RootsChat.Com

Dear All
Thanks for all your help.  As far as I know he was born ca 1846, info supplied by the 1891 and 1901 Censuses - the 1881 seems to be incorrec t.  Yes, Hints is just S.W of Tamworth, but I can't find a suitable birth there and he isn't in the Tamworth area for the 1851 Census.  So far the Lichfield birth to William and Dorothy (nee Cope) in 1847 seems to be most likely, and is very interesting, not only because his birth is posthumous, but also because his departed papa was an out-pensioner of the Chelsea Hospital, among other things.  However I haven't succeeded in linking him to my John.  ObviouslyJohn must have met Mary Ann somewhere;  unfortunately though there are Barkers in Alcester I haven't managed to connect him to them, nor to the area where she was in service in 1871.  However, frustratingly enough I have found a John Barker, a gardener like our John, in Aston in 1871 married to Catherine, who apparently comes from Salop, but no place name supplied.  Could this be my John.  I just don't know, but he does seem to be very elusive.  John retired with Mary Ann to Carnarvon (1901 Census), but I haven't yet found his death.  I'm hoping the 1911 Census when it comes might shed some light, but there we are.  Frustrating isn't it   But again, thanks for all your help - you've been very kind - I've only just joined Rootschat - hopefully eventually I will be able to help someone else.  Thanks

Some years ago I was in the Age Concern charity shop in Burton-on-Trent when one of the ladies there showed me an extremely dirty sampler which had been found in the loft of her mother's house when they were clearing it after her death.  No connection apparently with her family, she was selling it through the shop and I bought it for £5.  I'll supply a photo if required to a member of her family.  Worked by Ann Bull, she finished it in 1842, so was probably born ca 1830.  It's fairly simple and worked in cross-stitch and eyelet stitch.
LFS

Can anyone help
I'm looking for John Barker's birth and marriage - in censuses from 1881 to 1901 (living in Birkenhead) he states he was born in Ince in Staffordshire.  Unfortunately Ince does not exist and I can't find him in Hints which seems to be the nearest likely.  However, although he should have married ca 1874 I can't find a suitable marriage either (to his wife Mary Ann Archer from Alcester in Warwickshire), though a possible one turned up in 1887 in Birmingham with John Barker noted as widower - and it does seem likely this is the right couple.  However, I don't know where to go from here.  Anyone any suggestions. please?