Genealogy Chat

Sorry to all those who have helped me with this before if I am repeating myself! (See below) Sarah

My research has taken me back as far as William John Merrett, who according to his marriage/death certs and census record (1841) was born circa 1806 – Stepney. He died in 1842. William married Ann Noice in St George parish church Middlesex on 16/7/1838. His occupation is listed as shorthand writer. On later census records/his death cert and his sons birth certs, he is listed as a reporter. The address from marriage upto and including both sons births was 23 Victory Row, White Horse Lane, Stepney. William Johns father on his marriage certificate is listed as Richard Merrett, schoolmaster. William and Ann had two sons: 03/12/1839 William John Merrett, born at the above address 06/12/1841 John Wiseman Merrett, born at the above address William John senior and John Wiseman both died in early 1842 as a result of consumption, at 6 Upper John Street, Stepney. William John (died 11/06/1842) was listed as age 36, and a reporter. Ann registered both deaths (she later remarried Samuel Griggs). SO!! I am trying to find William Johns father: RICHARD. This is what I have: Births St George in Stepney searched but my vital year is unavailable. However I have found : Birth Date: 27/11/1818 Baptism Date: 16/12/1818 First name: Mary Ann Surname: Merrett Father: Richard Mother: Elizabeth Address: Anthony Street St George in the East Occupation: Revenue Officer Birth Date: 18/10/1822 Baptism Date: 03/08/1823 First name: James Durtnall Surname: Merrett Father: Richard Mother: Elizabeth Address: Jane Street St George in the East Occupation: Revenue Officer I cannot find any later trace of this Richard Merrett. I have also found a will for a Richard Robinson Merrett, occ short hand writer, died in 1846. The will was made in 1839 in the Parish of St George, Southwark. I thought this was a definite no, as he mentions his son (Richard Merrett) and wife (Mary Merrett) only. However, on searching back on this guy, I have found his marriage to Mary Wiseman in Stepney (1825). Now my William Johns son (Richards potential grandson) was called John Wiseman Merrett – so that got me back on this guy!! Richard Robinson Merrett was, however, listed as batchelor though when he married in 1825. I’m now guessing he was probably my William Johns cousin or something?? So after all of my waffling on – and giving you all the info I have, can anyone help me find my RICHARD?? Any suggestions welcome as I am completely stuck! Sarah

My guess would be that Richard Robinson Merrett could well be William's brother, and maybe the Mary Wiseman he married was a cousin or there was some other connection with the Wisemans? But I can't think of much else for now, and I've got to get off the computer now. Sorry, Kate.

Just one question....if William died in 1842, given that generally the birth of son born in DECEMBER 1843 would have begun 9 months previously, how can William be the father? Suzanne

Oops - sorry typing error - 1841!! Sarah

sarah,id love to help you-problem i have is dissecting big reams of info-can you just give me a name,time range,area,and type of record needed. my head gets battered reading through that!!!

Im sure youve found this already but might this be your Richard: Deaths Mar 1849 Merrett Richard St Olave 4 408 He is the only other Richard Merrett that shows on a search upto 1861 for London and Middlesex, I know its not 100% the odds arn't bad. Suzanne

Alter Ego! Simplified version: Looking for Richard Merrett, born probably 1780ish (ish emphasised!), don't know where. Had son William John in Stepney 1806 (circa) Occ - schoolmaster. Wife unknown. Sarah

Where is St Olave?? I'm rubbish at areas!! Sarah

there are a few christenings on igi but its guesswork-theres no proof he was born in london. ive got that name in london myself,sometimes used as MERRITT with an I. Possibility that his family came from another part of the country,say gloucester area. We need to work backwards from 1841 Find him on a census >>> Find his wifes name >>> Find the marriage >>> Marriage cert/record might have his fathers name on it. >>> Then you can confirm a christening/birth.

St olaves is a church in london.........how about their burial records.

Alter Have tried the London 1841, nothing on there. There is my William, but no Richards with ages that would poss fit...... I am working on the correct spelling for now, just to make it easier for myself. Given that he was listed as schoolmaster and his son short hand writer/reporter, I am assuming they could spell ok. All the relevant stuff I have spells the name Merrett with E, double R and double T!! I must admit I haven't tried other spellings on the 1841, off to try that now!!! Have also ordered the St Olave death cert.... Sarah

St Olaves Church-burial place of samuel pepys-close to tower hill station and fenchurch Street.

What would stepney be classified under,records wise,area that is.??

From Genuki Stepney Created 1st July 1837. In Middlesex until 1889. Sub-districts : Limehouse; Lower Mile End Old Town; Ratcliff; Shadwell; Shadwell and Ratcliffe; Upper Mile End Old Town. GRO volumes : II (1837-51); 1c (1852-1930). Holy Trinity Minories (from 1926), Limehouse, Mile End New Town (from 1926), Mile End Old Town (except 1857-1926), Norton Folgate (from 1926), Old Artillery Ground (from 1926), Old Tower Without (from 1926), Ratcliffe, St. Botolph Without Aldgate (from 1926), St. George in the East (from 1926), St. Katharine by the Tower (from 1926), Shadwell, Stepney, Spitalfields (from 1926), Tower of London (from 1926), Wapping, Whitechapel (from 1926). Registers now in Tower Hamlets district. Sarah

Cant see how you can do this properly now without going to a library or contacting an archives section. This is the library that covers the area youre concerned with. There is a strong possibility that they will have school records aswell. Bancroft Library 277 Bancroft Road London F1 4DQ Archives section= 020 7364 1289 there is alocal history section there aswell.

Thanks Alter ego I'm hopeless in London, but will perhaps give it a go at some point!! Thanks all for helping, any further suggestions are most welcome!! Sarah

UPDATE 28/09/05 Have received the death certificate mentioned above (St Olave 1849) Richard Merrett, male, 59 years, General agent, Epliepsy, Registered by T Merrett. Address 7 Maze Pond, Southwark. I have already found this family on the 1841: Richard, 50, (not of parish - Southwark), lodging house keeper Elizabeth, 50, not of parish Eliza, 20, not of parish Mary Ann, 15, not of parish Daniel, of parish Thomas, of parish William, of parish This fits with the parish records I found for Mary Ann - 1818 St George Stepney, to Richard (revenue officer) and Elizabeth. This matches the parish my William John was born in..... So: Could Richard have changed from revenue officer - schoolman - lodging house keeper - general agent over 40years? Could I have found my man?? HELP!! Sarah

Sarah - as far as I know, the 1841 yes / no column shows whether they were born in the same county as where they were enumerated, not the same parish. Kate.

You are right, I'm having a lot of thick moments with this family - my brain no longer works! Would Southwark have come under Surrey though and the birthplaces be under Middlesex?? Sarah