Monumental Inscriptions St Thomas Melling Rocks

[kjanderton]

Greetings

I have had confirmation via Lancashire Record Office in Preston to the burial of two James Anderton (probably father and son) in St. Thomas graveyard. However, their memorial does not appear on the CD (Monumental Inscriptions 1670-1979. Why is this - no memorial or not located or as James junior died of consumption perhaps relegated to an unmarked grave

I had hoped to confirm they were in the same grave, which would mean father and son. Neither James Anderton were born in Melling, but I had hoped to make a link with Billinge, which is not too far away. The link is tenuous via birth date of 1796 (I have James junior's death cert and wedding details). Also as James junior was a stone mason and probably delf master at Melling Rocks, there may also be another link with Billinge which also had a quarry. Does anyone know of any trade directories covering either side of 1800 or any stone mason indentures I could consult?

Further, James junior made a will (died in 1840),but it is not in the Lancs record Office. Does anyone know where I might try next to locate it, if it still survives (I shall be asking Preston to check for misfiles and another look).

Ken Anderton

[MaryA]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

It's possible that no headstone was erected, there wasn't always one, especially if the family couldn't afford it, however it might be that it had fallen and broken or been removed at some point before the CD was created.

Have you checked the Burial Registers, they might be useful if there is no headstone, the Lancashire Parish Register Society have a CD covering
Bap & Bur 1607-1812 Mar 1603-1837

Would this include the older James? However the Burial Registers up to 1861 are held at the Lancashire Record Office, so hopefully James Jnr should be listed even if without a headstone.

It's possible that if a Will exists there should be a copy on the National Archives site, we have some websites listed here http://liverpool-genealogy.org.uk/phpBB ... 1891#61891 which might help with online searches. A will was not always proven at the time of death and a search for a number of years afterwards would be necessary to see if probate had taken some time.

[Hilary]

If the will was a Lancashire Will and proved at the Chester consistory Court it will be at Lancashire Record Office if it survived. It could have disappeared many years ago. That would be the only copy unless the family had one. Where did the information come from that James left a will?

Re there being no gravestone as Mary says there may never have been one or it disappeared many years ago.. The church itself may have a book of graves which may tell you more. You could contact the church and ask.

Ed Officer

[kjanderton]

Many thanks and so quick - yes I have the CD108 and actually managed to see the record in Preston (called on my way back from Lakes) that confirms burial.

Thanks for the info re searching for a will. James junior could sign his name whereas his spouse and witnesses had to prove their mark, so I am not surprised he made a will. There is a family story that an unscrupulous solicitor managed to divert ownership of a quarry from the family (sometimes an element of truth in these stories). That certainly coupled with a young family might explain no gravestone (the widow married again as seemed usual).

When I called at the Preston Office it was suggested I see if there had been a will and an index book showed him to have done so and seemed to have some link with Cheshire. Anyway will try the link you gave.

Thanks again

Ken Anderton

Hi and welcome to the forum.

It's possible that no headstone was erected, there wasn't always one, especially if the family couldn't afford it, however it might be that it had fallen and broken or been removed at some point before the CD was created.

Have you checked the Burial Registers, they might be useful if there is no headstone, the Lancashire Parish Register Society have a CD covering
Bap & Bur 1607-1812 Mar 1603-1837

Would this include the older James? However the Burial Registers up to 1861 are held at the Lancashire Record Office, so hopefully James Jnr should be listed even if without a headstone.

It's possible that if a Will exists there should be a copy on the National Archives site, we have some websites listed here http://liverpool-genealogy.org.uk/phpBB ... 1891#61891 which might help with online searches. A will was not always proven at the time of death and a search for a number of years afterwards would be necessary to see if probate had taken some time.

[kjanderton]

Many thanks for your quick response - I actually managed to see the record in Preston (called on my way back from Lakes) that confirms burial of both James'. I will contact the church or perhaps get my sister to call as she still lives in Lancs.

James junior could sign his name whereas his spouse and witnesses had to prove their mark, so I am not surprised he made a will. There is a family story that an unscrupulous solicitor managed to divert ownership of a quarry from the family (sometimes an element of truth in these stories).

When I called at the Preston Office it was suggested I see if there had been a will and an index book showed him to have done so and the book seemed to have some link with Cheshire.

Thanks again

Ken Anderton

If the will was a Lancashire Will and proved at the Chester consistory Court it will be at Lancashire Record Office if it survived. It could have disappeared many years ago. That would be the only copy unless the family had one. Where did the information come from that James left a will?

Re there being no gravestone as Mary says there may never have been one or it disappeared many years ago.. The church itself may have a book of graves which may tell you more. You could contact the church and ask.

Ed Officer

[Hilary]

I know the book you mean for the wills. Until 1858 wills were proved in the Church courts for S W Lancashire that meant at Chester. Wills of people in Lancashire that survived are now held at Lancashire Record Office, wills for people living in Cheshire are held at Cheshire Record Office at Chester. They have a database online and there is noone of the right name and date.

Sadly it does look as if this will has not survived.

Ed Officer

[kjanderton]

it is a great shame but looks likely that it has not survived

Many thanks

Ken Anderton

I know the book you mean for the wills. Until 1858 wills were proved in the Church courts for S W Lancashire that meant at Chester. Wills of people in Lancashire that survived are now held at Lancashire Record Office, wills for people living in Cheshire are held at Cheshire Record Office at Chester. They have a database online and there is noone of the right name and date.

Sadly it does look as if this will has not survived.

Ed Officer

[MaryA]

actually managed to see the record in Preston (called on my way back from Lakes) that confirms burial.

Am I right in assuming that no location is given for the grave?

[kjanderton]

Yes you are quite right - no grave number just the entry number in the log.

Ken Anderton

actually managed to see the record in Preston (called on my way back from Lakes) that confirms burial.

Am I right in assuming that no location is given for the grave?