1851 Census Lookup (or alternative suggestion) please

[rgeldard]

Hi,

I received my first disappointing copy of a Marriage Certificate through the post today - in fact, more sad than disappointing.

I'm trying to track the parentage of 'William Shepherd' and 'Ann Davis' who were married 30 July 1853.

My initial confusion is that William's father is listed on the certificate as William Majer (this could be Mayer or Major) - would this be his actual name, or is this a 19th Century version of 'senior' - indicating that their names were the same?

The other strange fact is that Ann Davis' father is listed as ____ Davis (Christian Name Unknown) - Labourer, does this really mean that Ann's mother had a liason with someone she only knew as a Mr Davis - or could there be another explanation do you think ?

They both were living in a workhouse in West Mersea at the time of their marriage - I was wondering if anyone would be able to perform a check of the 1851 Census for the West Mersea area to see if they were both living with parents / others at this point which could help me.

In 1851 - William would have been 26 and Ann 22 (although Mann at this point may have been in Sussex, which may complicate matters)

As a help, I have a hint that William's mother's name may have been 'Susannah' - but this is unconfirmed.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Richard

[Clincher]

I've had a look at an index to 1851 Colchester census. It is not much help re your problem except that it does show (HO 107/1781 folio 575) a Sarah M Majer age 21 born Bentley, Essex.
If I get time I'll have a look at W. Mersea census 1851.

[Clincher]

West Mersea 1851 Census
HO 107/1782 folio 240a page 2
Ann Davis Serv U 22 Nursemaid Sussex Grinsted
(living with a family headed by Jonathan E WEBB -Chief Officer Coast Guard Hants Portsmouth)
HO 107/1782 folio 247b page 17
Hannah SHEPHERD Head U* 47 Employed at home)
William SHEPHERD Son U 26 Fisherman                 ) all born West Mersea
Lavinia SHEPHERD dau U 18 Tailoress                   )
John SHEPHERD son U 14 Fisherman                     )
* definitely a 'U'
Folios 224-261 searched. No other DAVISs or SHEPHERDs seen.

I also had a very quick look at West Mersea baptisms 1813-1850
ref: D/P 77/1/6 (2 microfiche)
Fiche 1 page 36 Jan 30th 1825 baptism of William son of Susan SHEPHARD born 29th Aug 1824. After Susan's name were letters 'B.B.'
No other SHEPHARDs seen between 1824 and 1837 but it was a very quick look .

These details obtained from Essex Record Office Chelmsford