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I am trying to find out some further details about my Great Grandfather Edwin, his second partner Annie HARRIS and his father also believed to be Edwin.

Edwin MERRIFIELD would have been born in Bow according to most sources in either 1855 or 1856 and was married the first time to Elizabeth HARRISON (nee KELLY) in Stepney on 11th August 1878. With Elizabeth he had 5 children (William Edward 'Edward', Edward 'Edwin', Robert Thomas, Elizabeth Julia and Albert). She died 7th October 1892 and their might have been another son 'Willi' born around the same time but I cannot find any record of this.

Edwin then had another few children (Ernest 'my Grandfather', Agnes Maud 'Maud', Mabel, Charles Edwin and Florence Annie 'Floss') with their mother being recorded as Annie MERRIFIELD nee HARRIS but I cannot find any record of any marriage to confirm this. She has declared herself as being born in Hollowat in 1874 and I've tried to find a record of this birth but to no avail.

Edwin's father at his marriage to Elizabeth is also recorded as being an Edwin but I cannot find any record of him other than that. At the time of their marriage, Edwin and Elizabeth were both living at 52, Hardinge Street, Stepney.

If anyone has any information on any of the above but especially the main 3 I am trying to find I would appreciate hearing from you. I have made contact with some relatives over the last year but as yet they have not been able to move my research on at all.

Thank you - David E. MERRIFIELD

This is the nearest birth I can see:

Births Mar 1858 (>99%)
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Merrifield Edwin Williams Mile End 1c 571

And, can't see him in 1861, but is recorded in 1871 Mile End Old Town Industrial School

Have you tried variations on spellings. Edwin Merfield died 1855 Shoredtich and on 1901 census Edwin Merifield in middx. Not to mention Merrefield.

Actually, looking at the middle name of Williams this could be him in 1861:

WILLIAMS, Mary Head Widow F 70 1791 Halfpay Pensioner
Deptford, Kent VIEW
MERRYFIELD, Helen Daughter Married F 29 1832 Sempstress
Plymouth, Devon VIEW
WILLIAMS, Edwin Grandson M 3 1858 <<<<<
Stepney, Middlesex VIEW
Piece: 297
Folio: 4
Page: 9
Registration District: Mile End Old Town
Civil Parish: Stepney
Municipal Borough:
Address: 21, Edward Street, Stepney
County: London

Looks like Annie in 1911 - but can't see a marriage for them - wonder if she was already married so wasn't free to marry Edwin??

MERRIFIELD, Annie Head Widow F 38 1873 Holloway London VIEW
MERRIFIELD, Ernest Son Single M 17 1894 Wedger At Pottery Enfield VIEW
MERRFIELD, Maud Daughter Single F 15 1896 Sweet Maker Enfield VIEW
MERRIFIELD, Charlie Son M 11 1900 School Tottenham VIEW
MERRIFIELD, Florrie Daughter F 9 1902 Edmonton VIEW
RG number: RG14
Piece: 7356
Reference: RG14PN7356 RG78PN357 RD132 SD5 ED6 SN360
Registration District: Edmonton
Sub District: Edmonton
Enumeration District: 6
Parish: Edmonton
Address: 36 Linton Road Upper Edmonton
County: Middlesex

Flip,

Thank you for your suggestion. I have come across this birth during my enquiries but dismissed it for a couple of reasons a) the birth is in Mile End and all records I have seen for Edwin state he was born in Bow - I know these are very close but are different and I have never seen anything that has said he was born in Mile End and b) this is a birth in 1858 which would mean that the age given in a census would be 2 to 3 years out - again I know that this cannot be ruled out but together with the Mile End bit I haven't seriously considered this birth as being the one I'm looking for.

I will look at this again though.

David M

Dear Trailertrash,

Yes I have considered variations in spelling as I know the literacy level in obtaining correct spellings of surnames wasn't great back in the 19th century but this then brings me loads of possible Edwins but none with the year and place of birth I am looking for.

Thank you,

David M

Flip,

Thanks again for your responses.

I'm certain that the census you have found in 1861 is the same Edwin Williams Merrifield born in Mile End but again I'm not finding it possible to make the leap of faith and say that he is the Edwin Merrifield I'm looking for.

