Newbury 1817 baptism lookup please

[paulalou]

Hi all,

If anyone has access to the Newbury baptism records from the 1810s can you please do a lookup for me - for some reason none of these are in the Berkshire Baptism Index on FindMyPast (which is frustrating).

I'm looking for a Charles Willis born about 1817. I'm suspecting his parents were Samuel and Lucy Willis but I'd like confirmation of who they were, plus Samuel's occupation. Also, if anyone has time, can you please let me know of any siblings of Charles.

Many thanks in advance.

[Pennines]

Paulalou,

The only Charles Willis I can see baptised at Newbury - was born on 27/8/1821 at Sheen - baptised in Newbury Methodist Chapel on 21/1/1822 -- parents John and Ann Willis (no occupation shown).

This is amongst the Non-Conformist baptisms on Ancestry - but probably too late to be yours.

There are also others - none in 1817 though but around that year - in the England Select Births and Baptisms in Berkshire - Reading, Charney - etc -- but none with parents Samuel and Lucy.

What did Charles name his eldest son -- just in case it was after his own father?

[paulalou]

Thanks, Pennines but I don't think that's the person I'm after. The baptisms from St Nicholas' Church in Newbury during the 1810s don't seem to be online anywhere and that's where I'd like a look-up.

In the online Berkshire Baptism Index I did find a baptism for a Charles Willis in 1821 in Reading where it states he was born in 1814, but I don't think this my Charles either.

From the 1841 and 1851 census records, Charles Willis was a tailor. Also in Newbury of similar ages were George and James Willis (born in the 1810s), both were also tailors. George's second marriage is in the Berkshire Marriage Index on FindMyPast, and his father was named as Samuel. There is a Lucy Wallis who is old enough to be their mother who is given as a widowed tailoress in census. So, my hunch is that Charles may be the son of Samuel and Lucy. The baptism records for George and James are also not in the Berkshire Baptism Index.

Charles did name one of his sons Frederick Samuel, his third son and the eldest one by his second wife.

[Annette7]

Records for the parish church of Newbury don't appear to be online at all, as you say, only for a non-conformist church.

I suspect you are probably right that Charles was the son of Samuel and Lucy.

All I can add is that Samuel Willis married (1) Ann Dodd 23/12/1792 Newbury and that Ann Willis, bc.1771 (aged 39), wife of Samuel, bur.5/5/1810 Newbury - died in childbed.

Samuel Willis, widower, married (2) Lucy Hamblin 17/12/1812 Speen, Berkshire.

Children from both marriages yet to be found.

Annette

 

[Sloe Gin]

for some reason none of these are in the Berkshire Baptism Index on FindMyPast

For information - the Berkshire Baptism Index is a volunteer project by the Berks FHS.  It's only on its third edition, and will be done when it's done.  They started with the Burial Index which in its 12th edition is the closest to completion, and are also working on a Marriage Index.

[stevemiller]

Hello,

I’ve only just seen this topic.

As Sloe Gin said, the Berks Baptisms Index is done by volunteers of Berks FHS. And I did Newbury, St Nicholas 1813 to 1828 back in May 2017 (as well as a working book that includes dates of birth and actual streets rather than just “Newbury”). It would have been checked by someone else, and was published on disc in the 3rd Edition which came out in April this year. This data will appear on Findmypast, but I’m not sure of the timescale.

I think the Society is aiming to do a disc soon of all the St Nicholas registers, which will be a must for us Newburians.

I think you have to be a bit careful here, as there are a number of Willis families in Newbury at this time; and quite a few tailors!

There is a Charles in 1817, son of Samuel (bricklayer) and Lucy, but there is also a Charles in 1819, son of Benjamin (tailor) and Rebecca.

Samuel and Lucy had a George in 1820, but there is also a George in 1825, son of Samuel (tailor) and Charlotte.

The only James I can see in this batch was in 1817, son of Isaac (shoemaker) and Jane.

What led you to Charles born 1817, and Samuel and Lucy as his possible parents?

[candrjm]

Hi,

These are all the Willis families living in Newbury in 1815 (hopefully they may help you later if or when you can verify who Charles' parents were)


Ch?s Yard (West Side of Bartholomew Street)

Samuel Willis aged 40 occ: Bricklayer
Lucy aged 30
Elizabeth aged 16
Samuel aged 11
Sarah aged 9
Mary Aged 7
James aged 3
Leah infant


Bridge (East Side)

Wliima Willis aged 42      Globe Inn
Sarah aged 48
George aged 17
Ann aged 15
Sarah aged 12
Maria aged 10
Harriet aged 9


Mintor's Yard (East Side Bartholomew Street)

Joseph Willis aged 60    occ: Attorneys Clerk
Ruth aged 50
Joseph aged 23
Elizabeth aged 22
Henry aged 20
Sarah aged 18
Ann aged 15
Jane aged 12
Mary aged 8


North Side Northcroft Lane (off West side of Northbrook Street)

John Willis aged 25   occ; Bricklayer
Ann aged 26
James aged 4
Louisa aged 3
Henry aged 1
William infant


Union Court (West Side of Northbrook Street)

Joseph Willis aged 41   occ: Taylor
Sarah aged 45
Joseph aged 20
John aged 16
Elizabeth aged 14
Samuel aged 10
Henry aged 8
Ann aged 4


Bartholomew Terrace (South Side of Pound Street)

Mark (Jun) Willis aged 28
Eliza aged 24

Mark (Snr) Willis aged 54
Catherine aged 49


Clarks Buildings (West Side of Bartholomew Street)

George Willis aged 65  occ; Schoolmaster
Martha aged 69
William aged 39
George aged 32
Rebecca aged 29


Swan (East Side of Bartholomew Street)

Robert Willis aged 40    Swan
Ann (aged not given)
George William aged 9
Robert aged 8
Mary Ann aged 6
Lucy aged 4


Almshouses in Fair Close

Joseph Willis aged 80



Church Almshouses

William Willis aged 79


Chris