Part 961sr - Searching For My Next Robertson Grandfather

Good Day,

I'm attaching a number of documents that I have found from the East Lothian, Scotland area. All-things-being-equal I can create a far-fetched logical argument that could lead us, maybe to my 7-times Great-Grandfather Robertson.

Here are my current facts.

1. Haddington, Innerwick, and Oldhamstock are relatively close together in East Lothian. There is about 6 hour walk from Haddington to Oldhamstock, passing Innerwick along the way.

2. 4-times Great-Grandparents John and Christian Dudgeon were married 1778 in Butterdean Mains, Oldhamstock. Check out the 2 witnesses - John Dudgeon and Thomas Dudgeon.

3. 4-times Great-Grandfather John Robertson was baptized 17 Oct 1759 in Oldhamstocks. Parents - 5-times Great-Grandparents John and Ann (née Lyle) Robertson. Witnesses - James Robertson and James Lyle.

FHL #1067850

4. 4-times Great-Grandmother Christian (née Dudgeon) Robertson was baptised 22 May 1774 in Roxburghshire. Her parents are 5-times Great-Grandparents Thomas and Janet (née Hope) Dudgeon. I do have an issue with the baptism year of 1774.

5. 4-Times-Great-Grandparents John and Christian (née Dudgeon) Robertson had 6 sons. I have been able to find documentation for all 6 sons. They were

- John (Oldhamstocks, bc. 1779);
- Thomas, my 3-times Great-Grandfather (Oldhamstocks, bc. 1780);
- Alexander (Oldhamstocks, bc. 1781);
- James (Oldhamstocks, bc. 1783);
- William (Oldhamstocks, bc. 1786); and
- Robert (Glasgow, bc. 1792);

Generally accepted Scottish naming convention is as follows, as provided by Family Search -

The Scottish, for the most part, had a naming pattern which can be seen in many families. The pattern generally went as follows:

The first son was named after the father’s father.
The second son after the mother’s father.
The third son after the father.
The first daughter after the mother’s mother.
The second daughter after the father’s mother.
The third daughter after the mother.

According to "The Scottish Onomastic Child-naming Pattern," by John Barrett Robb, another naming system called the "ancestral pattern," generally went as follows:

The first son was named for his father's father.
The second son was named for his mother's father.
The third son was named for his father's father's father.
The fourth son was named for his mother's mother's father.
The fifth son was named for his father's mother's father.
The sixth son was named for his mother's father's father.
The seventh through tenth sons were named for their father's four great-grandfathers.
The eleventh through fourteenth sons were named for their mother's four great-grandfathers.
The first daughter was named for her mother's mother.
The second daughter was named for her father's mother.
The third daughter was named for her mother's father's mother.
The fourth daughter was named for her father's father's mother.
The fifth daughter was named for her mother's mother's mother.
The sixth daughter was named for her father's mother's mother.
The seventh through tenth daughters were named for their mother's four great-grandmothers.
The eleventh through fourteenth daughters were named for their father's four great-grandmothers.


I have also included a working copy of our Robertson Descendant Chart. Please check out my thought-notes on the chart diagram.

I am purely basing the possibility that Alexander Robertson may be our 7-times Great-Grandfather on number of coincidental possibilities.

1. The surname Robertson.

2. The location of the 1711 Marriage Registration for John Robertson and Jean Shoarswood and the 1725 Baptism for John Robertson are both of Haddington.

3. Haddington, Innerwick, and Oldhamstock are relatively close considering distance.

4. The 1758 Marriage Registration for John Robertson and Ann Lyle includes the listing of John Robertson as John Robertson's "Cautioner" and "Father"

5. The 1711 Marriage Registration for John Robertson and Jean Shoarswood includes the listing of Alexander Robertson as "Cautioner" for John Robertson.

6. Naming convention.

7. 3-times Great-Grandparents John Robertson and Christian Dudgeon named

a. Their eldest son, 3-times Great-Granduncle John Robertson, after his father's, 4-times Great Grandfather John Robertson's, father, 5-times Great-Grandfather John Robertson.

b. Their 2nd son, 3-times Great-Grandfather Thomas Robertson, after his mother's, 4-times Great-Grandmother Christian (née Dudgeon) Robertson's, father, 5-times Great-Grandfather Thomas Dudgeon.

c. Their 3rd son, 3-times Great-Granduncle Alexander Robertson, may have been named for his father's, 4-times Great-Grandfather John Robertson's, if it is possible, Great-Great-Grandfather Alexander Robertson. And if this is correct Alexander Robertson could be our 7-times Great-Grandfather.

I may be grasping at straws but as as the names John and Thomas were already used in the naming of the 1st and 2nd sons, there may have been a "fall-back" to the name Alexander, as keeping current with the "ever-present" Scottish naming convention.

Your thoughts?

The search continues.  And I just keep on going.

Also, let me know if you would like an invitation to access to my Smith Robertson Family Tree on Ancestry. You can email me at jsmith58@gmail.com.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt or jsmith58@gmail.com.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 960sm – 1841 Marriage Great-Great Grandparents John and Hester/Esther (née Bailey) Merrifield

Parish Church of Westbury On Trym

Good Day,

In days gone past, I have been somewhat frustrated that I had not been able to discover anything about Great-Great Grandmother Esther (née Bailey) Merrifield. I figured that this would be one of those doors that one encounters in the search of one’s genealogy.

