RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Hertfordshire => Topic started by: specialkg on Thursday 01 November 07 19:26 GMT (UK)
-
There is a lot of documentation out there on THE Wesley family, such as John, Charles, Samuel and Samuel Sebastian.
I am trying to get back to one of them from William Wesley who was a Straw Hat Manufacturer. He was born c 1831 in St. Albans. So far I have not found a definite for him in the 1841/51 census.
I have him in the 1861/71 census living with his family and his wife Ann Maria. I also have him in the 1881 living with the children. I think his wife may have died in 1880.
To get back another generation I think I will order the marriage certificate of William in 1851.
Can anybody tell me if they know that there were Straw Hat Manufacturers amongst the descendents of any of the Wesleys.
Any advice on this research would be much appreciated.
Betty
-
Did he marry in St Albans? Is so I could look him and it should have his fathers name on the parish record. I'll also see if I can find his baptism (although St Albans covers a number of parishes) and burial record.
Julie
-
Hi
Quick check of my sources - is your one shown as a "William Westley" in St. Michaels - Pound Field? Parent William? William the younger is age 10 (might be rounded up / down though).
Siblings are :
Selina 12
Eliza 7
George 4
Martha 2
Mary 2
Twins??
Cheers
Andrew
-
Did he marry in St Albans? Is so I could look him and it should have his fathers name on the parish record. I'll also see if I can find his baptism (although St Albans covers a number of parishes) and burial record.
Julie
You might get this message twice??
Thanks for your reply.
William married an Ann Maria Bounds in St. Leonards, Shoreditch, London.
I hope I have the right William.
Thanks
Betty
-
Hi
Quick check of my sources - is your one shown as a "William Westley" in St. Michaels - Pound Field? Parent William? William the younger is age 10 (might be rounded up / down though).
Siblings are :
Selina 12
Eliza 7
George 4
Martha 2
Mary 2
Twins??
Cheers
Andrew
Thanks for your reply.
In 1861 William was living with his wife and children in Poundfield but his children were Sarah, William and Annie. Are you refering to another Wesley family in 1861 or are these from an earlier census.
Thanks for your time.
Betty
-
Hi Betty
No problem. Sorry did not make it clear.
This would be your William as a child in 1841.
Cheers
Andrew
-
Hi Andrew
I thought that must be what you meant but I cannot find it. Can you help me out.
Thanks
Betty
-
Hi Betty
Ref. is HO 107 / 447 / 7; ST ALBAN DISTRICT 10; FOLIO 7; PAGE 33
Cheers
Andrew
-
Hi Andrew
I don't know what I am doing wrong but I can't find it.
Did you find it on Ancestry? I have even tried putting in the children's names with no luck.
Betty
-
Hi Betty
Ancestry does have problems with Hertfordshire. It has been mentioned by myself regarding St. Peter's. They have done nothing about it ..... ::)
See here for what is missing http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,156070.0.html.
I have heard from others that originsnetwork has better coverage. Cannot be sure myself ;)
Cheers
Andrew
-
Thanks Andrew for the time you have spent on this query.
Betty
-
You are most welcome.
Andrew
-
Betty - Most Straw Hat Manufacturers were based in Luton, Bedfordshire. Luton was famous for its straw boaters. I don't live there now, but I lived in St. Albans for over 40 years, so know quite a lot of the areas around and about. There is a St. Peters Church and a St. Peters street in St. Albans. Marihelen
-
Thanks Marihelen for the information. Much appreciated.
Betty
-
Don't know if it's any use to you, but I found William & Ann Maria's burial plot. They were buried in St Michaels Church, St Albans. The inscription on the grave reads:
In affectionate remembrance of Ann Maria the beloved wife of William WESLEY who entered into rest January 26th 1880 aged 58 years
"No more weighed down by pain and strife
her spirit is refreshed and free
after the battle hour of life
Saviour she findeth rest in thee"
Also of the above named William WESLEY who died February 22nd 1882 aged 51 years.
If you want a photo let me know.
Julie
-
Absolutely brilliant. You have made my day. Nothing else has gone right today.
I would love a photo.
I will send you my email on a private message.
Thanks
Betty
-
Just wondered if you got my email on a private message.
Just send the photo through the message board if you don't want to send it privately.
Thanks
Betty
-
Hi Betty
Yes I got your message - just haven't taken the photo yet!!
-
That's okay. No rush.
Betty
-
Hi there
I have just been researching one of my ancestors, a straw plaiter from St Albans.
There is some interesting general info on -
www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/topics/t012-strawhats.htm
and
www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/occupations/straw-plait.htm.
One says that in the 1881 census for St Albans Abbey Parish there were some 500 people linked to the industry.
I had not realised that St Albans was a centre for the straw hat industry. I think we always associate Luton because the football team are called the hatters but there were obviously a great many in St Albans also connected to the industry.
Hope this helps your general research.
Cheers
Denise
-
Thanks Denise for sending me these two sites.
My knowledge has certainly increased since I started this genealogy business. I just wish I had a better memory!!
I will away and look at the two sites.
Thanks again.
Betty
-
In case of interest, a sampler thought to be worked by Anne Wesley who was born in January, 1857 in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, is for sale on EBay. Her father, William worked as a straw bonnet blocker, and her mother, Ann, who hailed from Barby in Northamptonshire, sewed straw bonnets. If you're a Wesley descendant you can see a picture of the sampler, worked by Anne when she was eight.
-
Thanks for taking the time to post this information.
Much appreciated.
Betty