Trying to find a marriage for William Whittaker.
William birth 1888 at Sheffield
Father Cornelius Whittaker 1849-1909
Mother Sarah Elizabeth Whittaker 1855-1916
Looking on Free BMD I found two possible marriages
#1 Dec 1910 (9c 701) marriage to either Maud E Ellis
or Margery E Hawker at Ecclesall Bierlow
#2 Sept 1906 (9c 602) marriage to either Lilly Pickering
or Annie Eliza Platts at Ecclesall Bierlow
I am a little confused, in the 1901 census William Whittaker a Silver Planer White Rolling Mills, living at 25 Boston Street living with mother Elizabeth Dow is supposed to be a step-son to George Dow.
In the 1911 census Sarah Elizabeth Whittaker is living with daughter Minnie and Boarder George Dew. Sarah is now a Widow. I found no marriage for Sarah Elizabeth to George Dew so I cannot assume William ever used (Dew) as a part of his name.
According to the Sheffield Burial records George Dew died in 1934 age 79. There is no mention of any one related buried with him.
I tried looking at other 1911 census to see if there was a William Whitaker with one of the mentioned possible wifes.
I also looked to see if there was a recorded death.
Any help please
Barry

Hi Barry

I came across a couple of William Whittaker's of correct age shown as in the Military in 1911. Haven't got a subscription to check them out fully, but that could explain why you can't find a link with any of the possible wives.

Sheila

Barry
There are five entries on military service with a year of birth of 1888- all of these are not relevant.
There is a Sheffield born William Whittaker on the military service records,but his year of birth is 1886,and his fathers name is George Whittaker.
Kind regards Brian.

Hello there,

I looked outside the box, and looked in Derbyshire for around the period mentioned, I found 3 William Whittakers marrying in this period.

1 at Shireland which is Alfreton way,brides name Ellen Parnham.
1 at Hathersage which as you know in the Hope Valley, brides name Rebecca Bradshaw.
1 at Derby itself, brides name Emily Jane Lane.

I hope this is of help to you.

Cheers Roger.

Brian would it help if Whitaker was spelt with one "T"
The Whittakers have been changing from 1 T to 2T's all the time.
Thanks Barry

Barry
I am unable to locate any military sevice records for a William Whittaker or William Whitaker born in Sheffield in 1888.
Kind regards Brian.

Looking at the two possible marriages, and adding for a moment the other grooms:

GRO Marriages SEP Qtr 1906
FRETWELL Harold Ecclesall B. 9c 602
Pickering Lily Ecclesall B 9c 602
Platts Annie Eliza Ecclesall B 9c 602
WHITTAKER William Ecclesall B. 9c 602

There are three post-1911 births for FRETWELL with mmn PICKERING in Ecclesall. So I think that this William married Annie Eliza PLATTS.

GRO Marriages DEC Qtr 1910
ELLIS Maud E Ecclesall B 9c 701
Hawker Margery E Ecclesall B. 9c 701
Shaw George W Ecclesall B. 9c 701
Whittaker William Ecclesall B. 9c 701

There are 6 SHAW/HAWKER births in Ecclesall, including a George W and a Margery, so I am pretty sure that this William married Maude E ELLIS.

Hugh

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Hugh thank you, I have tried to see if there were any immigration records and even Wills with death records.
I don't suppose there may be a hint in the Kellys Directory, I guess I would have to know his trade, There is a reference in the 1901 census but that will change as he gets older.
Thanks Barry

There are a couple of trees on Ancestry who give the mother as Sarah Elizabeth BROAD.
There's this birth registration:

Name:
William Whitaker
Date of Registration:
Jul-Aug-Sep 1887
Registration district:
Ecclesall Bierlow
Inferred County:
Yorkshire West Riding
Volume:
9c
Page:3382

Regards,
Marlene

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Marlene
Nice spot,Cornelius Whittaker married Sarah Elizabeth Broad in the June qtr of 1870- in Sheffield.
Kind regards Brian.

