Question

Can anyone help with parentage of my gt. gt. grandfather John Clarke from Staffordshire, later Nottinghamshire please?

Comments

It's very difficult with such a common name. You could order a copy of his marriage certificate which will give his father's name - although it may just be John.

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Thank you for the suggestion, but his father's name is not on the marriage certificate.

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It will be.  You are thinking of the marriage *registration*, where it does not appear.

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In support of Ros - according to the GRO :

Details contained on a marriage certificate include: 

• Date and place of marriage. 
• Name, age and marital status/condition of the parties.
• Occupation and usual address.
• Name and occupation of each party's father. 
• Names of the witnesses. 
• Name of the person who solemnised the marriage.

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Understood. Marriage certificate ordered from GRO. Thank you.

Answer 1

CLARKE, JOHN	ROBERTS
GRO Reference: 1860  D Quarter in WALSALL  Volume 06B  Page 499

 

CLARKE, JOHN  CHARLES	BRITTAIN
GRO Reference: 1857  S Quarter in WALSALL  Volume 06B  Page 501 (Roberts and Brittain are the mother's maiden surname)

Comments

note: Basford covers Hucknall Torkard

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but he was born in the West Bromwich area

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In addition to the two Ros posted (just to muddy the waters more) : 

Name:	Mother's Maiden Surname:

CLARK, JOHN	DONLAN
GRO Reference: 1859  J Quarter in WALSALL  Volume 06B  Page 566

CLARK, JOHN	BIGGS
GRO Reference: 1859  S Quarter in WALSALL  Volume 06B  Page 495

CLARK, JOHN  BAYLEY	BAYLEY
GRO Reference: 1857  J Quarter in WALSALL  Volume 06B  Page 561

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What would be extremely helpful is if there is a census.

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Well if we're guessing, I like this one

CLARKE, JOHN	MEEK
GRO Reference: 1858  J Quarter in WEST BROMWICH  Volume 06B  Page 678

but really it's almost impossible without more information

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I don't think we were guessing at all.  I know I used the information already on the profile, what little there is as yet.  (All is a work in progress!)

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John Married Elizabeth Sharratt in 1894 and they appear in census in Hucknall Torkard in 1891, 1901 and 1911. I can find her in earlier Census with her family. My best guess for him so far was 1861 Census living Wednesbury Staffs with grandfather Daniel and aunt Suzannah. In 1851 he had another daughter, Emma, born 1836, who in 1861 Census was living with a dressmaker, Sarah Waterhouse, as apprentice. Illegitimate maybe, but finding proof? Thank you everyone for your efforts!

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John and Elizabeth actually married in 1884, rather than 1894.  I have put the registration on John's profile so you can order the certificate if you wish.

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1894 was a typo, sorry, and thank you.

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Why did you assume Susannah was his aunt not his (unmarried) mother? I saw that record too but there's another John Clarke born to John and Jane (Meek) that's my suggestion above. I think you're on the right track with the Wednesbury area.

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Susannah (11 yrs older than him)too young to be his mother, census(1851 & 1861) describes her as Daniel's daughter, and John as Grandson, though there was a son Soloman in the 1851 Census born about 1845, and have found nothing else on him. There was an older sister, Emma(1851 Census), who may be his mother. I have ordered the marriage certificate from GRO. Appears I should do more research on close relatives to see if that produces anything. Will also look further into the other suggestions. Thank you all for your help.