Genealogy Chat

So, we are looking for the birth of a William Smith, son of John Smith. This could be difficult! I was going to suggest looking on Historical Directories to see what year the flower shop is first listed but the site seems to be down at the moment http://www.historicaldirectories.org/ Kate.

Hi Reg Thanks for the tips< I should have thought of that. The two already researched were John Smith 1842 Bolton le Willows John Smith 1852 Owston, Licolnshire ( this one I traced back to the 1851 census before I realised that this was the wrong one) so if anyone wants all this research they are welcome to it. It goes back to a family called Bowskill whose daughter Amanda married Joseph Smith and their son was called John, who later became a butler

Of course, 'deceased' fathers were often very convenient.............. Reg

Hi Christine.........I realise that, but it would help others to know which ones were not your chap's father, to save them time...........that's all Reg

Thank you all for replying. Yes Reg, this is a further message the other two you posted were not my rellies. No birth certificate only marriage certificate. William Smith and Mary Beadle 10th Oct 1908,St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Pottery Lane Kensington. Fathers christain name John. Witnesses L Martin and I or J Martin. Have looked in 1901 census, and all 491 names in 1891 census assuming that William was born in 1885.Also have been through many assuming that William may have been born in 1884. ie the census being taken as at 31st March,making him a year older. I'm really stuck, my mothers family I have traced to 1658, but it seems that my grandfather came from another planet and was not here until he got married in 1908. Pleaase if anyone can help me...... Thank you all so much

hiya, could you please post fathers full name on thread???? if you have marriage cert who were witness's please???? Thank you julie

William's father's first name would help. Have you deleted the previous thread? I seem to remember that I posted a list of 'possibles' for the father.................am I right? Reg

I've just had a look on Ancestry and seen that William Smith married Mary Kathleen Beadle in 1908. Is this the right one? Jack

Yes, it would help if you give us the name of William's father, and also the names of the witnesses on William's marriage certificate. Kate.

Hi Christine Since you have William's birth certificate showing that his father was a butler, you will also have his fathers Christian name. [It would also help enormously if you know the names of any of your grandfather's siblings since that would help you decide whether or not the family is a likely candidates for being yours. It will be a pain to do, but the only thing I can think is that you look for him on the 1901 census - and hope he was at home when the census was taken. I looked for William Smiths born about 1885 and there were screens of them - so not an easy search either. Maybe, since William ended up as a Florist, it would be worth keeping an eye open for a Smith family who had a florist living nearby - who maybe gave him a start in the business. I looked for his [Beadle] wife - and there are fewer options for her (born about 1888/9). Other than that, I can't think of any other options. Hopefully someone else will have some better ideas. Good luck Victoria

I have trawled through 491 names on Ancestry looking for my grandad. I have previously left messages on this board. Thankyou to those who took the trouble to reply. Where and when was my grandad born.??? William Smith married Mary Ann Beadle 1908. Williams father noted a being a Butler, (deceased on wedding certificate) Lived at 160 Portland Road Kensington at time of marriage. Age 23. Occupation Flower Seller. William and Mary had a flower shop in Portobello Road,West London, and then moved to bigger premises in Chippenham Road West London. I would be very grateful if any one could give me some sort of lead.