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Brick
Walls
An aid to your research
Anyone carrying out family research will eventually
draw a blank, a brick wall beyond which they cannot go. One way
to overcome your brick wall is to publish some or all of your
research so others can search for links to your ancestors. They
may have already found a way round or through your personal wall.
A few rules:
-
There must be a Black Country link to your
family
-
I will also post queries about Black Country locations
-
I need an email address I can contact you on,
to forward any emails to
-
If you want me to post your email or postal
address I will do so. Your email will not appear on the web,
unless you want it to. Please bear in mind it can then be
"harvested" and be used to send you spam email (not
by us of course).
-
Please email me with the details you wish to
appear on the site. This can include pictures and family trees.
I do reserve the right to edit your material so it will fit
onto the website.
| My cousin and I are researching our family history,
she lives in Detroit USA and Iam in Sutherland in the Scottish
Highlands. we have managed to find our that our maternal
grandmothers' family originated in Tipton and wondered if
anyone could help us with any info. I am currently studying
with the University of Aberdeen and oncentrating on the
Highland clearances. As Ilive in Sutherland those are the
clearances which Iam concentrating on, they were carried
out by the landowners who were Elizabeth Countess of Sutherland
in her own right and her husband Viscount, later Earl of
Stafford. I know there were huge enclosures of land in England
and some of these took place on the Earl of Staffords land,
he practised there and honed it to perfection in the Highlands,
where ultimately they cleared 60,000 people from Sutherland.
this led to untold numbers of deaths and was and is a very
black cloud on the Highlanders memories. I just wondered
if there could possibly be a family connection to the clearances
albeit an English one. So here goes.
Selina Poole (my paternal grandmother) was born on 28th
November 1900 to John Poole and Sara Poole (formerly Ward)
she was born in Wishaw in Lanarkshire in Scotland.
John Poole married Sarah Ward on 11th December, 1882 in
Tipton Staffordshire, we believe they married in the Primitive
Methodist Church.
John Poole was born in 1857 in Tipton, he went on to become
a worker in the iron works, we don't know which ones (he
subsequently moved with his wife and family to Wishaw in
Lanarkshire and worked in Pather Iron Works. His father's
name was also John Poole and his mother was Sarah Baker.
That's the only info we have on his parents.
Sarah Ward was born in 1861 in Tipton, we don't know her
occupation. Her father was William Ward and her mother was
Sarah Magness. That's the only information we have on her
parents.
We would love to have any information you could give us
or any pointers you give in order to take our research further.
Were any of their ancestors evicted from the Stafford lands,
what did they do for a living, what were the conditions
they lived in, other children, in short absolutely any information
on these families?
I hope you can help us many many thanks
Mary Semple in Sutherland, Priscilla Shearer in Detroit
Please email me if you have
any information, or believe you may have a link to anyone
named above. Also, I would appreciate any further information
on clearances in the region. |
Do you know if anyone has researched the 'Hingley' family?
My Great-great-grandmother was a Sarah Ann Hingley (born about
1837), who married Benamin Marston in 1861. They lived at
Princes-End, Tipton. Sarah Ann's father was a Benjamin Hingley.
There is an article on the web which says that there were
only 705 Hingley's in the UK in 1881, scattered over Worcestershire,
Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, so I would
imagine all the Black-country Hingley's are related. I have
a cassette tape of the Black-country night out show with Ray
Hingley, the comedian.
I would be pleased if you could put me in touch with someone
who may have drawn up a family tree of Hingley's especially
with its famous associations in the area, Noah Hingley and
Benjamin Hingley.
Thanks,
Steve Reynolds |
| I hope you can help me. I work at Walsall Deaf Peoples Centre
located at 59a Lichfield Street I believe this property used
to be owned by a gentleman named Charles Eyland (at the time
it would have been 59 Lichfield street, the property was not
divided until the start of the C20th.) I know he was mayor
of Walsall in 1857 and 1858, but I’m looking for further
information. I also understand he was a local businessman,
making belt buckles. I hope you can help me further, it would
be much appreciated if you could just point me in the right
direction at least.
