Button-Fly Genes: 2006

George William Tillison

George William Tillison

The mystery of George's disappearance through the Census records is unveilled through a little careful investigation.

I had found a George Tillison, amongst others in Nottinghamshire prior to George William's birth in 1873, and also a death record for the same in 1873. On a hunch, I checked for Marriages for George's wife, Susannah around the same period: She married James Ryves in East Retford, Nottinghamshire in JAS 1875.

If further proof were needed, Susanah then appears with James in 1881 George Ryves (this is George William Tillison) and his sister Alice. A marriage is recorded in JFM 1892 in East Retford for Alice Ryves, or rather, Alice Tellison Ryves, marrying Fred Johnson.

After I discovered all of this, George William's birth certificate arrived in the post to confirm the lot. All the loose ends tied up.

Except one: Who did George William Tillison marry to then produce Frederick William Tillison, my Great grandfather?

It struck me as I started this post: George William Ryves? Sure enough: OND 1889 in Chorlton, Lancashire - George William T Ryves marrying Mary Hollingsworth. Mary appears in the 1881 Census, confirming her birth location and year of birth. These details match the mother of Frederick in 1891: Scotter, Lincolnshire in 1871.

:D

William Watkinson (b1841, Great Grimsby)

Button-Fly Genes: William Watkinson (b1841, Great Grimsby)

It's nice to be right, huh?

Jack Field Watkinson

According to the Free BMD Birth register:

Born: Jul-Sep 1903 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England

There's a strong possibility that Jack is the son of Robert William Watkinson (c1866, Horncastle, Lincolnshire) and Matilda Jane Field (c1870, Steyning, Sussex).

I need some proof!

Robert and Matilda are my great, great grandparents.

William Watkinson (b1841, Great Grimsby)

I have William married to Georgiana Whitton in AMJ 1870 in Spilsby, Lincolnshire and have established the relevent Census records in the years after to confirm the marriage and children. However, I've been unable to confirm his records in 1861 and 1851 and although I can find a record for a William Watkinson in Lincolnshire in 1841, I now can't be sure that it's the same person, not being able to verify the surrounding family - he's just one year old in the 1841 Census!

In 1851, there is William Wintringham (possible mistranscription) b1839 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. He appears to be residing in a Wesleyan College. This could make sense as the family surrounding 1841 Census William cite marriages in the Wesleyan Chapel. A John Wintringham b1840, Grimsby, is also listed - this doesn't support any data I have so far.

In 1861, William Watkinson, b1841 in Lincoln is a Marine in Woolwich Dockyard, Kent.

In 1871, he then appears with Georgiana and their children. His occupation: Pipe Maker. Coincidentally (?) the parents and one of the siblings in 1841 are Pipe Makers.

William Martin - found at last?

Button-Fly Genes: A Cautionary Tale

Right: I think that I've found my William Martin, with his father John (the Labourer, not the Mariner), mother Sarah and brothers George and Thomas.

They appear in the 1841 Census in Bosham, all the men are Agricultural Labourers.

John Martin c1784
Sarah Martin c1788

George Martin c1824

Thomas Martin c1826

William Martin c1828

As I now know that the family are from Old Fishbourne and being a little more cautious (isn't hindsight great!), I'm going to obtain the Fishbourne Parish records before tracing anything through.

William Martin - Help!

After getting stuck trying to find William Martin, I called upon the help of the Parish Record Transcription Society, as follows: -

I'd be most grateful if you could locate the baptism record and parents of William Martin. I have the following references:

Bosham Marriage register (PRTSOC) married Mary Anne Bunday 12/12/1857 aged 30, Labourer from Fishbourne.
His father is listed as John Martin, also a Labourer.
1861 Census: Born Sidlesham, Sussex 1829
1871 Census: Born Lyminster, Sussex, 1829
1881 Census: Born Birdham, Sussex, 1830
1891 Census: Born Chichester, Sussex 1828
1901 Census: Born Burdham, Sussex 1829

I have the transcribed Fishbourne Parish records and couldn't find William in there. I hope you can help.

Thanks in anticipation

Mark Tillison

Tangled Twine

David Twine, born c1784 in Bosham to William Twine and Susanna Dudding, married Catherine Kitty Lee in Bosham on 9 July 1807, according to the Bosham Parish records.

