George Ashforth: 1730 - 1817

[shirley haas]

It's been suggested that I try this, "Family History general" to find George Ashforth, master silversmith.

I am unable to locate George on any of the Census - I've tried them all. I've tried many geneology web sites. Elusive George.

What I have found (besides notes from my mother, also an Ashforth) is that George spent years in Sheffield with various partners and various Hallmarks for the various businesses he had alone or with his partners. If one were to type in his name in a search engine, you'd find what I've found. If one goest to the Sheffield Assay Office you'll find more; and, there are articles on the net that include George Ashforth.

But I cannot find where he was born, therefore I don't know his parents names or siblings, if any; and I don't know where he died.

My Ashforth heritage is full of master silversmiths. Robert, from Birmingham was also a journeyman; his son, Thomas - yes, a silversmith - is my grandfather. I could go on, but I don't think that's necessary.

Please, if anyone has data on George Ashforth as described above, please advise. I can't imagine why the Census don't show him, save for the fact that he was born in 1730 - a little before most census time, and died in 1817 - also elusive date from the Census that are offered.

Thanks you. shirley haas

[jeeb]

Hi Shirley,
Though the first census for England and Wales was taken in 1811 and every 10 years afterwards, the first 3, ie 1811/21/31 were destroyed after the information was taken from them. Nevertheless a few did survive but give very little information that would be of value to genealogists. They mostly recorded numbers rather than names although the head may be named. Be warned you are very unlikely to find census information pre 1841.
Jeremy

[shirley haas]

Hi Shirley,
Though the first census for England and Wales was taken in 1811 and every 10 years afterwards, the first 3, ie 1811/21/31 were destroyed after the information was taken from them. Nevertheless a few did survive but give very little information that would be of value to genealogists. They mostly recorded numbers rather than names although the head may be named. Be warned you are very unlikely to find census information pre 1841.
Jeremy
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Yes, thanks. That's what I thought.

Any ideas? Maybe I'll check out books written eons ago about olde England, etc.

Surely there must be reference somewhere.

Thanks, sh

[jeeb]

Hi Shirley, I posted this information on one of your other threads but seeing you haven't acknowledged it I assume you haven't seen it, so I will post it on here for you:-

George Ashforth son of Samuel Ashforth baptised 4 July 1736 at Cathedral St. Peter, Sheffield, Yorks.
Jeremy

[shirley haas]

Hi Shirley, I posted this information on one of your other threads but seeing you haven't acknowledged it I assume you haven't seen it, so I will post it on here for you:-

George Ashforth son of Samuel Ashforth baptised 4 July 1736 at Cathedral St. Peter, Sheffield, Yorks.
Jeremy

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Oh, many, many thanks to you for this information.

I'm indebted to you for this information; can't tell you how important it is to me.

But how did you obtain this information?

And, sorry, I didn't see it. I've been back several times, looking at my "old" requests, and have been a bit discouraged.

So George was born in Sheffield. To whom can I go to obtain further info, like if he married, etc. I do have his hallmarks, and again, Sheffield Assay Office advised he died in 1817 at the age of 87 - well, now we know that doesn't fit; I'm sure the church records are more accurate.

Where can I go to obtain further info on George? Any ideas? I know some data was destroyed, but there must be other avenues. If George lived in Sheffield most of his life, perhaps the church is the best bet.

Blessings to you and yours - for 100 years!!

[jeeb]

Hi Shirley,
I am pleased you are so happy with the baptism I found for you. That is the only George Ashforth I can find in Sheffield baptised in the right period. Ashforth is a very common name in Sheffield and I can find at least 6 fathers baptising children in Sheffield St. Peter Cathedral during 1720/30's but as I mentioned no other child called George unless one had one and it was not recorded. The fathers are namely, Samuel, Edward, Joseph, George, Thomas & John, sadly it never mentions a mother's name. There are 3 mentions of Marriages for a George Ashforth in the same church and although the first one could possibly be your George the second two are getting a bit late, anyway these are the ones:-

3 Oct 1779 Mary Hawley
29 Sept 1797 Mary Wilkinson
8 July 1811 Ann Harrison

Jeremy

[shirley haas]

Hi Shirley,
I am pleased you are so happy with the baptism I found for you. That is the only George Ashforth I can find in Sheffield baptised in the right period. Ashforth is a very common name in Sheffield and I can find at least 6 fathers baptising children in Sheffield St. Peter Cathedral during 1720/30's but as I mentioned no other child called George unless one had one and it was not recorded. The fathers are namely, Samuel, Edward, Joseph, George, Thomas & John, sadly it never mentions a mother's name. There are 3 mentions of Marriages for a George Ashforth in the same church and although the first one could possibly be your George the second two are getting a bit late, anyway these are the ones:-

3 Oct 1779 Mary Hawley
29 Sept 1797 Mary Wilkinson
8 July 1811 Ann Harrison

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Jeremy

It's amazing how many Ashforths there are in England; even a street and an avenue named Ashforth.

Thanks for your follow-up.

I do know George Ashforth is a relative of mine; from my mother's notes. Mother was an Ashforth. I do know George is written about in several articles in the net; and that he is mentioned in Edward Law's, "Sheffield Silversmiths" as well as other places.

BUT try to get a handle on his family - not east to do. Too bad. I'm going to try the Cathedral St. Peter, Sheffield, York (this, from you) to see if they have any hard geneological data to reference.

If George was born 4 July 1736, as you noted, he probably married before 1779 - at least I would think so; especially since he died 1817 - according to the Sheffield Assay Office. Maybe he never married. I do wish there were a way I could find out, but it doesn't seem so.

I'm going to check out books at the University library and see if he is mentioned in them; libraries will loan each other books and then I can check them out.
George Ashforth in the same church and although the first one could possibly be your George the second two are getting a bit late, anyway these are the ones:-

3 Oct 1779 Mary Hawley
29 Sept 1797 Mary Wilkinson
8 July 1811 Ann Harrison

______________________

Jeremy[/QUOTE]

It's amazing how many Ashforths there are in England; even a street and an avenue named Ashforth.

Thanks for your follow-up.

I do know George Ashforth is a relative of mine; from my mother's notes. Mother was an Ashforth. I do know George is written about in several articles in the net; and that he is mentioned in Edward Law's, "Sheffield Silversmiths" as well as other places.

BUT try to get a handle on his family - not east to do. Too bad. I'm going to try the Cathedral St. Peter, Sheffield, York (this, from you) to see if they have any hard geneological data to reference.

If George was born 4 July 1736, as you noted, he probably married before 1779 - at least I would think so; especially since he died 1817 - according to the Sheffield Assay Office. Maybe he never married. I do wish there were a way I could find out, but it doesn't seem so.

I'm going to check out books at the University library and see if he is mentioned in them; libraries will loan each other books and then I can check them out.

All the male names you mentioned above, save for Joseph, are Ashforth-family first names.

Thanks much for the female names; maybe I can find something from their names - mybe not; I can certainly try.

Thanks again; you've really been kind to help me out in my quest.

Blessings, sh