Many thanks
Ruth Craddock
(I have suggested Walsall Archives and the Leather Museum,
anyone with specific info please get in touch) |
I am travelling to the Wolverhampton in 2007
from Hervey Bay Queensland Australia and knew the family that
lived at Capponfield house in 1970....... would like to find
the daughter Margaret Cresswell ....Can you help
Thank you
Elaine Guasco |
In 1871 the Census records my ancestors keeping
a Public House at 24, Ladymoor Road, Coseley. Does any reader
have any information regarding these premises, including the
'name' of the establishment?
Raymond Smout |
| Although I live well north of the Black
Country, I went to school in the fifties in Wednesbury.
But it is Walsall I have queery about. As a youngster I
went to a very small Cinema, it was in a shopping Arcade
in Walsall? I have tried to find history of it on the web,
but cannott even come up with "A History Of Walsall's
Cinemas" There is no such site or sites. I recall the
Imperial, and the ABC/Gaumont but this cinema was not far
from the Sister Dora Statue, and you went up a small ally
to it? Any ideas as to where I might try to find its history.
Sincerely. Gerry Taylor.
I think the cinema he
wishes to know about was 'The Palace' in the Old Square
Arcade, we used to call the cinema 'the flea pit' but it
attracted the courting couples.
As a cinema it finished about 1959 and became the the print
works for the Walsall Observer newspaper. The Walsall Observer
is no longer there and that paticulat area is now a shop.
John Barnes |
I am writing to enquire if you have any information,
on the Colley Gate mines. I live on Tanhouse estate, and I
live next to a field which contains evidence there used to
be old coal mines. I've heard many stories about them over
the years. Like "it used to be connected to Homer Hill
and it exploded, which caused it's forced shut down."
There are still old carts and tracks, and the remains of a
tunnel, under the common sight of burnt out cars. When I was
younger the sight of these used to trigger my imagination,
and for a long time I've wondered what really happened up
there.
I would greatly appreciate any facts/evidence you can get
your hands on. As I am extremely proud of where I live, and
its past, I would love the opportunity to learn some history
of what's on my doorstep.
A.Gould |
I am currently in the process of tracing my
family tree, and this has led me to discover that the area
where I used to live as a child was previously known as"
Workhouse Lane". This I know was where a Workhouse used
to stand nearby to where Tipton fire station is today. The
tales of tragic loss of life was a regular storytelling subject
whilst growing up, although this appears to be somewhat of
a morbid fascination; I would welcome any items you may have
on the subject, so that I may continue my search.
Christopher Wayne Marsden |
Does anyone have any connections to the Davis
family who lived around the Tansley Hill area of Dudley. I'm
looking for information concerning Joseph Davis mining engineer
and Elijah Davis Mining engineer, Mining Agent and Colliery
Proprietor. Elijah eventually ended up in Rock, Worcestershire
when he died in 1891 as a Colliery Proprietor. Does anyone
know of a searchable database of Colliery owners or any other
mining occupations in the area which I could look at. I would
love to know where the mines were that these 2 men owned or
looked after.
Jayne Casey |
| I have recently begun researching my family
tree and have found that a number of my ancestors come from
WOODSIDE. As, to my knowledge I have no living relatives
to gain any new information from I am keen to hear from
anyone who may remember them.
My Great Grandmother ESTHER LEES (NEE WILLIAMS) was born
in Woodside and after moving to Nottingham to marry returned
to Bradford Street to help run the family's general store
with her sister HILDA WILLIAMS in the 1950's. My mother
tells me that this shop was next door to MAUD BILL'S Sweet
shop who was also a family member. Next was an Ice Cream
parlour owned by SUE LAWLEY'S (The newsreader) father. There
was also another shop close by which was run by relatives
of BILLY DAINTY who were also related to my Great Grandmother.