The 1911 census however is Annie just 2 years after Edwin died. I haven't got access to the 1911 census myself so this information is appreciated.

Thanks

David M

One thing to consider, if the Edwin I've posted is yours he may not have actually known exactly where he was born nor his correct dob. He is at an Industrial school in 1871 so may not have known/remembered his parents - don't know if the admission records are on line, but they could be worth checking.

Added: a google search for Mile End Ind School shows a bit of info, including there is a ledger of all admissions held at London Metropolitan Archives - gives a lot of information on all inmates.

baptisms for 3 of the children. You may already have them but it helps to post to get a feel of the family story.





London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 about Elizabeth Julia Maryfeld
Name: Elizabeth Julia Maryfeld
[Elizabeth Julia Merryfield]
Record Type: Baptism
Estimated Birth Date: abt 1884
Baptism Date: 13 Jul 1884
Father's Name: Edwin Maryfeld
Mother's name: Elizabeth Maryfeld
Parish or Poor Law Union: Lower Edmonton St Mary the Virgin
Borough: Enfield
Register Type: Parish Registers
81 Bickenham? Road



London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 about Charles Albert Merrifield
Name: Charles Albert Merrifield
Record Type: Baptism
Estimated Birth Date: abt 1887
Baptism Date: 20 Apr 1887
Father's Name: Edwin Merrifield
Mother's name: Elizabeth Merrifield
Parish or Poor Law Union: Lower Edmonton St Mary the Virgin
Borough: Enfield
Register Type: Parish Registers

London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 about Charles Merrifield
Name: Charles Merrifield
Record Type: Baptism
Estimated Birth Date: abt 1889
Baptism Date: 23 Jan 1889
Father's Name: Edwin Merrifield
Mother's name: Elizabeth Merrifield
Parish or Poor Law Union: Lower Edmonton St Mary the Virgin
Borough: Enfield
Register Type: Parish Registers

London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 about Edwin Merryfeld
Name: Edwin Merryfeld
[Edwin Merryfield]
Record Type: Baptism
Estimated Birth Date: abt 1884
Baptism Date: 21 Jan 1884
Father's Name: Edwin Merryfeld
Mother's Name: Elizabeth Merryfeld
Parish or Poor Law Union: Lower Edmonton St Mary the Virgin
Borough: Enfield
Register Type: Parish Registers
Brettingham? Road
father is a labourer

London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 about Robert Thomas Merryfeld
Name: Robert Thomas Merryfeld
[Robert Thomas Merryfield]
Record Type: Baptism
Estimated Birth Date: abt 1884
Baptism Date: 21 Jan 1884
Father's Name: Edwin Merryfeld
Mother's name: Elizabeth Merryfeld
Parish or Poor Law Union: Lower Edmonton St Mary the Virgin
Borough: Enfield
Register Type: Parish Registers

London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 about William James Merryfield
Name: William James Merryfield
Record Type: Baptism
Estimated Birth Date: abt 1879
Baptism Date: 2 Jul 1879
Father's Name: Edwin Merryfield
Mother's name: Elizabeth Merryfield
Parish or Poor Law Union: Christ Church, Watney Street
Borough: Tower Hamlets
Register Type: Parish Registers
52 Hardinge St
born 28 march 1879

1891 Address: 1, Albert Cottages, Jeremys Green Lane, Edmonton
MERRIFIELD, Edwin Head Married M 36 1855 General Labourer Bow, London
MERRIFIELD, Elizabeth Wife Married F 38 1853 London
MERRIFIELD, William E Son M 12 1879 Shadwell, London
MERRIFIELD, Edwin Son M 10 1881 Shadwell, London
MERRIFIELD, Robert T Son M 8 1883 Edmonton, Middlesex
MERRIFIELD, Elizabeth J Daughter F 6 1885 Edmonton, Middlesex
MERRIFIELD, Albert Son M 4 1887 Edmonton, Middlesex

