Belchamp Walter School Records

[brianchatters]

Does anyone know if there are any existing records for Belchamp Walter National School for the 1890s. I am trying to trace any information about two Frederick Chatters who lived in the village at that time. Frederick William Chatters was born in September 1886 and Frederick James Chatters was born in September 1887. They must have known each other very well because Frederick James immigrated to USA in 1946 having lived in Canada since 1907 and he assumed the identity of Frederick William. I have no explanation as to why he changed his identity but I have a lot of evidence to prove that he did.

[CaroleW]

Hi

Freebmd has only one birth

Births December qtr 1886   
Frederick William   Chatters     Sudbury    4a   636

There is no birth reg for a Frederick James Chatters

The 1891 census has only one entry - living in Belchamp Walter Essex and all born there except Sara

George Chatters  38 agricultural labourer
Sara L A     37 b Stradishall, Suffolk
Harry W  12
Herbert C     9
Frederick W  4
RG12 Piece 1439 Folio 30 Page 2

But in 1901 we only have this entry - all born and living in Belchamp walter

James Chatters    39
Elizabeth  47
Frederick  13
RG13 Piece 1741 Folio 32 Page 4

[CaroleW]

1891 indexed as Chattis all b Belchamp Walter

James Chattis    28 baker
Elizabeth 37
James F  3
Hannah 77 mother in law
RG12 Piece 1439 Folio 34 Page 1

Marriages December qtr 1888   
James Chatters/Elizabeth Lawrence Sudbury    4a   1082    

Births December qtr 1887
James Frederick   Lawrence     Sudbury    4a   644
 

[CaroleW]

Looking at earlier censuses - George b 1852/53 was the son of James and Amelia Chatters whilst James b 1862/63 was the son of Joseph & Elizabeth

[Archivos]

Essex Record Office have a school admission register for Belchamp Walter Church of England Primary School covering 1875-1905 and 1933.  You can see the catalogue entry at http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/result_details.aspx?ThisRecordsOffSet=2&id=450961 and a link on how to go about accessing it.

[brianchatters]

Thank you all for the replies. Regarding Frederick James, he was born before his parents married and his birth was registered under the name of James Frederick Lawrence. The 1891 census listed him as James F Chatters, age 3 with parents James and Elizabeth. He was obviously named after his father but seemed to have called himself Frederick James as, indeed he is listed as such in the 1901 census and all the later records.

Regards

[brianchatters]

Regarding the records held at the Essex Record Office, can any kind person out there do a lookup for me in the admissions register for Belchamp Walter for the Fredericks between say, 1890 and 1895? They may be listed under any combination of their first names.

Unfortunately, I live in East Cheshire so I am unable to visit the ERO in person.

Regards

[colcourt]

The Essex Record Office does operate a Search Service if you are unable to get there - if you email them at ero.enquiry@essex.gov.uk they will send you a form to fill in about what you want them to search.

[brianchatters]

Thanks for the additional information regarding the ERO. I have been continuing my investigation into the two Fredericks and I am almost certain that Frederick James took Frederick William's identity. The best reason that had been suggested is that Frederick James' applied for a copy of his birth certificate in order to get a passport to allow him to travel to America. Not knowing that he was illegitimate, he received Frederick William's birth certificate and he decided to use it regardless (although I believe that he would have known it was the wrong one).
I've probably taken my investigation as far as I can so the topic can be closed.
Thank you to everyone who has replied.