Marlene, one of the people researching on ancestry is a niece of mine.
I do have the marriage certificate for Cornelius and Sarah Elizabeth Broad, as I mentioned at the beginning it started to get confusing before Cornelius died (1909) Sarah is down as a wife of George Dew/Dow/Due in the 1901 census and in the 1911 census George is supposed to be a boarder. This was a part of the original question whether William may have assumed Dow as a part of his name.
Iv'e never met anyone as confusing as us Whittakers!!!
Thanks Barry

Barry,
It seems strange that none of the people on Ancestry have progressed with this. Are you sure that William lived beyond 1911, did he survive military service ?
Using the information on here there are only 2 Baptisms for Cornelius (Wire Roller)and Sarah Elizabeth Whitaker that of Edwin born 1872 and Sarah Elizabeth born 1876, Whitaker with just the one "t".
Regards,
Marlene

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Do you know where Cornelius was living when he died - was wondering is we then could find a burial for him there might be others in the same grave that could give us clues. John

Just a thought and, clutching at straws, have you followed the siblings Sarah Elizabeth and Edwin forward?

Regards,
Marlene

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In 1901 Cornelius Whittaker - was listed as married ,and a pauper,in the Firvale Workhouse- occupation given -general labourer.
Kind regards Brian.

John I will try and fill in a couple more details about Cornelius.
Cornelius & Sarah Elizabeth Broad married 17 April 1870 at Christ Church in the Parish of Pitsmoor. According to the marriage cert. Cornelius age 20, Sarah age 18., His Profession (Roller)
We found a reference to a Cornelius who we believe is our Cournelius in the Military for 1883.
Joined the North Staffordshire Regiment 29 April, 1883, at Lichfield. Served in the West Indies 58 days, S Africa 352 days, Mauritius 284 days, S Africa 319 days. Discharged 26 April 1897
As regards to the 1901 census
Whittaker, Cornelius (Pauper, 50, m, General labourer). Residing at Fir Vale Workhouse as of March 31 1901 originally from Sheffield, Yks.
Cornelius died in 1909, Buried at Walkley St Mary, sec C grave 376
In the 1901 census he is still married & in the 1901 census for Sarah she was married to George Dow. Unless she was a bigamest.
The other siblings for William
Edwin, my grandfather married Martha Ann Turton
Edwin Buried September 23, in consecrated ground, grave #6729,section V3 of city road cemetery Sheffield.
George (brother) married Ethel Brailsford, Died at 39 Alfred Rd; Buried on August 9, 1917 in Consecrated ground; Grave Number 21, Section O4 of Burngreave Cemetery, Sheffield.
Joseph & Thomas 1892-1892
Minnie Whittaker (sister) 1888- married Ernest Hague
Thats about all I have for this family
Barry

Looking at George Dow/Dew the only Sheffield death is for a George DEW in 1934 making him born abt.1855.

Deaths Mar 1934
Dew George 79 Sheffield 9c 625

Regards,
Marlene

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Barry
The 1891 census entry is interesting.
Piece 3806,folio 118,page 5
Sarah Elizabeth Whittaker- Cornelius's wife- is listed as a widow(yet he is alive)
Edwin (son)Whittaker b 1872 Sheffield- fish hawker.
Sarah Elizabeth Whttaker Daughter b 1877 Sheffield- comb maker
George Whittaker (Son) b 1885 Sheffield
Cornelius Whittaker (Son) b 1881 Sheffield
And the elusive William Whittaker b 1888 Sheffield.
And a boarder listed as George Due b 1854 Sheffield (single)
a spring knife cutler.
Kind regards Brian.

Hi Brian,
I think Edwin's burial is on here under "Burials":
WHITTAKER, Edwin (Hawker, age 59).
Died at 12 Herries Rd; Buried on September 23, 1931 in Consecrated ground;
Grave Number 6729, Section V3 of City Road Cemetery, Sheffield.
Regards,
Marlene

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Hi Marlene/Barry
I will view the burial section,this is a very absorbing post,lots of mystery,and issues.
I was hoping Cornelius would show up more,and have tried the local historic newpapers,to no effect.
With Cornelius Whittaker being quite a rare name,I thought things might prove easier,but as we know sometimes unusual names are mistranscribed.
Plenty more to think about on thios.
Kindest regards Brian.

