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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Hampshire & Isle of Wight => Topic started by: Dave the Walrus on Tuesday 16 August 11 08:15 BST (UK)
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Hi Everybody,
Does anybody know what Michelmersh would have been like in the mid 19th Century? Was it a small village, or basically a farm?
How could I find out exactly where my grandfather would have lived, in Michelmersh?
(How is it pronounced? Is it like...Michaelmarsh?)
Best wishes,
Dave
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Hi Dave
Having a look at the census shows that the parish of Michelmersh was growing.
In 1851 there were approx 19 different addresses, in 1861 that had increased to 30 and by 1871 to nearer 50.
You can find your relative from the census, or if you want to post details of him here, I'll have a look.
Mike
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Hi Dave
Just realised you've posted names on another thread, so if you want census details, let me know.
Mike
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Hi Mike,
Thank you very much for your offer. Would you have a look for me?
Best wishes,
Dave
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Hi Dave
1851:
Lower Street, Michelmersh, Romsey.
Charles Rogers (head). age 44. Ag Lab. Born Tyderley, Hampshire.
Dinah (wife). age 40. Labourer's wife. Born Willow, Hampshire.
Mary Ann (daughter). age 17.
James (son). age 14.
Elizabeth (daughter). age 12.
Harriett (daughter). age 9.
Jane (daughter). age 5.
Henry (son). age 2.
All of the children born Braishfield.
Charles Collins (visitor). age 31 married. Ag Lab. Born Braishfield.
Louisa Collins (wife). age 29. Born Southampton.
1861:
Parisholt, Michelmersh.
James Rogers. age 23. Ag Lab.
Matilda (wife). age 23.
Charles (son). age 13.
Walter (son). age 11.
All born Braishfield.
1871:
Part of Village, Michelmersh.
James Rogers. age 36. Labourer.
Matilda (wife). age 35.
Charles (son). age 17.
Walter (son). age 12.
Jane (daughter). age 10.
Kate (daughter). age 8.
Fanny (daughter). age 6.
William (son). age 3.
James (son). age 2.
All born Braishfield.
Matilda Rogers died Dec qtr. 1880 age 43. Registered Winchester district. Ref 2c 79.
1881:
Lower Street, Michelmersh.
James Rogers. widower. age 43. Woodman.
Charles (son). age 24. Woodman.
Kate (daughter). age 16. Woodman's daughter.
Fanny (daughter) age 14. ditto
William (son). age 12. Farm Labourer.
James (son). age 10.
George (son). age 7.
Joseph (son). age 6.
Harry (son). age 5.
All born Braishfield.
1891:
Crookhill Brickworks. Braishfield Road. Romsey Extra. Crookhill.
James Rogers (head). age 23. married. Ag lab.
Elizabeth M (wife). age 22. Born Winterslow, Wiltshire.
Eva E May (daughter. age 9 mths. Born Romsey.
James Rogers (widower). boarder. age 56. Ag Lab.
Henry Rogers (boarder). age 14. Ag Lab.
James Rogers died June qtr. 1892 age 56. Registered Romsey district. Ref 2c 57.
Walter seems to have dropped his middle name as I can't identify him on any census after 1871.
Hope this helps?.
Mike
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Hi Mike,
Thank you very much for your help. The information is excellent.
Best wishes,
Dave
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Hi
I have just found this posting - while searching the web for something completely different. I use Rootschat, but although I live in Hampshire have no relatives here, so don't normally browse these postings. Anyway as I live in Michelmersh (the parish is now "Michelmersh and Timsbury" I thought I would try to help.
Braishfield, where your ancestors lived is and always was quite separate from Michelmersh, although it was classed during the years of the censuses as part of, presumably for administrative purposes. We are all part of Test Valley. We do now share a Rector, along with neighbouring Awbridge (also no longer part of Michelmersh) and Farley Chamberlayne. Pronunciation - Mickelmersh, would be nearer! some say "Mitchelmarsh". Braishfield, now is pronounced as it is written, but older inhabitants still say Brashfield.
