Hello, everyone! Bit of a long-winded one, I'm afraid.
Researching DNA matches' family trees has led me to an Annie Braithwaite born circa 1857 in Birmingham.
I'm interested in trying to work out who her four grandparents are. Her life before 1877 is what I'm focused on.Some context:
Annie married Edwin Alfred Smith on 28th October 1877 at St. Andrew's parish church in Bordesley (near central Birmingham). She gave her age as 19 and marital status as spinster. She was residing in Aston and her father was listed as Christopher Braithwaite, a wire weaver.
The couple had 11 children (half of whom dying as infants) before Edwin's death in 1893. Interestingly enough, their first child Christopher Edwin was registered in the September quarter of 1878 in Aston district with mother's maiden name Griffiths. I'm sure this registration is their child - his baptism takes places in 1879 in Ashted parish church and gives his birth as 4 July 1878. Also the surname Griffiths comes up again later.
Annie remarried on 4th June 1900 at St. Gabriel's church in Birmingham. She was recorded as 39, a widow, residing in Pickford Street, the daughter of Christopher Braithwaite (deceased), a wire weaver.
In the 1861 census (Piece 2175, Folio 55, Page number 26), you can find the following family:
Christopher Braithwaite, head, married, 45, a wire worker, born Leeds
Susannah Braithwaite, wife, married, 40, born Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Susannah Braithwaite, daughter, 3, born Birmingham, Warwickshire
Is this child Susannah the same person as Annie?
In the 1871 census, it gets stranger. Piece 3142, Folio 56, Piece 20:
Susana Griffith, head, widow, 50, born Bromsgrove
Susana Griffith, daughter, 12, born Birmingham.
A lodger in their house is: Christopher Brawit, unmarried, 58, a wire drawer, born Yorkshire.
Is Christopher the father of this child Susannah?
Did Christopher every marry Susannah Griffith?
Is Susannah's maiden name Griffith? Or was she married before?In the 1881 census, you can find Christopher and Susannah living as husband and wife in Aston. Christopher died in 1886, Susannah not until 1905.
An interesting one is the 1891 census (Piece 2416, Folio 98) at 43 Montague Street in Aston:
Susannah Braithwaite, widow, 70, born Bromsgrove
George Hewley, son, single, 22, labourer in Skin Yard, born Bromsgrove
Benjamin Wilson, son, single, 19, general labourer, born Birmingham.
Could these be her grandsons?
All a bit confusing. But just to re-iterate, I'm trying to find out who the four grandparents of Annie Braithwaite could be!
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Andy
