Hep to find what happened to William Gerrish pleaselwilliam gerrish

[denise westall]

Please can anyone give me advice on the easiest way to trace what happened to my great grandfather William Gerrish.  He was born in 1864 and his family lived in Melksham, Wiltshire.  He was still alive in 1915 when he lived in Whitely, Melksham(stated on her death certificate)  However as soon as my great grandmother died, my grandma moved out because he was apparently not a nice man.  He did not attend my grandma's wedding, and she moved to Sheffield and had no further contact with him.  He was a batchelor when he married my great grandmother, and as far as I know had no other children at that time.  Therefore he had no real reason to stay in Wiltshire.  I have searched the bmd indexes, but have come up with quite a few possibilities, but how do I know which is him? Is there a way I can trace his whereabouts after 1915?  I have found it easier to trace backwards further with the help of censuses, however more recent relations seem more difficult to me.  I know he was a plasterer and tiler- would he be likely to be registered in a trade directory? I would just like ideas on the quickest way to narrow the search down please?

[casalguidi]

Hi Denise

You have an address for him in 1915 so it would probably be a good idea to try and trace him in the local street (city & town) directories/electoral registers for that address to start with.  Hopefully, this will show how long he lived there at least ...... .

http://www.familia.org.uk/services/england/wiltshire.html

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/heritage/html/wsro.html

Good luck

Casalguidi

[denise westall]

Hello Casalguidi,

Thanks for that.  Was afraid that there would be no 'short cut'.

Denise

[Abiam2]

Hello Denise,

I see your post is an old one but I wonder if you can help?  I have just found some possible links to the name Gerrish.

As you will see "possible" is the operative word!

Isaac Willis (of Binfield?) married Ann Britton in 1769 in Trowbridge Wilts.
her parents were possibly Soloman Bretan (Britton?) and Ann Girresh (Gerrish?)born 1716 in Monkton Farleigh Wilts, they married 1738 Trowbridge Wilts.  But all their children were born in Binfield.

Ann's parents were possily John Gerrish born 1691 in Broughton Gifford and Mary?

I hope you are still actively researching your family tree and wonder if any of the above is connected with your family.

Thank you,
Abiam

[Dulverton]

Here are the (possible) answers to your conumdrum:
Caroline Timbrell born Chippenham RD March Qtr 1858
she married Frederick Tylee Bradford upon Avon RD December 1878
Frederick died December Qtr 1892 Bradford upon Avon RD aged 36 (born 1856)

William Gerrish married Caroline Tylee September Qtr 1897  Bradford upon Avon RD

Caroline Gerrish's death recorded in December qtr 1915 aged 57 years ;DOB abt 1858

Here is William & Caroline

Household   Role   Sex   Age   Birthplace
William Gerrish   Head   Male   37   Melksham, Wiltshire
Caroline Gerrish   Wife   Female   44   Nettleton, Wiltshire
Annie Tylee   Step Daughter   Female   18   Atworth, Wiltshire

Census 1911 (n.b note name "William John" & the family as per Census 1911)
William JOHN Gerrish   Head   Male   48   Melksham
Caroline Gerrish   Wife   Female   53   Fetton Kennell
Fred John Tylee   Stepson   Male   33   Atworth, Wiltshire
Alice Tylee   Stepdaughter   Female   16   Atworth, Wiltshire
May Gerrish   Daughter   Female   13   Broughton Gifford, Wiltshire
* Broughton Gifford was in the Bradford upon Avon RD where May's name was recorded as "Florence May Gerrish" (December Qtr 1897)

The extended Gerrish family confused the issue by naming children with the same given names through the families/generations!
I suggest that you check to see if William John Gerrish had any children by a previous liaison?