Genealogy Chat

Kate, you are right, William (2) is listed as 9 in 1841, so it must be a different family. My William was (circa)1806 - 1842, so it is unlikely to be the same family with two Williams as sons (although as you say relatiopnships are not listed). William (the real grandson) is with his parents on the 1841, so it def. isn't him. Oh, so confusing, where am I now.......lol (Immensly confused!) Sarah

In reply to your question about the counties, yes, Southwark was Surrey so I think Middlesex would be counted as a different county. Or would Southwark be counted as London? Kate.

But anyway, looking at the dates, I am a bit confused. Richard on the 1841 is 50, i.e. 50 to 54, so that would fit with him being 59 in 1849 when he died, making his year of birth about 1790? But William John was born in about 1806? It seems unlikely that this Richard was his father, then, as he would only have been 16 when William John was born. Also, you don't give the ages of the last 3 on the 1841 including a William. Was this William a child? And if so, was he the right age (about 2) to be your William John's son, staying with grandparents or other rellies? I know the 1841 doesn't give relationship to head of household, but this William could be Richard's son, couldn't he? Also making it unlikely that there was another son William. Perhaps we need to find the survivors in 1851! 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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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!!!

Oops - sorry typing error - 1841!! Sarah

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