The next record I can find is in Alverstoke, Gosport 1841 (mistranscribed):

David Irvine b c1781
Catherine Irvine b c1781

Amelia Irvine b c1826 in Alverstoke

Emma Irvine b c1826 in Alverstoke

In 1851:

Davis Twine b c1779 in Brtham (assume Bosham)
Catharine Twine b c1780 in Chichester

Amelia Gorinder b c1827 Gosport (Fairly positive that this is mistranscribed, too)

William Gorinder b c1822 Gosport

James b c1839 (Pretty sure this should be 1849)

Robert b c1840

In the FreeBMD Marriage Index:
Amelia Twine m William Charles Norman Oct-Dec 1848
No other Amelia Twine present in the right area/time period. William Norman is the only William in the same location and quarter.

In 1861:

William Norman is visiting with

James Norman b c1850 Gosport
Emma Norman b c1855 Gosport

In the FreeBMD Death Index:
Amelia Norman, Apr-Jun 1858 Portsea Island

So now I could do with access to the Alverstoke parish records too...

Hannah Oakshot(t)

Born c1810 in Bosham, Sussex to George Oakshot(t) and Mary Twine.

I think Hannah married Richard Marsh, based on the 1851 Census, but as they are likely to have been married pre-1837 I'm unable to confirm for sure.

According to the following Census records, Richard was born in 1807 in Westbourne.

Whilst I have both the Bosham and Westbourne Parish Registers, their marriage doesn't appear in either.

I guess this will have to wait until I can verify the marriage record through some other Parish record.

A Cautionary Tale

So here I've been, merrily researching away, tracking Savages and Whites, Philips and others.

Many, many, others. Many.

And it's all a sham. A waste of time. And why? Because there's one small detail incorrect. One small detail like; John Martin born in Bosham in 1802 is not the father of William Martin, born 1829 in Lyminster, or Birdham, or Sidlesham (depending on which Census you look at).

And nor is his mother, therefore, Patience Savage, born 1809 in Westbourne.

All the hours I've spent going through Parish records and back in to the Census records, tracing through all the descendants to 1901. Wasted.

How bloody annoying. And how did this happen?

Well: early in my research, when I was just dabbling, I didn't make reference to the sources of information as I do now. And I was contacted by some relatives on Genesreunited who had already traced some of the ancestors of the people in my tree so, fascinated, I copied them.

So now I have based my research on someone else's findings. Which now turn out to be inaccurate. It appears that I've cut off the branch I'm sitting on, to use a tree analogy.

Damn it! I've got some unpicking to do now!

The moral: NEVER trust anyone else's research. Seriously. Just don't.

:c

William Martin b.c1768 in Bosham

....another of those instances where a central database of parish registers would really help.

I have William in the Bosham Baptism register, born to Edmund Martin and Mercy Bennet (1743 Bosham). William was born c1768, but there is no marriage record.

On 18.5.1848, I have a burial record for an 80-year-old William Martin, from Boxgrove.

Assuming this is the same guy, he appears in the 1841 Census, listed as birth in 1768 in Sussex, living in Chidham, just across the channel from Bosham. In the same household is Elizabeth Rossell (Russell?) b1803 in Sussex.

Unfortunately, the relationship to the head of household was not recorded in 1841, so I can't tell if they are related.

I guess the only way to find out what happened in William's life is to find the Parish records for Chidham.

Bennett | Souter | Wright

According to my research in the Westbourne Parish records, Henry Souter and Elizabeth Bennett (1743 Bosham) married in Bosham on 25 June 1765 and had two children:

William Souter b 1767
Elizabeth Souter b1769

Although I can find no marriage or death record for William, Elizabeth appears to have married James Wright, from Warblington.
Now the annoying thing is that there are no further records for James and Elizabeth in the Westbourne records. I've assumed that this is because they went off to procreate in Warblington.

I guess I need the Warblington records now....

Jane Trevett (nee Batchelor?)

Whilst tracing the Batchelors through the Census records, William (1817, Bosham) appears in 1881 with sisters Ann Batchelor and a married Jane Trevett (c1818, Bosham). After checking the Bosham and Westbourne Parish records, I can find no Baptism or Marriage record for Jane Batchelor.

