Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Hi,

I have just found the marriage of one of my husband's ancestors on Lancs OPC site. It took place 16 June 1733 at St Michael and All Angels, Croston, Lancs and the entry states that it was between Henry Banks, Husbandman of Shingwel and Ann Abram Spinster of Bebington.

What I want to know is where is Shingwel? I've Googled it but no result. I've checked on the Genuki pages to no avail. It doesn't appear on any modern maps. Anyone got any ideas?

Emeltee

Thingwall?

Blue

Are you sure you have the right couple? Croston being under the parish embrella of Blackburn, a bit south of Preston, near Chorley?

This seems a strange place for somebody from Bebington and possibly Thingwall to get together, but stranger things have happened.

There are excellent parish records at the Lancashire Record Office for this church and also St John the Baptist in Bretherton and there is a large graveyard.

I found when checking the registers that the priest often used a farm name as the abode, rather than a village or town name, that might give the explanation for your strange place. However I would advise checking the original register to see what transcription you make of it yourself.

I also see that they were married By Licence, it could be worthwhile obtaining a copy of this to see whether it gives any further clues.

Many thanks to you both for your thoughts and ideas. I am sure it is the right couple. Ann Abram was originally from Croston and I presume was working in Bebington prior to her marriage. The couple moved to the Bebington area after the marriage and their children were born there. I will try to find the licence to check the details. Thanks again,
Emeltee

I have just looked on the familysearch site at the Cheshire Marriage Bonds and sure enough there they are - Henry Banks of Thingwall, Woodchurch and Ann Abraham (not Abram) of Bebington.

Emeltee

Different Thingwall to the one we may have been thinking of then.