"Leeds Common"

[The Geneal Geologist]

I have a relative on census that reports "Leeds Common" Yorkshire as POB. I have been unable to locate this place in Leeds. Thanks for insights.

[PaulineJ]

Are they consistent about that?
Where we're they living at census?
What's their name and the census ref?

[The Geneal Geologist]

1841 & 1851 she was given as "Birmingham, WAR" same as her mother, i.e. Y in 1841.
Throughout her two marriages she consistently gave "Leeds Common, YKS" or in one case just "Leeds, YKS", i.e. 1861, 1871, 1881, (not found her in 1891) and latest 1901 "Leeds Common, YKS" a few years before she died in 1905. So very consistent, including county (in case LC was a place elsewhere, like Leeds Castle in Kent, for e.g.). She was born in 1822. Internet searches do not indicate such a place name and although I have her precise DOB from a family bible, no place is given and no baptism has ben found.

[suzard]

what was her name -and married names ??

Suz

[Calverley Lad]

Looking at the OS map of Leeds 1889/1890, no location found called Leeds Common.
 Brian

[The Geneal Geologist]

Brian - Maps were my first port of call, hence looking for local knowledge on what this may be, if it is indeed Leeds, YKS.

Suz - You can find her with her widowed mother and illegitimate child David CARELESS on 1841 in B'ham St George as Sarah POPPLEWELL. In 1851 she is married to James POMEROY, in 1861 married to George DAWSON, and thence Sarah DAWSON until her death as Sarah Ann DAWSON in B'ham in 1905.

[jaybelnz]

Just wondering if there's is a possibility that the family were Travellers?

[The Geneal Geologist]

No evidence they were travellers, but mobile in career as artisans. Father was a cordwainer. Sarah's siblings were a gunsmith, an engine fitter and a beer retailer. All were registered in Birmingham in terms of baptism from 1812 to 1820 but two of her brothers recorded on B'ham baptisms as having been born in Heckmondwike, YKS (a POPPLEWELL area), so presumably the father's POB. Sarah changed her POB during her mother's lifetime, so it is reasonable to suppose B'ham was all she knew until being informed otherwise.

I was wondering if Leeds Common referred to the holding gaol prior to be sent to Wakefield assizes? Alternatively, "Leeds" is a misremembered corruption of a place near Heckmondwike / Birstall. Her mother was not from that area. As the holder of the POPPLEWELL One-Name study, I am better placed than most to find a link here, but matching records are either missing or not yet transcribed, and this place has me baffled despite knowing the area through research quite well. Local knowledge may identify the main "common" between Heckmondwike and Leeds town the NE, if it existed in 1822. Otherwise, I remain open to geographical suggestions in WRY.

[Calverley Lad]

Well there is always Swillington Common, East of Leeds.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swillington
 Brian