Thread: Frier - Barrington and Courtney - early 1900s

Hi all,

I'm new to this site and really hoping someone out there can help me with this brickwall.

I've been researching the Friers for a few years now but been unable to find anything on either Barrington or Courtney.

My father did a hand drawn family tree some years ago and said he knew them, unfortunately I wasn't that interested in family history at the time and didn't take much notice. Sadly Dad has now passed away and taken any more information with him. They were his cousins and their father was James Frier born in Chorley, Cheshire 1870 and died in 1924 in St. Asaph N. Wales. He married a Mary Gertrude Gatliffe in 1900 but she died in 1903. I've not found a second marriage for him.

Any help or suggestions you could give would be fantastic.

Thanks

Jan

1901, living Seaforth, Lanc's, RG13; Piece: 3444; Folio: 54; Page: 1 (Crown copyright, in care of TNA)

James Frier 30, Confectioner, Shopkeeper, Attringham Cheshire
Mary Gertrude Frier 34, Waterloo Lancs
Sarah Parry 37, Assistant, Liverpool
Elizabeth Kenworthy 19, Improver, Southport
Thomas L Frier 25, brother, Gardener

Hello Jan,

Sorry, I cannot find any records for Barrington, or Courtney Frier. Is it possible they were born with a different surname, maybe James married their mother after they were born? Do you know when James moved to Wales?

Hi,

The Friers moved to Wales from Cheshire about 1875. Before James married he was a florist in St. Asaph but moved to Waterloo when he got married. I sent for their marriage certificate and it says Mary was a spinster. Another suggestion I've had is that as Mary died so soon after they were married if they'd had children they could of gone to live with relatives rather than James looking after them himself. I know they weren't with his parents but haven't yet managed to trace her parents.

It may be one of those mysteries that never get solved. I have a couple of photographs of James and one that I think his him with Mary and two very small children but I'm not 100% certain.

thanks for the 1901 census info, I did have that, the Thomas Lorenzo Frier is my grandfather.

thanks again for your help

Jan

Originally Posted by slizzy

Hello Jan,

Sorry, I cannot find any records for Barrington, or Courtney Frier. Is it possible they were born with a different surname, maybe James married their mother after they were born? Do you know when James moved to Wales?

Hi,

Thanks for doing all this. I'm in work at the moment and can't remember if I found him in the 1911 census or not but somebody else has just emailed to say they found a James Frier in Worcestershire with a St. Asaph connection in the 1911 census, so I know what I'll be doing tonight!

I haven't found any trace of a second marriage to date but I keep looking. I will do as you suggest and get the death cert and see what clues that throws up.

thanks so much for your help,

Jan

Originally Posted by slizzy

Hi Jan,

If you don't have James' death certificate it may be worthwhile buying it as may hold some clues, e.g. the informant could be either Barrington or Courtney.

I was suggesting James may have married for a second time to a woman who had the two boys before marrying James; I do not think the boys were registered as Frier as there's no birth, or marriage registrations in the names Barrington or Courtney Frier.

I will continue looking for clues. Have you found James on the 1911 census, if so where was he living?

Good luck, Jan.

If you do find you have info on the 1911 please post the details, meanwhile I will continue to search.