Yethel

[Bonzo]

I am trying to find my grandfather's place of birth.

He was John Rudge and according to the 1841/1851 censuses was born in Yethel, Shropshire.

I have been unable to find Yethel on any maps, even going back to the first Ordinance Survey. I have paid two visits to Shropshire Records Office, which involves a round trip of 400 miles. They told me that there is no such place as Yethel and there never has been. I am unable to persue parish records and find it very frustrating.

Can anyone help me to find this elusive place?

Bonzo

[Jan1954]

Hello Bonzo - welcome to Brit-Gen,

Could you post the census references for your grandfather in 1841 and 1851 so that those with access may also have a read of the entries.

Thank you.

[notanotherminer]

The 1841 census only stated whether a person was born in County or Scotland, Ireland or Foreign Parts so presumably the birthplace only appears in the 1851 census. I agree that the original image does show Yethel. The closest Shropshire placename I can find to it is Yeaton. I wonder if Yeaton was pronounced Yetton and that was where he was referring to but the name was misheard.

Perhaps one of our members with a local knowledge might be able to help so I am moving your thread over to our Shropshire forum.

[pennydog]

This looks like the man on the 1851 - HO107/2035/74/1 - High Street, Stourbridge.

John Rudge b1813 - Yethel, Shropshire a labourer
Hannah wife b1811 - Claverley
Maria daughter b1835 Claverley
George son b1836 Stourbridge
Henry son b1841 Stourbridge
Emma daughter b1843 Stourbridge
John son b1847 Stourbridge
Walter son b1860 Stourbridge

The census clearly says Yethel

[notanotherminer]

Could you post the census references for your grandfather in 1841 and 1851 so that those with access may also have a read of the entries.

HO107/2035/74/page 1 Crown Copyright TNA

[malcolm99]

I'm wondering if you've investigated the marriage of John Rudge to Hannah Noake at Wolverhampton 4 November 1833? It's on Family Search and could be promising as it's not so far from Iverley and Stourbridge where his children were born and is within a reasonable time frame.

Just an idea...

BTW have you got the 1841 Census ref please?

[malcolm99]

BTW have you got the 1841 Census ref please?

Now found: HO107 Piece 1198 Bk/Folio 10/47 Page 41

(Record in care of TNA: Crown copyright)

[MJHulme]

I have been unable to find this person on the 1861 and 1871 census. Had he died or have I missed him?

It must be remembered that in 1851 someone with (possibly a broad) Shropshire accent was giving his place of birth to someone with a Black Country accent and between them they have corrupted the place of birth to Yethel so it now needs some very phonetic unscrambling to discover the name of the intended place.

With his wife having been born at Claverley in Shropshire I did wonder if that could provide a clue to the location.

Mike

You monna say donna, it inna polite
Yer munna say canna it tinna polite
Yer munna say dunna cause that inna right
You munna say dunna it inna polite
You canna say wunna for that inna right

Some good Shropshire dialect to give you a clue

[malcolm99]

I have been unable to find this person on the 1861 and 1871 census. Had he died or have I missed him?

It must be remembered that in 1851 someone with (possibly a broad) Shropshire accent was giving his place of birth to someone with a Black Country accent and between them they have corrupted the place of birth to Yethel so it now needs some very phonetic unscrambling to discover the name of the intended place.

With his wife having been born at Claverley in Shropshire I did wonder if that could provide a clue to the location.

Hannah seems to have remarried by the time of the 1861 census and was living with her husband Joseph Price and her children Emma, Walter and Hannah in Stourbridge: RG9/2066 f.39 p.43.

On Family Search there is a John Trmper Rudge (sic) who was baptised at Ryton by Shifnal 17 June 1810. His parents were Samuel and Margaret. Ryton is only 8 miles north of Claverley.

(Record in care of TNA: Crown copyright)

[malcolm99]

Interestingly a Thomas Ashton also claims to have been born in Yethel(l).

In 1861 he is living as a widower by himself in Bradley Village, Staffordshire, age 72. RG9/1908 f.41 p.7.
In 1851 he is living with his wife Maria and son William in Bradley, Staffordshire, age 59. HO107/1999 f.551 p.5

In 1861 Yethel is placed in Shropshire but in 1851 it is placed in Staffordshire.

There is a baptism for a Thomas Ashton at “Bradley, Stafford” on Family Search, 7 April 1789.

I’m wondering if Yethell may be in Staffordshire and not a million miles away from Bradley (although I see there are at least 3 different places called Bradley in Staffs!).

(Records in care of TNA: Crown copyright)