Faulder Family Genealogy Faulder Family Genealogy

This post traces my line back through my mother’s adoptive maternal line, specifically her maternal grandfather’s surname line, the Williamsons.

It was written to try and bring some order to a variety of posts concerning the Williamsons. I am organising them into two categories: purely genealogical (i.e. relationships etc.) such as this post and “stories” related to one or more Williamsons.

First I need to establish my oldest proven Williamson ancestor, stepping back a generation at a time. This post covers the ancestry in England and a later post the ancestry in Ireland.

I may not be “genetically related” to the Williamsons, but I was brought up with tales of what various Great … Grandparents were or did. I consider them relatives through my mother’s adoption.

Legally my mother was related to Everard William Willett and his wife Elizabeth Ann Williamson; they were her legal parents.

Because of the lack of genetic relationships, I cannot use (my) DNA to solve any brick walls. I know of only one living male-line Williamson, but like me, he is protective of his privacy and I doubt he would be willing to have his “blue print” on a semi-public DNA database.

William Blizard Williamson, born around 1811, in “Ireland”, is the earliest Williamson ancestor that I can find in English records. Stepping back through the generations I can show how I am related.

In each step/generation, I use census records and birth and marriage records to get back to the previous generation. Having done that, I try to ensure that I have documented the basic genealogical records for the person in question; birth or where applicable baptism, marriage, and death and probate. I also include details of any known children – restricting disclosure to deceased relatives.

Elizabeth Patricia Faulder, née Willett

My mother, Elizabeth Patricia Faulder, née Willett was the only adoptive child of Everard William Willett and his wife, who was Elizabeth Ann Williamson. I knew them as my maternal Grandparents.

Marriage of Elizabeth Patricia Faulder

My parent’s marriage certificate gives the details:

• All Saint’s Crawley Down, 2 March 1957, [Cuckfield:1957-Q1; volume:5h; page:369;]
• the groom, my father: Harold Dick Sewell Faulder and
• the bride, my mother: Elizabeth Patricia Willett. The bride’s father was recorded as “Everard William Willett, Solicitor”. My mother’s abode was given as Kilnwood, Crawley Down – which was her parents’ home at the time.

Adoption of Elizabeth Patricia Faulder

Because she was adopted, my mother’s “short form” birth certificate only lists her name, date of birth and country of birth. No parents are listed.

My mother’s adoption certificate however (registered on 6 June 1933), references the adoption order [The High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, 22 May 1933] and gives my mother’s (adoptive) first names: Elizabeth Patricia, and her date of birth: 16 October 1930, plus the details of the adopting parents: Everard William Willett, Solicitor and Elizabeth Ann Willett, his wife, both of Bossington, Calonne Road, Wimbledon in the County of London.

This confirms the married name of my Grandmother as Elizabeth Ann Willett.

(My mother traced and met her birth mother and, from information that her mother gave her, I have traced but not met her (deceased) birth father. I think the current generations of her birth father’s family was unaware of her.)

Death of Elizabeth Patricia Faulder

My mother died on 12 September 2018 in Hexham. [Northumberland: 2018-Q3; Entry:517882128;] The probate calendar adds the date of probate, 23 October 2019 at Newcastle. [Engalnd & Wales Probate Calendar: 2019; 1562570920531019]

1939 Register: Elizabeth Patricia Faulder

My mother, at the time a pupil at Wimbledon High School for Girls, was evacuated to Hanford House in Dorset [see reference to her memoir]. Her 1939 Register entry is still (2026) redacted.

Elizabeth Ann Willett (née Williamson)

My mother’s adoptive mother, my grandmother, was therefore Elizabeth Ann Willett.

Marriage of Elizabeth Ann Williamson to Everard William Willett

Her marriage certificate reveals her maiden name and her father’s name.

The marriage occurred on 24 September 1919 at Wimbledon Parish Church, [Kingston:1919-Q3; volume:2a; Page:1340/8;].

The groom was a 34-year-old bachelor and Barrister-at-law, Everard William Willett, giving 27 Cromwell Road, Hove as his address (it was still his mother’s home in 1921 and 1939). His father was listed as a deceased Builder, Everard John Willett. (Everard John Willett was a member of the Willett Family, builders … of places like Sloane Square and Willett Town, Hove.)

The bride was Elizabeth Ann Williamson, a 30-year-old spinster, of Currie Hill, Arthur Road, Wimbledon (the family home). Her father was listed as a deceased Gentleman, George Henry Williamson. (As will be shown, George Henry Williamson, was a member of the Williamson Family, tinplate manufacturers in Worcester who has “made good”). A witness was Elizabeth Ann Williamson (senior), believed to be the bride’s mother.

This confirms both my Grandmother’s maiden surname as Williamson, and her father as George Henry WIlliamson.

Birth of Elizabeth Ann Williamson (junior)

The birth certificate for Elizabeth Ann (my Maternal grandmother) [Upton-onSevern:1888-Q4; volume:6c; page:298;] shows:

• District: Upton on Severn; Sub-District: Hanley Castle
• Born: 27 September 1888, Granta Lodge, Great Malvern
• Father: George Henry Williamson, Manufacturer of Tin Ware
• Mother: Elizabeth Ann Williamson, formerly Clark

Death of Elizabeth Ann Willett (née Williamson)

My Grandmother died at her home in West Sussex in 1979. [Cuckfield:1979-Q1; volume:18; page:2272;] The death register records her date of birth as the 27 September 1888.

The Probate Calendar [1979 7905060750] gives similar details:

• WILLETT, Elizabeth Ann of 13 Beacon Hurst Keymer Hassocks West Sussex
• died 18 March 1979
• Probate Brighton 9 October £102,050

1939 Register: Elizabeth Ann Willett

In the 1939 Register [RG101/1401F/006/13] the couple are found at 25 Calonne Road, Wimbledon.

