William Walker Birth Source 1853

[alanwalker14]

I have hit a brick wall tracing my ancestors in that I cannot find the birth source document for my Great Grandfather William Walker. His Death Certificate for the 04 Jul 1912 states that he was 59 years old and lived at 56 Opie St W Derby, but the 1911 census has 60 on it! He married Agnes Berry on 15 Jan 1888 when he was 34 years old and his father was Robert Walker (Engineer). These facts are confirmed by certificates and other data so I know that they are correct. Unfortunately his father and he were both sailors so the early census data is sketchy to say the least, however I have traced a possible link to Ellen Parry from Wales being a possible mother and I now suspect that she may have died giving birth to him leading to a possible adoption. Can someone point me in the right direction to explore this avenue please.

[BarbaraW]

I have hit a brick wall tracing my ancestors in that I cannot find the birth source document for my Great Grandfather William Walker. His Death Certificate for the 04 Jul 1912 states that he was 59 years old and lived at 56 Opie St W Derby, but the 1911 census has 60 on it! He married Agnes Berry on 15 Jan 1888 when he was 34 years old and his father was Robert Walker (Engineer). These facts are confirmed by certificates and other data so I know that they are correct. Unfortunately his father and he were both sailors so the early census data is sketchy to say the least, however I have traced a possible link to Ellen Parry from Wales being a possible mother and I now suspect that she may have died giving birth to him leading to a possible adoption. Can someone point me in the right direction to explore this avenue please.

Death certificates are notoriously ambiguous. They are only as good as the person giving the information from their own memory. A year or two is neither here nor there.

[retiringtype]

Any more clues from the marriage certificate? Address, names of witnesses?

[MaryA]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately there was no official adoption until 1926 so there is probably no documentation to help with this line of research.

We await the details from the certificates ie witnesses etc.

[alanwalker14]

As far as I can tell I think the name of one witness is Mary Mason which would be the woman that was head of the house that a adopted son called William Walker was raised in around the 1871 census. The other witness was definitely the Brother in Law of the bride called John Lloyd who was quite wealthy for the time. The brides maiden name was Agnes Berry who was born on 07 Dec 1862. William and Agnes were both living in School Lane in Liverpool when they married. Mary's name on the witness part of the marriage certificate is difficult to decipher but I will explore that avenue now and see where it leads to. Thanks for your help everyone.

[retiringtype]

Mary Mason which would be the woman that was head of the house that a adopted son called William Walker was raised in around the 1871 census.

But that William Walker was only 8 years old in 1871. Your William Walker would have been aged 17 to 20

[retiringtype]

Might it be Mary Morton? There's a family in Birkenhead in the 1851 census. Mary Morton has a 10 month old William T Walker born Liverpool as a nurse child. Also a daughter Mary aged 5.

[alanwalker14]

The Mary Mason I was referring to lived at 1 Anson Place, Lime St, Liverpool in 1871 and William was 16 on the Census, so that means he was only a year or two out from his declared age of 34 on the marriage certificate in Jan 1888. I have also found that there is a baptism record for a William Walker on 11 Feb 1855 ( born on 10 Sep 1854 ), with the parents listed as Robert and Mary Ann Arnold which may have some bearing as I cannot find William living with a Mary Mason in the 1861 Census so far. Will have a look at the Mary Morton connection. Thanks

[retiringtype]

Who'd have thought there would be two Mary Masons, both in Liverpool Lime Street ward, in 1871 with adopted sons named William Walker! The other one is in Oakes Street (page 28 of the same piece 3789).

[Bertieone]

This is the baptism of the William Walker you found.
William Walker Arnold
Gender:
Male
Birth Date:
10 Sep 1854
Baptism Date:
11 Feb 1855
Baptism Place:
St Peter's, C of E, Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Father:
Robert Arnold
Mother:
Mary Ann Arnold




Births Dec 1854

Arnold, William Walker West Derby 8b 239

[Katie]

My Edward Morris is on the 1881 census twice. With his wife Rose Ann Morris in Silvester Street and also with his mother Mary Morris who lived in Latimer Street. I think his been at home having his tea with Rose Ann when the Census guy came to pick up the papers. His popped around the corner to visit his mum, to get another tea and his recorded being there as well.