Brickmaking is and was from mid C19 important - Michelmersh Brick still digs clay in the village and makes the bricks and tiles here - quite a big industry for quite a small village. Farming was also a main employer, and there are still farms in the area.
The areas covered by the villages is pretty much as it was in the C19, but with more in-fill.
Hope this useful - please ask if you want more information.
Kath
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Hi Kath,
Thank you very much for the information.
The 1841 census shows that the family were living in "Mitchelmersh Hamlet, Michelmersh". Do you know exactly where this would have been? Are any parts of it in existence today? (I would then try to find it on Google Street View).
Best wishes,
Dave
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Dave
What was Mitchelmersh Hamlet in 1841 is what is now Michelmersh Village - so is all thriving. I have looked at the 1841 census, you will have a job to identify where your ancestor lived - I have been trying to do this with more recent censuses where the street names are given, and still haven't succeeded satisfactorily.
Looking through all pages of the census, I have spotted the following clues, Rectory House - I think was the house now called Michelmersh Court, next to the church, not to be confused with 'The Old Rectory', which was built later. The Schoolmaster presumably lived at the school, I can see a Parochial School between the Rectory and Church on an old map, The old school, now The Old School House wasn't built until 1847; and I assume the bargeman lived near the canal, which is now a footpath, following the path of the railway, which in turn followed the path of the canal. Manor Farm is also still there.
Hope this, and Streetview, help.
Kath
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Dave
I have made more progress - comparing 1851 and 1841 census I have decided that your Charles lived in an area called Marsh (now Stony Marsh), although he isn't there in 1851 at least 3 of his neighbours are.
I then discovered on my computer, I don't know it's source, an old map of 1840 -- attached, which clearly shows an area labelled "Rogers Marsh" which is pretty well where the census puts him. (Under the word Mottisfont on the left) The field is still there and you can pick it out on Google. I imagine it is poor quality, as it is part of the River Test flood plain, and would have been flooded for a few months each year.
Kath
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.. and the map...
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Hi Kath,
Firstly, apologies for the delay in replying.
Thank you very much for all of your work. You have put a lot of effort into helping me, a total stranger and it's a very humbling experience. There is a lot for me to work on and now I can perhaps get further back.
Do you know of any local history societies in that area?
Best wishes,
Dave
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Dave, glad to be of assistance. My reward is in work others have done for me - this is such a wonderful site. If you need any more help we do have a village website - michelmershandtimsbury.org, which includes some records and history... or just click an email link and it will come through to me.
Kath
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Hi Kath,
Thank you very much for the further information concerning the village website. That should prove very useful.
I don't think we could go far wrong in saying that "Rogers Marsh" was called that because the Rogers family lived on it, or very near it. It is also just next door to Mottisfont and I recall having seen that name before concerning the family.
Best wishes,
Dave
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Hi, I had a relative that lived in Dirty Road, Michelmersh. I've not been able to find that on any maps - would anyone know where that is / what its called today?
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Hi
Dirty Road is now called Hillview Road, it leads up the hill from the main road passed the Brickworks - possibly where it got it's name from!
What was your relatives name?
Kath
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Hi Kath,
That's fantastic, thankyou.
My relative was Robert Stocker, and lived there in 1871 when he was 72 with his daughter Hannah and her husband George Vaughan.
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Good afternoon,
I stumbled onto this site whilst doing a quick search on my Great Great Grandfather, James Roger’s.
I was very pleased try surprised to find someone else Dave the walrus had recently asked a very similar question, the content of which has helped me enormously.
I do have a question for Kath Davis if that is OK.
Kath, I am in Andover and often travel to Romsey area being fully unaware how close I was to my mothers family history.
My question for Kath is this, are you aware of any Roger’s family graves in the area?
I’m asking as I plan on visiting Braishfield and surrounding area and I’d would like to pay my respects to any that may be present.
Thank you all for the fantastic information you posted for Dave.
Oh and Kath, you may notice I’m a Langfield, like you, originating to date from Yorkshire, although my grandfather moved to family to Peterborough at some point.
Greg