First Name(s)	Last Name(s)	Birth Date	Occupation	Marital Status	Schedule Sub Number
Everard W	Willett	01 Aug 1885	Solicitor	Married	48/1
Elizabeth A	Willett	27 Sep 1888	No Occupation	Married	48/2
Clara	Nizen (Chapman)	12 Jun 1890	Domestic Servant	Single	48/3
Nelly	Thacker	21 Apr 1890	Domestic Servant	Single	48/4

Everard William Willett was working as a solicitor because although he had worked at the Singapore Bar he had not practised at the English Bar. The Inner Temple, London gives the following details: “Called 1909; Bar Book records that he was disbarred at his own request 10-Nov-1922″.

My mother was included in the Register on her school’s schedules.

1921 Census: Elizabeth Ann Willett in Household of Everard W Willett

The couple are not found in the 1921 census because after their marriage they lived in Singapore, my grandfather practising at the Singapore Bar, with Allen & Gledhill, Advocates, Solicitors and Notaries Public – 22A, Raffles Place ["Directory And Chronicle For China, Japan, Corea, Indo-China, Straits Settlements, Malay States, Siam, Netherlands India, Borneo, The Philippines, 1917", Page 1225, Accessed via Find My Past].

Other Censuses: Elizabeth Ann Williamson

In 1911, 1901 and 1891 she was still living at home with her father (see below)

George Henry Williamson

George Henry Williamson was deceased at the time of his daughter Elizabeth’s marriage to Everard William Willett in 1919. He would have been my mother’s adoptive maternal Grandfather, my Great Grandfather.

Death of George Henry Williamson

His death certificate [Christchurch district:1918-Q1; volume:2b; page:500;] details:

• His Name: George Henry Williamson, Male aged, 73 (therefore born ~1845),
• Date and Place of Death: 26 March 1918, Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth,
• Rank or Profession: “of Currie Hill, Wimbledon Park, Wimbledon U.D. of Independent Means”,
• Cause: Cerebral haemorrhage and paralysis,
• Informant: E A Williamson, Daughter, Present at the Death, Currie Hill, Arthur Road, Wimbledon Park, Wimbledon.

His probate details were:

• WILLIAMSON George Henry of Curriehill Wimbledon Surrey
• died 24 March 1918 at the Royal Bath Hotel Bournemouth
• Adminstration London 22 May to George Evans Williamson Captain in H.M. Army. [Son]
• Effects £105,252 15s. 0d. Resworn £105,809 0s. 10d.

Marriages and Wives: George Henry Williamson

Sarah Teresa Williamson, George’s first wife, seen in the 1881 census died the following year aged 22 [Worcester:1882-Q3; volume:6c; page:146;].

She was married to George Henry Williamson in St Peter’s Droitwich on 29 August 1877 [Droitwich: 1877-Q3; volume: 6c; page 532;]. The marriage reports in the Worcestershire Chronicle [1 September 1877, page 8, column 6] & Worcester Journal [1 September 1877, page 5, column 3] lists him as “of this city”, and her as the second daughter of the late Thomas Wilson of Impney, Dodderhill, Worcester. The Worcestershire Chronicle [1 September 1877, Page 5 column 3] carries more information including details of a wedding gift “from the work people”, to which “all the employés, without exception, have contributed”.

George Henry Williamson’s second wife was Elizabeth Ann Clark and they were married in Hugglescote, Leicestershire [Ashby-de-la-Zouch: 1886-Q2: volume:7a; page:173;]. The Parish Register for Hugglescote, Leicestershire [Leicestershire Archives: DE436/10; Hugglescote; Marriage Register, 1837-1892;p page:177 (169); accessed via Find My Past] gives the marriage details:

• 14 April 1886, married according to the rites of the established church [Church of England] by licence,
• Groom: George Henry Williamson, 41-year-old widower and Tin manufacturer, [temporarily?] residing in Masham [a suburb of Ashby], son of William Blizard Williamson, tin manufacturer,
• Bride: Elizabeth Ann Clark, 32-year-old spinster residing in Hugglescote, daughter of James Clark, Gentleman.
• (The actual register entry does not say if the parties’ fathers were deceased or not)

This establishes the probable next generation back, William Blizard Williamson, father of George Henry Williamson. This is where I wanted to get to, but there are some other details worth recording.

George Henry Williamson: Children

Looking through FreeBMD for Williamson births between 1877 and 1881 in Worcestershire and cross checking against the GRO for a mother’s maiden surname of Wilson, finds no children of the first marriage.

Searching similarly for children born to a Williamson-Clark couple (the second marriage) restricting the search to Worcestershire yields:

Quarter	First Names	Surname	Mother’s Maiden Surname*	Registration District	Volume & Page
1887-Q1	George Evans	Williamson	Clark	Upton on Severn	Volume 06C Page 322
1888-Q4	Elizabeth Ann	Williamson	Clark	Upton on Severn	Volume 06C Page 298
1890-Q4	Helen Mary	Williamson	Clark	Upton on Severn	Volume 06C Page 285

These are the “three children” referred to in the 1911 census (see below) as “children of the current marriage”.

The above three siblings are either my ancestor or the ancestors of my known “Williamson cousins” (which also involve the Thomas, Kingham and Snell surnames).

Birth of George Henry Williamson

Census records for George Henry Williamson, imply that he was born around 1845 in “London”. When he (or his parents) gave his place of birth to census numerators, what they said could have been what they considered the place to be called at the time of his birth, or what they considered to be the name of the areas at the time of the particular census. What they said may also have been “standardised” by the enumerator, so If they said “St Pancras”, the enumerator may have written down “London”.

• prior to 1855 London existed as “the City of London”, then in addition
• from 1855 to 1889, the Metropolitan Board of Works covered “The (London) Metropolis” – areas that would become the County of London
• from 1889 to 1965 the County of London, roughly corresponding to the current Inner London Boroughs.
• Prior to this most parts of the current Greater London (from 1965) north of the Thames would actually have been in the County of Middlesex.
• (Some of the definition and Boundary issues are documented separately).

A baptism, but not a civil birth registration, has been found for a George Henry Williamson, son of William Williamson, tinplate worker and his wife Elizabeth in St Pancras parish on 9 February 1945. Their abode was given as Brill Place. St Pancras at that time was in Middlesex.

