witnesses, as for John Adcock he could be a friend or maybe the church warden as they were often witnesses. Next time I'm in the archives I'll have a look for him.

All the best

Nottsgirl1

[MattH]

Thanks for the offer, Nottsgirl1, but I'm not sure as if looking for John Adcock would be a good use of your time. I did some minor research with the census records and it doesn't look like he's related to the Oldfield family at all.
I think I'm beginning to accept the fact that Joshua Oldfield was the son of Thomas Oldfield and Mary Hopkinson. While it seems a bit of a stretch that the couple would have a child after 23 years of marriage, it's not entirely out of the question. In the past weeks, I've noticed that some couples did have children beyond 20 years, although it's a bit rare.
The marriage record I've seen for Thomas and Mary is from the book "Derbyshire Parish Registers." The volume (#9) focuses on marriages from All Saints'. It provides a basic summary of the marriage. The entry for this marriage is:

30 Sep. 1790
Thos. Oldfield, of Chesterfield, painter, & Mary Hopkinson, lic.

I'm unaware of what "lic." stands for, but it appears that Thomas was from Chesterfield. Is there anyway to find a birth record for him in the baptismal registers? A guess for his birthdate would be somewhere around 1765-1773. The fact he had children after 20 years of marriage almost suggests that it was closer to 1772/1773.
I know that these locations are in Derbyshire but is anyone able to do a little digging for maybe the births of Thomas and Mary? And, since it lists Thomas as a painter, would that mean he would have been apprenticed?
I look forward hearing from you soon!