Lees family circa 1850 christenings (Huddersfield area)

[foundblue]

Benjamin Lees and his wife Fanny (Cotton) lived in South Crosland, (Almondbury / Huddersfield) and he was born there about 1793.  They had children James, Samuel, Daniel, Betty, George, Richard, Abel Hall, Ezra, Edwin and Margaret Ann between 1820 and 1847 but I can not find a single christening for any of the children.

It may be that they simply didn't baptised any of their offspring.   They could have been Quakers or Baptists but again I can find no record at all.   I may have missed a church that is not on Ancestry or Findmypast or any of the other websites.   The records may have been destroyed in a fire or not handed in to archives.    There are lots of possible reasons why they weren't christened but I wondered if there was an obvious place that I haven't looked or considered yet? Any suggestions would be very welcome as I have not come across anything like this before.  One baptism or burial or marriage missing yes but not a whole family.  Hopefully the answer will be so simple I'll feel a fool for asking but it will be worth it if I can find the answer!

Thanks Nick

[Pennines]

Nick -- is it possible that they were R.C.? Not a lot of RC records are published - although normal non-conformist ones do exist on line.

[foundblue]

R.C  - hadn't thought of that one.  I would have thought unlikely from what I know of the family as they were mainly dissenters.   Other trees on Ancestry show them to be Quakers but I believe that these trees don't feel right at all.
So I'll will follow up that idea - brilliant thanks just what I hoped for.

Nick

[Pennines]

It was just a thought - BUT I must confess that some of the christian names sound more Baptist/Quaker than RC --- but may not be. I am thinking of Ezra and Abel - Daniel even.

It's just odd that they are not appearing in the Non Conformist baptisms. At least I can't see them -- it doesn't mean that they aren't there though!!

[foundblue]

Yes that's what I thought too non conformists and dissenters all the way but you've given me another idea!   Ezra had a son George Robinson Lees who became a Reverend and travelled to Israel to "convert" Jews to Christianity.   (I've explained that very simply possibly too simply)   I need to see which Church he belonged to and what the organisation he worked for represented that may give me a clue to his (adult) religion.
Nick

[Pennines]

That's a coincidence - I had just come back on line when your message came through!

I don't know if it's the same George Robinson Lees -- but in 1907 there is a Reverend George Robinson Lees living at St Andrews Vicarage, Short St, Lambeth. He's on Surrey Electoral Registers.

Looks like the St Andrews which existed there at that time was C of E.

That makes it more of a mystery as to why the baptisms of his father and siblings can't be found (if it's the same person of course).

[foundblue]

Yes that's the one he married a daughter (Alice Kelk) of a Bishop or high up in the church I think - I haven't my research with me at the moment.   Perhaps he rebelled as a child against an agnostic / atheist family.   All the way through my research this line have been staunch supports of the church and being Yorkshire folk I doubt they would have risked not getting any parish relief if needed.   Researching around Huddersfield I have been blessed with all church records being on line so this is a bit of a shock and with archives closed a bit frustrating.

[Pennines]

Yes - I agree. Have you tried searching local newspapers to see if any of their names crop up in articles which may give a clue to their religion? I may just try that.

Huddersfield family history society have a research place called the 'The Root Cellar' in Meltham, where people can go along for assistance with family history queries -- but sadly I expect that is closed also for the time being.


I am just wondering whether it might be worth contacting that Society to see if they can help, even if you are not a member.

https://www.hdfhs.org.uk/the-society/

(Although I just keep feeling I'm missing something which someone else may be able to find!)

I'll just look for the more unusual names in the newspapers - including searching for the father, Benjamin. If I find anything I'll come back to you.

[Pennines]

First entry I came across searching for an Ezra Lees!