Thread: The elusive Williams family

Hi all, still struggling to match up the Williams family.



I know that Thomas Williams married a Phoebe, and they had 8 children, who are as follows:



William (b.1852)

Charles (b.1853)

Susannah (b.1855)

Sarah Ann (b.1857)

Emily (b.1859)

Thomas (b. 1862)

James (b.1864)

Henry (b.1870)



What I'm looking for is the record of their marriage, and Phoebe's maiden name. I've had a look on IGI, and found 2 possible matches:



Thomas Williams m. Phoebe Strickland 17 Feb 1845 Saint Clement Worcester



Thomas Williams m. Pheabe Gorden Dec 1855 Stourbridge Worcester



I had discounted the latter of these records as it would mean at least 2 of the children were illegitimate, as well as the fact that the birth date given for Thomas is at least 10 years later than what is suggested on census returns. However, looking again at that record it also lists three children, Sarah A, James and Henry, all with the same birth years as listed above.



Can anyone shed some light on this and find out which of these marriage records is for "my" Thomas?

Hi Baggiebabe,



The 1855 marriage from the IGI is a submitted record..........therefore not reliable. It is recommended that you follow up submitted records through the parish register.



The 1845 marriage is an extracted record, ie extracted from the parish register, therefore more reliable.

Thanks Slizzy - I have followed up the 1845 marriage, and details seem to fit more than the 1855 entry. It was the inclusion of 3 of the children's names in the latter that threw me, but from what you say I should take that with a proverbial pinch of salt anyway.



Is anyone able to confirm that Phoebe Strickland is "my" Thomas Williams'? Unfortunately I have little access beyond the IGI.



Thanks again.

1851 Census .........Thomas' occupation French Polisher.



Name: Thomas Williams Age: 31 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1820 Relation: Head Spouse's Name: Pheobe Gender: Male Where born: Worcestershire, England



Civil Parish: Worcester St Andrew County/Island: Worcestershire Country: EnglandRegistration district: Worcester Sub registration district: West Worcester



Household Members Name Age Pheobe Williams 26 Thomas Williams 31

1861 ...........Thomas French Polisher.



Name: Pheobe Williams Age: 35 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1826 Relation: Wife Spouse's Name: Thomas Gender: Female Where born: Worcester, Worcestershire, England



Civil Parish: Wednesbury Ecclesiastical parish: St John Town: Wednesbury County/Island: Staffordshire Country: England

Charles Williams 8 Emily Williams 2 Pheobe Williams 35 Sarah Ann Williams 4 Susannah Williams 6 Thomas Williams 37 William Williams 9

1871



Name: Thomas William

[Thomas Williams] Age: 48 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1823 Relation: Head Spouse's Name: Phoebe Gender: Male Where born: Worcestershire, England Civil Parish: Wednesbury Ecclesiastical parish: St John Town: Wednesbury County/Island: Staffordshire Country: EnglandCharle William 18 Emily William 12 Henry William 1 Jame William 8 Phoebe William 46 Sarah Ann William 14 Susanah William 16 Thomas William 48 Thomas William 10 William William 19

Hi Baggiebabe,



As yet I haven't managed to establish wether your Phoebe's maiden name was Strickland..........I'm still working on it. On the census returns Phoebe was said to be born c. 1825 in Worcester, I have found a Phoebe Strickland in the 1841 census born c. 1825 in Worcestershire. I'll take a further look tomorrow.

Thanks for all your help Slizzy, I really appreciate it.



Katherine

Hi Katherine,



This is the 1841 census for Phoebe Strickland (still don't know if she is "yours")



Name: Pheobe Strickland Age: 17 Estimated Birth Year: 1824 Gender: Female



Civil Parish: All Saints Hundred: Worcester County/Island: Worcestershire Country: England



Street address:



Occupation:



View Image





Registration district: Worcester Sub registration district: Worcester West Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age William Strickland 50 Mary Strickland 52 Pheobe Strickland 17 Susannah Strickland 9 Richard Strickland 5

Hi Katherine,



Although the marriage between Thomas W. and Phoebe Strickland looks promising, you can't be certain it's the one. If it were my ancestry I'd send for the marriage cert as it will state Thomas' occupation, and his father's name. My niggle about this marriage is ......... they married in 1845 but the first child wasn't born until c.1851, it's always possible of course that they had other children (before 1851) who died in infancy. if you would like to send for the cert I can post the ref. details you'll need, certs cost £7. Hope this helps in some way.