Hoffer in Birmingham 1861,51,41

[jkimc2]

Hi,
I'm trying to find either John Hoffer, b. 1844 in Langley or his mother, Mary Hoffer, b. 1807 in Langley.
They were both at 136 Anderton Rd. in the 1871 census. Mary was a widow and John was married to Emma, b. 1845 in Birmingham.
Thanks in advance,
Kim

[Skullfire]

Hi Kim

This the only entry I can find for a John Hoffer in Birmingham in 1851.

Name   Relationship   Mar   Age    Sex   Occupation    Birthplace
William  ARUNDELL   Head   M   35   M   Bricklayer   Chiltom-Gls
Eliza  ARUNDELL   Wife   M   34   F   ---   Birm-War
William J.  ARUNDELL   Son   -   11   M   Scholar   ----Gls
Stephen  ARUNDELL   Son   -   9   M   Scholar   ----Gls
Jessie  ARUNDELL   Son   -   11m   M   ---   Birm-War
Judith  HOFFER   Lodg   M   43   F   Washerwoman   Langley-War
John  HOFFER   Son   -   7   M   At School   Clavadon-War
   Address:   37 Lowe Street, Bordesley
   Census Place:   Aston Aston, Warwickshire
   PRO Reference:   HO/107/2060   Folio:   516   Page:   31   FHL Film:   0087316

Mother comes from Langley, but not the name you gave.

All the best.

Ivan

[jkimc2]

Hi Ivan,
Thanks for the info. The ages look right, but not the mum's name. BUT, it was only a tentative assumption that Mary Hoffer was his mum as John was living in her house in1871. She could have been a more distant relation I suppose!
Thanks again,
Kim

[jkimc2]

Hi,
I'm trying to find either John Hoffer, b. 1844 in Langley or his mother, Mary Hoffer, b. 1807 in Langley.
They were both at 136 Anderton Rd. in the 1871 census. Mary was a widow and John was married to Emma, b. 1845 in Birmingham.
Ivan's given a possible sighting in 1851 with mum being Judith Hoffer b. 1808, but can anyone find him or her in 1861?
Thanks in advance,
Kim

[indiapaleale]

Hi Kim,

Don't discount the fact that  Mary and Judith are the same person. In those days people switched between their first and second names all the time.....in order to confuse us!!
I have just come across a relative who is sometimes William (1st name) sometimes Frederick (second name)
I will have a look on the 1841 fror Langley and see if I can spot  Ms. Hoffer, but if I don't find her you will be able to look at the 1841 on line in the near future at this link:
http://www.hunimex.com/warwick/freecens/1841/index_1841.html
Cheers,
India

[jkimc2]

Thanks India,
I'll look forward to hearing from you.
Kim

[indiapaleale]

Hi Kim,

I found Judith Hoffer on the 1841 but no Mary...in fact...no other Hoffers in Langley.

Here she is.

Judith Hoffer   30      School mistress    Yes (born in county)
Edwin Hoffer     7                                   Yes
also in the same house
Samuel Stanley  22      Ag Lab               Yes
Maria Stanley    25       Ag Lab               Yes

HO107/1124-16  Folio 7  Page  8

I looked for Edwin Hoffer on the 1851.....no luck....either he died or moved out of the county.

I found the christening for Edwin on IGI...christened 1833 Claverdon. Langley is in the parish of Claverdon.  Father George Hoffer....mother Judith.

It seems very odd that Judith and Mary can't be found on any census  together...if you know what I mean.

Maybe Judith...the schoolmistress and a widow?....disgraced the family name by having John out of wedlock and scooted to Birmingham and became Mary!!!

Ohhhh...I think I found something...John Henry Hoffer was christened  3 March 1844, Claverdon....mother Judith...no father. IGI

Well, that's my contribution to your mystery!! LOL

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
India

[jkimc2]

Thanks India,
Very interesting. As you say, there could be any number of histories with this info. Now the game's afoot! I'll try to solve the mystery and get back to you if I can.
Thanks again,
Kim

[mdite]

John Hoffer was definitely the son of Judith Palmer.  His marriage certificate states that his father was William Hoffer.
Judith Palmer was married to George Huffa.
The name changed from Huffa/Huffer to Hoffer after a family scandal details unknown.
John Huffa and Elizabeth Ireland had at least 8 children including William,  George and Catherine.  Catherine was a witness to George's marriage to Judith Palmer.
supposition- scandal was that Judith married George but then had a child with her brother in law. 
Her children William and Edwin by George both died early.
1861 she was listed as Julia. Living next door were the Strongs witnesses to John's marriage to Emma Trueman.