On checking the Census recored I have found members of
the William's family in Woodside dating back to 1796. The
name BENJAMIN WILLIAMS appears in at least 3 different generations
all of whom were miners.
It seems that they were quite a well known local family
and there were quite a number of them!!
I would be very pleased to hear from anyone who has any
information and in particular photos of the Woodside area
including the shops in Bradford Street or indeed Cross Street
which is where the family resided in 1881.
Sarah Dyer (Quarry Bank) |
I have a relation called Charles Louis Napoleon
Wilson who contributed much to Bilston in the Black Country,
he was a Civil Engineer.
Charles Louis Napoleon Wilson, born in Blackburn on the 28th
August 1865, served his pupilage in the office of the Borough
Engineer of Bacup. After remaining in the office for five
years as an assistant, he was appointed Town Surveyor in 1891,
during the 10 years he held that post he carried out several
works for the improvement of the town, including the erection
of technical schools, baths and other buildings. In the autumn
of 1901 he tendered his resignation to the Bilston Council
and proceeded to South Africa, where he died on the 15th November
at Chinde from enteric fever contracted on the voyage.
He was the author of a book entitled "Seven Years in
a Black Country Town". He was elected a member of the
Institution on the 6th December, 1892. Are you able to add
any more information to this, or parhaps have a copy of his
book?
Regards,
Colin Pink
8 Barron Place
Basingstoke
Hampshire, RG24 9JS |
| My aunt and I are currently researching the
life of my Great Grandfather George Stokes (1882-1962), who
was involved in Wednesbury and at a county level after the
Second World War. I am hoping someone will be able to answer
the following questions, which are puzzling us. Alternatively
if someone could suggest where I might find the relevant answers.
My grandfathers' marriage certificate has his occupation
as a "chipper" and in a local newspaper as a "pneumatic
chipper", what was a "chipper", what industry
would he have been connected with and what Trade Union?
Where might he have been employed? Thank you for any help
you may be able to provide.
Sally Newey
25 Westmorland Street
Carlisle, CA2 5HN |
| I'm hoping you may be able to provide me with
some information about (my bit of) the Hodgkiss Family. My
grandfather, Fred Hodgkiss was married to Evelyn (nee Lowe)
and lived latterly around Rushall Manor, though also, at one
point, had a sweet shop on Eastbourne Street (?). Fred was,
during WW11 a pattern maker, a reserved occupation, so served
with the local Home Guard. I have recollections of him telling
me about patrolling around Bently Hall, which I think he said
was deserted (and even haunted!) at the time.
My family moved from the area some time ago, so I'm not
entirely au fait with place names locally, so hope that
I'm getting it right?! Fred was very proud to be a Black
Countryman and even took the Walsall Observer in his later
years down here in Cornwall. I would be very grateful to
hear from anyone that knew or remembers them so I can add
to our family history.
Kind Regards
Greg Hodgkiss |
My name is John Gale and I live in Newport,
South Wales. I have discovered that my Meese, Mees ancestors
came to Newport in 1860 from Kingswinford and Brierley Hill
areas. I am keen to contact any Meese members. I have traced
them to Australia and New Zealand ,but have no contacts in
the Black Country.
(As
always, please email me if you wish to contact John) |
| Dear Sir,
I am looking to verify the location shown
in the attached image. It is said
to be the birthplace of my great-grandfather who was born
in 1854 at Lower
Green, Tipton. I wonder if the clock tower in the
background is a distinctive enough landmark to verify the
Lower Green location? The photo/slide was probably taken
some time in the 1950s, maybe late 1940s. In the higher
resolution scan of the slide the house number (white letters
on blue background) appears to be 81.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Paul Whitehouse
Maryland, USA |
|
Hi, it's Julie from Australia,
My great great grandfather JOSEPH GARDNER
was born in TIPTON - DUDLEY PORT 1856. His parents were JOHN
GARDNER AND ANN DENDLEY. There are
no BMD's recorded in the parish records of the Family Search.org
so I figure that they may be Catholic and so difficult to
find their marriage circa 1840, and their childrens baptisms
online in a virtual realm!