I know that based on the discovery of more and more documentation, the direction of my Smith Robertson Family Tree can and may change.

This past weekend I believe that I have discovered and am able to create a ancestor path following back from Great-Great Grandmother Esther (née Bailey) Merrifield.

First, for several years I have had Great-Great Grandmother’s name down as “Esther”. I did some digging and I discovered that “Esther” can also be known as “Hester”. This simple onomastic provides a few new directions and possible searches.

The information that I had in my Smith Robertson database was that GG-Grandmother Esther (née Bailey) was married to GG-Grandfather John Merryfield in Gloucester, England. They were married in the 4th quarter of 1841. See Part 438bm.

Today I finally found the 1841 Marriage registration for GG-Grandparents John and Esther (née Bailey) Merryfield.

Here is the image –

And my transcription –

Page 43


1841 Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of the Parish of Westbury On Trym in the County Gloucester


No. – 85
When Married. – October 17thName and Surname. – John Merryfield, Esther Bailey
Age. – Of full age, Of full age
Condition. – Bachelor, Spinster
Rank or Profession. – Carpenter
Residence at the Time of Marriage. – Hotwells, Clifton, Hotwells, Clifton
Father’s Name and Surname. – William Merryfield, George Bailey
Rank or Profession of Father. – Servant, Mariner


Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church after Banns by me, John Morris, Curate


This Marriage was solemnized between us, John Merryfield, Esther Bailey in the Presence of us, John Bailey, Mary Bailey.

Source: Family History Library, FHL 7567337 Image 1505 of 1718.

And of course, I am very interested in the Bailey Branch of my Family Tree. I believe I have discovered more. Check out the new Bailey Descendant Chart.

If you would like a copy of the 1841 Marriage Registration or Bailey Descendant Chart, please free to contact me a jsmith58@gmail.com.

The search continues.  And I just keep on going.

Also, let me know if you would like an invitation to access to my Smith Robertson Family Tree on Ancestry. You can email me at jsmith58@gmail.com.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt or jsmith58@gmail.com.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 959sm - The Mystery of Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann (née Irwin) formerly Partlett, Merrifield

Good Day,

Here’s a puzzle.

When did Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann (née Irwin) formerly Partlett, Merrifield marry her 1st husband Partlett, surname?

Here are the facts:

1. According to the 1881 and 1891 UK Census Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann was born about 1843.

2. She married Great-Granduncle George Baily Merrifield, the son of GG-Grandparents John and Esther (née Bailey Merrifield, 5 August 1889 at All Saints’ Church, Newington, Surrey, England.

3. The 1889 Marriage Registration includes Mary Ann Partlett’s father’s name as “James Irwin”.

4. Great-Grandmother Elizabeth Charlotte (née Merrifield) Robertson was Great-Granduncle George Baily Merrifield’s youngest sibling.

5. The ages given in the 1889 Marriage Registration for Great-Granduncle George Baily Merrifield and Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann (née Irwin) are 45 and 47, respectively.

6. Great-Granduncle George Baily and Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann’s 1st daughter Clara M. Merrifield, 1st cousin twice removed, was born about 1872 Gravesend, Kent, England.

7. Two more children were born in 1874 and 1877, Frances M. and Henry D., respectively.

8. There is a notation, in several family trees on Ancestry regarding an 1854 Marriage between one Mary Ann Irwin and George Partlett in Chalk, Kent, England. If this is Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann’s 1st marriage she would have been 11-years old.

9. I just located the 1854 Marriage Registration of Mary Ann Irwin and George Parttlett. Mary Ann Irwin is registered as “Spinster” which of course she would be considerably older that 11 years old, as above mentioned.

10. Her father listed in the 1854 Marriage Registration is entered as “John White”, not as James Irwin.

Here is a copy of 1889 Marriage Registration –

Transcription –

1889. Marriage solemnized at All Saints’ Church in the Parish of Newington in the County of Surrey.

No. – 258When Married – 4th August 1889Name and Surname – George Bailey Merrifield, Mary Ann PartlettAge – 45, 47Condition – Bachelor, WidowRank or Profession – Labourer, --Residence at the time of Marriage – 36 Czar Street, 36 Czar StreetFather’s Name and Surname – John Merrifield (deceased), James Irwin (deceased)Rank of Profession of Father – Carpenter, Seaman

Married in the Church of All Saints according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church, after Banns by me, O. Mitchell, Vicar.

This Marriage was solemnized between us, George Bailey Merrifield, Mary Ann Partlett in the presence of us, Richard Winter, Caroline Winter.

Here is a copy of the 1854 Marriage Registration in question –

Notice that the name of Mary Ann Irwin’s Father is John White, as opposed to Mary Ann Partlett’s father, James Irwin, in the 1889 Registration.

Several other facts are that that all in the 1881 UK Census there are 3 children registered to parents George B and Mary Ann Merrifield. The 3 are Clara M, Frances M, and Henry D. The 3 have approximate birth years of 1872, 1874. And 1877, respectively. All 3 are also dittoed as Merrifield. All-things-being-equal these three could be Great-Granduncle George Bailey’s and Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann’s children. The only thing is that Great-Granduncle George Bailey and Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann were married in 1889.

