Hi, I am a new member to the society and have traced my family back to the Whitchurch area. They migrated in the late 1800's to Stoke on Trent for work in the mines and potteries, settling first in the Audley area then Newcastle and Stoke. I have visited St Alkmunds Church looking for a grave stone of a Philip Ashley but unforyunately they are too worn so a visit to the shropshire archive may be in order.
I believe the Ashley name was very popular in the 18th and 19th century around Whitchurch, Wem, Wrockwardine and Hodnet and I imagine that the area was very rural at the time. Is anyone else researching the Ashley line ? Also I would like to learn more about the geography and demographic of the area in those times and would be appreciative if someone could recommend some good research material.
Thanks
Barry
Mike, I have looked and there is some great info on there. It does not help with my research but I have bookmarked for future refernce. I appreciate your help.
Are there any local newspapers it might be worth me placing an advert in??
Barry
Barry,
My 4th great-grandparents were Mary ASTLEY & Abraham SINKER. They
were married in 1781 at St. Luke's, Hodnet, Shropshire. I don't know any
more about her but have seen the Astley and Ashley surnames being used
interchangeably. Do you think that your Ashley might also be Astley?
I have a copy of their marriage from the register. Abraham signed his own
name but Mary signed with an X and her name is definitely written as Astley
but maybe at that time they were not too bothered if it had a T or not in the
name.
- Ed
Ed, you're right, in some cases Ashley became Astley and vice versa and the more records you look at you can where the errors occurred. Will keep hod of the info for now as it may come in handy. Will keep you updated if I find anything. Thanks for posting.
Cheers
Barry
Hello Barry
If you look under 'Online Databases' above you will find one for Monumental Inscriptions where you can enter a surname and find a list of places where that surname has been recorded. Unfortunately ASHLEY does not appear at Whitchurch: St Alkmund.
Scans of the Whitchurch Cemetery burials register are available from 1895 onwards which might just be worth checking. There is no machine readable name index so you need to check the scans for each period.
Mike