Breaking down a brick wall

[YorkshireBorn]

I am trying to find out more about the family of Hannah Chapman, wife of Thomas Siner. They were married on May 10 1818 at St Editha’s church in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Witnesses were Elizabeth Haywood and Robert Ebbs.

All their children were baptised at Tamworth, St Editha except their son James who was baptised at the Catholic Church in Tamworth in 1836. Could Hannah have come from a Catholic family?

The 1841 census states that Hannah was born outside of Staffordshire and the 1851 census states that Hannah was born in Sheffield about 1794.

Searching for baptisms in Sheffield has thrown up a few results:

• 26 August 1795 - Hannah, daughter of Francis Chapman, a butcher, and Lydia

• 29 November 1795 - Hannah, daughter of George Chapman, a grinder, and Mary

• 7 February 1796 - Hannah, daughter of John Chapman, a filesmith, and Ruth

I would really appreciate some help determining which Hannah is “mine” please 

[jimnix]

Sadly, I found a burial for Hannah Chapman the daughter of Francis, 4 Oct 1796 at Sheffield Cathedral. So we can rule Francis and Lydia’s child out at least. Looks like they baptised another Hannah in 1798.

[jimnix]

Also, it might be a coincidence but the entry above the Sinor Catholic baptism in Tamworth is a Chapman baptism!

John Chapman son of William and Winifred Chapman olim Hill born 6 July 1836 was baptised July 31st

[YorkshireBorn]

So that leaves either George and Mary or John and Ruth...

I looked into the William and Winifred Chapman jimnix but it doesn't look like they have links to Sheffield. Both born in Staffordshire according to the 1861 census.

[jimnix]

Never mind, it was worth a shot 

Several trees online seem to have her parents as John Chapman and Ruth Couldwell of Sheffield but I'm not sure how they came to that conclusion. In my opinion, the 1796 baptism seems too late.

[YorkshireBorn]

Yes, I've seen them but I'm not sure how they decided on John and Ruth either. Hannah did have a son named John but then so did everybody else   

[jimnix]

Yes, I've seen them but I'm not sure how they decided on John and Ruth either. Hannah did have a son named John but then so did everybody else   

Have you tried looking for a will for either John Chapman or George Chapman?

There are no Chapmans from Sheffield living in the Tamworth area so I suspect Hannah left Sheffield for work, probably alone. Who were the witnesses for her marriage to Thomas Siner?

[YorkshireBorn]

The witnesses were Robert Ebb or Ebbs and Elizabeth Heywood. As far as I know, they aren’t related to the couple. My guess is they were friends of Hannah and Thomas.

[jimnix]

George Chapman married Mary Nall on 26 December 1793 at Sheffield cathedral. Witnesses were John Hall and John ?

Children were all baptised at Sheffield cathedral, father was a grinder.

Hannah - 29 November 1795
George - 9 March 1800
Samuel - 18 April 1802
George - 10 June 1804