Are the 3 their children or are they Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann’s and her 1st husband’s children?

Any thoughts?

The search continues.  And I just keep on going.

Also, let me know if you would like an invitation to access to my Smith Robertson Family Tree on Ancestry. You can email me at jsmith58@gmail.com.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt or jsmith58@gmail.com.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 958sm - Tracing My Maternal Merrifield Family Line

Good Day,

I decided that I would take, what I thought would be a short detour in my research. As you know I have been following and uncovering documentations and sources of information for my Paternal Great-Grandmother Ella Margaret Louise (née Scott) Smith. The finds have been quite extensive. I believe I have found links that could lead me back to some 9-times and 10-times Great-Grandparents.

As a diversion, I thought I would see whether or not I could find any information for my Maternal Great-Grandmother Elizabeth Charlotte (née Merrifield) Robertson. And guess what?

I stumbled upon another wealth of information. I believe that I have have found intertwining information back to my 6-times Great-Grandparents.

But I can quickly get myself confused. My Scott line appears to focus back to the area of Leith in Midlothian, Scotland. My Merrifield line appears to center around Leigh upon Menkip in Somerset, England.

Here is my first draft of my Merrifield Family Descendant Chart

Source: Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812 Leigh on Mendip 1670-1771

The search continues.  And I just keep on going.

Also, let me know if you would like an invitation to access to my Smith Robertson Family Tree on Ancestry. You can email me at jsmith58@gmail.com.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt or jsmith58@gmail.com.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 598rd - Smith Robertson Genealogy - Dudgeon Thoughts - Updated Robertson Descendant Chart

Good Day, again,

At times there is a sense of relief, when I have finished a genealogy project of which I have set myself. This latest project was the Dudgeon Project.

In my search and research to follow up on the ancestry and genealogy of my gggg-grandmother Christian (née Dudgeon) Robertson, I have been able to account for what appear to be her seven siblings.

Based on the baptismal order by year there looks to be some semblance of logic as to the birth order of the first seven siblings. The order birth order, as best as I can guess, from the documentation are: Thomas, John, Rachel, Jean, William, Isobel, and Janet.

I have an issue with the actual birth order of her siblings, or where she, gggg-grandmother Christian may fit in. The years of baptism order of the siblings, respectively, and excluding gggg-grandmother Christian are: 1759, 1760, 1762, 1763, 1765, 1768, and 1770. All-things-being-equal, these could be close to and approximately near the actual year of each one’s birth. No problem.

As I said, my issue is that of gggg-grandmother Christian (née Dudgeon) and where she may have existed in the birth order of the Dudgeon siblings. The documents I have are of her 1774 Baptism and her 1778 Marriage. You can understand that it is somewhat hard to believe that she would have been married at about or around four years old. My logical conclusion is that she was baptized at a later date, than her birth year, in her life.

There are a couple of possibilities that could be acceptable to her being of age when she did marry gggg-grandfather. Assuming that she was at least 18 years old when she married in 1778 GGGG-Grandmother Christian (née Dudgeon) could have been born before 1759. Also there may be a possibility that she could have been born around 1761. Until further documentation is found gggg-grandmother Christian’s birth year will remain a mystery.

And I continue. I have updated my Robertson Descendant Chart to include the Posting numbers of all my most recent entries to A Genealogy Hunt.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 589r - Smith Robertson Genealogy - Updated Robertson Descendant Chart

Good Day,

Quick and simple. I am updating my Descendant Charts, a part of the scope of my research and search of my genealogy, ancestry, and Family Lines. Here is the latest updated Robertson Descendant Chart.

Please Note: The yellow and blue symbols represent my direct blood line. All information on this Descendant Chart is based on current and available information. It may change as new and more correct data is discovered. New and updated data may be entered in red.

The added letters and numbers to the right and left of a name in the Descendant Chart, for example, C-P49, can be used to locate an image of the document as it appears in A Genealogy Hunt.

In order to see the actual Part referred, the Part number, for example "588h" can be entered into the Search This Blog box in the right-hand column. Once you press the Search Button a box should appear under the Headings and the appropriate links will be provided. Move your cursor to the link and click.

Key -

B = Birth

C = Baptism/Christening

M = Marriage

D = Death or Burial

P490 = Part 490.

All Descendant Charts are usually added to the pull-down menus under each appropriate Heading at the top of the page.

If you have any questions, comments, and ideas, please contact me.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 586rh – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Once Again – Another Update, Robertson Descendant Chart

Good Day,

The changes sometime come fast and furious once a door has been opened. In my search and research, this time of my Dudgeon and Hope Family Lines, I have discovered some new information. My genealogy is forever under construction; both of my blood and collateral lines.

Last night I chanced upon another sibling to my gggg-grandmother Christian (née Dudgeon) Robertson. This time a new sister, my gggg-grandaunt Jean Dudgeon, baptized in Stichill and Hume in Roxburghshire and Berwickshire. The geography gets a wee bit complicated. I will be getting into that in a later Posting. This Post is strictly an update of my Robertson Descendant Chart.

