Genealogy Chat

Elizabeth A guano merchant was probably quite an important person well able to set up his kids in successful careers. IF he was the main 'importer' (if that is the right word) he would have operated ships to collect the stuff. Clive

Ivy - to answer another of your queries. Daniel Jeffcoat and Anne Parrott married on 18th May 1815 at St Mary's Aylesbury. Daniel was christened the same day - the vicar wouldn't marry them otherwise! He was brought up a Quaker, like the rest of the family, and Quakers were not christened. In fact, it took many years for the Jeffcoat family history to be found because they were Quakers and no church records could be found for them. A distant relative of mine then found a will in which the words 'my friend ...' were given. After a couple of years, he re-read it and realised the significance. He contacted the Society of Friends and found out the Quaker history, in huge detail. Then a contested will in Chancery was found (shades of Bleak House!) and the family history was laid out in huge detail in affadavits - all the siblings, wives/husbands etc. One of Daniel's sisters produced a panel of the famous Ackworth tapestry (Google for details). You can now purchase directions to do it yourself on the Internet!!! I also found proceedings at the Old Bailey involving the theft of 50 pigeons from Daniel when he lived in Greenford. His eldest son John Daniel was a witness. I found this just by googling!!!

Ivy - thanks for your thoughts on this puzzle. Daniel Jeffcoat is my great-great-great-grandfather. Eliza (on the 1841 census) is my great-great-grandmother. There were 8 children in all. Alfred was no. 4. The first 7 were born in Winchendon Bucks. Daniel was a farmer. They then moved to Greenford, Middlesex, where Joseph was born. They then moved to Islington (down the route of the canal). On one census, Daniel is given as a guano merchant! As Alfred is given as 'traveller' in the 1851 census, I was quite prepared for him to be out of the county (Middlesex). All the children seemed to become quite successful. They (or their spouses) seemed to set up in business and be enterprising. The oldest went to Lancashire and the rest stayed in the London area. I'm now going to look at your suggestions, Ivy. Thanks again.

I see that of the family in Islington, just Joseph was born in the same county. Since he is twelve in 1841, and Alfred would be 18, and because Alfred subsequently remained in Middlesex, it seems likely that he would be in that county in 1841. In 1841, the ages were rounded down to the nearest 5 years for all ages over 15. So a search for Alf* Jef* born about 1826 +/- 5 years, living in Middlesex in 1841 might identify him. Ancestry offers two possibilities: 1) Alford Jeffey living in Islington East - this one is not living too far away from the rest of the family, the image looks to me more like 'Alfred' - on the other hand, he is shown as born in Middlesex, and unless a stroke was added over the surname later, it does appear to end in a 'y' 2) Alfred Jeffs living in Heston - this one can be ruled out - he is too young, and is living with his family Widening the search to other counties brings another 15 possibilities - but most of these can be ruled out from the 1851 census. On the other hand, in 1851, the only Alf* Jef* born in Middlesex is no. 2 above - so no. 1 would not have been born there, but could perhaps be the Alf* Jef* living in London in 1851 and born in Kent? Were Daniel and Anne the couple who married in Buckinghamshire in 1815 (per IGI)? If so, are there some older siblings to be found? Signing off - good luck with the search

Kath - thanks for the information and for looking. My Jeffcoats were an interesting bunch - father Daniel and his forefathers were Quakers. He went to Ackworth School in Yorkshire.

This is a good site for old occupations:- http://rmhh(.)co.uk/occup/ remove brackets. Colour Man - 1) Mixed textile dyes 2) House painter's assistant Oilman - Lamp oil seller Traveller - 1) A Gypsy 2) Travelling salesman Sorry, can't find him in 1841. Kath. x

His parents Daniel and Anne Jeffcoat and siblings Eliza, Joseph and Jane are living at Brunswick Place Islington. In 1851 I have found him as a lodger in Marylebone, occuptation given as Traveller. In 1861 he has just married Amelia Jane Hammond. He is a 'Colourman' In 1871 he is with Amelia and 2 children in Paddington. He is an 'oilman'. Can anyone find him in 1841? I have more or less given up! Could anyone explain his occupations to me? I'd be most grateful.

Where is he? Please see below