In earlier Census records, 1851-1871, Jane Trevett appears with husband Edward Trevett (c1801, Bosham) and their children. Unfortunately, I've been unable to locate a record of them, married or not, in 1841. The oldest child in 1851 is born c1840, possibly indicating a marriage before 1837.

In 1871, Ann Batchelor is shown in the same house as Jane Trevett. Shown again as a sister in law to the head, Edward Trevett, Jane's husband.

It's difficult to prove that Jane is the sibling of Ann and William, but the circumstantial evidence is compelling.

Ann West?

Button-Fly Genes: Frederick Batchelor

The Ann born 1811 in London, Middlesex could be Ann West. This is based only on the evidence of a possible marriage record for son henry W Batchlor:

Henry West Batchelor, Q3 1858, Lambeth to Charlotte Harwood

and for daughter Ann W Batchlor:

Ann West Batchlor, Q2 1858, Brentford

[male record appears missing]

Frederick Batchelor

or Batchlor, Bachelor etc

Throughout the Census records, there are so many misspellings of this surname, it's proving difficult to track this family down. So far as I can determine, Frederick is:

son of Ann (1811, London, Middlesex) and Henry Bachelor (1809, Bosham) who is
son of Henry Bachelor (1775, Sussex) and Mary Philips (1782, Bosham) who is
daughter of William Philips and Sarah Barrow (1745, Bosham) who is
daughter of Richard Barrow and Ann (my 7th great grand parents)

..which I guess makes him my 3rd cousin, 5 times removed.

Frederick appears in 1841 and 1851 with his parents, and then in 1861 living right next door with his wife Ann. The only relevant marriage record I can locate is to Annoime(!?) Charlotte Sharman in Q1 1860 in St James, Westminster, as yet unproven.
In 1871, Frederick and Ann (c1814, Freston, Suffolk) appear again, still childless.
In 1881, 91 and 1901, Frederick appears in the same area with his wife, Charlotte (1835/7, Scotland).
I can't find a death record for Ann.
There is a marriage record for Frederick Joseph Batchlor and Charlotte Duncan in Westminster, Q2 1877.
I can't find Charlotte Duncan in the 1871 Census to confirm place of birth and age.

Are Ann and Charlotte the same person, just the birth places screwed up in the Census records? That would mean that the second marriage record is irrelevant and that for some reason, Ann decided to call herself Charlotte after 1871. I don't buy it.

Charlotte's birthplace is consistently listed as Scotland in 1881-1901 - I'm inclined to think that it's accurate.

So what happened to Ann?

And just to throw a spanner in the works (like it wasn't clear as mud already), there's a death record for Ann Bachelor in Brentford in Q3 1899, born 1835. It would match.

Perhaps Frederick and Ann separated and Frederick remarried Charlotte?

I'm lost!

Fanny Savage (c1851)

Fanny was born in Chichester in c1851 and is the daughter of Henry Savage (c1821, Westbourne) and Mary Anne Lane (c1827, Mundham). She appears in the Census records with her parents until 1871.
No matching Fanny Savage is listed in 1881, and I can't find a relevant marriage record for her either. Henry and Mary Anne have moved to St Pancras in Chichester with Frances' siblings.

A Fanny Jupp, b c1851 in Chichester appears with her husband George and a number of children in the 1881 Census, living in Chichester.

Could Frances have married George Jupp? Is there any evidence to support this?

George Martin

I've yet to trace them all fully, but this Obituary, kindly supplied by a fellow descendent, conveniently names a whole group of the family of George Martin b1841 in Bosham.

Glyn Martin mentioned was first an articled clerk and became and Auctioneer / Estate Agent in Bosham. His wife, mentioned is Christina Tennant Gourlay b1894 in London.

Grandchildren Vivian, Doreen and Phyllis are the children of Claude Martin.

Mrs Walter Durling is Ellen Catt, the daughter of George's sister, Eliza Martin (1847) and William Catt (1844), married in Medway in 1865.

My best guess right now would be that Mrs L B Skerrin is Ella Gertrude Martin, although I've been unable to locate a marriage record for any Skerrin in the BMD Index. Perhaps it is misspelled on this obit?

There is a baptism record for George William Baldwin in Bosham 07 November 1920; parents George Arthur Baldwin and Mary Ann Aldous Baldwin. George's sister, Mary Ann Martin (1833) married Harry Aldous (1828), although I've yet to establish any children. It's quite possible that Mary Ann Aldous Baldwin is descended from this union, I guess.