More discussion of his probable birth and possible siblings is in an Appendix.

1911 Census for Household of George Henry Williamson

George Henry Williamson (as G H Williamson) is found with his family at Currie Hill in Wimbledon in the 1911 census [RG14; Piece:3469; RG78; Piece:130; District:40; Sub-district:1; Enumeration District:7; Schedule:170;].

First name(s)	Last name	Relationship to Head	Age/implied Birth Year	Occupation	Birthplace
G H	Williamson	Head	66 / 1845	Retired Manufacturer	London
Elizabeth Ann	Williamson	Wife	58 / 1853	3 children of this marriage; all alive	Leicester
Elizabeth Ann	Williamson	Daughter, Single	22 / 1889		Malvern
Helen Mary	Williamson	Daughter, Single	20 / 1891		Malvern
George Evans	Williamson	Son, Single	24 / 1887	Barrister at Law	Malvern
Mary	Bradley	Servant, Single	51 / 1860		Ripple Worcestershire
Gladys Edith	Jones	Servant, Single	26 / 1885		Woolwich
Annie Kate	Lush	Servant, Single	30 / 1881		Castle Cary
Lillie Rork	Winter	Servant, Single	20 / 1891		Walton

The census also shows that Elizabeth Ann Williamson had had three children by her current (and only known) marriage, and that all three were still alive (and living in the family home).

1901 Census for Household of George Henry Williamson

George Henry Williamson (as George H Williamson) is found with his wife and daughters at Granta Lodge, Graham Road, Great Malvern, Upton on Severn, Worcestershire in the 1901 census [RG13; piece:2784; folio:114; page:32;].

The move from Worcestershire to Wimbledon between 1901 and 1911, may have been in connection with either his business interests or his (short) parliamentary career. George Henry Williamson was (in 1906) briefly elected Conservative and Unionist MP for Worcester before being disqualified. Lucien Boyce in her blog records: “Williamson, who lived in Wimbledon, had until a few years before the election lived all of his life in Worcester. He was chairman of the Worcester firm of Williamson and Sons, tinplate manufacturers, as well as a former alderman, mayor and high sheriff in the city.”

1891 Census for Household of George Henry Williamson

The entire family (GHW, his wife, his daughters, his son & his widowed mother, Elizabeth Williamson, 75-year-old born Cork, Ireland) is also found at Granta Lodge, Malvern in the 1891 census [RG12; piece:2331; folio:146; page:17;].

First name(s)	Last name	Relationship, Martial Status	Age / Implied YoB	Occupation	Birth Place
George H	Williamson	Head	46/1845	Tinplate manufacturer & japanner	London, Middlesex
Elizabeth A	Williamson	Wife	36/1855		Leicester
George E	Williamson	Son, single	4/1887		Malvern, Worstershire
Elizabeth A	Williamson	Daughter, single	2/1889		Malvern, Worstershire
Helen M	Williamson	Daughter, single	0/1891		Malvern, Worstershire
Elizabeth	Williamson	Mother (widow)	75/1816		Cork, Ireland
Elizabeth	Sleeman	Servant, single	34/1857	Domestic Servant	Stratton, Cornwall
Elizabeth	Hatton	Servant, single	26/1865	Domestic Servant	Balsall Heath, Worcestershire
Mary A	Snaith	Servant, single	20/1871	Domestic Servant	Preston, Hereford
Edith	Collins	Servant, single	18/1873	Domestic Servant	Daventry, Northamptonshire
Winifred	Pritchard	Servant, single	15/1876	Domestic Servant	West Bromwich, Staffordshire

1881 Census for Household of George Henry Williamson

In 1881, George H Williamson, 34-year-old tinplate manufacturer, is living at Lark Hill, Worcester St Martin, Worcester with his wife 22-year-old Sarah, born in Droitwich, Worcestershire, plus a single servant. In 1931 Metal Box, a successor company to G H Williamson, opened a new plant at Perry Wood about 400m north of Lark Hill. It was closed in 2013 by its then owners, Crown Holdings.

First name(s)	Surname	Relationship to head	Age / Implied YoB	Occupation	Birthplace
George H	Williamson	Head	34 / 1847	Tin plate manufacturer	City of London, Middlesex
Sarah	Williamson	Wife	22 / 1859		Droitwich, Worcestershire
Annie	Widdows	Servant	22 / 1859	Domestic servant (gen)	Atherstone, Warwickshire

Census 1881: Elizabeth Williamson, mother of George Henry Williamson

In 1881 his widowed mother was living at Cornwall Lawn, Worcester St Martin.

First name(s)	Surname	Relationship to head	Age / Implied YoB	Occupation	Birthplace
Elizabeth	Williamson	Head, widow	65/1816		Cork, Ireland
Agnes	Baylis	Servant, single	19/1862	Domestic Servant	Worcester
Elizabeth	Chambers	Servant, single	25/1856	Domestic Servant	Worcester

Death of Elizabeth Williamson, mother of George Henry Williamson

She was not found in the 1901 Census, so it is probable that she died between the 1891 and 1901 census. The records show she died 1892 in Upton(-on-Severn) Registration District [1892-Q1; volume:6c; page:253;]

The certificate showed she died at Granta Lodge, Great Malvern, 16 January 1892 of Bronchitis Paralysis. She was described as “Widow of William Blizard Williamson Tin Plate Manufacturer”. G H Williamson was the informant.

Her probate details [England and Wales Probate Calendar 1892: Williamson, Elizabeth] were:

• WILLIAMSON Elizabeth of Granta Lodge Great Malvern widow
• died 16 January 1892
• Probate Worcester 2 March to George Henry Williamson manufacturer
• Effects £1759 17s, 9d.

Census records indicate she was born in Ireland and it is probable that she married there.

Other Censuses for George Henry Williamson and his mother

In 1871 and 1861 censuses they were in the household of William Blizard Williamson (senior) as detailed in the following section.