But do not hold your breath only at gggg-grandaunt Jean Dudgeon… because… I have discovered a possible logical and corresponding record for ggggg-grandmother Janet (née Hope) Dudgeon’s Baptism Registration. The Old Parochial Record is dated 2 September 1733 in Sneep, Nenthorn Kirk in Berwickshire in Scotland. Her father is given as John Hope, and he would be my gggggg-grandfather. Once again, I will be providing the detailed information in a later Post.

Above is the newly updated Robertson Descendant Chart. There is a minor schematic change; a shift in position to the right, on the Descendant Chart, of Margaret Ann (née Donnison) Robertson and gg-grandmother Margaret (née Megwire/Maguire) Robertson

Please make sure that you note that information and data provided and entered on this Robertson Descendant Chart is always subject to change. I am always updating my Descendant Charts as I receive new, additional, and more succinct data and information.

Please feel free to ask questions, make comment, and email me. But please be assured that I will NOT answer or originate any emails offering business deals or get rich quick schemes.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 585r - Smith Robertson Genealogy - Updated Robertson Descendant Chart

Good Day,

And my genealogy journey continues.

I have updated my Robertson Descendant Chart... which of course is always under construction, to include my Dudgeon Family Line.

GGGG-Grandmother Christian (née Dudgeon) Robertson had, that I have to date been able to discover, six siblings: gggg-granduncles and aunts - Thomas, John, Rachel, William, Isobel, and Janet. Due to the fact that the Baptism Registration, as I just posted does not have her birth date, I do not know, at this point in time, where she would fit age-wise with her brother and sisters.

I have also included the seven Dudgeon's parents, my ggggg-grandparents Thomas and Janet (née Hope) Dudgeon.

Here is the updated Robertson Descendant Chart.

And Jay in Wisconsin, here are our connections... and most common ancestors, ggggg-grandfather Thomas and ggggg-grandmother Janet (née Hope) Dudgeon.

Enjoy,

Jim

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My Tangent – A Lost Dog – Ancestor List In My Genealogy Search

Good Day,

And yes I lost one dog this morning. Three accounted for, all asleep on their beds; Taylor, Tinker, and Bella. Where the hell was Radar? Not in the kitchen. Not in the living room. Not at the dining room window transfixed at the early morning strollers.

Nowhere to be seen on the patio checking out the Grays. I called... I whistled. Then finally I caught a glimpse of a moving mountain of blankets and covers on the bed. Out pops the hazel eyes and ratty snout, a stump of a tail wagging. Just looking at me, inquisitively demanding, "Why the hell are you disturbing my comfy nap?" Oh, well The Pack is complete.

I'm at sort of a quandary about where and what I should do next. Of course I'm not at a loss of what I need to do in my search for the origins and genealogy of my ggg-grandfather James Smith...but I feel that I am at a juncture of dis-organization.

I look at my piles of papers on my desk and I see the tremendous number of downloads and files in my storage and in the many folders just screaming out to me to do something. “Get the damn papers and files organized!” “Where is your To-Do List?” “Start something…” “Do something, anything!!!”

Okay, here’s who I need to find, in my search and research of my genealogy. Just a few of the ancestors in my genealogy.

• GGG-Grandfather James Smith – last known location – Grenada


• GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith – last known location – Grenada


• GGG-Grandfather William Thomas – Possible last known location – Grenada


• GGG-Grandmother Maria Matilda (née Rush) Thomas – Possible last known location – Grenada


• GGGG-Grandfather Henry Rush – Possible last known location – Unknown


• GGGG-Grandmother Grace (née ?) Rush – Possible last known location – Unknown


• GG-Grandfather John Merrifield – Possible last known location – Middlesex, England


• GG-Grandmother Esther (née Bailey) Merrifield – Possible last known location – London, England


• GGG-Grandfather William Merrifield – Possible last known location – Gloucestershire, England


• GGG-Grandmother Susanna (née ?) Merrifield – Possible last known location – Gloucestershire, England


• GGG-Grandfather George Bailey – Possible last known location – England


• GGG-Grandfather William Goodey – Possible last known location – Essex, England


• GGG-Grandmother Keziah (née Warner) Goodey – Possible last known location – Essex, England


• GGGG-Grandfather James Warner – Possible last known location – Essex, England


• GGGG-Grandfather Joseph Goodey – Possible last known location – Essex, England


• GGGG-Grandmother Sarah (née Pudney) Goodey – Possible last known location – Essex, England


• GGGGG-Grandfather John Pudney – Possible last known location – Essex, England


• GGGGG-Grandmother Mary (née ?) Pudney – Possible last known location – Essex, England


• GGG-Grandfather Thomas Megwire – Possible last known location – Lancashire, England


• GGGG-Grandmother Christian (née Dudgeon) Robertson – Possible last known location – Lanark, Scotland


• GGGGG-Grandfather John Robertson – Possible last known location – Haddington, Scotland


• GGGGG-Grandmother Ann (née Lyle) Robertson – Possible last known location – Haddington, Scotland


• GG-Grandfather George Goodey – Possible last known location – Sweden


• GG-Grandfather Benjamin Victor Abraham – Possible last known location – Demerara, British Guiana


• GG-Grandmother Emily (née Boyle) Abraham – Possible last known location – Demerara, British Guiana


• GGG-Grandfather Victor Abraham – Possible last known location – Middlesex, England


• GGG-Grandmother Rebecca (née Levy) Abraham – Possible last known location – Middlesex, England


• GGGG-Grandfather Michael Levy – Possible last known location – England

If anyone has any information, please contact me.