Bygone Bosham: George Martin

Emma Kent (Jan 1851)

Researching Savage descendants of William through the Census records, born 1787 in Westbourne.

William's daughter Mary Sarah Savage (c1815) marries William Kent (c1807) in 1848 in Westbourne. Mary already has two daughters before the union, both by unknown fathers, and William has been married before, bringing four of his own children to the union. They all appear together in Westbourne in 1851, along with two new children; Richard Kent (Nov 1848) and Emma Kent (Jan 1851).

Emma Kent is recorded again in 1861 with the family and then with her father in 1871 in Warblington.

...then it all gets a bit vague..

There's a marriage record for Emma Kent in Oct-Dec 1876 in Havant, very close to Warblington, but it's not possible to confirm whether she married George Betterworth or Henry Shawyer. Emma Shawyer (1853) appears in 1881 with Henry, but then disappears without trace, as does Henry.

Friend Harry Savage

Born c1845 in Westbourne, Sussex to Friend and Sarah Savage, Friend (junior) left Sussex for the lure of London. Like many of his siblings and cousins, ending up in Lee, Kent.
He appears in the 1861 Census, working as a servant for Jane Campbell in Lee, Kent, London.
However, there is a Death record for Friend Harry in Lewisham in Apr-Jun 1869, but not before he was married in Greenwich, Jan-Mar 1867.

Were there any children? Who did he marry?

Olive Savage

Olive Savage was born in Westbourne, Sussex in c1836 to Hanry Savage and Phillis Phillips.
She appears in the Census records for 1841, 51 and 61, but is not present in 1871.
The only Olive, born in that year in Westbourne recorded in 1871 is an Olive Smith, along with three children - they are lodging with one Henry Savage.
My fist guess is that this is Olive Savage, married. I can find a marriage record for Olive Savage between 1861 and 71, but there's no matching Smith to go with it.
Henry's daughter, Kate is shown in the same household, having married and produced a child, Patience. Kate is listed as 'Daughter'. Olive is listed as 'Lodger'.
Olive's children are born in Havant.

Bygone Bosham: George Martin

For anyone who's interested in Bosham genealogy, I'd recommend Bygone Bosham by Angela Bromley-Martin (thanks for the tip, Helen). It features many photographs of the families of Bosham from yesteryear.

Of particular interest is one George Martin, pictured with his daughter and his son's daughter. According to the author, George eloped with the vicar's daughter in the 1870's or 1880's and whose brothers ran the Anchor and Shipp pubs in Bosham.

Research reveals this to be an accurate rumour.

He eloped to Southampton with Charlotte Sophie Mitchell, who appears with her father, Rev Henry Mitchell in 1871 in the Vicarage, along with whole heap of siblings.

George was a Mariner, like almost all of the Martins of Bosham, certainly in that era anyway. They eloped to Southampton and were married in South Stoneham in Jul-Sep 1873. Before returning shame-faced to Bosham, it appears that they had two children in Southampton, Ella Gertrude (1873) and Claude (1874). They then appear to settle back in Bosham and continue having children, starting with Nora Beatrice in 1878.

There doesn't seem to be a Baptism record for Nora in Bosham - I wonder why that might be ;)

George is my great, great, great, great uncle.

Lea Woodcock Marriage

And here it is: assumption correct.

Allen Mark Martin

Allen's birth was registered between Oct-Dec 1874 in Westbourne, Sussex, England and he appears with his parents in 1881, 1891 and 1901 in the Ship Inn, Bosham.

The next record I can find is his Burial in the Bosham Parish records: 12 Feb 1953. His residence at the time is recorded as Rochallions, School Lane, Bosham.

Later in the Parish register, a Louisa Martin is Buried on 31 December 1953, also having resided at Rochallions. She's aged 80 upon her death.

I have located a marriage record for an Allen Mark Martin and Louisa Ann Hill, Jul-Sep 1903 in Downham, Norfolk.

Researching whilst I'm blogging: Louisa Hill appears in the 1901 Census. Born c1875 in Stow, Norfolk, she's a Domestic Servant at Old Park - in Bosham!

