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Common name - what to do?

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Philip

Philip Report 4 Aug 2010 18:13

I'm trying to find details of a relative of mine with the distinctive name of John Brown.

He was born in 1803 in Madeley, Shropshire. Remarkable man - he lost both his hands/arms in an accident involving an office fire at the age of 9, but lived to nearly 80, becoming a lay preacher, publican, carpenter (!) and poet in the process. Apart from this, a small newspaper obituary, and an original notebook with one of his poems, I know nothing more about him.

Has anyone else got any connections to him, or suggestions about where to look next? No doubt the Shropshire record office, but I've never visited a records office before (armchair genealogist, you see!) and really don't know how to plan that. Do I need to book in advance to get assistance with looking for material, or would someone just help me "on demand" so to speak?

patchem

patchem Report 4 Aug 2010 19:22

Are you assuming this is not him?:
1871 England Census
John Brown
Age: 67 Estimated birth year: abt 1804 relation: Head Spouse's name: Elizabeth Gender: Male Where born: Madeley, Shropshire, England Civil parish: Madeley County/Island: Shropshire Country: England Registration district: Madeley Sub-registration district: Madeley ED, institution, or vessel: 14a
Household schedule number: 229
John Brown 67
Elizabeth Brown 65
Henry Brown 26 son
Sarah J Brown 20 dau
Mary E Bray 24 dau
Thomas Bray 28 sonlaw
Elanor Bray 3 months grndau
John Evans 25 lodger
Sarah A Instone 13
Source Citation: Class: RG10; Piece: 2756; Folio: 50; Page: 46; GSU roll: 835399

Mary

Mary Report 4 Aug 2010 19:50

1851 census it says he is a wood turner without hands.

Have you found him in 1841 as I can't.

Maryb

On 1851 his place of birth is Cross Houses,this is a village in the parish of Berrington.

4/12/1803 John Brown christened in Berrington by William and Mary Brown.
They also christened Jane Brown 20/6/1802.

Researching:
Farrar, Jessop, Ward, Booth, Wragg, Walsh.

Madmeg

Madmeg Report 4 Aug 2010 20:06

In 1871 he's an Innkeeper. But I guess this isn't what you are wanting is it Philip?

Philip

Philip Report 4 Aug 2010 21:36

Thanks everyone for the replies. Sorry, perhaps I should have been clearer ... I've had no trouble finding him in the census returns, which is how I know he was a wood turner (as well as some family furniture), and an inkeeper (thanks Madmeg!).

However, he was clearly a big noise in local affairs for a lot of his life, and having achieved so much despite his injuries (which would have killed most people in 1812 !) he sounds like a fascinating character to research in more detail, and this is what I was really looking for guidance on.

Florence - thanks for the advice. I'm on holiday for the next two weeks, so may take a day or two to visit Madeley; it's not far away.

Mary - thanks for the info on his parents and sister - I'd no idea about that at all, so that's certainly a bonus!

Thanks once again to all for their feedback

Phil