This is just the start of my Smith and Robertson Family Line searches. And this list is to continue. Stay tuned.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 491rm - Smith Robertson Genealogy - 1880 Marriage - Alexander Pirie Robertson and Elizabeth Charlotte Merrifield

Good Early Morning,

One never knows what one may find if one just takes the time and looks… I suppose this is the credo of the great majority of persons who are and consider themselves obsessive genealogists. All-things-being equal I didn’t just “click on a leaf.”

On an impulse I thought I would see if I could find any document relating to the 1880 marriage of my great-grandparents Alexander and Elizabeth Charlotte (née Merrifield) Robertson. The past couple of days my focus has been on this generation of my Robertson Branch in my Family Tree.

Previously, in Part 80m, I had posted images of the record of the Banns of their 1880 Marriage which noted that the Banns had been published April 11th, 18th, and 25th consecutively. In the far right on the page there was a written note that I was not too sure of my transcription. I wrote, at the time “St. Pauls of Shoreditch”. I'm still not certain of the writing.

The subsequent “Certified Copy of An Entry of Marriage”, also posted in Part 80m, which I received from the General Register Office has recorded that the “Marriage solemnized at the Parish Ch in the Parish of Holy Trinity Hoxton in the County of Middlesex”. Also from the Certified Copy it is recorded that my great-grandparents were “Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church, by ---- or after Banns by me, Bradley Hurst Alford”.

From Page 244 from the London Metropolitan Archives, Holy Trinity, Hoxton, Register of Marriages, P91/TR1, Item 012 the same two lines are recorded

Marriage solemnized at The Parish Church in the Parish of Holy Trinity Hoxton in the County of Middlesex” and “Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church by ---- or after Banns by me, Bradley Hurst Alford.

The above inserted image is of Holy Trinity Hoxton, 3 Bletchley Street, Hackney, Greater London, England. It is possible that this is the Church at where great-grandparents Alexander and Elizabeth were married. The second image is of Holy Trinity Hoxton taken from Alford Place, which of course just happens to be the same name as of the person who married great-grandparents.

And just one other point, the signatures the appear in the Registration appear to be possible actual signatures of each party concerned, including great-grandparents Alexander Pirie Robertson and Elizabeth Charlotte Merrifield. One of the witnesses signatures appears to be that of great-grandaunt Harriet Ann Merrifield, one of great-grandmother Elizabeth's sisters.

Who knows what I may find, when I look?

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 490m - Smith Robertson Genealogy - Updated Merrifield Descendant Chart

Good Afternoon,

In attempting to keep up with my genealogy "house-", or should I say "blog-keeping", as I have updated my Robertson Descendant Chart, see Part 489r, it falls in place that I should update my Merrifield Descendant Chart.

The new additions are highlighted in red.

I will also be updating menu choices and entries as listed to the Header Labels at the top of the page. And now back to the drawing board and the mountains of files and reams of papers I am investigating.

Stay tuned always for updates. If you have any questions and comments, please do.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 489r – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Updated Robertson Descendant Chart

Good Afternoon,

With the most recent discovery of Grandfather Frederick Henry Robertson’s two elder siblings, John Merrifield and Alexander George, I have updated and included them in the Robertson Descendant Chart.

The two new additions are highlighted in red.

Sadly both, John Merrifield and Alexander George, according to the respective 1883 and 1885 General Register Death Indexes passed away in infancy. The following are the images, as downloaded from Ancestry.co.uk and my transcriptions.

ROB] DEATHS registered in January, February, and March 1883. 294
ROBERTSON, John Mirrifield.
Age. – 1
District. – Shoreditch
Vol. – 1 c.
Page. – 69

ROB] DEATHS registered in July, August, and September 1885. 230
ROBERTSON, Alexander George.
Age. – 0
District. – Shoreditch
Vol. – 1 c.
Page. – 58

Please note have granduncle John Merrifield Robertson’s middle name is entered on the Index – “Mirrifield”. I have transcribed it as such; it is what I see and I will not change my transcription. I will note the difference in spelling as well as cite my source. The recording on the Birth Index and the Parish of Holy Trinity Baptism Register, (see Part 487r), both register the middle name as “Merrifield”. Lesson learned – One document may not be enough…

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 488r – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1884 Birth & 1885 Baptism – Alexander George Robertson

Morning,

As I mentioned the surprise is tremendous; the thrill of the search has produced another new result in the genealogy of our Robertson Family Genealogy. The record of another brother of Grandfather Frederick Henry Robertson has been found, Alexander George Robertson. Thank you Helen, once again for another lead and find.

This time I have located the Birth Register Index – Births registered in October, November, and December 1884. The pages included in the image are 448 and 449.

I have also included cuttings of the headers and the actual listed entry for granduncle Alexander George Robertson.