This would support the marriage record find. Allen took her back to Norfolk to marry her and then returned to Bosham. In the absence of any stronger evidence, I'll have to assume (dangerous!) that this is the correct Louisa Martin who died in Bosham. The age at death / birth year is almost perfect too.

Who is Annie R?

Here's what I currently know to be true about Annie R:

In the 1901 Census, she is listed as the wife of Harry Martin (b. about Dec 1850 in Bosham)
In 1901, her birth is recorded as 1853 in Bosham, Sussex.
Before 'marrying' Annie R, Harry was married to Frances Marsh, the last child was born in 1890
In the 1891 Census, Frances Marsh is listed as the wife of Harry Martin.
I have been unable to identify a marriage record for Annie R and Harry.

In the Bosham Parish Register, there is a marriage listed for a widowed Annie Rosina Martin and George Brown, also widowed. Annie's father is shown as George Purver, a baker.

Could this be Annie R?

Lea Woodcock Marriage

In the vicinity of Melton Mowbray, Henry Lea's borth place, a manual search of the Marriage Records produces the following:

Arthur Lea, Tamworth, 6b 477 JFM 1905

Edwin Vincent Lea, Nottingham, 7b 602 AMJ 1905
Henry Lea, West Derby, 8b 755 AMJ 1905

George Lea, West Derby, 6b 655 JAS 1905

John Lea, West Derby, 8b 596 OND 1905

Thomas Henry Lea, Nottingham, 7b 321 JFM 1906

Ralph Lea, West Derby, 8b 468 AMJ 1906
Thomas Lea, West Derby, 8b 709 AMJ 1906
Walter Lea, West Derby, 8b 689 AMJ 1906

Arthur Dunstan Lea. Derby 7b 1173 JAS 1906
Fred Lea, Mansfield, 7b 221 JAS 1906
John Lea, West Derby, 8b 742 JAS 1906
William Lea, West Derby, 8b 799 JAS 1906

John Thomas Lea, West Derby, 8b 631 OND 1906

Sidney Herbert Lea, West Derby, 8b 575 JFM 1907
Robert William Lea, West Derby, 8b 626, JFM 1907
William Lea, West Derby, 8b 556, JFM 1907
George Henry Lea, West Derby, 8b 973 JFM 1907
Thomas West Lea, Nottingham, 7b 828 JFM 1907

Edith Annie Woodcock, Leicester. 7a, 636 AMJ 1907

Frederick Lea, Derby, 7b 1222, AMJ 1908
Thomas Giffiths Lea, West Derby, 8b 589, AMJ 1908
Ada Woodcock, Melton Mowbray. 7a, 765 AMJ 1908

John Lea, West Derby, 8b 510, JAS 1908
William Elkington Lea, Hinckley, 7a 134, JAS 1908

Ernest Vincent Lea, West Derby, 8b 421, OND 1908
James Lea, West Derby, 8b 580, OND 1908

Alfred Thomas Lea, 8b 334, JFM 1909
Charles Lea, West Derby, 8b 499, JFM 1909
Florrie Lea, Leicester, 7a, 331 JFM 1909

William Henry Lea, Mansfield, 7b 251, AMJ 1909
Harry Lea, Ashby Z, 7a 260, AMJ 1909
James Lea, West Derby, 8b 606, AMJ 1909

William James Lea, West Derby, 8b 659 JAS 1909
William Lea, West Derby, 8b 713, JFM 1910
Walter Lea, Leicester. 7a, 688 JAS 1910
Joseph Lea, 7b 539, OND 1910
Thomas N, West Derby, 8b 459, OND 1910

This looks like the most likely candidate. To prove it, I've plumped for ordering Harry Lea's birth certificate.

Henry Lea, Derby, 7b 1174, JAS 1909
Jane Ann Woodcock, Derby, 7b 1174, JAS 1909

Sarah Eleanor Hawthorn b1848

Sarah Eleanor Hawthorn was born AMJ 1848 in Shoreditch, Middlesex. She appears with her parents and siblings in the Census records of 1851, 1861 and 1871 and then marries John Elliott Whiddon.

Sarah appears then with husband John in 1881 but then disappears. There's a death record for John in AMJ 1885 and then a marriage record for Sarah Whiddon in JAS 1888.

