Where do I go from here?

[alison300]

My ancestors lived in Reynolds Court, Crippelgate from around 1830 to 1848 (I have various court, newspaper, baptism records to prove this).  Unfortunately this street is incomplete in the 1841 census. 

All I have is the 1851 census to go on (father born Ireland; mother dead; children born London). Its a common name (Wright or Wrecks/Wricks) and so far I can'f find the death of the father.

Are there any other London records I could search that might tell me more?

To add to my confusion, I have at least 2 (if not 3) generations with the same first and last name.

[LizzieL]

Is this the George Wr.... (faint and bad handwriting) b abt 1800 (stone and marble mason) who lived with sons James b abt 1841 and Alfred b abt 1844 in Hanover court, Cripplegate in 1851 ?
When son Alfred married on 3 Jan 1864 age 20, his father is not listed as deceased (but he could have been and the vicar just didn't ask the question). Alfred definitely signs "Wright", so I guess other variations are just transcription errors. What you see of the 1851 census is a transcription by the enumerator of the original householder's forms, so if that was difficult to read the error may have crept in at that point.

[LizzieL]

When George married Elizabeth Simpson in 1843, he was George Wrekes Wright son of George Wrekes Wright. But his signature is hard to make out. But it looks like Wright is surname and Wrekes or variants is a second forename (maybe a maiden surname in the family in an earlier generation)

[LizzieL]

When son Alfred married for the second time in 1895 he used the middle name Wrecks for both himself and his father on the record. (This was transcript on Ancestry, original is probably only available from the Essex record office website - subscription service)

[LizzieL]

When George married Elizabeth Simpson in 1843, he was George Wrekes Wright son of George Wrekes Wright. But his signature is hard to make out. But it looks like Wright is surname and Wrekes or variants is a second forename (maybe a maiden surname in the family in an earlier generation)

The marriage was by licence and George was a widower. Elizabeth was a spinster

[LizzieL]

When son Alfred married for the second time in 1895 he used the middle name Wrecks for both himself and his father on the record. (This was transcript on Ancestry, original is probably only available from the Essex record office website - subscription service)

On baptism of one of Alfred's children, his middle name is spelt Rex !

[LizzieL]

There is a James Wricks / Wrecks Wright b 13 Sept 1839 who joined Royal Navy on 25 April 1854. He would be almost 14 and a half. He signed up for 10 years counted from age 18. Unfortunately no signature of parent giving consent for the boy to join. Just a standard statement to say that the consent of his parents or friends have been obtained. Available from National Archive

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7537038

If you register for a free account, you can get this digital download free

Also deaths of John and Thomas Wrecks Wright in 1829 and 1830 respectively. Can't find baptisms. Thomas was 6 weeks old at death, John was 3 something (some little symbol above number 3, not sure whether years, weeks, days.) Possibly children from first marriage??

[alison300]

Thanks LizzieL - I have seen most of these entries and it's very confusing. 

I think there are 2 (and probably 3) men named George Wrecks/Wricks Wright; they were all stone masons.  I have the death cert. for one of them but can't locate the other two.  With a name like Wright it's proving difficult as I can't even be certain of the parish.  I don't know how people manage to get back to the early 1700s

[ciderdrinker]

Hi
George was certainly keen to marry Elizabeth Simpson.
He and Elizabeth tried 5 times
So banns St  Giles Cripplegate 30/6/1839 and 11/11/1839
Then 3/5/1840 at St Botolph Bishopsgate and again 27.3.1842 before they make it by licence 28.4.1843.
So I'm assuming James is also her son and  born 13.9.1839,1840 or1841,not just Alfred.(John James Dec 1840 St Luke mmdn Simpson would fit)
The children are baptised late at St Thomas Charterhouse 29.3.1850 Islington
James  born 19 .3.1840 s of George and Betty Wright 14 Reynolds Court  stone mason
Alfred 30.9.1843 same
then
George  born 3.9.1840 s of Harriet Wright charwoman 1 Star Court.

The latter is George's grandson. And James the Sailor is definitely the older  son.

Harriet born c 1822 ,she says Middlesex or Stepney on latter censuses, married Robert Wolfe coach maker son of Robert also coachmaker, 30.7.1848 at st Giles Cripplegate .Both of Reynolds Court .Father George Wright stone mason.
Witnesses George W Wright and Elizabeth Wright.
Harriet remarries 6.6.1880 and again her father is George Wright mason.Second husband Frederick William Loames? widower .
She dies leaving a Will 14.12.1889 for £127.

So Elizabeth Simpson was still alive by 1848 at Least.
George's first wife ,Harriet's mother must have died by June 1839.
And it looks like something happened 29.3.1850 to provoke that christening.

So it would help if we could find Harriet's christening c 1822.
Harriet baptised at St Botoplh Bishopsgate 4.2.1827 d of George and Mary Wreeks Wright. 25 Little Moorfields stone mason .(Wreeks and Wright are written above and below each other.)
There are George ,Charlotte ,Harriot and John all on the same date.
The last is buried at St Giles Cripplegate 28.6.1829 age 3.

Margaret Wreeks arrives 21.9.1828 same address and church. She dies as a baby 26.12.1830 ,same address but buried St Giles.
Thomas 6 weeks 28.9.1830 again at St Giles.
Which includes the baby deaths you have and seem to be George Wreeks Wright 's children.

Ciderdrinker