My transcription –

ROB] BIRTHS registered in October, November, and December 1884.
ROBERTSON, Alexander George
District – Shoreditch
Vol. – 1 c.
Page – 73

The source of this information is from the Free BMD, England & Wales, FreeBMD Index, 1837-1915 available through the General Register Office, England and Wales Civil Registration Indexes, London, England.

The next document I traced down is the page of the Parish Register which includes the Baptism Registration of granduncle Alexander George Robertson. Source Citation: London Metropolitan Archives, Holy Trinity, Hoxton, Register of baptisms, P91/TRI, Item 002. The following is the image of the Parish Register Page.

And my transcription –

Page 288
BAPTISMS solemnized in the Parish of Holy Trinity, Hoxton in the
County of Middlesex in the year 1885
When Baptised. – 1885 Feb. 15 –Nov 4/84 No. 1902
Child’s Christian Name. – Alexander George
Parents’ Name.
Christian. – Alexander Pirie & Elizabeth Charlotte
Surname. – Robertson
Abode. – 11 Parr St.
Quality, Trade, or Profession. – Warehouseman
By whom the Ceremony was performed. - W. Ett. Sotheby.

All source information is available and obtained through Ancestry.co.uk.

And again I continue,

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 487r – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1882 Birth & Baptism – John Merrifield Robertson

Good Afternoon,

Wonders of wonders… who knows what information can be found when family members and relatives work together in the pursuit of a common genealogy.

I received a call last night from England. A new discovery… actually more than one, had been made. This discovery is pertinent to my, our Robertson Family Line. Grandfather Frederick Henry Robertson did have a couple more siblings. Thank you, Helen for the lead and the information.

I would like now to introduce to you John Merrifield Robertson. He, based on the Robertson Family Tree structure, is both Helen’s and my granduncle. The uniqueness of this find is that granduncle John’s middle name is his mother’s, great-grandmother Elizabeth Charlotte’s, maiden name, Merrifield.

The first image is of the pages 448 and 448 from the Birth registered in January, February, and March 1882. If you have any difficulty in viewing and enlarging the image I have inserted cuts of the headers and the actual listed entry for granduncle John Merrifield Robertson.

My transcription –

ROB] BIRTHS registered in January, February, and March 1882. 448
ROBERTSON, John Merrifield
District – Shoreditch
Vol. – 1 c.
Page – 76

I then discovered the Parish Registration of granduncle John Merrifield’s baptism. Per the document, Page 184, he was born 17 January 1882 and baptized 12 March 1882.

Here is the image of the Register Page. The Source citation is the London Metropolitan Archives, Holy Trinity, Hoxton, Register of Baptisms, P91/TRI, Item 002.

And my transcription –

Page 184
BAPTISMS solemnized in the Parish of Holy Trinity, Hoxton in the
County of Middlesex in the year One thousand
eight hundred and Eighty two.
When Baptised. – 1882 March 12 – Jan 17. No. 1472
Child’s Christian Name. – John Merrifield
Parents’ Name.
Christian. – Alexander Pirie & Elizabeth Charlotte
Surname. – Robertson
Abode. – 11 Parr St.
Quality, Trade, or Profession. – Warehouseman
By whom the Ceremony was performed. - W. Ett. Sotheby.

All source information is available and obtained through Ancestry.co.uk.

I will be updating my Ancestral Charts shortly. Stay tuned for the next find.

Enjoy,

Jim

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My Tangent – Spring Is Here - Focus On Targeted Goals

Good morning from this side of the Globe,

And I have just sat down at my PC and am collecting my thoughts of what I need to accomplish today in the search for the genealogy of my ggg-grandfather James Smith.

All I can think of is how beautiful it is today. I counted 13 new Amaryllis buds in the garden. The leather palm fruit pod had broken open and the female cardinal was sitting there having a feast.

I gathered the Pack for their morning walk and the Rats. Tinker and Bella started their clamor as they decided that every squirrel in our route was their sole objective.

Mr. and Mrs. Canard provided a brief interlude and Taylor thought that she should bound off and track them down. But it was the unknown black thing-a-ma-jig that was in the driveway across the street that concentrated their yapping attention. They needed to catch it. They needed to scramble up to conquer the interloper. You can imagine their let-down when the inanimate plastic bag with newspaper wrapped inside wouldn’t budge.

The sun is shining through the oaks and sumacs and evergreens. Each is covered with pollen dripping florets. And I sneeze… and I sneeze, again, and again and again. Spring has sprung in Tampa… and my Kleenex supply increases.

Today I have two simple goals in my work on my genealogy. The first, complete the transcription of the next 1822 Smith-related Indenture. I have already finished seven of 31 pages, 24 more to go. This one is a long one. My second goal is to gather together all documents and paperwork that I have regarding my Merrifield line.

Enjoy your coffee this morning.

Jim

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Part 459 – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Am I Bored? – Updates Today

Good Day,

And I still continue my Indenture Transcription Project in the research for the origins and ancestry of my ggg-grandfather James Smith. At times this process can become somewhat tedious if not “boring”, especially if there is no apparent glimmer of hint or clue. For this reason, and to feed my insatiable appetite for genealogy research I have some other concurrent family search projects ongoing.

