Mark WINTER - born August 1851 - Wellington

[brentor boy]

Mark Winter and his twin brother,Josiah (aka Joseph), son of William and Ruth (Westlake), was born in Wellington on 12 August 1851.

In 1861 he is living with his family at Nortons Row, Wellington. It appears that his parents died within the next few years (certified proof yet to be obtained).

In 1871 Josiah is living in Marshield, Gloucestershire, as a servant, but I can see no record of Mark, nor can I find his death on BMD.

A James Mark Winter married Fanny Gamlin in Bristol in 1873 and in 1881 they were in Abergavenny. James is shown as born Wellington 1852, but I can find no record on BMD of any birth in that full name.

A James Winter, born 28 Aug 1851, Wellington, enlisted into the Royal Navy but no birth in that name is registered at that date in Wellington on BMD.

I have eliminated the Mark Winter of Wincanton/Milborne Port, b c 1845/6.

Before I invest in a fistful of certificates can anyone provide me with any additional information that might explain Mark's "disappearance". I recognise emigration as a possibility.

[Jan1954]

James is shown as born Wellington 1852, but I can find no record on BMD of any birth in that full name.There is a birth registered in Wellington district in the June quarter of 1852 for a James Winter (no middle name - volume 5c, page 397).

Sometimes births were registered with just a single Christian name and additional names were added later. I have twins in my family (registered as Elijah and Peter) where Peter died and Elijah was given his brother's name as his middle name at his baptism.

So.... it might well be worth checking out the parish records to see what was going on.

[brentor boy]

Thanks Jan.

Both Mark and his brother, Josiah, were, at birth, registered in those names and appear to have been known by them, at least officially, until 1861.

In later life Josiah used the name Joseph - probably known as Joe. I am just exploring the possibility that Mark may similarly have been known informally by another name which he then adopted as his after the death of his parents.

[Susieb]

Hi Brentor Boy
This is my first post here, i have only just started tracing my tree.
My Great Great Grandfather is Josiah aka Joseph Winter. He married Mary Ann Evans in 1876. Their Daughter Ellen Winter had 3 children. Flossie, Joseph & Elizabeth, and my Grandmother is Elizabeth.

I am hoping that I will soon glean lots of unknown family history

Susie

[brentor boy]

Hi Susie,

Welcome to the forum.

I must start by explaining that the Winter line is my wife's but I use it as a retreat when I run into a brickwall with my own.

I'm not sure how much you have but I'll give you something of what I have discovered.

Joseph/Josiah and Mary Ann had six children. William(1877), John91879), Walter(1882), Ellen(1884), Albert (17 Mar 1888), Joseph(4Jul 1890). John is my wife's grandfather. The family lived in Treorchy, Rhondda

Joseph was born 12 Aug 1851 at Wellington, Somerset, s/o William and Ruth(Westlake) Winter. At the time the family was living at Acre Cottage and William was a hand loom weaver. In addition to his twin Mark other children included Ann (1841), George (1843), Elizabeth (1845), Albert (1847), and Mary Ann (1849) All the children were born in the Wellington area.

Mary Ann Evans was born on 19 May 1852,d/o John and Ruth(Britton) Evans, in Garndiffaith, Trevethin. Her father was a miner. Other children of the couple were Stephen (1835), Daniel (1840), Isaac (1843), Sarah (1845), Hester (1847), and Elizabeth (1849). Stephen and his parents were born in Bitton, near Bristol. All the other children were born in the Pontypool area.

I do have some more details but I think that might be enough for you to digest for the moment. Perhaps in future we can communicate via PM but I do not think that facility is available to you until you have made three posts.

[Susieb]

WOW thank you for all that. I have some of the info and I think I found (yesterday) Williams parents - David and Sarah and if right, then there are about 11 siblings for William. Hoping I am correct

I know of Ruth Brittons birth but didnt have any siblings or parents for her so this will really help me. I will look at this too.

Thank you and yes re the pm's I will do this asap

[brentor boy]

I should have included that William Winter married Ruth Westlake on 25 Dec 1839 at Wellington parish church. William s/o James Winter, carpenter. Ruth d/o George Westlake, bookseller. Witnesses William Ingram and Anne Westlake. All made their mark.

I do not have a record of marriage of John Evans/Ruth Britton as this was before general registration but Ruth married for a second time after the death of John in 1854/5 to Aaron Evans at Pontypool Register Office on 21 Sept 1856. Her father shown as Daniel Britton, collier. Aaron also came from the Kingswood area of Bristol. He was s/o John Evans, collier.

That is all the documented evidence I have but there are several on-line sites that I have found useful. Try St John's Wellington for baptisms and marriages. There is also quite a bit about the Brittons of Bitton but I could not satisfactorily differentiate between the various Daniels. Through Ruth's mother's line you should be able to make a speculative link back to William Brain, baptised 9 Oct 1698.

Hope this helps.

[Susieb]

Thank you it helps a lot... I clearly in my exuberance found an incorrect father yesterday ha-ha.

I had John Evans as Ruth Brittons father, but my Mother mentioned yesterday the name Aaron so that makes sense now - thanks again.

Your help has inspired me greatly... and cant wait to get back to 1698 ....

[brentor boy]

Glad to be of help.

Does your mother know of any personal detail regarding John or Aaron Evans that might help to identify them?