William Henry GRIFFITHS was Rector of Mainstone from 1879-1895 & lived at School House, Bishop's Castle & 7 of his 9 children were born there.
He married Mary NEWILL who was born in India & her aunt Jane NEWILL was married to Peregrine Shaw ALLEN the Rector before William.
I've been searching for sometime now to try & find who William's parents were but to no avail. All censuses that I find him on say he was born in West Bromwich.
On the 1871 census he's aged 20, so born around 1851, a theological student boarding in Lichfield.
By 1881 he's married & living in Bishop's Castle. If I knew which Uni he attended the alumni list would give me his father's name. I've looked at Oxford & Cambs but he didn't go there although several of his sons did. If he was living in Lichfield as a Theo student what is the nearest Uni he may have been attending, does anyone know, please??
Any other ideas how to find his parents, please?
Thanks, Rosalyn
Hi Phil,
Yes I've checked that family but the son is still at home in 1871 & is working as an engine fitter I think it was.
There are several William Henry Griffiths born between 1851 & 1852 in the Wolverhampton/West Bromwich area, however I think the marr cert may be a better bet as it will give his father's name & occupation, so I'll have to bite the dust & fork out for it I guess!!
Thank you so much for responding & giving some ideas.
Rosalyn
Hi Rosalyn, I'm assuming you have details of when William married in Woolwich in 1880, but not the certificate. Do you know of any reason why he married in south-east London? Was he a curate / priest in that area as it's a bit of a way from rural Mainstone, where some of my relatives lived from c.1900. William Henry was appointed to Mainstone Church in Decemer 1879, as his appointment was included in Ecclestiacal Notices which appeared in several newspapwers in period Dec. 26-28th 1979 (search on www.findmypast.co.uk if you subscribe to that website).Other than that all I can suggest for now is to look up 1891, 1901 and 1911 Census to see if any of his relatives were living with him. Regards Phil P.S. Just found this website that gives some info on Woolwich area Parish Registers. www.woolwichfhs.org.uk/parishrecords ...
Hi Phil,
Yes I do have details of the marriage from Ancestry but it's not on FMP, however I must browse the newspapers & see what I can come up with. I'm trying to avoid buying the cert but I may have to in the end.
I don't know why they married in Woolwich but maybe Mary Newill was living there at the time.
I've checked all censuses from 1881-1911 & no family member of either William or Mary appears on them.
I'm having a look at a John & Mary Griffiths who look as if they could be his parents, both born in Staffs & John was a coal agent & then an ironmonger. They seem to be a good possibility but I've nothing to go on where his family is concerned at all.
Someone suggested he may have gone to Lichfield Theology College as he was lodging there in 1871 so I'm investigating that too, to see if I can see the alumni list.
Shall also look at the website you've sent me. Thank you very much for that.
Have you ever been to Mainstone? On one of my trips to the UK I went to find it & it's really in the back of beyond. Must have been a very isolated spot to go to in 1880, by pony & trap I expect!!
Anyway thank for all your help.
Cheers Rosalyn
Hi Phil,
I had a reply today from Lichfield Theology College but unfortunately they did not have his father's name, so still no further along.
I can't sort out from the Woolwich PR's you sent me which actual church they were married in. The newspaper announcement said the Parish Church of Old Chorlton & I'm not sure whether it was St Luke's or St Thomas or some other??? Anyway since I've heard from Lichfield I'll pursue the churches now.
I'm still feeling John & Mary were his parents but need proof to be sure & the marr cert should provide that.
Thanks again for your help.
Rosalyn
Hi Rosaly,I think you mean Old Charlton. I know little about this area, but the website below indicates St. Luke is in Charlton and St. Thomas in Charlton http://www.southwark.anglican.org/parishes/charlton. . Difficult to say but they may both be in the same benefice now: http://www.achurchnearyou.com/charlton-st-luke-holy-trinity/. The KFHS website also some parish info phttp://www.nwkfhs.org.uk/char_plc.htm Hope this helps, Phil
Yes, Old Chorlton was a mistype, just like you did "Hi Rosaly"! It's easy to do!
Anyway I've emailed St Luke's as I believe that was Old Charlton Parish Church & am awaiting a reply.
Thanks again for your help.
Rosalyn
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hi Rosalyn,Have you got his birth certificate? If not this could possibly be the reference for it:
William Henry Griffiths
Date of Registration:
Jan-Feb-Mar 1851
Registration District:
West Bromwich
Inferred County:
Staffordshire
Volume:
18
Page:
655
This may be a long shot but there is also a William Henry Griffiths born 1851 on both 1851 and 1861 Census, but stating he was born in Wolverhampton. Both Census give his parents as John Jones Griffiths born Ruabon and Mary Ann Griffiths born Bristol.RegardsPhil