William Blizard Williamson (senior)

My mother’s adoptive maternal Great Grandfather (her adoptive mother’s paternal grandfather) was William Blizard Williamson as established above. His widowed wife (per the 1891 census) was Elizabeth Ann born in Cork around 1816.

He had a son also called William Blizard. For clarity, father and son are refered to here as “senior” and “junior”, although I have not seen that usage in records of the time.

Death of William Blizard Williamson (senior)

FreeBMD and GRO confirm that a William Blizard Williamson, aged 67 died in Q3 of 1878 in Worcester [1878-Q3; volume:6c; page:195;] The Worcester Chronicle and Worcester Journal of 21 September 1878 give the date of death as 15 September – but gave his age as 68. The Death Certificate said he was a 67-year-old Tin Plate Manufacturer and died from extreme exhaustion from vomitting – which is a bit more graphic than the obituary.

His will was proved on 2 October [England and Wales Probate Calendar 1878: William Blizard Williamson]:

• The will of William Blizard Williamson the elder late of Cornwall Lawn London-road in the City of Worcester Tinplate and Sheet Iron Worker and Japanner who died 15 September 1878 at Cornwall Lawn
• was proved at Worcester by
  • Elizabeth Williamson of Cornwall Lawn the Relict and
    • William Blizard Williamson of Field-terrace Bath-road in the Parish of St. Peter the Great near Worcester in the County of Worcester and
    • George Henry Williamson of Lark Hill London-road in the Parish of St. Martin in the said County
  • Tinplate and Sheet Iron Workers and Japanners the Sons
• the Executors.
• Personal Estate under £10,000

His birth and marriage are both believed to have happened in Ireland, probably in Cork. His funeral was at the Congregationalist chapel in Worcester, and given that there is a rumour that he was a member of the Brethren and of an Orange Lodge, it is unlikly that Irish Catholic Parish Registers will help (unless his parents were trying to butter both sides of their bread). This could make searching for a birth in Ireland problematic.

William Blizard Williamson: Children

The census records (in the following section) show that he had two sons who followed him into the tin plate business.

• William Blizard Williamson (junior) – born around 1840 in Ireland
  • William Blizard Williamson (junior)’s birth will be considered further in a later post on Williamson antecedents in Ireland together with the possibility of him having Irish-born siblings. Other aspects of his life are in an Appendix. He appears to have had no children,
• George Henry Williamson – born around 1845 in “London”.
  • George Henry Williamson’s birth, marriages, children and death have been considered in a previous section.
• The possibility of other children born in England is considered in an Appendix.

1871 Census for Household of William Blizard Williamson (senior)

In the 1871 Census, William B Williamson, a 59-year-old tin-ware master, born in Ireland (~1812), was at No. 3 Field Terrace, Bath Road, St Peter, Worcester, with his wife Elizabeth and son George H Williamson. George was listed as a clerk.

Forename(s)	Surname	Relation	Age Implied YoB	Place of Birth	Occupation
William	Williamson	Head	59 1812	Ireland	Tin ware master Employing 30
Elizabeth	Williamson	Wife	46 1815	Cork, Ireland
George Henry	Williamson	Son	26 1845	London	Clerk
Emma	Kendrick	Servant	19 1852	illegible	General Servant

1861 Census for Household of William Blizard Williamson (senior)

In the 1861 Census William Williamson is in Sidbury Street, Worcester [RG9 PN:2094 FN:56]. This shows both his sons.

Forename(s)	Surname	Relation	Age Implied YoB	Place of Birth	Occupation
William	Williamson	Head	50 1811	Cork, Ireland	Tinplate Manufacturer Employing 3 & 4 Boys
Elizabeth	Williamson	Wife	46 1815	Cork, Ireland
George	Williamson	Son	21 1840	London	Tin Plate Worker
William	Williamson	Son	16 1845	Cork, Ireland	Tin Plate Worker
Thomas	Williamson	Nephew	16 1845	New Jersey, America	Tin Plate Worker
Joseph	Morgan	Boarder	46 1815	Carmarthen, South Wales	Tin Plate Worker

It look as if the son’s ages have been transposed; comparing their ages stated in other censuses we see:

• William Blizard Williamson (junior)
  • 1841, Age ~1, (>YoB 1840) b Ireland
  • 1861, Age 16, (>YoB 1845) b Ireland, Cork
  • 1871, Age 36, (>YoB 1840) b Cork, Ireland
  • 1881, Age 41, (>YoB 1840) b Crale Corve (?), Ireland
  • 1891, Age 51, (>YoB 1840) b Ireland
• George Henry Williamson
  • 1861, Age 21, (>YoB 1840) b London
  • 1871, Age 26, (>YoB 1845) b London
  • 1881, Age 34, (>YoB 1847) b London
  • 1891, Age 46, (>YoB 1845) b London
  • 1901, Age 56, (>YoB 1845) b London
  • 1911, Age 66, (>YoB 1845) b London

The transcriptions of the census show the place of Birth for George “standardised” and augmented to “City of London, Middlesex; London, Middlesex, etc. – presumably to assist in indexing and searching the modern-day online records. The unaugmented places of birth recorded above are derived from viewing the actual census schedule images.

Thomas, the nephew born in New Jersey will be of assistance when trying to determine the father of William Blizard Williamson senior.

1851 Census for Household of William Blizard Williamson (senior)

Finding this family in the 1851 census is proving problematic.

The obituary for William Blizard Williamson (senior), who died 15 September 1878, reports that:

• he came to England in 1836, “and travelled throughout the kingdom, seeking and obtaining an insight into every department of his business [his trade: tinplate working]”
• in 1842 he went to London, and his aptitude for looking after his fellow-workmen’s affairs soon placed him in the position of a leader in the Tin-plate Workers’ Association.
• he had come to “this city” (Worcester) in 1855.

In addition we know George Henry Williamson has a birthplace of London in Census records (see discussion of the 1861 census above). As a minimum this would imply his mother was in London in 1845.

We do not know if, between 1841 and 1851, he was travelling, with or without his family, or whether they were travelling to and fro from Ireland (“seasonal migration” was not unknown)..

