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Hi there,

My ggg grandmother was Eliza Brett (c.1832-1897). I know a lot of information about her family and also quite a bit more about her from her various criminal convictions (petty theft) and also her workhouse claims. She was born in Nantwich, Cheshire.

She married my ggg granddad John Heathcock (1830-1886) in Rowley Regis, Staffordshire in 1852. He was born in Dudley, Worcestershire.


Intriguingly the baptismal registers of St. Thomas’ Church, in Dudley Worcester show the baptisms of three children on 25th September 1853, fifteen months after the marriage of John Heathcock and Eliza Brett. They show a daughter Mary Heathcock, who was born on 24th July 1853, but also a daughter Sarah Ann who was born on 18th May 1851, eleven months before the parents were married.

No, TWO years prior to this on July 5th 1851, an Eliza Brett had a baby girl name Sarah Ann christened at the same church, although Sarah Ann Heathcock baby was supposedly born on 18th May 1851, whereas Sarah Ann Brett was supposedly born on 24th May 1851. Finally, a third child named Richard Heathcock was baptised to John and Eliza, although he was aged four, his date of birth being 10th May 1849. Whether this couple are the same as our John and Eliza Heathcock is unknown, although the locality and timing of the events to the marriage of ‘our’ John and Eliza Heathcock would suggest yes. Whether Richard and Sarah Ann where the children of John’s or whether he adopted them when he married Eliza is unknown. What became of them is also unkown.

I know Richard died in 1871, and lived with his grandmother.

I'm curious to see what became of Mary and Sarah Ann Heathcock/Brett.

Also, how many children that John and Eliza actually had.

Your help is appreciated.

Thank you.

Is this Sarah?


England & Wales, FreeBMD Death Index: 1837-1915

Name: Sarah Ann Heathcock
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1858
Registration district: Stourbridge
Inferred County: Worcestershire
Volume: 6c
Page: 69

Possibly Gins ... I really don't know.

In 1858, the census states that a daughter Eliza Jane was born in Newport, Wales.

However, Eliza Jane was baptised on 7th December 1859 in Ormesby, North Yorkshire.

In 1861 the family (John, Eliza and daughter Eliza Jane were living in Chesterfield, Derbyshire) and in Jan. 1862, a son Thomas was born in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire (died 1862). Then in 1871, a daughter Emma was born in Middlesbrough.

So I don't really know I am sorry to say.

Then in 1861 t

I think the only way to check that death that I posted is to buy the certificate

Do you have Mary 1853 on any of the censuses?

No I don't Gins. I don't have her after the baptism.

And I don't have a birth certificate for Eliza Jane.

Eliza Jane? This is the mother born 1832?


Or is this her


1861 England Census
about Eliza J Heathcock
Name: Eliza J Heathcock
Age: 2
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1859
Relation: Daughter
Father's Name: John Heathcock
Mother's Name: Eliza Heathcock
Gender: Female
Where born: Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales

Civil parish: Chesterfield
County/Island: Derbyshire
Country: England

Registration district: Chesterfield
Sub-registration district: Chesterfield
ED, institution, or vessel: 6
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 169
Piece: 2528
Folio: 19
Page Number: 32
Household Members: Name Age
John Heathcock 31
Eliza Heathcock 29
Eliza J Heathcock 2


1881 England Census
about Eliza Heathercock
Name: Eliza Heathercock
Age: 49
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1832
Relation: Wife
Spouse's Name: John Heathercock
Gender: Female
Where born: Lantwich, Cheshire, England

Civil parish: Middlesbrough
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England

Street Address: 29 Station St
Condition as to marriage: Married

Registration district: Middlesbrough
Sub-registration district: Middlesbrough
ED, institution, or vessel: 15
Neighbors: View others on page
Piece: 4848
Folio: 70
Page Number: 4
Household Members: Name Age
John Heathercock 50
Eliza Heathercock 49

Peter.....youve gone!


What is your connection with this family and what certificates do you have that can verify some 'facts' to work on please?


Oops, just re read and see it is your maternal line

Sorry I left the house. And yes, that is Eliza Heathcock in 1861 and 1881 ... her daughter Eliza Jane married in 1878 to a man named Turner.

Anyhow, it is birth which is proving difficult to find.

Can you spot the birth of Eliza Jane Heathcock (born c. 1859 in Newport, Monmouth).

And, I have found a death:

Deaths Jun 1858 (>99%)
Heathcock Phillis Newport M 11a 113 Scan available - click to view

Eliza BRETT's gran was Phillis; so I assume she would be a child of hers. But I can't find a birth! Can you help?