Genealogy Chat

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My gg grandfather was George (James/Daniel) Byers born 1835/6 in Lambeth, Surrey. On his marriage certificate in 1857, he gives his father as William Byers, hatter (deceased). William Byers and Ann COPE married 8th August 1824 at St Mary's Lambeth. On the 1841, Ann is living at 1 Orsett Street, Lambeth: Ann Byers, 39, ??, Not born in county (even though on later censuses she gives her birthplace as Lambeth) William Byers, 14, Servant, Born in County Henry Byers, 13, , Born in County Mary Byers, 9, , Born in County On the 1851: 28 Bolwell Street, Lambeth Joseph Levitt, head,?, Carpenter, born Lambeth Ann Levitt, wife, 38, , ditto Williams T Byers, son, 23, Shipwright, ditto Maria Byers, wife, 23, , Surrey George Byers, son, 15, Pianoforte Maker, born Lambeth Joseph Levitt, son, 10, , ditto Eliza Levitt, dau, 8, , ditto Louisa J Levitt, dau, 6, , ditto Jane Walker, visitor, 6, , Middlesex Mary A Walker, visitor, 2, , Lambeth I can't find a marriage between Joseph Levitt and Ann Byers. I have Louisa J Levitt's birth cert, on which mother gives her name as 'Ann Levitt, formerly Cope' - no mention of Byers anywhere! I have not been able to find my George (aged 15 on the 1851) on the 1841, nor can I find his father. It is very possible that his father had died by then though. Someone kindly looked up an address for me on the 1841, for a George BYERS, in Pall Mall, a hatter. This George was not born in county. I found a extremely close match on the IGI born in Kirkby Thore, Westmorland in 1792. This George's parents also had a son, William, in 1783 and a son John in 1787. I think I have found John Byers born Kirkby Thore on the 1861 in St Pancras (my gg grandfather George was also there on the 1861). Unfortunately occupation is not given, but his daughter born c1821 in St James' Westminster, Margaret appears to be a vocalist on the 1861. On the 1871 she's a performer of Music in St Pancras (down as Margarett Byers born 1819) and on the 1881 she is visiting her sister Amelia Byers who is a teacher of music. My gg grandfather, George, was a pianoforte maker/key maker. His son, Walter, made pianofortes. His daughter Ruth was also a music teacher. The link with the surname and the music background is very strong - and I was wondering what other people thought. Is this my William Byers' family? Were John Byers (and George Byers the hatter in Pall Mall) William's brothers? ****NEW**** Margaret Byers (born St James'), her parents were John Byers and Susannah - John Byers' parents were Isaac Byers and Mary Langhorn (married 1780 in Bampton - on the IGI). One of John & Susannah';s children on the IGI had the middle name Langhorn - so this would appear to be the right family that moved down to London. Please help! All advice would be appreciated. Chloe

Hi Chloe Have you tried for a marriage between Joseph Levitt and Ann Cope, as she might of reverted back to her maiden name by the time she married Joseph Levitt. Birth certs of children whose mother had ben married twice should normally give both married names such as 'Ann Levitt, later Byers formerly Cope', but she probably forgot to inform the registrar of that, as that did happen sometimes. Have you looked on Free BMD for any William Byers deaths as on the sites coverage charts, the first 10 years of deaths are now transcribed. Ben

Yes, I have looked under Cope. The marriage should have taken place between 1841 and 1843 (even though I've looked beyond then). Nothing. Nothing also in the church where the children were baptised either (St Mary's Lambeth). Joseph Levitt is their next door neighbour on the 1841, no wife with him though. My main concern at the mo, is the likelihood of the Byers I mentioned being my William's brothers..... I've come to the conclusion that Ann Cope/Byers is a lost cause!! She is with her son on the 1871 and 1881 (can't find her on the 1861), as Ann Levitt.... my guess is that they didn't marry - but well - I don't know!! Hoping that something might come out of this William mystery.

I dont know if you have just done so but I have just looked on FreeBMD for any William Byers deaths in Lambeth 1837-1850 and cannot find a match, although there is a Stepney and Greenwich one. Maybe William died in the 2 years between George's birth, and July 1837. His death age will point to his year of birth. Or, he didnt die, maybe he left Ann, all these suggestions help.

Yes, they do, Ben. Thank you. Knowing my luck, it means having to look at parish records. Thanks for your suggestions. I should know by now that there is no easy way in genealogy!! Chloe

I know, I have spent hours searching through individual London parishes for the marriage and burial of one of my ancestors, and all my exhaustive hours of research still hasnt yet paid off, but at least I have his wife on 1841 though, its just finding him, as I think he died just before 1837. I do hope that my brickwall will not stand forever. If civil reg had started 10 years earlier than it did, that would of been a huge help. We'd both be laughing all the way to the bank. Ben

LOL - that is so true Ben!! Or if it had always been that would be better! Good luck. Chloe