Hi, I am a new member to the forum and would like your help in trying to find any information relating to my great, great, great grandfather Samuel LEE.
I know from the 1851 cenus he says he was born in Oakengates and a few years ago a researcher called Sue Cleaves tried to find a baptism record for him in the Oakengates areas, and did a lot of work but found nothing.
We believe he was born around 1812 and Sue was convinced his fathers name would have been William as he called his first son William.
Any help or suggestions would be most appreciated.
Thanks Ken that was extremly helpful,did find Samuel and Eliza's marriage, it was at St Thomas Dudley on the 11th of August 1833. I will check out the Madelely baptism, really want to find Samuels father, the next piece of the jigsaw.
. I know it is difficult when you get beyond the 1800's especially with a surname such as LEE. I live in Somerset so research in Shropshire is difficult.
I would also suspect Samuels father to be a puddler, as this trade seemed to be passed down from father to son. Thanks again for the response and help very much appreciated.
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Your baseline, the 1851 Census, seems clear on several counts:
- Samuel LEE, iron puddler, born "Open Gates," Shropshire in about 1812. Lived in Kingswinsford Staffordshire
(I assume that either Samuel or the enumerator meant Oakengates, Shropshire.)
- Wife: Elizabeth (38), born Broseley, Shropshire. I thought Beveley at first, so it's worth double checking.
- Children: William (16), Madeline (13), Atheliah (10), George (7), Elizabeth (3), Joseph (6 months) - all born in Kingswinford, Staffs.
- Mother in law: Sarah ARMSTRONG, (71), widow, born Broseley
I checked FamilySearch for a Samuel LEE in Shropshire between 1810 and 1815, and found a Samuel LEE baptised Madeley on July 19, 1812. Close to Oakengates, but no fits of that name in Wombridge, Dawley, Hadley and Wellington within the timeframe.
Elizabeth ARMSTRONG: used similar search parameters but unsuccessful --- except for Sarah ARMSTRONG, baptised St Leonard's Broseley in November 1812, mother Sarah.
Marriage of Samuel and Elizabeth LEE: Eldest child born about 1835 in Kingswinford, Staffs. I failed to find a marriage either in Shropshire or Staffordshire between 1830 and 1838 - but that was FamilySearch only.
Mother in law (Sarah ARMSTRONG, widow): you might consider a broad search in FamilySearch and other databases for a marriage in Shropshire using the parameters: "Armstrong" as the lead name, then "Sarah" in the first name of spouse between 1800 to 1815.
Context is important in understanding and dealing with situations such as this one. The book Barrie "The Industrial Revolution in Shropshire" by Barrie Trinder is useful in this respect, Chapters 6 and 7 in particular. Focus on Trinder's description of migration patterns which is based on an analysis of the census.
You might also search for ARMSTRONG connections in Broseley, which looks promising.