Searching for just his wife in 1851 is also problematic; there are many Elizabeth Williamsons, but once you exclude those not born in Ireland or born at the wrong time, and those in “wrong family groups”, there are no obvious matches.

Perhaps she had returned with her young children to Ireland, possibly to stay with her parents, whilst her husband was on his travels in England. There is also acknolwedgement that William senior was a heavy drinker and a suggestion in a “story” relayed to me by a fellow “Williamson cousin”, he would beat his children very severely – so she may have fled to her parents’ home.

Separate work is required to investigate:

1. The movements of members of this family between 1841 and 1851
2. The work of William Blizard Williamson (senior) prior to founding his business in Worcester.
3. The birth details and parentage of those born abroad: William Blizard senior, his wife Elizabeth and their son William Blizard junior.

1841 Census for William Williamson

Looking in the (more sparcely detailed) 1841 Census, for a William Williamson in England and excluding those born in England or well outside the birth year of either William (senior or junior) and those who appear to be in inconsistent “household groups” (the 1841 census does not detail family relationships), leaves one “household” at Canbury Field, Kingston upon Thames (Surrey, England).

The combination of the couple’s names and approximated year of birth, plus the “Ireland” birthplace, together with their first son’s name and birth details and William’s occupation, makes me confident that this is the same family as in the 1861 census above.

First Name(s)	Last Name	Age / Implied YoB	Occupation	Birth Place
William	Williamson	30 / ~ 1811	I Tinman	Ireland
Eliza	Williamson	24 / ~ 1817		Ireland
William	Williamson	1 / ~ 1840		Ireland

The actual census schedule [HO107 PN:1075 BN:1] appears to say Caubury Field, but I think this should be Canbury – which is a modern day ward just north of the town centre. The local family history society told me (at a family history fair) that at that time this area was frequented by Travellers.

The Genealogist reports 97 “households” in “Caubury Field”; the occupations were such as “labourer”, “I Brazier”, “I Tinman” etc.. It does “read” as an encampment. I am reading “I Tinman, I Brazier” to mean “Independent” or “Itinerant”. The latter could imply “tinker”.

“Tinker” noun
1. (especially in former times) a person who makes a living by travelling from place to place mending pans and other metal utensils [Definitions: Startpage.com]

The one year old son, William Williamson would appear to have been born in 1840 in Ireland, which would imply they have left Ireland within the last year. The obituary of William Williamson (senior) says he left Ireland in 1836. It is possible that they were travelling to and fro or that he left his wife in Ireland (and one visited the other around 1839) and the family only joined him in late 1840 or early 1841. In writing about the obituary, I speculate that it was written by one of the family – which would probably mean one of the sons, either William Blizard (junior) or George Henry. Either of them would surely know the circumstances of William (junior) and the whereabouts of their father at the time.

Conclusion

This work suggests the earliest known member of “our Williamson line” (in England), was William Blizard Williamson, born “in Ireland” probably in Cork (County or City) around 1811 and who died in Worcester on 15 September 1878.

Later posts, Williamson Antecedents in Ireland and Williamsons in the USA try to examine the family’s Births/Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths/Burials.

Appendices

George Henry Williamson: Birth

Census records indicate that George was born in “London” around 1845. This was in the early days of registration, when there was no obligation to register a birth, but registrars attempted to visit and obtain registration details. Church of England Baptism records are therefore more likely to reveal his birth.

On Ancestry, the London Metropolitan Archives shows (Reference Number: p90/pan1/024):

Name:	George Henry Williamson
Gender:	Male
Record Type:	Baptism
Baptism Date:	9 Feb 1845
Baptism Place:	St Pancras, Camden, England
Father:	William Williamson
Mother:	Elizabeth Williamson

Examining the actual image gives additional information:

Name:	George Henry Williamson
Birth Date:	14 Jan 1845
Abode (of parents):	Brill Place
Baptism Date:	9 Feb 1845
Quality, Trade Or Profession (of father):	Tinplate Worker
Celebrant:	F J Stainforth [?]

It is however worth trying to exclude any other tin men called William Williamson with a wife called Elizabeth in the wider area in say the 1841 and 1851 censuses. If we cannot find another identity option for these parents, it makes it more likely that this is part of “our Williamson line”.

Searching:

• Find My Past, The Genealogist, Family Search, for
• William Williamson (exact surname) born
  • from 1785 : unlikely to have been born before 1785 (1845-60),
  • to 1830 : To have had this child, William would have to have been born before 1830 (1845-15)
• Occupation
  • examination of occupation for “tin plate” or similar
  • via a key word of “tin” – (Find My Past and The Genealogist)
• Spouse (of child-bearing age, 12-50) named Elizabeth or similar
• In Middlesex or London
  • + 10 miles (Find My Past)
• Looking for: Census, Baptisms of children, Marriage, Death/Burial records

Produced

• Find My Past (▪ below)
  • no results (due to age criteria)
  • Easing the location to any UK gives 4 census records for 2 people, both of whom have non Elizabeth spouses
  • A marriage of a William WIlliamson, tin worker to an Elizabeth Tarbuck in Liverpool 9 August 1852
• The Genealogist (⬧ below)
  • Across UK: 4 further census records for 4 people all of whom have non Elizabeth spouses
• Family Search
  • No suitable records found (cannot filter record search by occupation)
• Ancestry
  • Do not have a current subscription

Last name	First name(s)	Implied YoB	Event & Year	Location	Occupation	Spouse	Notes
Williamson	William	~1809	Census ▪⬧1851, ▪⬧1861, ▪⬧1871	Manchester	Tin plate worker …	Mary	POB: Manchester
Williamson	Thomas W	~1808	Census ▪1851	Rochdale	Iron & Tin plate worker	Esther	POB: Todmorden
Williamson	William	full age	▪Marriage 09 Aug 1852	Mile End Liverpool (Lady & St Nic)	Tin plate worker	Elizabeth Tarbuck	Father: Thomas Williamson, tinplate worker
Williamson	William	~1811	Census ⬧1841	Manchester	Tin plate worker	(probable) Ann	POB: Lancashire
Williamson	William	~1812	Census ⬧1881	Derby	Tin plate worker	Mary	POB: Derby
Williamson	William	~1820	Census ⬧1851	Clerkenwell	Tin plate worker	Anne	POB: St Lukes, London
Williamson	William	~1807	Census ⬧1861	Hawick Scotland	Tin Smith & Gas Fitter	(probable) Mary	image unavailable

No other suitable William and Elizabeth couples have been found, where the father is a tin smith or similar who could have been the parents of the child baptised above in St Pancras.

