FORRESTER family Prees/Whixall

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Caroline Jackson
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I'm trying to trace my 4x great grandfather & any of his Shropshire family, if anyone can advise where best to look please?

**Year of birth edited - I put the wrong century by mistake!**

His name was Richard FORRESTER, who I believe was born in Prees/ Forest Prees/ Whixall between about 1787 - 1792 & whose father was William Forrester, a farmer.

Censuses from 1841 through to 1871 describe Richard's place of birth as Prees, Forest Prees and on one occasion as Whixall, Shropshire.
On all of these censuses he is living in the Barton Upon Irwell/ Worsley area of Lancashire.
His occupation progresses from farmer in 1841, to farm bailiff to land agent in 1871.
His birth year varies between 1787 to 1792 on these censuses.
His wife on each census is Ann, but his two sons' baptisms in Lancashire have their mother as Elizabeth.
Sons are George born circa 1820 & William Samuel born circa 1829.
I have found a death for an Elizabeth Forrester in Lancs in 1835, which 'may' be my Elizabeth, and have found an 1838 marriage in Manchester of Richard Forrester, farmer, living in Worsley, to Ann Yates of Manchester. Richard gives his father's name as William Forrester, farmer.

In 1841, Richard's son, George,20, is living in Manchester with a William Forrester, 25, Bookkeeper and Jane Forrester, 45. George is a bookbinder's apprentice, so I'm convinced this is the correct George, as I know he & his son were bookbinders.
I found a baptism for this William, to parents John Forrester (coachman) & Jane Forrester in April 1813, Manchester, and then found a marriage of John Forrester (coachman) to Jane Wood in Manchester, 1811. There's a Manchester burial for a John Forrester in Manchester in October 1813, aged 30 years.

I'm desperately trying to connect John Forrester, born circa 1783 & Richard Forrester, born 1787-1792 .... possibly brothers? 
I can't find any baptisms, for either Richard or John, with a father William Forrester though.
I also can't find a marriage between Richard Forrester & Elizabeth. They may have married in Lancashire, but may have married in Shropshire & later moved to Lancashire.

Thanks for any help!

 

Michael J Hulme
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Joined: Saturday, 4-06-2011

Hello Caroline

If you have access to the subscription web site Find my Past they have Shropshire records up to 1900.  If you don't use it at home you may be able to get access through your local library by logging in with your library card number.

Looking at the Baptisms they have a baptism for Richd FORRESTER son of Willm & Aley (Alice ?) FORRESTER at Whixall on 30 Sep 1787.  Note the forenames are abbreviated in the original register entry and the indexed transcript.

There is also a baptism for Anne at Whixall on the 5th Dec 1784 with parents William & Alice FORRESTER (Forenames written in full).

Mike

Heather Parrish
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Last seen: 3 years 30 weeks ago
Joined: Monday, 11-06-2018

Hello Caroline

A quick look at Find My Past shows that William and Alice Forrester had at least seven children : - Thomas 1790 bap. at Prees

and the following were bap. at Whixall:

Ann 1784

Richard 1787

Edward 1793

George and Samuel 20 Mar 1796 

Arthur 1799

There was a John Forrester bap 18 Jan 1780, at Whixhall,  the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth.

Going back a generation, I've found Benjamin Forrester, bap Hodnet 25 Mar 1750, son of William and Sarah and a William Forrester, bap Hodnet 30 Jan 1763, son of William and Sarah,( although this record states fathers name Pigeon and mothers name Forrester?)

Might all be worth further investigation?

Heather

Heather Parrish
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Wiliam Forster married Alice Afford at Prees on 29 June 1778.

Benjamin Forester married Elizabeth Chessus at Hodnet on 14 October 1773

Caroline Jackson
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Last seen: 1 year 12 weeks ago
Joined: Saturday, 13-06-2020

Thanks Mike,

Yes, I have a Find My Past subscription, but hadn't seen those.
I've found them now, with your help, so thank you so much, it does fit with being my ancestor & a sister! yes

Caroline
 

Caroline Jackson
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Last seen: 1 year 12 weeks ago
Joined: Saturday, 13-06-2020

Hi Heather!

Wow! This is great, thank you!

I'm searching for them now on Find My Past. 
It's really great to find Richard's siblings & parents, it all adds up with the Prees/Whixall connection.smiley

I'll have a look at the earlier generation to see if I can piece the families together.

Thanks so much! yes

Caroline

Heather Parrish
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Last seen: 3 years 30 weeks ago
Joined: Monday, 11-06-2018

Caroline

Glad to have helped you.  Its always exciting when some research falls into place!

Heather

Caroline Jackson
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Last seen: 1 year 12 weeks ago
Joined: Saturday, 13-06-2020

Yes, got to love a breakthrough!
Thanks to you & Mike laugh