1901 Address: 17, Gilpin Crese, Edmonton
MERRIFIELD, Edwin Head Married M 46 1855 General Labourer Bow, London
MERRIFIELD, Annie Wife Married F 27 1874 Holloway, London
MERRIFIELD, Edward Son Single M 21 1880 General LabourerMile End, London
MERRIFIELD, Robert Son Single M 18 1883 General LabourerMile End, London
MERRIFIELD, Lizzie Daughter Single F 16 1885 Sweet Stuff Maker Edmonton, Middlesex
MERRIFIELD, Ernest Son M 7 1894 Enfield, Middlesex
MERRIFIELD, Willie Son M 9 1892 Enfield, Middlesex
MERRIFIELD, Maud Daughter F 5 1896 Enfield, Middlesex
MERRIFIELD, Mabel Daughter F 3 1898 Tottenham, Middlesex
MERRIFIELD, Charles Son M 0 (8 MOS) 1901 Tottenham, Middlesex
SALTMARSH, Florence Boarder Single F 19 1882 Edmonton, Middlesex
RICHARDS, Alice Boarder Single F 22 1879 Sweet Stuff MakerCity Road, London

1881 Address: 52, Harding St, St George In The East
MERRIFIELD, Edwin Head Married M 26 1855 Light Porter
Stepney, Middlesex
MERRIFIELD, Elizabeth Wife Married F 29 1852 Needlewoman
Shadwell, Middlesex
MERRIFIELD, Edward Son Single M 2 1879
Stepney, Middlesex
MERRIFIELD, Edwin Son Single M 0 1881
Stepney, Middlesex

This one is worth a look as sister is Julia.

1861 census
Address: 4, Coleman Street, Islington
MERRYFIELD, Maria Head Married F 44 1817
Stratham, Surrey
MERRYFIELD, Julia Daughter Unmarried F 14 1847
Islington, Middlesex
MERRYFIELD, Edward Son Unmarried M 7 1854
Islington, Middlesex

Flip,

Yes I agree with what you say and suppose I shouldn't be too strict in discounting him as my Edwin. I will try and get on-line to look at what records I can but not sure if you would know much about these sort of kids from your own research or not.

On the 1871 census he would have been aged between 13 and 16 and recorded his place of birth as Mile End. On the 1881 census he says his place of birth is Stepney and on the 1891 and 1901 census he puts his place of birth as Bow. Is it likely that he would want to change his place of birth so he wasn't associated with the school?

I have been to the Metroplolitan Archives a few years ago so may try to get there again.

Thanks

David M

Dear Lady Kira,

Thanks for your responses.

The baptisms are interesting and just wondered if this is a site that I can look at / interrogate without registration or payment?

Can you advise if there is a web address please?

Regards,

David M

I don't think the records are available on-line, but there is quite a bit of information regarding the workhouse/industrial school. I think most of the inmates were just poor or orphans, but children were split away from the adults. According to another site, someone else researching the workhouse had viewed the ledgers and they contained a lot of detail on why the person was there, their parents if known and medical condition. I think it would be easy to get ages wrong, physical development depended a lot on diet and many of the children would be mal-nourished.

Just had another look and there is also an Ellen Merryfield at the workhouse, born c1828 "at sea" - she may be the Helen from the 1861 census posted earlier. If you do decide to follow up at the archives it would be worth keeping an eye open for her admission as well.

Edit - I'm talking about the workhouse records when I say they are not available online, not the records LK has posted.

Hi LK, did you manage to follow that Edward from the 1861 census to a later census, it certainly looks like another possibility.

1871 census
Address: Wyndham St, Marylebone
MERRIFIELD, Edward M 19 1852 Middlesex

He was a leather seller.

He is not on any other census.

If there are 2 of them you may need to track them both before deciding which one is yours,

The census records were from FindMyPast and the baptisms were from Ancestry London baptisms. It is possible to join on a free trial basis.
I did not find a marriage to Annie and nor did I find baptisms for her children,

Your Edwin has both Edwin and Edward in 1881.

Julia was the child of William and Maria. so probably not yours but hold for now.

London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 about Julia Merrifield
Name: Julia Merrifield
Record Type: Baptism
Estimated Birth Date: abt 1847
Baptism Date: 11 Jul 1847
Father's Name: William Merrifield
Mother's name: Maria Merrifield
Parish or Poor Law Union: Streatham St Leonard
Borough: Lambeth
Register Type: Parish Registers