On the above baptism, the name, second name, date of birth, plus the parent’s names and father’s occupation (but no father’s second name given – which “breaks a pattern of usage” elsewhere) points to this being the “right” baptism.

Churches and Registers of Baptism in St Pancras 1841-1851

The Reference Number for the above baptism: p90/pan1/024 according to the Metropolitan Archives Catalogue refers to “Records of Saint Pancras parish church (Saint Pancras New Church), Euston Road”.

I had a note that a previous search (on the old IGI) gave another record for what looks very much like the same baptism (names, dates, etc. match) but for “Old Church St Pancras“. This record is also on Ancestry’s England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 collection. Yet Ancestry’s All London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1925 results for George Henry Williamson cites “Saint Pancras Parish Church: Euston Road”.

It looks as if the Parish of St Pancras had a number of churches (old Church and New Church) where this baptism could have taken place. The Ancient Parish of St Pancras by 1851 had spawned two new parishes:

• Highgate – created in 1837 from St Pancras and Hornsey St Mary Parishes and,
• St Pancras Christ Church (west of St Pancras Parish and east of Regent Park) – created in 1837 from St Pancras.

This left the parish as shown in 1851. The Family Search sidebar on England Jurisdictions 1851 for St Pancras notes:

Separate registers exist for:

• Camden Town beginning 1824 and also
• Kentish Town beginning 1804 and also.
• Somers Town [Church of St Mary The Virgin, Eversholt Street] beginning 1829 [Parish from 1852] and also.
• Percy Chapel [Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia] beginning 1747 and also.
• Fitzroy Chapel beginning 1779 and also.
• Regent Square beginning 1829

It does not say for how long these registers were maintained.

Old Church, Saint Pancras, is a Church of England Church in the Pancras Registration District. It is well known for its Catholic heritage and the fact that a number of Catholics were buried in its cemetery (even post-Reformation). In this respect it would seem an unusual place for a non-conformist to have his son baptised. If the family was itinerant, they may not have felt they had much choice. The church was rebuilt in 1847 having been semi-derelict prior to restoration. [Catholic Herald on-line 12 May 2013]

The “Administrative History” attached to the Catalogue entry for St Pancras New Church says:

Saint Pancras was a parish before the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is said to occupy the site of a Roman Camp, the old church was erected around 1180. It was enlarged and almost rebuilt in 1848 and again restored in 1888. The burial ground has been a place of Christian burial for over 700 years, being at times favoured by Roman Catholics and in particular French exiles, a factor said to be attributable to the church’s dedication to the Roman martyr Pancratius.

In 1822 a new parish church was completed in Euston Road, reducing the Old Church to the status of a parish chapel. In 1863 the latter regained its status as the principal church of a new parish . The two parishes are referred to separately as Saint Pancras, Pancras Road (ie the Old Church, but a new parish) and Saint Pancras, Euston Road (ie the new church completed in 1822, but the old parish). Records dated 1660-1822 therefore relate to Saint Pancras Old Church when it was the main parish church of the ancient parish of Saint Pancras. Records of Saint Pancras Old Church dated 1863 onwards refer to the new, smaller and separate parish assigned to this church after that date.

George Henry Williamson in Register of Births

If the previous parish record is the George Henry we are looking for, his birth may have been registered. In the early years after the beginning of registration (1837), a few births may not have been registered.

We are, on the basis of the above baptism record, looking for a “George (Henry) Williamson” born Q1 1845, in “Pancras” Registration District^† (probable Somers Town, sub district). Looking on FreeBMD we find:

Births Quarter ending Mar 1845 (Coverage > 99%)

Surname	First name(s)	District	Volume	Page
Williamson	George *den	St Pancras	1	366
Williamson	George Gordon	St Pancras	1	366

If he was born, 14 January 1845 (according to the baptism record), he could not have been registered before that date. It is unlikely, but not impossible that he was registered in the second quarter of 1845 (April, May & June).

Checking the GRO birth index for 1845 returns the same record. Obtaining the birth certificate in case of miss-indexing, (for instance entering the mother’s maiden surname as the child’s second name, revealed that the actual certificates gives the full name as George Gordon Williamson, mother’s name “Eleanor Williamson, formerly Gordon”, the wife of “George Williamson” a tailor. So the registration index matches the certificate but not the baptism record that we found.

Options:

• The date of birth on the baptism record was actually earlier. The given date of birth (14 January) being fictionalised so the vicar did not question the delay in baptism (9 February) or possibly cause issues with late registration, but the vicar or curate should realise that if a child looks significantly older than the implied almost 4 weeks, something is up. (check for earlier registration),
• The birth was registered in a near-by registration district (check neighbouring registration districts).

