Whitfield family, Hanmer

[Agent L]

Part of my family research is of the Whitfield family who lived around the Hanmer (near Whitchurch) area for most of their lives.  However, on the 1901 census Edward Whitfield b 1882, was working as a footman for Emily Thornton and her family at 56, West Side, Battersea, London. This seems so out of character with the rest of the family and I can't help wondering why he decided to take up a post in London - maybe he was just ambitious, but it must have been a tremendous change of lifestyle.  He later moved back to the Hanmer area but I'd love to know if anyone can throw any light on this.

[cardiff]

Hi
Just a though . Have you looked at the possiblity that the family that he worked for had a country house in the area?
cheers cardiff

[Agent L]

Thanks for the reply cardiff, I hadn't thought of that but I'll check it out.

[coffindodger]

Agent L

Hi there - just spotted your post. I have a static caravan very near Hanmer and visited the Hanmer Arms as recently as Monday. Cardiff made an interesting point about a country house. About 1 mile before you get to Hanmer there is or maybe was a big estate, but probably now just a very large house. It seems to have a long road down to it, and on the road is what looks to have been a lodge. Could be possibilites that the family worked there. I have found the family in the 1891 Census if you haven't already got the record

Regards

Tony

[Agent L]

Thanks Tony, you're totally correct in everything you say, the property you refer to is Bettisfield Park and was the home of the Hanmer family. My grandfather and also other members of my later family did work for Sir Edward Hanmer.

Maybe there was a connection with the Hanmer family and the family Edward Whitfield went to work for in London.

Thanks for taking the time out to send me this information.

Regards.