KILLERs - PLEASE HELP!

[Brer]

I'm really hoping that someone can help me with this - it's driving me round the twist and I seem to be getting nowhere very fast!

My 5xGGrandfather was George KILLER who was born about 1790. George lived in Mottram in Longdendale with his wife Jane (don't know surname) in 1841 - both not of this county. Jane died in 1847, but George was still there (with children) in 1851 but George now said he was born in "Eckington, Derbs". George died in 1855 so the 1851 is the only clue.

I've been looking for KILLERs in Derbs (try putting that in a search engine!!!) but cannot find any in or around Eckington. The KILLERs seem to be from around Wirksworth but that seems an awful long way from Eckington.

Does anyone have anything that might help to locate where George was born/Christened please? I can find a marriage on the IGI for George to Jane EXERLEY in Prestwich, Lancashire, but I have no idea if this is the same couple and can find nthing on the surname EXERLEY (unless it's "ECKERSLEY" of course) either.

These KILLERs are killing me!!!!!!


~ Claire

[BeeE586]

I don't know if this will help, but I have looked on the 1841 on British Origins. There were no KILLER's in Eckington at that time but they were in Sheffield and also in Dronfield and Staveley, both parishes contiguous with Eckington.

I can send details if you wish.

I don't know if this is relevant, but from the Hallamshire Cutlers' Apprenticeship Records ......

Adam Killer, son of Thomas of Matlock was apprenticed in 1794 to James Gregory, knifemaker. This may explain how they came to be in Sheffield.

Eileen

PS I live in the next village to Eckington.

[Brer]

Thanks for replying Eileen!

I've looked on the IGI and there's a "James KILLER" born to Edward and Sarah KILLER at Eckington in 1803. James died in 1804. He is the only other KILLER I've found who cites Eckington.

I've looked on ancestry and there's a family in 1841 named "KILLIER" living at Staveley, and then in 1851 and 1861 the same family is living at West Handley (as "KILLER").

There are 3 baptisms for the children of this Edward and "Ellen" at Staveley -

KILLAR Henry S Edward Ellen Handley 28 December 1828
KILLAR Jane D Edward Ellen Handley 24 April 1831
KILLAR Mary D Edward Helen Handley 11 June 1826

I am wondering if this Edward is the brother of my George and then them both as sons of Edward and Sarah (my George calls his daughter Sarah and then when she dies he calls his next one Sarah too)

Is there a church in Eckington where they (George and poss Edward) might have been baptised? Where would I have to go to see the records?

MANY thanks

~ Claire

[BeeE586]

Hi Claire

West Handley is a small hamlet that was originally part of Staveley parish, although it is nearer to the boundary with Eckington than it is to the actual village of Staveley.

The Eckington Registers are at Matlock Record Office. The MI's have been recorded and so far as I am aware, the church has a copy and also Derbyshire Family History Society - that is, if you think anyone may have been buried there.

Eileen