In the Census JOHN GARDNER is born in Ireland
1814, apart from one that says Shropshire. From the influx
of Irish immigrants into the Black Country I would say he
was Irish and maybe his wife, ANN DENDLEY
born WEST BROMWICH 1821, is Catholic and from Irish descent
too.
They and their adult children were born in Tipton and lived
and worked as Labourers through the nineteenth century including
at the Ironworks.
The TIPTON KIDS were Phoebe, 1841, William 1843, Margaret
1846, Mary Ann 1850, John 1854, Joseph, 1856, Jane 1864, and
Charlotte, 1865.
My great great grandfather JOSEPH GARDNER
married ELIZA DUCE at St. Matthews, Wolverhampton
in 1878 so maybe because of the prejudices of the time it
was easier to go Church of England?
I am visiting the ancestral lands next year so would appreciate
where I might get information if the Gardners were Catholic
in Tipton-Dudley Port.
from Julie McNeill
|
| One of the people in the family
tree I am researching came from the West Bromwich area. We
are really keen to find out a little more about him as it's
has been suggested that he is a merchant so he may have led
a potentially interesting life. His name is Joel Wilson,
and he is down on the 1841 census as being 24 years of age
(although that may be a little out...) so that is the era
we are looking at. He married twice, once to Ann Cocks in
1840 and then to Jane Davis in 1845. He is away on many of
the census entries that follow which is why we thought that
he might be a merchant. Possibly one says 'America' but it's
hard to make out.
I also have found an entry in The Jurist of 1850 that lists
all the bankrupts of that year. There is a Joel Wilson listed,
he is down as being an Iron manufacturer, dealer and chapman.
In a later census entry, 1871 his wife is listed as being
an Iron master's wife, so this is a possibility, however
we obviously can't be sure yet.
It is his daughter Ann Wilson who we are interested in,
but we hoped that her father might have an interesting story
that we can tell. I have pasted the census entries below
so that you have all the information we have. I would be
most grateful if you could have a look to see whether you
can find any references to him at all.
I would very much appreciate any help that you can offer.
Jennifer.
WILSON LINE
We have a possible baptism for Ann Wilson: Hill Top Methodist
Church, West Bromwich; Ann daughter of Joel Wilson and Ann,
born on 7th June 1843 and baptised on 29th August 1843.
Abode: Hill Top. I'm happy that this is correct. It is the
only Ann(e) Wilson baptised in this church in the period;
her census entries suggest that she was born in Hill Top,
and she is very likely to have been a Methodist as she marries
Henry Parkes, so should have been baptised in this church.
I have also ordered both possible birth certificates in
the West Bromwich area in this period, and one is for a
birth in Chapel Street. The other is:
Birth
Ann Wilson
7th June 1843
Hill Top, West Bromwich
Father: Joel Wilson, draper
Mother: Ann Wilson formerly Cocks
There are also a couple of entries that may be siblings
of Ann by a different mother:
Hill Top Methodist Church, West Bromwich; Alfred son of
Joel Wilson and Jane, born on 27th June 1850, baptised on
29th August 1853. Abode: G?? Hill
Hill Top Methodist Church, West Bromwich; James Edward
son of Joel Wilson and Jane, born on 7th June 1848, baptised
on 8th August 1848. Abode: Hill Top.