Sarah then does not appear in either 1891 or 1901 with any of the three male surnames (Dealey, Roe, Turnbull) present on the same page, although there is a possible death record in 1893 for a Sarah Turnbull b c1849. There is still no matching Sarah Turnbull record in the 1891 Census though.

Grr.

William Bound (c1823)

Delving a little deeper in to the Census records, I found William in 1851 with his mother (Annas) and four siblings, no father.

The same five siblings and the mother (Annis here) appear in 1841, although the surname has been mis-transcribed as Benne. Still no father present, and a further two siblings who aren't present in 1851.

Researching whilst blogging; if I've traced William Bound correctly, my wife's ggg grandfather, his brother Edward married Sarah (shown as Bound) and with her son, George Cutler (b. c1837).

In Boldre in 1841, Sarah appears with husband William and a daughter this time, Eliza Ann (b c1840). George is not present. It is possible that George is with his father's family in Andover at the time, although that's supposition.

Elizabeth Watkinson

Elizabeth Watkinson is my great grandmother [or, my mother's, mother's mother].
When she was still alive, my grandmother told me that her parents were both killed during the war (WWII) and that she, her brother and sister were evacuated. She also said that the McCrerie name was Scottish, (although we always teased her that it was Irish), and that her father had been a tailor to the royals in London before the war.
Her parents were:

Joseph Naden McCrerie born Jun 1889 in Lancashire
Elizabeth Watkinson born c1895, died c1944

Annoyingly, in my early research I neglected to record the source of my information. I suspect in this case it was my Great Aunt, Jean.

I have managed to locate a marriage record in Grimsby between January and March 1917. Grimsby is a little off track as Joseph was born in Lancashire, but I guess not out of the question.

I have also located a death record for Elisabeth M McCrerie in Epping in 1944, aged 52

Assuming that this is the same person, this helps locate a birth record. There are a few Elizabeth Watkinsons born around the same year.

Lea Research

Harry Lea, my mother-in-law's father was born 02 June 1912 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. We don't have a birth certificate.

New information received today to assist the research:

Siblings:
Brother: Frank Lea, died 'young' and was the eldest
Brother: John Thomas Lea
Sister: Lena
Sister: Rene

Harry's mother moved to Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

Harry is believed to be the youngest, although he could be the youngest male, not the youngest child.

Possible records, unconfirmed:

England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index: 1837-1983 Record about John Thomas Lea
Name: John Thomas Lea
Year of Registration: 1910
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Melton Mowbray
County: Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire
Volume: 7a Page: 334

James Bunday (Bundy)

In the 1881 Census, I've located a James Bunday, son-in-law of Edward Griffin in Bosham.
Those in the dwelling at Chichester Road are:

Edward Griffin born c1814 in Bosham, Agricultural Labourer
Ann Griffin, wife, born c1821 in Bosham, Laundress
Elizabeth Ann Griffin, granddaughter, born c1869 in Bosham
James Bunday, son in law, born c1850 in Bosham, Agricultural Labourer
Pamela Bunday, daughter, born c1858 in Bosham, Laundress
Albert E Bunday, grandson, b c1880 in Bosham

Clearly, Elizabeth Ann is the child of a male son of Edward and Ann, unknown at this time.

A search of the FreeBMD reveals that James and Pamela were married between July and September 1879 in Portsea, Hampshire and that Edward and an Ann Gilpin share the register page for Westbourne in Q1 1839.

No matches on Rootsweb or Genesreunited.

James Bunday is the brother of Mary Bundy, my 3rd great grandmother.

Nora Beatrice Martin

FreeBMD Birth Entry:

Nora Beatrice Martin
Birth Registered Jul-Aug-Sep 1878
Westbourne, Sussex England

Nora appears in the 1881 Census in The Hermitage, Bosham with her family

Father: George Martin born c1844 in Bosham, a Master Mariner
Mother: Charlotte Sophie Martin born c1849 in Bosham
Brother: Claude Martin born c1875 in Southampton, Hampshire
Sister: Ella Gertrude born c1874 in Southampton, Hampshire

Unable to locate a marriage record for George and Charlotte either.
None of these records appear in my tree, although there must be some connection.

