Wednesday 30 May 2018

The Lewis Family - The Early Years

My research has started with No 1, The Crescent, Taunton. It makes sense to work down the street in house number order. 

Today, 1 The Crescent is resident to Somerset Youth and Community Service (http://www.somersetyouth.co.uk/) and the Somerset Road Safety Unit.  

On the 1901 census [1] and 1911 census [2], it is the home of Josiah and Ellen Norah Lewis and their family. 

Josiah was born on 18 October 1845 [3] to Nicholas, an Agricultural Labourer, and Susan Lewis (nee Martin) of Wincanton, Somerset, about 50 kilometres (approx. 31 miles) East of Taunton. He was the 6th born of seven children and the youngest of 4 sons. 

His baptism took place on 6 November 1845 at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, the parish church of Wincanton [4]. The ceremony was performed by the Reverend Henry Collins.

On the 1851 census [5], Josiah is listed as living with his parents, 3 older brothers, Henry, Thomas & Uriah, and 2 older sisters, Ann & Louisa, at Wincanton Common. His age is given as 4 years. His Father and eldest brother are Agri (Agricultural) Labourers while his eldest sister is working as a House Servant. Josiah's rank, along with his other younger siblings, is given as 'at home (Pauper)'.


On the 1861 census [6], Josiah is still living with his parents at Wincanton Common, with siblings Louisa, Thomas, Uriah and his younger sister, Dorcas. His age is given as 14 years and his rank is listed as Tailor's Apprentice. The ranks for his older brothers are given as Ag (Agricultural) Labourers with his older sister listed as a Seamstress. His younger sister is listed as a Scholar.


In Spring 1870, Josiah married Ellen Norah Frost, in Wincanton [7]. By the time of the 1871 census [8], they are living at 17 North Street, Taunton, where he is listed aged 25 years and working as a Tailor and his wife, aged 25 years also, and working as a Toy Seller. Ellen's unmarried younger sister, Mary Frost, aged 18 years, is also listed and is working as a Dressmaker. 


Between the census's of 1871 and 1881, Josiah and Ellen have seven children [9]. They are:

  • Ellen Norah (1871)
  • Josiah Edgar (1873)
  • Annie Louisa (1874)
  • Edith Mary (1876)
  • Fanny Elizabeth (1877)
  • Gertrude Agnes (1879)
  • Winifred Elva (1881)
By the time of the census in 1881 [10], the family have moved from 17 North Street, Taunton, to 11 North Street, Taunton. Josiah's age is given as 35 years and his profession is listed as a Tailor. His wife's name is given as Norah instead of Ellen, also aged 35 years with - in the rank column. All of their daughters are listed on the census, with the eldest four listed as scholars. Mary Frost is listed on this census as Mother-in-Law, widow and of no occupation, aged 64 years along with Mary Frost, Sister-in-Law, unmarried, aged 27 years and with no occupation. It appears that Josiah Edgar died in about Spring 1874 [11] 

The next update will continue with the history of Josiah and Ellen Norah Lewis and their family from 1881 onwards. 


Sources: 
[1] Ancestry.com, 1901 England Census, Class: RG13; Piece: 2278; Folio: 16; Page 23
[2] Ancestry.com, 1911 England Census, Class: RG14; Piece 14241; Schedule Number: 188.
[3] South West Heritage Trust, Somerset Archives and Local Studies, Taunton, Somerset, England, Reference Number A\DSG, Scrapbook of Josiah Lewis - Mayor of Taunton, Order of Service for Memorial
[4] Ancestry.com, Somerset Heritage Service; Taunton; Somerset; England; Somerset Parish Records, 1538-1914; Reference Number; D\P\winc/2/1/11
[5] Ancestry.com, 1851 England Census, Class: HO107; Piece: 1931; Folio: 532; Page; 9; GSU roll: 221088-221089
[6] Ancestry.com, 1861 England Census, Class: RG9; Piece; 1650; Folio: 27; Page: 1; GSU roll: 542845
[7] Ancestry.com, FreeBMD, England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915
[8] Ancestry.com, 1871 England Census, Class: RG10; Piece: 2370; Folio: 6; Page: 3; GSU roll: 835103
[9] Ancestry.com, FreeBMD, England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
[10] Ancestry.com, 1881 England Census, Class: RG11; Piece: 2366; Folio: 9; Page: 10: GSU roll: 1341569
[11] Ancestry.com, FreeBMD, England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915

Monday 14 May 2018

Analysis of The Crescent from the 1939 Register

So, I have made a start on my study of The Crescent in Taunton, Somerset, England. 

I have decided to work backwards from the 1939 Register, which is available via subscription at Ancestry.co.uk and also on FindMyPast.co.uk. 


I will not be detailing who was living on The Crescent on 29th September 1939, which is when the Register was taken and gives an overview of the population of England and Wales, just after the outbreak of World War II. I will, however, provide a statistical overview of the information from the Register relating to The Crescent as detailed below:


  • 18 households are individually listed on the Register at The Crescent (which including the Somerset County Club)
  • 15 households have residents listed living in them
  • 3 households are listed as vacant 
  • 5 household numbers do not appear to be listed on the Register
  • All of the households which are not vacant have at least 2 residents living in them
  • The highest number of residents living in one household is 9
  • 62 residents are listed on the Register
  • 5 of these entries are currently closed
  • 57 residents are listed by name
  • 38 residents are female
  • 19 residents are male

There are 4 different status' listed for the residents, which break-down as below:
  • 31 residents are single
  • 18 residents are married
  • 7 residents are widowed
  • 1 of the residents is divorced

The oldest resident of The Crescent in 1939 was born in 1854 whilst the youngest open entry of a resident was for a child born just a year before the Register was taken in 1938.


The occupations of the residents vary from Art Mistress to Club Stewardess and Typist to Unpaid Domestic Duties for the women. For the men, they vary from Private School Proprietor to Clerk in Holy Orders to a Retired Farmer and a Cook Houseman for the men.  

I feel that this has been a really good start for me and I will now endeavor to work backwards through the years and discover more about The Crescent, its households and residents. 

Source:
The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/7041B  - This information is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence).