What happened to the Westbury family?

[Lisajb]

Charles Westbury marries Elizabeth Urch on 2nd April 1848 in St Philip & Jacob parish church, Bristol.

They have one child, a daughter, Emma, also born in 1848, and baptised in 1849 in Wraxall, Somerset.

In the 1851 census, the family are living in Wraxall together with Elizabeth’s father Samuel, and her son John from a previous relationship. John later uses the name Westbury.

I’ve accounted for John. It may or may not be relevant, but he seems to be in Axbridge workhouse in 1861 as a pauper, although age is 11 so a bit off.

However Charles, Elizabeth and Emma seemingly vanish after 1851. There are records for an Emma Westbury, but from Worcestershire - I don’t think this is the same person.

Maybe they left England but I have had no luck finding them overseas either.

[rosie99]

WESTBURY, JAMES       mmn URCH 
GRO Reference: 1851  Sept Quarter in BEDMINSTER  Volume 11  Page 84

Death
WESTBURY, JAMES    age    1 
GRO Reference: 1853  June Quarter in BEDMINSTER  Volume 05C  Page 576

[Lisajb]

WESTBURY, JAMES       mmn URCH 
GRO Reference: 1851  Sept Quarter in BEDMINSTER  Volume 11  Page 84

Death
WESTBURY, JAMES    age    1 
GRO Reference: 1853  June Quarter in BEDMINSTER  Volume 05C  Page 576

Thank you - I hadn’t found James, born after 1851 census I think.

[Annette7]

If an Ancestry tree to be believed Elizabeth nee Urch ended up with a Cornelius Shepstone with whom she had 5 children: Frances Elizabeth (Fanny) b.1854 (can't find a birth entry), Charles birth Sept.1856 Bedminster, Thomas birth Dec.1858 Bristol, Cornelius Mar.1861 Bristol, Samuel Mar.1863 Bedminster - all 4 boys shown with mmn Urch.

No sources given (typically) and unfortunately cannot find family on 1861 census (the Emma you mentioned born Kempsey, Worcestershire not your one (dau. of a Thomas and Hannah).   However, an Elizabeth Shepstone bc.1825 died 1870 Bedminster which fits with Elizabeth nee Urch.

Cornelius appears in criminal registers a couple of times.

Not being able to find family in 1861 can find nothing to prove any of this but certainly seems to ring true.   No marriage shown for a Cornelius Shepstone typically at the relevant time.

Annette

[Lisajb]

I've seen the tree you mention but as you've said, no sources and can't find a marriage.

This family certainly are difficult to find, seemingly no trace of any of them after the 1851 census.

Thank you for your efforts.

[rosie99]

Baptism at Cardiff in 1876 for a Charles Shepstone age 19 parents Cornelius and Elizabeth

[glenclare]

I think this might be them in 1871

Name:   Cors Shepstone
Age:   41
Estimated Birth Year:   1830
Relation:   Head
Gender:   Male
Where born:   Nailsea Somerset England
Civil parish:   Nailsea
County/Island:   Somerset
Registration district:   Bedminster
Sub-registration district:   Yatton
ED, institution, or vessel:   9e
Household schedule number:   134
Piece:   2516
Folio:   17
Page number:   25
Household Members   Age   Relationship
Cors Shepstone   41   Head
Fanny Shepstone 16   Daughter
Thos Shepstone 13   Son
Cor Shepstone 11   Son
Saml Shepstone 8   Son

Cornelius is a widower.

[glenclare]

Interesting about the alias on this record for Taunton Gaol.

Name:   Cornelius Shepston
[alias Cornelius Shippy]
Criminal Admission Age:   40
Record Type:   Register
Birth Date:   abt 1830
Occupation:   Butcher
Criminal Charge:   Maliciously killing of a sheep
Criminal Admission Date:   21 Jul 1870