Searching FreeBMD:

• from Q2 1841; possibly an excessively early date but we know he would not be on the 1841 census taken in June)
• to Q1 1845 (he had to be born before 9 February 1845 to be baptised on that date)
• Counties of London & Middlesex (all the registration districts surrounding Pancras Registration District are in Middlesex)
• For “George Williamson”, and alternatively, “Henry Williamson”

Birth Quarter	Surname	First name(s)	Parents’ first names	Mother’s maiden name	District, Parish	Volume / Page
1841-Q3	Williamson	George	Not found⁵	Grant³	Chelsea¹	3/44
1842-Q1	Williamson	George Henry	possibly: William, Louisa⁵.¹	Chapman³	London (city of)¹	2/174
1843-Q3 02/08/1843¹	Williamson	George	Henry, Sophia¹	Walden³	Clerkenwell, St James¹	3/80
1843-Q3	Williamson	Henry	–	Not Found in GRO Indices	St Saviour¹ [Southwark]	4/479
1844-Q1	Williamson	George	Robert, Mary Ann⁵.²	Claridge³	Camberwell¹	4/35
1844-Q2 22/10/1844¹	Williamson	George Christopher	Christopher, Elizabeth¹	Sturcke³	Clerkenwell, St Philip¹	3/80
Q1 1845	Williamson	George Gordon	George, Eleanor²	Gordon³	St Pancras¹	1/366

Of the above some have been matched to other plausible baptisms (the lack of a match does not imply much as the record may not have been digitalised). George Gordon has been ruled out as his parents are “wrong”. To present a boy born in Q2 1844 (George Christopher) as a 4 week old at the time of baptism (February 1845) is probably inplausible. Earlier records are even more impausible.

William Blizard Williamson (junior)

William Blizard Williamson (junior) is not in my line of descent from his father, but for completeness it is worth outlining his appearances in English Records.

Birth of William Blizard Williamson (junior)

William Blizard Williamson’s eldest son, also called William Blizard Williamson, is shown in the 1861 census as having been born in 1845 in Cork Ireland. As suggested above, the ages of William junior and his brother, George, appear to have been swapped. William Blizard Williamson Junior also appears in the 1841 census (below), but the 1861 and 1841 censuses are the only found ones where he appears with his parental family.

Details of his birth will be researed in the “Williamson: Antecedents in Ireland” post.

Marriage of William Blizard Williamson (junior)

In 1863 he married Sarah Jane Mayfield Turner [Upton 1863 Q4; volume: 6c; page: 569], and they appear in three census:

• 1871: The Cherry Orchard, Bath Road, St Peter, Worcester, [RG 10; Piece: 3052; Folio: 21; Page: 26; - Accessed via Find My Past]
• 1881: Sunny View, Worcester St Peter, Worcester as “W B Williamson” [RG 11; Piece: 2198; Folio: 18; Page: 30; - Accessed via Find My Past] &,
• 1891: Smedley’s Hydropathic Establishment, Matlock Bath [RG12; Piece: 2776; Folio: 143; Page: 22; - Accessed via Find My Past]

They do not appear to have had children, which means this branch of the male line DNA dies out.

Check for Children of William Blizard Williamson (junior)

Within Worcestershire (where the Williamson spent most of their lives in the second half of the 1800s) and adjoining counties: Gloucestershire, Hereforedshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire, there are a ten male Williamson marriages where the bride could be a Turner.

There is no certainty the bride is a Turner, due to marriage registration pages listing not couples, but parties – and there can be four or eight parties to a page. The order they appear in the results of a FreeBMD search is no indication of specific couples.

To help confirm the couples, looking in subsequent England & Wales censuses for each potential couple (with feasible ages for the marriage date) and note any “Williamson-Turner” children born shortly prior to or after the marriage date.

These children can then be excluded when searching the GRO birth indices for Williamson births with a Mother’s Maiden Name of Turner, from say 1860. Any not excluded, might be children of William Blizard and Sarah Jane Mayfield WIlliamson.

Registration District	Ref (Q, Vol, Page)	Williamson Groom	Possible Turner Bride	Subsequent Censuses Check
Warwick	1847-Q2, 16, 649	James	Esther	1851 Cross St Warwick James ~1824 Tailor Esther ~1822 Dressmaker James ~1850
Wolstanton, Staffordshire	1849-Q4, 17, 415	John	Phoebe	Not found 1851 or 1861; possible mismatch of bride & groom
Lichfield, Staffordshire	1851-Q1, 17, 104	Eison	Octavia Wyatt	Not found 1851 or 1861; possible mismatch of bride & groom
Walsall, Staffordshire	1851-Q2, 17, 319	Thomas	Mary	Not found with certainty 1861/71; possible mismatch of bride & groom
Upton, Worcestershire	1863-Q4, 6c, 569	William Blizard	Sarah Jane Mayfield	1871 The Cherry Orchard, Bath Road, No Children in 1871/81/91
Foleshill, Warwickshire	1865-Q4, 6d, 634	Richard	Martha	Not found with certainty 1871/81; possible mismatch of bride & groom
Stoke T, Staffordshire	1869-Q4, 6b, 400	Edward Richard	Elizabeth	Not found with certainty 1871/81; possible mismatch of bride & groom
Stoke T, Staffordshire	1883-Q1, 6b, 246	George Henry	Emily	Not found with certainty 1891/1901; possible mismatch of bride & groom
Stone, Staffordshire	1889-Q4, 6b, 90	Arthur	Elizabeth	Not found with certainty 1891/1901; possible mismatch of bride & groom
Aston, Warwickshire	1899-Q2, 6d, 434	Alfred	Florence Bertha	Not found with certainty 1901/11; possible mismatch of bride & groom

Reviewing the GRO Birth Indices and scanning the results with Registration Districts in Worcestershire or its neighbouring counties, there are no births where the parents could possibly be William Blizard and Sarah Jane Mayfield Williamson. Given William Blizard Williamson (junior)’s involvement in the family business (until 1890) and Sarah Jane Mayfield Williamson’s birthplace of Pershore, Worcestershire, it is unlikely that they would have had children outside of those counties.

Death of William Blizard Williamson (junior)

He died suddenly, aged 55, on 2 May 1895 at 1 Montague-Street, Russell-Square, Middlesex [St. Giles: 1895-Q2; volume: 1b; page: 325;]. Probate was granted 24 May 1895 at London to his widow Sarah Jane Mayfield Williamson. His profession was given as “Alderman” and his residences were stated as Matlock Bridge, Derbyshire and Worcester. The estate was valued at £4,135 12s 3d. [Probate Calendar: 1895; Williamson, William Blizard]

Reports [for instance, Worcester Journal, 1 June 1895, page 4, column 4] of the grant of probate indicated that his widow was the sole executrix, and the testator “devised and bequeathed all his real and personal estate” to her. The report gave the address of his widow as 1 Montague-Street. It is probable that this was a private hotel and that the widow had returned to it to gain probate in London. The British Australasian, at that time had a number of reports of Australians “staying in Europe” as being at this address. [searching for the address in the Newspaper Collection at Find My Past] It is currently occupied by the Architectural Asssociation.