George Martin (1852)

Another record in the FreeBMD

George Martin
born between Oct-Dec 1852
Westbourne, Sussex, England

A record for a George Martin (b1854 in Westbourne) exists in the 1881 Census where he appears as a lodger in Chichester with Sarah Martin, born c1853 in Hetfordshire. Assuming they are married, I located a marriage record in the FreeBMD for George Martin with an adjacent record for a Sarah Dewey in Chichester, 1878.
Unfortunately, I can't locate a birth record for Sarah Dewey in Hertfordshire in c1853; but I can locate a Sarah Martin.

Coincidence? Unlikely.

Bennett William J Martin: Possible Match

Bennett William J Martin

I found a member on Genesreunited that has a Bennett recorded in their tree. Following a little correspondence, we've established the following:

Bennet bn 1897 as the son of Allan Hearty Martin and Mary Louisa Frogbrook who married Mar quarter 1896, Westbourne district.

I have an Allan H Martin married to unknown spouse with a son, Allan Martin.

I have a sister Sybil Fern bn 1899.
I believe Allan Hearty to be the son of John Martin bn C1837 Bosham and Emma.

John Martin is also present in my tree with a spouse, Emma.

Mary Louisa is with her 2 children in 1901 at Mariner's Terrace Bosham.
I think Allan must be the Allen Martin on the ship Hilda in Newhaven Harbour in 1901 as married Master.
I found him in 1891 as a mariner son.
I have searched the register indexes from 1864 to 1868 and it appears Allan Hearty was not registered at birth.

Awaiting visibility of the tree....

Eliza Martin

The Free BMD Index shows Eliza Martin, born Jan-Feb-Mar 1847 in Westbourne, Sussex.

Research thus far has yet to establish

A relevant death record
A marriage record
A presence in the 1881 Census

In 1879, there is a marriage record with either Henry Telford Hayman (although there's no Eliza Hayman in the 1881 census) or Edwin Hammond.
There is a Sussex record of an Eliza Hammond in the 1881 Census. Husband Edwin Hammond.
Looks like a match, except this Eliza was born in Boxgrove, Sussex (about 8 miles away from Bosham) in c1860.

Sadly, I can't locate a death record for Eliza Hammond either.

Caroline Martin

Caroline Martin, born 1853 in Bosham, Sussex. I believe may have married William Edward Dyer in Westhampnett in 1873, although this marriage record shows Caroline Ede as the bride.

1881 Census
Caroline Dyer (b c1853) and Charles Dyer are shown. Both born in Bosham, Sussex!
Children:
    Charles Dyer, c1873, Aldingbourne, Sussex
    George Dyer, c1878, Westdean, Sussex
    Henry Dyer, c1876, Barnham, Sussex
    James Dyer, c1879, Barnham, Sussex
    William Edward Dyer, c1874, Barnham, Sussex

I can't find a birth record for a Caroline Ede in Bosham or Westbourne. I can't find another marriage record for Caroline Martin to a Male Ede.

Trying to establish that Carolines, Ede and Martin are the same person. Lot's of frustrating circumstantial evidence. Nothing factual, yet.

Bennett William J Martin

Working thorugh the Birth, Marriage and Death Records for Martin's in Bosham, Sussex, I came across a birth record for

Bennett William J Martin
Born: Jan-Feb-Mar 1897
in: Westbourne, Sussex

I don't currently have this record in my tree, but am guessing that there must be some connection.

John George Tillison Birth Certificate

John G Tillison Birth Certificate
Originally uploaded by Mark Tillison.

This proves the George WIlliam Tillison and Ann Marshall Marriage, at least.

John George Tillison

George William Tillison

Yvonne Gunn has John George Tillison listed in her tree;

Born: 13 April 1904 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England
Died: 14 January 1973 in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England
Married: Hilda May WADE

Hilda May Wade

Born: 30 June 1905 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England
Died: September 1992 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England

They had a child, Marion Rose TILLISON

Born: 20 July 1927

This is promising; the Cleethorpes connection is now evidenced in these records. It seems that the Tillisons may have been visiting the USA, not emigrating. At least, not all of them.

George William Tillison: Supposition and Assumption

Button-Fly Genes: Ellis Island: George William Tillison

Further research [and a number of assumptions]

I have a George William Tillison in my tree, born between March and June 1873, one year earlier than the George on this boat. Assumption #1: Could George's age have been miscalculated, either by him or the person writing the original document? The month appears correct.

