Advice wanted for Mary Dennis’ place of birth

[GenesA]

14 May 1844 - Burton upon Trent, St Modwen

Benjamin Bradley, 27, Widower, Father was George Bradley a labourer

Mary Ann Dennis, 25, Spinster, Father was John Dennis a labourer

Witnesses; James Dennis and Ann Sherratt

I followed them up in the 1861 census:

Cinder Hill, Hartshorne, Derbyshire

Benjamin Bradley, Head, Married, 45, Farm Labourer, b. Hartshorne

Mary Bradley, Wife, Married, 43, b. Hartshorne
....

[jimnix]

Hmmm... I think we can definitely rule the Derbyshire baptisms out then. You said her place of birth is given as Manchester in other censuses. Have you considered looking for a baptism in Manchester? Are there any other Dennis' that were married in Manchester whose father was John, a bleacher?

[GenesA]

Are there any other Dennis' that were married in Manchester whose father was John, a bleacher?

I’ve only searched for marriages that took place at Manchester cathedral 10 years +/- outside of 1841 but nothing has turned up  There are lots of men called John Dennis whose children were marrying but most were labourers or farmers, not working in cloth manufacturing which I’m assuming Mary’s father was if I’m understanding “bleacher” correctly.

[jimnix]

That reinforces the idea that Mary was from outside of Manchester, unless there is another "Derby" in Lancashire? West Derby is the only one that springs to mind.

[ColC]

Mary Ann DENNIS   Burial   Age 101   6 Feb 1838   Derbyshire   Church Gresley :
St Mary and St George : Parish Register

Mary DENNIS   Burial   Age 32   14 Dec 1837   Derbyshire   Church Gresley :
St Mary and St George :

I think this Mary might be worth another look.

Mary Anne DENNIS   Baptism   01 Apr 1821   Derbyshire   Church Gresley : St Mary and St George :


Colin

[ColC]

John DENNIS   Ann RUSHTON   Marriage   19 Apr 1803   Derbyshire Church Gresley : St Mary and St George : Parish Register

Church Gresley : St Mary and St George : Parish Register abode Linton on all. (Freereg)

Children of John & Ann/e

Father a labourer
Elisabeth DENNIS   Baptism   02 Dec 1804
Joseph DENNIS   Baptism   01 Apr 1810
Thomas DENNIS   Baptism   01 Apr 1810
Joseph DENNIS   Baptism   01 Apr 1810
Sarah DENNIS   Baptism   26 Sep 1813

Father a Collier
John DENNIS   Baptism   14 Jan 1816
Samuel DENNIS   Baptism   02 May 1819

Father a Labourer
Mary Anne DENNIS   Baptism   01 Apr 1821
William DENNIS   Baptism   22 Aug 1824

So did John change his occupation in later years?

Colin

[ColC]

When William Dennis married 15 Jun 1845 father noted as a collier but when Thomas married 26 Nov 1845 & Samuel 10 Aug 1847 he was a Labourer.

I cannot find anything for Elizabeth the eldest child but there is a burial for that name father John abode Linton but the date is 16 May 1803.

If Elizabeth died that would leave Mary as the only girl in the family, maybe she left the male dominated home for pastures new and lost touch with the family?

So the problem is the occupation a Bleacher is a Bleacher of Paper or Cloth, sadly I do not see much of either in the area http://www.swad.com/story/

Colin

[GenesA]

I am very open to reconsidering the 1821 Mary Dennis of Linton. I have four DNA matches who are all descended from a Henry Dennis (b.1718 in Measham) so I am toying with the idea that Mary was descended from this Derbyshire family.

[jimnix]

Have you seen this burial?

CHURCH GRESLEY in the County of DERBY, 1837
Mary Dennis, Cas. Gresley, Feb. 6th, 16 years (born c.1821) (could be 18 years)