Sawyer James *COMPLETED*

[a chesters]

Seeking information regarding the marriage between James Sawyer and Elizabeth Birchnall/Birchinall. This should have been around 1815-1825, possibly in Burslem.

I have checked on Family Search, FreeReg, F*******ast, An***** and found nothing.

On the 1841 census they have 7 children in age from 15 to 5 months, and in the 1851 they say they are married, but where and when I cannot find.

All the children were born in Burslem, Staffs, according to the census.

I am wondering if they did actually get married, as the second daughter in the 1841 census had an illegitimate child in 1844, so…………….

Any help will be very gratefully accepted.

A Chesters

[Zen rabbit]

Are you sure about the Birchnall name? There is a James Sawyer marrying Elizabeth Oakes in Stoke on 1 June 1823 on Family Search.
That being said it is possible that they have not been transcribed. Areas worth looking are Burslem and Stoke upon Trent (obviously) but also Whitmore, Newcastle under Lyme and other surrounding parishes. Also it is very much worth checking Liverpool as many potters of that period, especially from Burslem, went to work at the Herculaneum pottery in Toxteth Park which ran from 1796 - 1840. After the closure of the factory many returned to the Potteries and even during the period it was operational there was a lot of traffic between Liverpool and Burslem. I have ancestors who married there and had children baptised there.

[mshrmh]

I see that FamilySearch has the baptism of Isabella 5 Feb 1826 at Bethesda, Shelton & lists Elizabeth as both Sawyer & Birchnall. Charlotte's baptism in 1824 also listed with just the Sawyer name, so it would seem to be her maiden name. (In 1841 she is shown as 15 - however ages were rounded so she would have been 15-19).

The marriage Zen Rabbit could be right if Elizabeth had been married before - you'd need to see her status on the register. However as Zen states there are area where registers are not yet online.

[Zen rabbit]

If the christenings took place in Bethesda Chapel then Birchall would be the maiden name, as chapel baptisms were very detailed. For instance an entry might say David third child of Harry Smith, potter of Lane Delph and Jane daughter of Abraham Jones of the same place. Parish records on the other hand would usually only record the fathers surname. Marriages still had to be registered in the Parish church though so if James and Elizabeth were married in Stoke and Elizabeth had been married before then it might say James Sawyer, occupation, of location and Elizbeth Oakes, widow of location. I am not saying I am right but as the previous poster says it might be an avenue worth pursuing

[a chesters]

Thank you both for the information. I certainly was not aware that there was movement into Liverpool.

I will have to try to get hold of the Bethesda full record and also the parish record, but if the registers are not online, I will have a bit of trouble, being in Aust.

I had not seen the Oakes entry, as I was sure from other information that her name was Birchnall, so there is more work to be done.

Thanks for the information and tips.

A Chesters

in Australia

[mshrmh]

The registers seems to be on the BMD registers site (this has a number of sources in partnership with the National Archives). It is a charging site - I haven't used it other than for the free basic searches, so can't comment on what you get:
http://www.bmdregisters.co.uk/index.php
As the records were on FamilySearch you may be able to order a microfilm to view at a local LDS FamilyHistory Centre - there's a charge for this & usually a wait. They may also be able to get films of registers that are not currently online.

[Zen rabbit]

I have Stoke and Burslem parish registers but only up to 1812. I live close by though so next time I am in Hanley records office I will have a look for you.