There are indeed two marriages for Joel to partners of
these names (both ordered):
M: Joel Wilson to Ann Cocks J 1840 W Bromwich 18 650
M: Joel Wilson to Jane Davis S 1845 W Bromwich 18 619
I have ordered one option for the death of his first wife:
D: Ann Wilson J 1843 W Bromwich 18 386
There is only one possible death of Joel Wilson in England
and Wales 1871-91:
D: Joel Wilson S 1887 Bolton 8c 175 68 - ordered
1891 Census
RG 12/2276 F 63 P 23
77 Stafford Street, Wednesbury, Staffordshire
Jane Wilson Head Wid 67 Living on own means Staffordshire,
West Bromwich
Thomas D Son M 44 Commission agent Employed Ditto
Phebe Daur-in-law M 44 Ditto
1871 Census
RG 10/2983 F 108 P 15
2 Golds Hill Davis' Forge, West Bromwich, Staffordshire
Jane Wilson Head Mar 49 Iron master's? wife Gold Hill, West
Bromwich
Thomas A? Son Unm 24 Iron & coal merchant & clerk
Hill Top, West Bromwich
James E? Son Unm 22 Ditto West Brom
Alfred Son Unm 20 Ditto Gold Hill
Eliza Firkin Servant Unm 21 Domestic servant Hill Top, West
Bromwich
1861 Census
RG 9/2028 F 109 P 36
Golds Hill, West Bromwich, Staffordshire
Thomas Davies? Head Mar 73 Timber merchant employing 2 men
Monmouthshire, Llanllago?
Phebe Wife Mar 73 Staff, Darlaston
Elizth Woolley Daur Mar 44 Wesleyan Minister's wife Staff,
Tipton
Horace D Woolley Grandson 1 Devon, Devonport
Jane Wilson Daur Mar 38 Tradesman's wife (Husband in America???)
Staff, ??
Thomas Wilson Grandson 14 Scholar Ditto
James E Wilson Grandson 12 Scholar Ditto
Alfred Wilson Grandson 10 Scholar Ditto
Charlotte Stanway Servant 20 House servant Salop, Burton
Lane?
1851 Census
HO 107/2026 F 284 P 2
Golds Hill, West Bromwich, Staffordshire
Thomas Davies? Head Mar 63 ?? Merchant employing 4???? Abod?
Tint??, Monmouthshire?
Phebe Davies? Wife Mar 63 Darla??, Stafford
Jane Wilson Daur Mar 28 W Bromwich, Stafford
Thomas D? Wilson Grandson 4 Ditto
James Wilson Grandson 2 Ditto
Alfred Wilson Grandson 8m? Ditto
Elizabeth Allen Servant U 65 House servant? Ditto
Edward Bignall Brother in law? U 69? ?? employing 4 men
Ditto
Where is Joel?
1851 Census
HO 107/2025
Dusley? Road, West Bromwich, Staffordshire
Thomas Cocks Head Mar 37 Linen and woollen draper Shropshire,
Long ??
Mary Ann Wife Mar 42 Shropshire, ??
Elizabeth A Daur 7 Scholar Staffordshire, West Bromwich
Ellen E Cocks Daur 4 Scholar Ditto
Ann Wilson Neice 7 Scholar Ditto
Alice Brown Cousin 23 Drapers assistant Shropshire, ?? Stretton
Clara Parton Serv 28 House servant Staffordshire, ??ton
Edward Esp Apprentice 19 Drapers apprentice Shropshire,
Long Stanton
George Catterick Apprentice 13 Ditto Lancashire, Lancaster
There is another Cocks family of drapers living next door.
1841 Census
HO 107/977/12
Hill Top, West Bromwich, Staffordshire Whether born in
the same county?
Joel Wilson 24 Draper Y
Ann 15 Y
Samuel 15 Apprentice draper Y
Louisa Clumps? 15 ? Y
Jennifer Forde |
I am looking for information
on the Davis family residing in Walsall during the late
18th and early 19th century and in particular information
about my ggg grandmother Christiana Davis' family. I believe
she was born around 1802 to Joseph Davis and Ann unknown
and had sisters Elizabeth born around 1796, Sarah c 1808
and brothers John ?, c 1789, James c 1799 and Thomas c 1806.
Christiana Davis married John Dutton, chimney sweep, in
Handsworth 1820 and information handed down through the
generations indicates that she was disinherited for marrying
beneath her station. Any information about this family would
be greatly appreciated
Lynne Dodds
As always any helpful answers
or information to me and I will pass them on to Lynne. Editor
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