1891/1901 CENSUS SEARCH - SMITH IN STAFFORDSHIRE

[Marjorie]

I would be very grateful if it would be possible for someone to look up the following persons for me in the 1891 census and 1901 census.

EDWIN SMITH   BORN : 5 March 1887 at Handsworth, West Bromwich in the County of Stafford (Birmingham?)

His parents were :  EDWIN AND ELIZABETH SMITH.

Very many thanks.  

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi Marjorie

Am now looking up your Edwin Smith in the 1891 Census

The 1901 Census is a pay site (50p for details, 75p for Census Image) and can be reached on

www.census.pro.gov.uk/

Watch this space for 1891 details (fingers crossed)

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi again

I would be very grateful if it would be possible for someone to look up the following persons for me in the 1891 census and 1901 census.

EDWIN SMITH  BORN : 5 March 1887 at Handsworth, West Bromwich in the County of Stafford (Birmingham?)
His parents were :  EDWIN AND ELIZABETH SMITH.

Details on the 1891 census say:

RG12 2363/ Folio 9/ Page 11 - 52 Grove Lane,  Handsworth, Staffs.

EVANS William, Head, Marr, 29, Puddler?, born Dudley, Worcs
           Annie, Wife, Marr, 23, born West Brom, Staffs
SMITH Edwin, Boarder, Widower, 26, Moulder, born Tipton, Staffs
           Lea, Boarder, 7, Scholar, born Birmingham, Warickshire
           Beatrice, Boarder, 6, Scholar, born Handsworth, Staffs
           Lizzie, Boarder, 5, Scholar, born Handsworth, Staffs
           Edwin, Boarder, 4, born Handsworth, Staffs

Looks like the children (3 girls 1 boy) lost their mum – and looking at the child rate, possibly in child birth?

Chris in 1066Land (Hastings)

[Marjorie]

Hi Chris  -  very many thanks for  your instant response!!

Re : 1891 - at first look I thought great this is the family as I know my grandfather, young Edwin, had a sister called Beatrice (and at least one other).   I have in my possession a post card to him from his sisters signed Beatrice.

However, when he married in 1911 his mother, Elizabeth, was a witness and his father, who was an iron moulder, was deceased.   But I will have another look at my records tomorrow and see what I am missing  -  the screen is dancing before my eyes so I'm off to bed!

Very many thanks once again.

Marjorie

[Chris in 1066Land]

Marjorie

"However, when he married in 1911 his mother, Elizabeth, was a witness and his father, who was an iron moulder, was deceased."

Just a few thoughts going through my head before I hit the wooden hill to bed:

Are you sure it was his Mother Elizabeth, as he did have an older sister called Lizzie (Elizabeth, more often than not was called by a shorter knickname)
His Father Edwin was very young to stay a Widower - he would have got married very quickly in order to have someone to look after his 4 young children - if he did, possibly she was called Elizabeth.

Dont rule any of these out.

Most of the known facts, post card, beartrice, Iron Moulder, etc  fit with the information from the 1891 census

Chris in 1066Land (Hastings)

[Marjorie]

Hi Chris -   yes,    very very many thanks - this must be my Edwin!   You are obviously more experienced at this than I am and you read between the lines.   I have dug out the old photo postcard and in the content Beatrice refers to Lizzie!    Unfortunately the post card is not dated and hasn't gone through the post - probably sent in an envelope.

I haven't been able to find any of the family in the 1901 census or tied down their date of births yet - but will keep on!    You haveproved that I can follow up my Smith side of the family!

Many thanks,
Marjorie

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi again Marjorie

I am pleased that you at last feel comfortable with your Smith Ancestors.

Not to worry, they will be somewhere on the 1901 census - we rely to heavily on the transcription Index to find people, but when you stop to think that it was transcribed by people whose native tongue is not english - then you will realize how many mistakes there could be - and believe me, there are!!.

The postcard can be dated by the picture or content on the opposite side to the writing (for example - any postcard of Hastings showing a tram must be after 1905 - the year the trams came to Hastings) Has the card got a name on it like 'Judges Postcards' - they again can date the card through their catalogues, etc, etc.

Keep your eye open for a 'Postcard and Stamp Fair' near you, there you will find experts who will tell you the year of the card straight away.

Anyway - best of luck with your future research, and dont forget, you know where to find me if I can be of any further help

Chris in Hastings (1066Land)