John Williams of Sheerness

[mamor]

Hi,

I'm having trouble tracing my gt grandfather John Williams' birth and therefore his parents.

He lived at 35 Victory Street, Sheerness from at least 1919 until at least 1939 (all of his children were born there).  He lived with Elizabeth Ewell (nee Brown) and their 7 children.  John and Elizabeth never married. At some point, before 1942, the family moved to 54a Russell Street.

1921 census indicates John was born c1881 in Sheerness.  1939 register states he was born 7 October 1878.  He worked for HM Dockyard as a Labourer/Wire Splicer.

John died at 54a Russell Street Sheerness on 30 Sep 1942, stated age 63 (which indicates a birth year of c1879).

The only other clue I have is that on one of his children's baptisms, he is named as William instead of John (but not on any other document).

I have looked at all the John Williams and William Williams born in Sheerness around these years, and have ruled them all out.

I have a few DNA matches which I believe to be linked to this side, but they have also drawn a blank.

I have spent years doing my family research, solved some pretty difficult mysteries, but have never been as stumped as this before. 

Just looking for any fresh ideas really, as I don't know Kent all that well. 

Many thanks for reading.

[ColC]

I note the GRO record records John's age at death as 65.

There is a tree on Ancestry which seems to agree with your information and includes the birth of several daughters born 1919 - 1930. However I cannot find clear GRO records for any of them, with or without the mothers maiden name of Brown?

Excluding the 1921 census I cannot find earlier census records for a John born Sheerness, although in 1881 there were some born 1877-1879 nearby.

Do you have any information prior to 1919?

Colin

[emeltom]

What about this birth as a possibilty

William John Williams Dec 1878 Sheppey Kent 2a 851 mmn Johnson

William John Williams married Agnes Johnson Sep 1876 Milton 2a 1216

1881
Shortlands Road, Sittingbourne
John Williams 27 Cooper Cliffe, Kent
Agnes Williams wife 34 Pimlico, Kent
John Williams son 2 Queensborough, Kent

Queensborough is about 2 miles from Sheerness

[mamor]

Ah yes, that was a typo, his age at death was 65.

That may well be my tree on Ancestry, there’s a few others on there with parents for John, which I know to be wrong.

The children were registered with the surname Ewell, but John Williams was their father.  Mr Ewell (Elizabeth’s first husband), was in Canada.

I have scoured the BMDs over the last few years, tracing back any possible lead I could find (e.g. other Williams’ born in Sheerness, John or William Williams born nearby etc.).

I have nothing prior to 1919 relating to John, this is when their first daughter was born. 

I’m beginning to wonder if he was born with a different surname.

I have a feeling that I may not get any further back on this line, unless I get a breakthrough with my DNA matches.

Thanks for replying.

[mamor]

Hi,

Thanks for looking but I have ruled this John Williams out.

I did think it was him originally, but I have seen documents including his marriage and death certificates which prove he’s not the one, unfortunately.

[ColC]

Below might be worth a closer look. John’s age varied on records but one thing consistent with this one is the place of birth.

1921
John   Williams   1881   Sheerness, Kent,    Sheerness   Sheppey   Kent

 A John Williams married Mary Ann H Large Q4/1874

WILLIAMS, ELLA  ELIZA     LARGE 
GRO Reference: 1879  M Quarter in SHEPPEY  Volume 02A  Page 861
WILLIAMS, CHARLES  JOHN     LARGE 
GRO Reference: 1880  S Quarter in SHEPPEY  Volume 02A  Page 865
WILLIAMS, CHARLES  JOHN     LARGE 
GRO Reference: 1882  M Quarter in SHEPPEY  Volume 02A  Page 916
WILLIAMS, ALICE  BERTHA     LARGE 
GRO Reference: 1884  J Quarter in SHEPPEY  Volume 02A  Page 890

   Charles John Williams
Baptism Date:   26 Aug 1880
Baptism Place:   St. Paul's, Sheerness, Kent, England
Father:   John Williams
Mother:   Mary Ann Harriet Williams

However two deaths.
WILLIAMS, CHARLES  JOHN     0 
GRO Reference: 1880  S Quarter in SHEPPEY  Volume 02A  Page 488
WILLIAMS, JOHN       49 
GRO Reference: 1884  D Quarter in SHEPPEY  Volume 02A  Page 534

1891 Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge, Kent,
James West   43   Head
Mary Ann West   35   Wife - Now remarried
Francis Mary West   13   Daughter
John James West   12   Son
Kate Isabel West   10   Daughter
Alfred Richard West   3   Son
Charles John Williams   9   Son-in-law (Step Son)
Authur Henry West   6/12   Son


1911   Charles John Williams
Birth 1881   Sheerness, Kent, England
Residence   1911 China and East Indies, Royal Navy.

Colin

[mamor]

Thank you for all that, I have looked at Charles John, but ruled him out as I had attributed the death to him.  I will look again now with the extra info you have provided and see if he could be a contender.

Thank you again.

[Sc00p]

Might be worth checking this out...
Sheerness Times Guardian 18-Jun-1925

DEATH OF MRS. BUTCHER.—On Saturday last, at the age of 64 years, the death of Mrs. Helen Butcher, of 35, Victory Street, took place. The deceased, who was a widow, leaves two sons and a daughter, for whom much sympathy is felt in their great loss. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, in the Minster Churchyard, Rev, H. H. Flack officiating. Mr. E. T. Kemp. of Sheerness, carried out the funeral arrangements

[mamor]

Ooh, that’s interesting, no idea who Mrs Butcher was, but definitely one for me to look into.  Fingers crossed she was a relative rather than a lodger.  Thank you so much 😊