Thomas Whittaker, a brick wall

[techmick]

Hello Folks,

I was hoping that someone may be able to help me get past this brick wall I have hit in researching our family tree?

We can get as far back as William Whittaker who was born about 1843 in Liverpool. He married Martha Clarke. They were married on 28th April 1866 in St Michael in the City, Liverpool. His occupation (on 02/04/1871) was Hairdresser, they lived at 43B Bidder street

Sources: GRO Qtr 2 1866 Liverpool, vol 8b, page 139. UK census image, RG10/3792, folio 178, page 11.

Now we known/think his father was Thomas Whittaker and an unknown spouse, who we think had just the one child. Can anyone help us please?

Mick

[Tina]

Hi Mick, in 1891 census he is listed as 50, living in Chatsworth St Edge Hill hairdresser with Martha 49 and their kiddies.
I'm sure you have this info.
In 1911 he is 70 wid a casual night watchman with daughter Harriet single and son James single. 94 Uxbridge St Edge hill.

[MaryA]

He married Martha Clarke. They were married on 28th April 1866 in St Michael in the City, Liverpool. His occupation (on 02/04/1871) was Hairdresser, they lived at 43B Bidder street
...............
Now we known/think his father was Thomas Whittaker and an unknown spouse,

If you have the exact date of marriage and church, you must have a copy of the certificate - what does it give for the father's name and occupation?

[techmick]

Hi Tina, yes I do have that info but thank you very much for taking the time to reply.

Mary, I cannot put a hand on certificate at the moment but according to my notes I have made,

Occupation: 28 April 1866, Cotton manufacturer (as noted on son's marriage certificate)

Does this help?

[MaryA]

No, because you seem unsure of the father's name and the marriage certificate is the place to find it.

[techmick]

I have gone through the piles of paperwork and certificates I have and still cannot see it, so I have ordered another copy from the GRO. When it arrives (or I find the original) I will scan it onto here.

[techmick]

Finally the certificate has arrived from GRO.

The fathers name is defiantly Thomas Whittaker whose occupation appears to be Cotton Manufacturer. Can anyone help me identify this Thomas Whittaker please?

Many thanks in advance

Mick
Member 8789

[MaryA]

Would appreciate the other details from the certificate please, including addresses, witnesses etc. Does it say whether Thomas or the bride's father is deceased ?

[techmick]

Married 28-April 1866 at St Michaels Church in the parish of Liverpool,

William Whittaker aged 24, Bachelor, profession Book Keeper, Residence (looks like) 32 Handy St, Father Thomas Whittaker, profession Cotton Manufacturer.

Martha Clarke aged 25, Spinster, no Profession, Residence 32 Handy St, Father William Clarke, Profession Labourer.

Witnesses appear to be John Edward(?) Davies and Rees William Jones. The Rees William is an educated guess as it is fairly illegible but it is Jones.

GRO reference is year 1866, Qtr J, vol 8B Page 139

Hope this is of assistance

[retiringtype]

Perhaps worth investigating this family in the 1861 census at 5 Greenside, Everton:

Joseph Gorst, 57, Head, Green Grocer, Frodsham, Cheshire
Anne Gorst, 45, Wife, London
William Whitticase, 20 ,Stepson, Hairdresser, Liverpool

EDIT Hmmm that William married a Martha Radley in 1865. His father was Lloyd (or James Lloyd) Whitticase, a waiter

[MaryA]

Looking all round the subject I'm thinking that the father may have died while he was quite young, there is an 11 year old William in the Everton Industrial School in 1851. Cotton manufacturer may also be something to impress the bride, however his father may well have worked in the cotton industry in some way.

I'm wondering about this marriage from 1836 at St Philips
Thomas Atkinson Whitaker, bachelor, of Liverpool to Maria Wood, spinster by licence on 20? December 1836 and there is a licence which I'd appreciate help identifying Thomas's occupation.

Amended - can replace if necessary, but probably not right.

[MaryA]

Perhaps worth investigating this family in the 1861 census at 5 Greenside, Everton:

Joseph Gorst, 57, Head, Green Grocer, Frodsham, Cheshire
Anne Gorst, 45, Wife, London
William Whitticase, 20 ,Stepson, Hairdresser, Liverpool

Oh very good!

Well I thought so but the marriage also gives the name Whitticase

Marriage of Ann Towers to Lloyd Whitticase St Philip, 22 January 1837

There is a Marriage Bond/Allegation for this couple that I hoped would give us more details of his occupation however it won't load

[techmick]

Thank you very much for all your efforts folks. I will try the Thomas route first and then the amended surname change.

Once again thank you everybody for all your input.

[retiringtype]

There is a public tree on Ancestry that claims William Whitticase, hairdresser in the 1861 census as the William Whittaker who appears as a hairdresser at 43b Bidder Street in the 1871 census with wife Martha and children William and Walter. The tree owner doesn't show birthdates for the children so presumably has not obtained birth certificates.

Both Williams married ladies named Martha. The only way to prove or disprove this would be to obtain a birth certificate for one of the children to verify the mother's maiden name. Do you have any of their birth certificates?