I have located a marriage record containing four names, two of which are George Tillison and Ann Marshall. Assumption #2: These two of the four married each other. I've been unable to establish the other marriage combination in later Census records.

This would make it George's 2nd marriage, having been married earlier to Mary from Scotter, Lincs. They had a child; Frederick William Tillison in 1890 - my Great Grandfather.

Ann Marshall is present in the 1891 Census in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire. She was born in September 1881 in Mansfield, so missed the Census which took place in April 1881.

Circumstancial evidence is mounting that the George on the Carmania is my Great, Great Grandfather.

Oh, and:

Assumption #3 (The Biggest Assumption): Carmania George says he comes from Cleethorpes - that's way over on the East Coast of Lincolnshire. My ancestor hails from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Do I assume that they moved to Cleethorpes prior to departing for the USA, via Liverpool? I don't have any other George Tillison's to realistically consider!

James Raybould

I'm currently struggling to locate any information on my great grandfather, James Raybould, born c1900 in England.
He married Maud Bird in 1918 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire and had two daughters:

Gladys M Raybould, born 1920 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire
Hilda Mary Raybould (my Grandmother) born 1924 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

It is probable that James was born in the South Yorkshire area, given the marriage location, although most of the Raybould families appear to be in and around Staffordshire and Warwickshire at this time.

Henry Richard Toole Born c1870

Henry Richard Toole born c1870 in Hackney, Middlesex to Henry Richard Toole and Harriett Ann Hawthorne.
Henry was one of two brothers and had four sisters and married Alice Lane in Shoreditch in 1890. Full details in Alice's post.

He died in Catcliffe, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, date unknown and was a steam engine fitter.

Alice Lane Born c1871

Alice Lane born c1871 in Haggerston Middlesex to Henry Lane and Eleanor W Cotton.
Alice was one of 5 sisters and two brothers and married Henry Richard Toole in Shoreditch in 1890.
Henry and Alice had nine children, all girls and appear in the following Census records;

1871, Shoreditch
1881, St Leonards, London
1891, Stoke Newington
1901, Petersfield, Hampshire

She died in Catcliffe, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, Date Unknown

Tillisons in Canada: Harry Tillison

Harry Tillison emigrated to Canada and served in both the 60th Rifles of Canada and the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in the first world war from January 17th 1916.
The attestation paper states his father as John Tillison.
England & Wales FreeBMD Birth Record for Harry Tillison

It is likely that John married Alice Gibbs in Rochdale in Q3 1895, according to this page.

I'd say that it's reasonable to assume that John was born in Ontario, Canada in c1873 and his father is Thomas Tillison, born in York. Although without paying $375 to subscribe to ancestry.com, I won't be finding out any time soon.

A Thomas Tillison also appears in the Federal Census of Canada, 1871 (Ontario Index). I assume that this is the same Thomas Tillison as his birth place is listed as Scarborough, York East, b. c1835.
In the same residence are;
Agnes Tillison, b. Scarborough c1851
Jane Tillison, b. Scarborough c1864
Samuel Tillison, b. Scarborough c1871 (assumed as there's no date)

Ellis Island: George William Tillison

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists show a family of four Tillison's arriving from Cleethorpes via Liverpool on the Carmania on 09 July 1921.

George William Tillison aged 47yrs and 1 month [b June 1874]
Ann Tillison aged 39yrs and 10 months [b September 1881]
John George Tillison aged 17yrs 2 months [b May 1904]
Winifred Tillison aged 9yrs [b July 1912]

I have been unable to trace Winifred's birth or any record of George William thus far, so it's impossible to know whether they are related to me.

Names Variants

Hillgartner Family History: Tillotson

This web page is extremely interesting, assuming it pans out of course. There are a few accounts of [Tillison] origins from Cromwells days in England and how some [Tillisons] hailed from the Yorkshire area. Interesting - obviously needs further investigation, as ever. But interesting.

We Have Up|oad

I finally got around to re-uploading my tree to Genesreunited after a six month sabatical - I do work and have a family too! It's going to take a little while to pick this thing up again and I dare say I'm going to be up until the wee hours a few nights again - so when else is one supposed to do this stuff?

I'll try to document some of my research as it happens and post some useful links to information sources - if you find yourself landing here having researched parts of my tree [or not], I hope you'll post [useful] comments.

Talking of wee hours, it's 23:54....