• I’ve made headway with respects to a possible further location of Verdelais in the Department of Gironde in France following up on the ancestry of my gg-grandmother Catherine Cora (née Merle) July.
• I have found some possible connections and documentations to my family line of Castex in the 10-Year Tables with respect to my ggg-grandmother Jeanette Etienette (née Castex) Merle.
• The first YDNA results for my Robertson line have returned. And lo and behold there is an exact Robertson match in the preliminary results for the first set of 12 markers.
• Microfilms have arrived referencing my search for my Merrifield Line.
• Work continues in my transcription and translation project of the possible July Family documentations especially those from Sarlat in the Department of Dordogne in France.
• I have initiated a Family Tree DNA Family Finder study to complement the current Smith YDNA and Robertson et al mtDNA studies and results.
• I am investigating the mtDNA results referencing the Olton Smith et al lines.
• Of course, I continue with the Grenada Registers of Records Transcription Project in the search for the origins of my ggg-grandfather James Smith.
• And…

And when I do become really bored, there is… Oh and by the by, I am seeing a drastic increase in visitors to A Genealogy Hunt. The average number of visitors has increased up by 100% to at least 40 Visits per day. Not bad for a very small niche blog that doesn’t offering anything but my journal and muses of my thoughts and research.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 439m – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1844 & 1846 Christenings – Great-Granduncles George Bailey and William Merrifield

Afternoon,

And now I’ve chanced upon the possibility of two great-granduncles; great-granduncle George Bailey Merrifield and great-granduncle William Merrifield. They would have been elder brothers of great-grandmother Elizabeth Charlotte (née Merrifield) Robertson.

This is the next result of my search and research of the Merrifield Line, an ancestral branch of my maternal Robertson Line and family genealogy. Great-grandmother Elizabeth Charlotte (née Merrifield) Robertson was my grandfather Frederick Henry Robertson’s mother. The following is my new and updated Merrifield Descendant Chart.

You will note that I have now included ggg-grandfather George Bailey and his two grandsons, my great-granduncles George Bailey and William Merrifield.

All-things-being-equal both great-granduncle George Bailey and great-granduncle William were named for their maternal and paternal grandfathers, respectively.

The information that I have most recently encountered is taken from the database entries to the FHL Family Search.

Record Title: England, Bristol Parish Registers, 1538-1900
Name: George Bailey Merryfield
Event: CHRISTENING
Event Date: 07 Jul 1844
Event Place: Clifton, St Andrew, Gloucestershire, England
Gender: Male
Father: John Merryfield
Mother: Esther Merryfield
Digital Folder Number: 4191932


Record Title: England, Bristol Parish Registers, 1538-1900
Name: William Merrifield
Event: CHRISTENING
Event Date: 26 Jul 1846
Event Place: Clifton, St Andrew, Gloucestershire, England
Gender: Male
Father: John Merrifield
Mother: Esther Merrifield
Digital Folder Number: 4191932

I was also able to find the Birth Indexes for indicating both entries at FindMyPast.com. The following are the downloaded images of the two pages.

My transcriptions –

SURNAME of PARENT – Merryfield
NAME (if any) of SEX of CHILD – George Bailey
SUP. REGISTRAR’S DISTRICT – Clifton
Vol. – XI
Page – 255

SURNAME of PARENT – Merrifield
NAME (if any) of SEX of CHILD – William
SUP. REGISTRAR’S DISTRICT – Clifton
Vol. – XI
Page – 276

And now to find copies of the actual registrations. Next.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 438bm – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1841 Marriage – GGG-Grandparents John and Esther (née Bailey) Merrifield

Morning,

And wonders never cease… the searches, the finds… and the “Ah-hah!” moments. This genealogy thing is forever a giving thing. It is like a continual finding of Christmas presents under an evergreen tree that is never taken down and put away for the season.

(Image: Holy Trinity Church, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, Steinsky, 2006)

In the continuation of my research into my Merrifield Family Line I stumbled upon a couple of choice finds tonight. I have copies of the BMD Indexes of Marriages Registered in October, November, December 1841 for both great-great-grandparents Esther (née Bailey) and John Merrifield. The following is my transcription. Note that gg-grandfather John’s surname is entered as “Merryfield”.

NAME	DISTRICT	VOL	PAGE
BAILEY Esther	Clifton	11	393
MERRYFIELD John	Clifton	11	393

The following are the pages of the Indexes.

Next I discovered the following information as an entry in the new Family Search Historical Records Database, for England, Bristol Parish Registers, 1538-1900.

record title: England, Bristol Parish Registers, 1538-1900
Name: John Merryfield
Event: MARRIAGE
Event Date: 17 Oct 1841
Event Place: Westbury on Trym, Holy Trinity, Gloucestershire, England
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Single
Father: William Merryfield
Spouse: Esther Bailey
Spouse's Marital Status: Single
Spouse's Father: George Bailey
Digital Folder Number:4185367

I have not as yet garnered a copy of the actual Marriage Registration, but all-things-being-equal this data entry will provide me with the information necessary to get a copy of the same. Possible FHL microfilms which may have the original record are 1595525, 1595528, 1596411, 1596360, and 1749372.

And a new ancestor is included in the data entry information, gg-grandmother Esther (née Bailey) Merrifield’s father, ggg-grandfather George Bailey. This is another new limb of my Robertson Family Tree.