Don't worry about things being confusing - genealogy wouldnt be fun and challanging if it was so simple. Anyway a few more questions if you do not mind. - Have you the death cet for Cornelius and if so who was the informant. Where was Sarah living in 1911 - just wondering if she states she was married to George (are you sure its the right Sarah?) I wonder if the reason a marriage can't be found for George and Sarah is because they went to Scotland or Overseas to marry - was George in the military and therefore could a marriage be under military marriages? John

The 1901 census - is of real interest,
peice 4354,folio 55,page 12- well worth a view.
George Dew-head- widower b 1854 sheffeidl - spring knife cutler.
(Elizabeth )Dew - (wife) b 1854 Sheffield - charwoman.
George Whittaker (step son)b 1885 Sheffield - general labourer in brickyard.
William Whittaker (step son) b 1888 Sheffield- silver plater rolling mills sheffield.
Minnie Whittaker (step daughter b 1895 - sheffield.
And Herbert blandb 1883 Sheffield- silver spoon and fork filer.
Living at 25 Boston Street Ecclesall Bierlow.
This is Sarah Elizabeth (Whittaker) listed with George Dew,so why is she entered down as - Elizabeth ?,her husband Cornelius Whittaker is listed on the 1901,as resuiding in the Firvale workhouse ?
The 1911 shows Sarah Elizabeth Whittaker as - a widow,with daughter Minne b 1895 Sheffield- german silver cutler.
And George Dew b 1855 Sheffield - spring knife cutler,as a boarder- living at 3 ct - 6 - London Road Sheffield.
Kind regards Brian.
.

John as regards the death of Cornelius I believe it was previously researched on Sheffield Forum, from what I can find it would be correct.
All the census 1891 - 1901 - 1911 this George Dow appears.
In the 1891 he is a boarder with no Cornelius living there, possible in the military. The 1901 census has Minnie as the Step-daughter of George, again in 1911 Minnie is entered as Winnie, living with George and Sarah.
I believe the death of George Dow in 1934 to be correct.
Now what looks interesting on the burials for Sarah Elizabeth Whittaker in 1916 age 62, there are others buried there, one is the daughter of William L, named HAZEL???
The George buried in 1917 is Williams brother
Vera I am not yet sure who she is at the moment
The Daughter Hazel could be a clue to William !!!
Thanks Barry

Hi Barry
Vera Whittaker was born Dec 1914 Sheffield 9c 1224 mothers name Brailsford
This makes her the daughter of George Whittaker and Ethel Brailsford who married in 1907

Hazel Whittaker was born in Sep 1937 Sheffield 9c 735 mothers name Sedgwick.
She is the daughter of William Leslie Whittaker and Constance M Sedgewick who married in 1936.

William Leslie Whittaker is the son of George Whittaker and Ethel Brailsford b. 1909. He appears on the 1911 census.
Hope this helps
Sue

Right thinking cap on time again, why on the 1901 census does it say George was a widower - is this just a bad looking "M" by the enumerator. Back to Cornelius, do you know when he was admitted to the workhouse and for what reason ie violent towards Sarah etc due to going crackers. Do Sheffield Archives hold the records for Firvale as since it is over 100 years there should be no closure on his file. What was his cause of death? John

John
The 1901 on fmp states Geoge Dew - Widower,but when you view the original transcript- it states - M, for married.
Kind regards Brian.

Barry
I do not think Sarah Elizabeth Whittaker - was a bigamist.
Any deception to the enumerator might be to hide the demise and Stigma of her Husband - Cornelius being in the Firvale workhouse,it would keep thinks simple.
And as we all know those times were tough and a wife without a husband as main bread winner ,would necessitate a Male boarder or partner,whichever the case,in order to live.
The reason for Cornelius Whittakers admission to the Workhouse,would be of great interest,and solve many issues.
The fact you have established that Cornelius served overseas in the army,might be the key to his later admission the the workhouse.
Kind regards Brian.

I'm not sure whether I have extracted these before:

Burials in Walkley Cemetery
grave C376 [purchased plot, no MI]
WHITTAKER Cornelius 25 Feb 1909 Sheffield Workhouse 59 Sydney T.G. Smith
WHITTAKER Ernest 10 Jul 1906 22 ct. Hammond St. 18 Sydney T.G. Smith
WHITTAKER Harriet 25 Aug 1889 Hammond St 29 Thomas Smith
[name/date of burial/address or place where death occurred/age/minister]

Hugh

Hugh thank You, I am not sure who Ernest Whittaker is also I will have to find out about Harriet.
I have e-mailed Sheffield records to see if there is a mention on the death certificate for Cornelius on how or what he died of.
I also mentioned the two possabilities for the names for a possible wife of William.
I haven't stopped laughing about the mention from another member about whether Cornelius may have been CRACKERS!!!!
I know Sheffield are very busy at the moment so it may take a while.
Barry

i hope you were not offended by the word "CRACKERS" regarding your family member who was in the workhouse. Back to the serious stuff now and lets try and solve your mystery. John