MIchael Francis Griffin - Can you help

[ALISON WILLMOTT]

Can anyone help me with locating the birthplace of Michael Francis Griffin born C1842. He married Mary Ann Nash at St Marys, Lambeth 22nd October 1865. His father is named as John Griffin a labourer. He had 4 children.
Alice - born 27th December (possibly 1867)
Mary Ann - born C1869
Francis Edward - born 27th March 1871
David George - born 26th March 1875 (my great grandfather)
His son Francis was born 27th March 1871 at 21 York Street, Westminster. So close to the 1871 Census but frustratingly that section of the road is missing from microfilmed records. Michael died before the 1881 census.
Michael worked for Thomas Codey in his soda water factory, said to be an uncle of his. I have proved much of the family myth regarding Thomas Codey and know that the 2nd of his 3 wives was Mary Griffin but have been unable to prove whether she was an aunt, sister to his father John.
Family stories say Michael was of Irish origin, possibly born there or London. Thomas Codey was born C1813 in Ireland.
I would love to find out a bit more about Michael before its too late for my 95 year old great aunt.
Alison

[WaltonAus]

Hello Alison , I found this record for the 1881 census on LDS.

Household Record 1881 British Census
Michael GRIFFIN Widowed 40 Whitehaven, Cumberland, Coal Miner
Elizabeth GRIFFIN 15 Thornley, Durham,
Mary A. GRIFFIN 13 Thornley, Durham,

Source Information:
Dwelling 47 Colly Cottages
Census Place Washington, Durham, England
Family History Library Film 1342198
Public Records Office Reference RG11
Piece / Folio 4983 / 79
Page Number 30
-------------------
It may not be the right family but Mary A. is about the right age.

Kind Regards
Peter Euston

[jeeb]

Hi Alison,
Information given on 1841 & 1851 census seems to answer your query.

1841 Census
St James Westminster HO107/736/10 Folio 16 Page 26
Michael Dale 50 Tiler No
Ann Pinter 63 Yes
John Griffin 30 Booker? No
Ann Griffin 28 No
Rich. Walford 30 No
Eliz. Walford 30 No
Edward Walford 1 Yes

1851 Census
Berwick St. Westminster St James HO107/1483 Folio 220 Page 69
Thomas Codey 37 Soda water maker Limerick Ireland
George Codey 13 Marylebone
Ann Griffin 36 Laundress Cork Ireland
Michael Griffin 10 Son West Ham
Margaret Griffin 1 Dau Westminster St James


The 1851 census does not give a relationship for George Codey or Ann Griffin to Thomas Codey but if you say that Thomas Codey married Ann Griffin then this is how it ties together.
1841 Census puts John & Ann Griffin together and they will almost definitely be the parents of Micheal not yet born. It is also a strong possiblity that Michael Dale will be the father of Ann Griffin.
By 1851 Ann must be a widow (no marital status given) and the child Margaret is likely to be Thomas Codeys. Thomas later marries Ann Griffin making Michael Griffin his stepson. Ann must then die and Michael continues to work for his stepfather Thomas Codey.

In answer to your question Michael Griffin is the natural son of John & Ann Griffin born West Ham London and the eventual stepson of Thomas Codey.
Hope all that makes sense to you.
Best wishes Jeremy.

[ALISON WILLMOTT]

Thanks Peter and Jeremy,

Peter, The 1881 is definately out. Michael died in 1880 and I am happy I have the family moved to Southampton from London in 1881 and living close to other family.

Jeremy, I had got the 1851 census from another web page however it differed in that Ann was Johanna Griffin. I think I will have to check the original for that one. Not sure on the 1841, it can be difficult not to make assumptions when you can't find any other possibilities and as yet none of those other surnames have come up.

Thanks for all your work.

Ali

[Peter Goodey]

"it differed in that Ann was Johanna Griffin"

If a second opinion makes any difference, Ms Griffin is most definitely Ann.

Also I believe young Michael is shown as having been born in Westminster St Anne(s), not West Ham.

[kmdward]

Ann and Hannah could be the same person, as Ann can be a short form for Hannah. A more modern short form can be Nancy. So depending of who answered the questions on census night her name could change, depending if they used her everyday name or her formal baptism name. To check if it is the same person, look at the age and place of birth, if they match then it is probably the same person.

[ALISON WILLMOTT]

Thanks KMDWARD and PETER GOODEY. It was good to hear your views, it is so useful to be able to gauge others opinions as it useful and helps prevent mistakes.

Alison