So to continue… I will be updating the Merrifield Descendant Chart shortly.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 435m – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1841 GGG-Grandfather William Merrifield Search Continues

Good Afternoon,

And the search for the genealogy of ggg-grandfather William Merrifield is into full swing. Thank you Helen and Steve for your help and participation in the search.

After I posted Part 434m on Wednesday my PC took a dive. It was the new terabyte harddrive. Had to be replaced and the transfer was seamless. I still have the Google problem on my PC, but I’ll deal with that later.

After I began the search for ggg-grandfather William Merrifield, it appears that the cogs and the wheels began a-churning. Almost simultaneously from England, Wales, and Florida, we stumbled upon a certain number of revealing factors online about ggg-grandfather William Merrifeld that should prove most helpful in our ancestry search.

My thought process was first to try a search for a “Beer House Keeper”, per the 1841 England Census for Clifton. Google Search offered me 829 possible results for the phrase – “1841 Beer house keeper Clifton, Gloucestershire". I added “William Merrifield” which resulted in one outcome, and that was my posting Part 434m. Eliminating the name “William”, nine results were produced. No immediate connection was made.

I changed my search criteria to “1841 Merrifield Pub Clifton”. The sixth hit of 19,000 returned the find “Bristol Pubs 12”. It is a site entitled “Bristol’s Lost Pubs”. The information provided is “Hope & Anchor Mardyke, Hotwell Road – 1841-51. William Merryfield / 1853-54. Ann Merryfield / 1855-57. Henry Couzens".

Another search produced a link to Bristol Information – List All Pubs. Data provided is “Hope and Anchor, Mardyke – Some landlord(s) as listed in directories, etc: William Merrifield 1844 + 49 + 52”. There are three other Hope and Anchors listed. Two of them, the Hope and Anchor Jacobs Well and the Hope and Anchor, Mardyke both appear to be close to the Merrifield home address of Hotwell Road as listed on the 1841 and 1851 Censuses, respectively.

My next search is for a possible Parish Church or Churches where the family may have had ties. The above inserted image of the Hope & Anchor sign is from the present Jacobs Well, Hotwells’ location.

Enjoy, and stay-tuned.

Jim

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Part 434m – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Search For GGG-Grandfather William Merrifield, Beer House Keeper

Good day,

Last night I decided that I had better start delving into my Merrifield line... The following is a quick synopsis of immediate Merrifield ancestors. (Link here to see my Merrifield Descendant Chart.)

1. My grandfather Frederick Henry Robertson was born 28 December 1890, in Islington, London. Dada passed away in 20 January 1967 in Saint Andrew Parish, Surrey, Jamaica.
2. His mother, great-grandmother Elizabeth Charlotte Merrifield was born 24 Jan 1856, in Hoxton, Middlesex, England. Great-grandmother Elizabeth passed away 20 June 1926 in Edmonton, Middlesex.
3. Her father gg-grandfather John Merrifield was born circa 1816, in Clifton, Gloucestershire in England. Presently I do not have any information regarding his death.

From my research my ggg-grandfather William Merrifield, (gg-grandfather John’s father, I think), was born about 1781, per the 1841 England Census in Clifton, County of _____. I cannot make out the script of the name of the location.

Per the data entry from Ancestry.uk.co, the entry reads "Gloucestershire, England - Civil Parish: Clifton, Hundred - Barton Regis, County - Gloucestershire". I have inserted the image of the 1841 Clifton Census, Page 14.

Per the 1851 England Census the birth place is given as Somersetshire. See the inserted 1851 Census. Apart from "sharing" borders, how are Somersetshire and Gloucestershire interconnected? I'm trying to narrow the location to set a search for Parish Registers of birth and baptism and see if I can dig deeper into my Merrifield Line.

I believe, on the 1851 Census, Line 290, the William Merrifield, who may be my ggg-grandfather, is a Beer Retailer. This definitely corresponds to William Merrifield I discovered in 1841 Census. His occupation is enumerated as Beer House Keeper.

The son John Merrifield, aged 25, included in the 1841 Census is listed as a Carpenter. GG-grandfather John Merrifield was a Carpenter. In the 1861 Census, Page 19, of The Tower Hamlet in St. Leonard in Shoreditch gg-grandfather John’s occupation is entered as a Carpenter & Joiner. The 1871 Census, Page 15, also notes that he was a Carpenter. Further great-grandmother Elizabeth is included as one of his daughters in the same 1871 Census. Great-grandmother Elizabeth’s Birth Registration can be seen in Part 80m. It also confirms gg-grandfather John’s Carpenter occupation.

Based on my observations of the occupation of gg-grandfather John Merrifield as Carpenter, I could surmise that the John Merrifield may also be one and the same in the 1841 Census… This could lead to a possible conclusion that the Head of the Household, William Merrifield, the Beer House Keeper was gg-grandfather John’s father, and my ggg-grandfather.

You'll also see on the 1851 Census on Line 292 that there is listed a George Merrifield, a Shopkeeper... Purely coincidence but this could also be a relative to William Merrifield, either a much younger brother or a son, or given a cousin.

And so the Merrifield search begins... I would appreciate any thoughts, knowledge, insights, or questions.

Regards,

Jim

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