Walker family - Pwllheli 1860 - 1877

[alstark]

My GGF Peter Walker appears to have spent part of his early life at Pwllheli. His father was apparently a mariner - John Walker - from Liverpool. Various documents indicate that Peter may have actually been born in the Liverpool area around 1860, however later documents indicate that he was a native of Pwllheli.   I have a record of his indenture in 1877 as an apprentice in the Merchant Navy where his place of birth was noted as Pwllheli - however his indenture was issued at Lowestoft.  He was subsequently located at Lowestoft in the 1881 census - and he married my GGM in Lowestoft in 1882.  Further documents - relating to his criminal record around 1900 note that he was a native of Pwllheli.  Searching BMD and census records in the Pwllheli area have so far not revealed any further details. Just wondering if anyone has access to local information that might help.

[CaroleW]

Who was his mother & what was her maiden name? 

No birth in Wales 1859-1861 but there is one in West Derby Liverpool in 1861. Mmn was Blackburn.  1860 marriage in Liverpool - John Walker & Mary Blackburn - see www.freebmd.org.uk

Do you have him on the 1861/1871 censuses?

Who did Peter marry - when & where?  What birthplace is shown on censuses after his marriage?

[alstark]

Carol
His marriage cert from Lowestoft and also 1881 census where he is found on board a fishing vessel at Lowestoft state his place of birth as Liverpool - however his indenture at Lowestoft in 1877 give place of birth as Pwllheli.  Furthermore the police reports relating to his arrest and subsequent conviction for desertion and bigamy state that he was a native of Pwllheli.  The plaintiff in the desertion case was my GGM - Florence Gertrude Walker (Nee Swan).  I'll check out the Free BMD link as it's not one I've seen before.  Pwllheli might be a 'red herring' - after all both Peter and Florence were involved in the fishing industry!

Thanks

Alan Stark

[Pennines]

The banns for the marriage of John Walker to Mary Blackburn, which Carol found - 1860 in Liverpool,

are amongst the 'Liverpool Marriages' on Ancestry.

[Pennines]

There is also a baptism for a Peter Walker, amongst Liverpool Baptisms - 16 Sept 1861 - but John is shown as a Labourer.

Their abode is given as Everton at that point.

[alstark]

Assuming that Peter's father John was a mariner and from Liverpool ( according to Peter's marriage certificate), the only marriage record in the Liverpool area of a mariner John Walker was in 1851 to a Margaret Neale.  I'll try searching for Margaret Walker in 1861 and 1871 censuses in case her husband was at sea.

[CaroleW]

Presumably his fathers name & occ is from the 1882 marriage cert.

There is always the possibility he was Illegitimate & made up a fathers name when he married

[alstark]

Not a lot would surprise me - as he was subsequently a convicted bigamist! Sadly none of my father's generation are still alive - so no one to ask about their grandfather! My grandmother never spoke about her father - and the only one of her siblings that I remember her having anything to do with was her younger brother.

[Pennines]

There is a birth for Peter Walker Q/E Dec 1861 in West Derby and Toxteth Reg Dist.
Mother's maiden name Blackburn.

It would be worth obtaining a digital copy of that certificate.