The elusive John Webb!!

[beaglelady]

Hi ya folks,

Another newbie here and desperate for some help please.

I've never been able to conquer the 'Webb' line so I'm hoping you may be able to assist me with this.

I have John Webb (possible middle name Thomas). Born approx 1848 Great Bolton, Lancashire.  He married Elizabeth Lawrenson in 1879 Fylde area.  He was aged 29yrs and a Railway Porter living at Poulton.  Eliz was aged 21yrs and lived same place with her parents Thomas/Margaret Lawrenson.

I have been unable to find John Webb in any census before he married in 1879.  I know from the marriage certificate that John's father's name was also John Webb and he was in the 66th Regiment - but that is it   Nothing else to go on I'm afraid.

Can anyone trace a birth for my John or find a census with him and his parents prior to 1879.  I've never had any success with him.

Please help.
Thank you,
Elaine.

P.S.  The only census I can find John in is 1881 rg11 piece 4232 folio 73 p.38, he is living with his wife and in-laws. He died 1890 at Salwick in the Signal Box where he worked.

[tressle]

I am just going to suggest a census but I don't think it is correct.

In Bolton in 1871 there is a John Webb with mother Catherine.  He is born Ireland and a mechanic.

In 1861 father Thomas is with the family, John is still born Dublin Barracks but father is a Staff Sergeant something unreadable.

This is in Little Bolton.  Because you mentioned the name Thomas I wondered if his father was called John Thomas or Thomas John and also John himself.

1871

RG10 Piece 3934 Folio 93    Page 16   

1861

Class: RG9; Piece: 2820; Folio: 100; Page: 7;

Tressle 

[beaglelady]

Hi Tressle,

Hmmmmm you could be onto something there.  I've just had a look at the censuses and I suppose it's a possibility.  It could explain why I can't find a birth registered in Grt Bolton - because he was born in Ireland.  His only memory of his childhood could be Bolton and he may of thought he was born there???   Perhaps I'm getting carried away!

It's really ironic too that his occupation was a 'mechanic'.  That runs in the family including my hubby (this is his line I'm tracing) he is an ex-mechanic!!

Oh no not Irish roots please, it would explain my difficulty researching the Webbs!!

Thanks,
Elaine.

[amram]

All this info you must already have, it was given to you on another forum over one year ago:

1861 census RG9/2820 folio 99 page 6, 66 Folds Road, Little Bolton, Lancs
Thomas WEBB, head, M, 39, Staff sergeant H.M.I.M. Forces, Bray, Wicklow Co.
Catherine ", wife, M, 37, Limerick, Castle Connell
William ", son, U, 18, Mechanic, Yorkshire, Leeds
Joseph ", son, U, 17, Mechanic, Dudley, Worcestershire
Mary Ann ", dau, U, 16, Scholar, Hampton Court, Middlesex
John ", son, 12, scholar, Dublin, Royal Barracks
Ellen ", dau, 10, Scholar, Tipperary
Margt ", dau, 5, Scholar, Tipperary
Geo Charles ", son, 7mths, Lancashire Bolton

[tressle]

Hi Beaglelady

If more than one person has come up with this census then it might be worth looking into more closely.

Have you tried to track the 66th regiment to see if any of their postings corresponded with the birth of the children.

You could perhaps send for George Charles Webb's birth certificate (born in Bolton) just to see if any details about the father corresponded with any details on the marriage certificate you have.

Who were the witnesses to the wedding?

Tressle

[beaglelady]

Amram, If I did have this info I've dismissed it due to the Irish connection. I've not researched this line for over 12months as I've been chasing my own line. I did find the info and I'm considering it.

Tressle, I don't know how to go about searching the 66th regiment but I did post on the army forum and someone was very helpful (via PM).  I think I'll have to wait until 2011 when details will be online.

Witness to the marriage were N D Worthington and Alice Brown??

Thanks for all your constructive advice.

Elaine.

[tressle]

Hi

I have had a look in the newspapers and googled to see if I could find any reference to the 66th Regiment and locations, no luck as they seem to be all over the place, but as you say the army forums will know more.

Very interesting articles though for the 66th themselves, murder (of one another) and rioting together with the more ususal births, marriages and deaths but no mention of Webbs I'm afraid.

Tressle

[beaglelady]

Hi Tressle,

I've googled as well to see if I can find anything on the 66th Regiment.  There is a certain site which has a research service so I've completed the form online and for a small fee they will search their records.  I've given as much info as I have on my elusive John Webb so fingers crossed they may or may not find something.
I've said 'any' info will be beneficial because at the moment I'm just working blind.

Lets hope they find something, I hope I'm lucky I need all the help I can get with my Webb line

Thanks again for your input,

Elaine.

[beaglelady]

Still no joy, I'm really beginning to despair with this Webb line.

Had word from the Museum that holds the army records.  No trace of my John Webb they think he must have died in service and his records would have been destroyed

Back to the drawing board for me although where I go from here I don't know.  Do I risk ordering a birth certificate for the Irish Webb family, especially the child that was born in Lancashire.  I could be wasting good money after bad!!

Anyone got any bright ideas please??

Elaine.