William Bannister b circa 1843

[mikebannister]

Hi everyone from Sunny Albury in NSW Australia,
I am looking for some assistance in tracing William, my great granfather, who was born in East Grinstead. I would like to confirm his wife's name and those of his parents. Any assistance would be gratefully received
Thanks in Anticipation
MikeB

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi Mike B

Just checking my e-mail and new messages before I went out for the day (transcribing church memorials in Lewes) and spotted your query.

Here is the 1851 census transcription for you:-

HO107/ 1641/ Folio 271/ Page 31 - Paines Corner, East Grinstead
BANNISTER Edward, Head, Widow, 58, Farmer of 16 acres, born East Grinstead
.............. City, Son, Unm, 23, Farmers son, born East Grinstead
.............. Mercy, Dau, Unm, 19, Farmers Daughter, East Grinstead
.............. William, Son, Unm, 7, East Grinstead

I have both the 1841 and the 1861 census for East Grinstead, I will try to locate them in both census this evening - Watch this space

Chris

[mikebannister]

Thank you Chris,
This is really great. 1841 might show us who Edward's wife was?
1861 would put the icing on the cake as I think that was his last census at home.
Can i ask you or the list what a farmer of 16 acres means, was he a tenant farmer?
Once again my heartfelt thanks

[Trish]

Mike,

Just to add to what Chris has given you, thought you might be interested in William's older brother in 1871... living in East Grinstead at Crupps Corner:

Name / Age in 1871 / Birthplace / Relationship / Occupation
City Bannister 46 East Grinstead Head Famer
Maria Bannister 36 Hapsted, Ardngly Wife
William Bannister 12 East Grinstead Son
Edward Bannister 10 East Grinstead Son
Abbey Bannister 8 East Grinstead Daughter
Sydney Bannister 4 East Grinstead Son E
Mercy Bannister 1 East Grinstead Daughter
George Stephenson 19 Maresfield, Sussex, England Boarder

Source information: RG10/1058
Registration district: East Grinstead
Sub-registration district: East Grinstead
ED, institution, or vessel: 5
Folio: 86
Page: 7
Household schedule number: 32

Trish

[Trish]

Mike,

In 1891: no sign of City but it looks like his son is there in East Grinstead in a 4-room dwelling on Forest Row:

Name / Age in 1891 / Birthplace / Relationship to head-of-house / Occupation
Bannister, Edward 28 East Grinstead, Sussex Head Carter
Bannister, Martha 26 ashurstwood, Sussex Wife
Bannister, Wm Hy 3 higzrove, Sussex Son East

Source information: RG12/788
Registration district: East Grinstead
Sub registration district: East Grinstead
ED, institution, or vessel: 5
Folio: 109
Page: 25

Trish

[mikebannister]

Thanks Trish,
You are very kind to take this trouble. To think 3 months ago I knew nothing beyond my Dad and Mum.
Regards
MikeB

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi again Mike

Afraid the 1841 census is not very helpful and does not tell us anything we did not know accept Edwards wife died before 1841.

HO107/ 1115/ 2 - 'Piccadilly' East Grinstead.
BANNISTER Edward, 48, Ag Lab
.............. City, 12
.............. Mercy, 10

All born in the county of Sussex

This now poses us some problems, how did he move up from Ag Lab to Farmer inside those 10 years between the 41 and 51 census - Where oh where did William come from, born in c1843/4 if Edwards wife is/was deceased.

There is also another family of Bannisters there in 1841:-
Thomas, 40, Ag Lab
Mary, 40
Mary, 8
Sarah, 5
Elizabeth, 2

All except the adult Mary were born in Sussex

[mikebannister]

Hi again Chris,
This is a mystery isn't it, blows a bit of a hole in my boat as William is the line of my descendancy, I think.
As a relative newbie at this, I am now a bit lost
Where would I get a copy of William's birth certificate for example, or is it possible to find out if the two sets of Bannisters are connected.
Your suggestions would be gratefully received

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi there Mike

It did put the cat amongst the pigeons, didnt it.

Williams birth certificate can be obtained as he was born c 1843/1844 which should indicate his parents; We may also be able to find a baptism for him in the church registers of East Grinstead.

But first, I think we have to confirm that Edwards wife is deceased and the date, because after all, she could have been visiting relatives on the night of the census in 1841. Again this has to be the Parish Register at East Grinstead.

Following the lines back through those registers may also help verify the connections between the Bannisters.

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi again Mike

Looking through the IGI, we find that:-

WILLIAM BANNISTER, Christening: 23 JUL 1843, East Grinstead, Sussex, England.
Parents: Father: EDWARD BANNISTER, Mother: MARY

If we look at the marriages in East Sussex, and especially East Grinsted we find the following:-

Place: East Grinstead, West Sussex, Date: 7 Oct 1840:
Groom: Edward BANNISTER, widower, Labourer
Bride: Mary PAGE, spinster
Both of this parish

So William is completely legit, as Edward his father, shown as a widower, married Mary Page some 3 years before william was born.

That now poses another problem - where was Mary on the 1841 census, she was not at home with Edward?

Typical - One answer causes more problems

[mikebannister]

Chris, I am very grateful for all that work. If you have any relies you need tracking in Victorian or NSW records let me know. I will soon have the vital records for Australia and hope to purchase a similar product put out by genealogy societies in Australia and NZ This has much wider coverage I think. Could I ask one more favour. Did Edwards Marriage certificate say who his & her Dad were.
Kindest Regards
MikeB

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi there Mike

Glad that you found the info of use.

Thanks for that offer of research over the big pond, but my ancestors were not very adventurous and didnt stray far from the Cotton & Silk Mills of Cheshire and Nottinghamshire.

As Edwards marriage was in 1840 and registration started in 1837, then you shoud be able to get a copy of the marriage certificate from the GRO.
Unfortunately my source did not give any more details than what I sent you.

Sorry

[mikebannister]

Thanks Chris,
I will digest what I have and send for that certificate
Kind Regards
MikeB