Sarah Jane Mayfield Williamson died 24 September 1931 at The Ferns, 152 College Road, Moseley, Birmingham. Probate was granted 14 October 1931 at Birmingham to William Mayfield Turner retired grocer and William Henry Madin. She was described as a widow. The value of the estate was stated as £5,100 0s. 7d and later resworn at £5,309 14s. 5d. [Probate Calendar: 1931; Williamson, Sarah Jane Mayfield]

1881 Census of Household of William Blizard Williamson (junior)

In 1881 he is living at Sunny View, Worcester St Peters, with his wife and two servants.

First name(s)	Surname	Relation/Status	Age / Implied YoB	Occupation	Birth Place
W B	Williamson	Head	41/1840	Tin & japan wares manufacturer	Ireland
S J M	Williamson	Wife	40/1841		Pershore, Worcestershire
Amy	James	Servant, Single	24/1857	servant (dom)	Bromyard, Worcestershire
Ann E	George	Servant, Single	19/1862	servant (dom)	Fernhill Heath, Worcestershire

1871 Census of Household of William Blizard Williamson (junior)

In 1871 he and his wife are living at The Cherry Orchard, Bath Road, Worcester St Peter

First name(s)	Surname	Relation/Status	Age / Implied YoB	Occupation	Birth Place
William Blizard	Williamson	Head	31/1840	Tin plate	Ireland
Sarah Jane	Williamson	Wife	29/1842		Welland, Worcestershire

Other Siblings born in (St) Pancras 1841-1861

It is worth checking to see if we have any obvious siblings born (and probably dying) in the period between the two oldest censuses in which we have traced this line. The 1841 Census and the 1861 Census are both within the period of civil registration, but parish records may also be of use.

The record set (UK – London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-19171920, the end date gets extended as further records are added) where the Baptism of George Henry Williamson was found also contains another similar record.

Register	Baptisms in Saint Pancras	Baptisms in Saint Pancras†
Record Ref	No.246 (Page 343)	No.164 (Page 239)
When Baptised	9 February 1845	21 January 1843
Child’s Christian Name	George Henry	Christiana
Parents’ Christian Name	William & Elizabeth	William & Eliza
Parents’ Surname	Williamson	Williamson
Abode	Brill Place	Brill Pl
Quality, Trade or Profession	Tinplate worker	Tinplate worker
By whom the Ceremony was performed	F J Stainforth	V Norton
Date of Birth	14 January 1845	16 December 1842

^† The pages of the Register for which I have the images, just says “Saint Pancras”, but the Family Search Transcription for Christiana’s baptism ["England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JMVK-8ZD : 4 February 2023), Christiana Williamson, 1843], says:

• Event Place: St Pancras Old Church, Saint Pancras,
• Event Place (Original): St Pancras, Euston Road, Saint Pancras,

These are two different churches! (see previous discussion). Examination of the images for the register may show a frontspiece that makes clear which church was the place. The “Event Place” field is a Family Search construct as they attempt (here, in correctly) to standarise place names.

The Clergy of the Church of England Database (CCEd) only hold records until 1835, before the New Church. Euston Road, was built (1822), so cannot help resolve “which church”, but I suspect this could be due to someone in the LDS in Utah trying to standarise places and not realising the difference.

This looks like a daughter born to William Blizard Williamson (senior) and his wife Elizabeth. This fits with the idea circulating in the family that there was a Christine Williamson born around this time.

Just as with George Henry, we would expect to find other records for Christiana/Christine.

	George Henry Williamson	Christiana/Christine Williamson
Baptism Record	1.) Ancestry: UK – London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-19171920 2.) Family Search: England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 (this collection also available through Find My Past)	1.) Ancestry: UK – London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-19171920 2.) Family Search: England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 (this collection also available through Find My Past)
Birth Registration in two years prior to Baptism	Not GRO St Pancras Not FreeBMD Mx/Lnd	Not GRO St Pancras Not FreeBMD Mx/Lnd
Subsequent Census 1851 England wide	Neither child nor parents found on: – Find My Past – Ancestry – The Genealogist – Family Search	Neither child nor parents found on: – Find My Past – Ancestry – The Genealogist – Family Search
Other Censues	1861/71/81/91, 1901/11	Not found
Death Registration prior to 1851 Census consistent age at death ± 1yr	Lived to 26 March 1918	Not FreeBMD/GRO (UK wide)
Burial Record before 1851	Lived to 26 March 1918

The Wolverhampton Link

There are also a number of sources that refer to the family as having been in Wolverhampton – these may all resolve back to a single source that may not be capable of verification.

• Grace’s Guide to British Industrial History [accessed 13 February 2017] referred to WBW founding his company in 1838. This is two years after the date given in the obituary for his arrival in England, but the same obituary refers to him being “determined to make a start in business on his own account” in 1858.
  After correspondence, this source has now [15 February 2017] been revised to reference the obituary for a start date of 1858. If the Wolverhampton link can be substantiated, the 1838 date can be reinvestigated.
• The preface to the on-line edition of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography refers to “Succeeding generations of the Williamson family (per. c. 1855-c. 1934) ran a metal-working business originating in Wolverhampton, but established permanently outside the Black Country, at Worcester. William Blizard Williamson (1810/11-1878) founded the Worcester business …”.
• The main DNB article [subscription site] says the family settled in England in about 1840. Given that I have previously surmised that they arrived around or after 1840 (based on their son William being born around 1840 in Ireland) and that this family website is given as a source in the DNB, this may not be independent confirmation of my belief (which contradicts the obituary which states he arrived in England in 1836)!
• David J Cannings-Bushel reports “William Blizzard Williamson who came from Wolverhampton … set up next to the canal at Lowesmoor around 1855”. This may be based on the DNB entry.