The Haszells...Again

[avm228]

He’s enumerated as 6 months old in 1881.

I would have thought the most likely explanation is that it is the same person, birthdate a bit wrong, and referring to his father’s middle rather than first name.

As Annette says, there’s no alternative birth registration to support the idea that there was a separate WJH in the right time/place.

[Mark Harris]

The 1881 census has him as William J Hassell b. Westminster, 0 years old.
Father William S Hassell, aged 22, Ipswich.
Mother Elizabeth Hassell, aged 21, Chelsea.
They are living with Elizabeths sisters family, her husband and their three kids.

They've spelt the name wrong, it should be Haszell, as it is on 1891 census. You wouldn't believe the spellings I have come across for Haszell. The original Haszell, Joseph was a hairdresser in Ipswich, moved to London around 1860 and his sons too became hairdressers.

But I agree, the WJH b.1881 is not my chap.

[Jomot]

The 1881 census has him as William J Hassell b. Westminster, 0 years old.

If you look at the image, it says 6 months old.

I honestly think this is your chap. 

People have been known to lie or simply not know their birth dates.  It may be worthwhile buying the birth certificate to see what it actually says.

[Mark Harris]

So you do think the WJH is the Royal Marine, just a tad confused about birth dates. I know the census stuff can be a bit erratic at times, it would be great to believe it was him. Royal Marine...briefly, railway worker...not impressed at being brought up a hairdresser I suppose!

If he was 6 months old in April 1881, so born October/November 1880, why give date of birth so exact when joining Marines as 17th August 1881? I know there are no answers sometimes but I'm still not sure.

[Mark Harris]

I think I will.

Thanks so much everyone, interesting as ever. Oh for a time machine! If they ever invented one I wouldn't bother with Jesus or Ceasar or Kennedy, I would just ask Joseph where his bloody surname Haszell came from..!

Thanks again.

[groom]

This is his birth registration (from GRO)

HASZELL, WILLIAM  JAMES  mmn   MINGAY     
1880  D Quarter
ST GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE 
Volume 01A  Page 459   

It is just possible that a birth 17th August may not have been registered until 1st October (although that is later than the time allowed) which would then show as Dec quarter.

[Jomot]

Here is a link to the railway record confirming the DoB being the same as given for the Royal Marines: http://www.rootschat.com/links/01m5g/

To add further confusion, there is a probate record in 1951 of a William James Hassall of 4 Crewe Green Avenue, Haslington, Crewe (which fits with the railway records) died 14 Dec 1950.  Probate was granted to his widow Sarah Jane Hassall.  His death registration shows him as aged 74 (born c 1876), but other records seem to contradict that.

The only marriage I can find to a Sarah Jane was in 1907 to Sarah Jane Edwards, registered in Birkenhead, but the 1911 census shows them in Haslington and only married 2 years.  William’s age & occupation broadly fit but his PoB is completely wrong.   Also Sarah Jane may have been married previously as her mother is with them and her surname is not Edwards.  There is also a nephew with them with a different surname again. 

The 1939 register has the family living in Nantwich/Crewe with William still working for the London & North Western Railway (added - by now called the LMS Railway - London, Midland & Scottish), although his DoB is slightly different, but still Aug 1881. Sarah Jane has become just Jane, and another female living with them has the same surname as the nephew from 1911.

EDIT/ADDED:  Apologies, the railway record shows the same DoB as the 1939, which is actually 10 days different to the Royal Marines record. 

[Mark Harris]

Thanks for this. Quite a revelation really because I am sitting here in Birkenhead now..! I went to college in Crewe as well in 1981 to 85...how weird.

I shall look at all this carefully. Gratefully received.

[Mark Harris]

Wonder why the POB is so way off? Everything else sort of fits.
Why would they marry in birkenhead, she says she is from Shropshire too. Odd..!

Needs a clear head this one. Might leave it till tomorrow.