Michelmersh, Braishfield, Romsey

[Dave the Walrus]

Hi Everybody,

Does anybody know what Michelmersh would have been like in the mid 19th Century? Was it a small village, or basically a farm?

How could I find out exactly where my grandfather would have lived, in Michelmersh?

(How is it pronounced? Is it like...Michaelmarsh?)

Best wishes,

Dave

[emarbe]

Hi Dave

Having a look at the census shows that the parish of Michelmersh was growing.
In 1851 there were approx 19 different addresses, in 1861 that had increased to 30 and by 1871 to nearer 50.
You can find your relative from the census, or if you want to post details of him here, I'll have a look.

Mike

[emarbe]

Hi Dave

Just realised you've posted names on another thread, so if you want census details, let me know.

Mike

[Dave the Walrus]

Hi Mike,

Thank you very much for your offer. Would you have a look for me?

Best wishes,


Dave

[emarbe]

Hi Dave

1851:
Lower Street, Michelmersh, Romsey.
Charles Rogers (head). age 44. Ag Lab. Born Tyderley, Hampshire.
Dinah (wife). age 40. Labourer's wife. Born Willow, Hampshire.
Mary Ann (daughter). age 17.
James (son). age 14.
Elizabeth (daughter). age 12.
Harriett (daughter). age 9.
Jane (daughter). age 5.
Henry (son). age 2.
All of the children born Braishfield.
Charles Collins (visitor). age 31 married. Ag Lab. Born Braishfield.
Louisa Collins (wife). age 29. Born Southampton.

1861:
Parisholt, Michelmersh.
James Rogers. age 23. Ag Lab.
Matilda (wife). age 23.
Charles (son). age 13.
Walter (son). age 11.
All born Braishfield.

1871:
Part of Village, Michelmersh.
James Rogers. age 36. Labourer.
Matilda (wife). age 35.
Charles (son). age 17.
Walter (son). age 12.
Jane (daughter). age 10.
Kate (daughter). age 8.
Fanny (daughter). age 6.
William (son). age 3.
James (son). age 2.
All born Braishfield.

Matilda Rogers died Dec qtr. 1880 age 43. Registered Winchester district. Ref 2c 79.

1881:
Lower Street, Michelmersh.
James Rogers. widower. age 43. Woodman.
Charles (son). age 24. Woodman.
Kate (daughter). age 16. Woodman's daughter.
Fanny (daughter) age 14.         ditto
William (son). age 12. Farm Labourer.
James (son). age 10.
George (son). age 7.
Joseph (son). age 6.
Harry (son). age 5.
All born Braishfield.

1891:
Crookhill Brickworks. Braishfield Road. Romsey Extra. Crookhill.
James Rogers (head). age 23. married. Ag lab.
Elizabeth M (wife). age 22. Born Winterslow, Wiltshire.
Eva E May (daughter. age 9 mths. Born Romsey.
James Rogers (widower). boarder. age 56. Ag Lab.
Henry Rogers (boarder). age 14. Ag Lab.

James Rogers died June qtr. 1892 age 56. Registered Romsey district. Ref 2c 57.

Walter seems to have dropped his middle name as I can't identify him on any census after 1871.

Hope this helps?.

Mike

[Dave the Walrus]

Hi Mike,

Thank you very much for your help. The information is excellent.

Best wishes,

Dave

[kath davis]

Hi
I have just found this posting - while searching the web for something completely different.  I use Rootschat, but although I live in Hampshire have no relatives here, so don't normally browse these postings.  Anyway as I live in Michelmersh (the parish is now "Michelmersh and Timsbury" I thought I would try to help.

Braishfield, where your ancestors lived is and always was quite separate from Michelmersh, although it was classed during the years of the censuses as part of, presumably for administrative purposes.  We are all part of Test Valley.  We do now share a Rector, along with neighbouring Awbridge (also no longer part of Michelmersh) and Farley Chamberlayne.  Pronunciation - Mickelmersh, would be nearer! some say "Mitchelmarsh". Braishfield, now is pronounced as it is written, but older inhabitants still say Brashfield.

Brickmaking is and was from mid C19 important - Michelmersh Brick still digs clay in the village and makes the bricks and tiles here - quite a big industry for quite a small village.  Farming was also a main employer, and there are still farms in the area.

The areas covered by the villages is pretty much as it was in the C19, but with more in-fill. 

Hope this useful - please ask if you want more information.

Kath

[Dave the Walrus]

Hi Kath,

Thank you very much for the information.
 
The 1841 census shows that the family were living in "Mitchelmersh Hamlet, Michelmersh". Do you know exactly where this would have been? Are any parts of it in existence today? (I would then try to find it on Google Street View).

Best wishes,

Dave

[kath davis]

Dave

What was Mitchelmersh Hamlet in 1841 is what is now Michelmersh Village - so is all thriving.  I have looked at the 1841 census, you will have a job to identify where your ancestor lived - I have been trying to do this with more recent censuses where the street names are given, and still haven't succeeded satisfactorily.

Looking through all pages of the census, I have spotted the following clues, Rectory House - I think was the house now called Michelmersh Court, next to the church, not to be confused with 'The Old Rectory', which was built later.  The Schoolmaster presumably lived at the school, I can see a Parochial School between the Rectory and Church on an old map, The old school, now The Old School House wasn't built until 1847; and I assume the bargeman lived near the canal, which is now a footpath, following the path of the railway, which in turn followed the path of the canal.  Manor Farm is also still there.

Hope this, and Streetview, help. 

Kath