Genealogy Chat

but I have two marriages for a William Proctor(er) both in the parish of Fulford Staffs(the gretna Green of North Staffs)
The first one is to Ann Alcock on 29 Dec 1822 it is on IGI but i have the parish record. He is a Blacksmith, also say this on census. The second marriage is to Ann Dean 02 Aug 1824 say he is a Potter. I had discounted the latter as he is a Potter, thought they maybe cousins.Then decided to get his death cert to try and confirm his age. Only found one that matched 20 March 1852, but this gives him abt 2yrs younger than I thought, and gives a William Dean as preasant at death.
Last time I asked this question I was told in know uncertan terms that a trained Blacksmith would not work as a Potter
while I agree with this in principal, I can't explain William Dean preasent at his death.
I can't find a death for Ann Proctor(Alcock)
Are there any clear heads out there ,it's driving me mad.
Gill

Does the death cert say what his occupation was?

And does the address tally with 1851 census info?

Reg

Hi Reggie
There is know street address on cert but it is Fenton Low as on 1841 and 1851 census.It say he's a potter
Gill

have you tried finding William Dean on the 1851 in the same area. it may shed some light on why he was the informant

There is a William Dean living in Church st Fenton aged 15 living with widowed mother Ellen, even checked her marriage to see if she was Williams sister but she is'ant

I don't see why a blacksmith couldn't turn his skill to firing a pottery kiln. Supposing he had suffered an industrial injury that prevented him from working the metal but still enabled him to stoke a furnace?

Don't allow people to browbeat you into believing that our ancestors couldn't change careers. Just because something is unusual that doesn't mean it's impossible.

Did either of the Anns survive and have children after 1837?....If so a birth certificate of their child would confirm the father's occupation.

OR

Are these the same William marrying twice? Have you looked in the parish records for the death of the 1st married Ann?


Gwyn

Hi Poul,yes I agree with you, but it say on this death cert he died of Asthma suffering from it for two yrs. That is quite a common complaint for Potters at the time.
Gill

hi
i had an ancestor who was a blacksmith and then changed his occupation to policeman but carried on being a blacksmith as well He worked on a large estate but as the estate dwindled there wasnt much work so he started his own business and joined the policeforce and was the local boby and blacksmith. perhaps something hapenned to william 's job as a blacksmith and he had to change his occupation
linda

Hi Gwyn,
Yes I have checked for a death for Ann A but as yet have found nothing. At that time would it give maiden name on death cert?If they died after 1837

Also just thought he had quite a few children still at home so why would someone else be presant at his death?

Maiden names on death certs. in England are very recent...ie. 1960s I think.

If you found a possible death registration it should say wife / widow of William and his occupation.
Parish registers don't normally show that detail but might show death of the 1st wife Ann, leaving William free to marry again.

Is William a direct relative? What later records do you have for him?

Gwyn

Yes William is my 4x grt grandad (I think)lol
I have 1841 and 1851 and the rest of the family through to 1901. Also his chistening in Audley 1801.B M D for his descendants
Gill

Which Ann is your ancestor?

Have you a birth cert.after 1837 for a known sibling of your ancestor, ..child of William?

Have you looked for baptism records of the 2 Anns to identify a place of birth,...then follow them both in census.

Gwyn

I have Ann Alcock born Longton,Christened 12 Jan 1800 parents Samual and Rachael(IGI)
The last child I have born to William & Ann isFrancis born 1833 Longton S-O-T.
Gill

I can't find any other William & Ann Proctor on the census in the area,

When your direct ancestor married, what is shown as their father William's occupation...potter or blacksmith?

Gwyn

When the eldest son married it say Blacksmith (my direct line) when the second son married it say watchman!!! so he did do other jobs.

There is 3yrs between the two marriages 1841 and 1844

What years were those marriages?
Did William SIGN as a witness?

A potter would be a skilled man, one would think, - natural talent playing a part...
I'm wondering how soon after the marriages we might look for them in a census.


Oh...just seen marriage dates !
Gwyn