Ephraim Needham Derbyshire 3 possibilities

[hipp00]

Hi
I have 3 possible fathers for my GGGrandmother Martha Key Nee Needham. 1st Ephraim born 1793/4 in Biggin.  2nd born 1791 Heathcote or 3rd born 1789 in Hartington.  in 1841 census is with wife Martha and children Elizabeth and Martha.  In 1851 and 1861 says he is a gardener and is with wife Martha.
Can anyone shed a light on this?  Thanks

[lizdb]

What does he say about his age and place of birth in 1851 and 1861?

[Gibel]

Biggin and Heathcote are next door to each other and as far as I remember are both within the parish of Hartington.

[hipp00]

 Hi lizdb
The 1851 census has his age as 60, born in Heathcote and 1861 age 67 born in Biggin.  The problem arises when I try to trace further back and find there are 3 Ephraims all born around the same area and about the same time.   He died in 1874 aged 87 in Cow Hill Belper.

[hipp00]

Hi Gibel
I know that Heathcote and Biggin are very close and often people will give either name.  I am trying to sort out Ephraim's parents and knowing where he was born would help.

[lizdb]

Not sure anyone here will "know" where he was born, we can only go by what he said in the censuses, and what Ephraims were baptised in that area at that time, the same as you have done.

The next step will be to try and trace all three Ephraims forward. For example if you find one dies in infancy, that one can be ruled out. If any of the others survived to census era, then you may see if there are any clues to narrow down which one of the baptisms relates to them, thus ruling that one out from being 'yours'.

[hipp00]

Hi lizdb
Thanks for the advice.  I suppose I was hoping someone else may have traced any of the 3 Ephraims.  I know I am OK from the 1851 census as I have corroborated the evidence.  I'm stuck going backwards.

[Marmalady]

You need to get in touch with Nigel Needham -- username Grundy51

He has done a lot of work on the Derbyshire Needhams

I have a copy of some of his databases, but can only see 2 Ephraims around Biggin / Heathcote:

1 son of James & Sarah of Biggin bpt 1 Feb 1789

2 son of George & Ann of Heathcote bpt 16 Aug 1793

He does not have a death or marriage listed for either of these

He may have further information that is not in the databases I have

He was very helpful in sorting out some of my Needhams of Hartington Upper Quarter!

[Gibel]

There is tree on Ancestry for the Ephraim who is not your Ephraim. This Ephraim goes to Manchester and is married twice. Both the 1841 and 1851 have him living in Rusholme Manchester where he dies in 1857. In 1851 this Ephraim states he was born in Biggin.

The tree holder has decided that he is the son of James Needham. I would contact the tree holder and see his evidence that his Ephraim is the son of James. It does seem very likely that he is the son of James and Sarah as his first child from his second marriage is called James and second child is called Sarah. According to the tree there were no known children from the first marriage.