Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge. Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her.
Me – My Dad – Dorothy Eleanor Warry – Edith Elinore Smith – Sarah Everton Wakeman
My grandmother Dorothy Warry (Paterson) left a wonderful clue to the surname of her maternal grandmother. She gave my uncle, Bruce the middle name of Wakeman. With a name like Wakeman, you just know it has to be a clue to someone.The confirming evidence was the birth certificate of Dorothy's mother, Edith Elinore Smith. I posted a copy of the birth record in 2011. Her mother is listed as Sarah Everton Smith, formerly Wakeman. Sarah's middle name is her mother's maiden name. I love it when my ancestors left clues.
Sarah was born probably sometime in 1836 as she is baptized May 22, 1836 in Lower Mitton, Worcestershire, England to James Wakeman and Sarah Everton. In the 1841 census Sarah is about 6 years old living in Mitton, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England with her parents (James listed as a nailer and Sarah), six siblings, Charles Everton who is listed as 2 and Mary Everton, 84 (who is probably her maternal grandmother). Sarah's life is somewhat of a mystery between 1851 when she would have be about 16 and 1865 when she marries at 29. I've not been able to find her in the 1851 and 1861 census and she isn't listed in her father household. By 1865 she has made her way to Parkstone, Dorset, England as on the marriage record her residence is listed as Parkstone.
On October 1st, 1865 in the St. Peters Church in Parkstone, Dorest, England Sarah marries the carpenter John William Smith. Sarah's father is stated as James Wakeman, a blacksmith. Witnesses are Albert Hoare (probably one of John's cousin on his mother's side) and Anne Smith (probably John's sister). I wonder if any of Sarah's family were at the marriage.
 |
| John William Smith and Sarah Wakeman Marriage |
Sarah and John have seven children, all baptized at the St. Peters church where they were married. All their baptisms can viewed on Family Search, click on their names to see the links.
Sarah and John raised their children in Parkstone, Dorset, England. Sarah passes away in 1915.
More about Sarah’s family:
52 Ancestors - Edith Elinore Smith (Warry) – Sarah’s daughter
Amanuensis Monday - John William Smith's will- Sarah's husband
Sources:
England, birth certificate, Edith Elinore Smith, 1876; registration district; Poole, Dorset. citing 5a/274/101
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NVMC-PPT : accessed 02 Sep 2014), Sarah Wakeman, 22 May 1836; citing Lower Mitton, Worcester, England, reference item 3 p 290; FHL microfilm 350501.
"England and Wales Census, 1841," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MQ5L-G3K : accessed 02 Sep 2014), Sarah Wakeman, Kidderminster Foreign, Stourport, Worcestershire, England; citing "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," index and images, findmypast.co.uk (www.findmypast.co.uk : Brightsolid, n.d.); PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
England, marriage record, John William Smith and Sarah Wakeman, 1865; registration district; Poole, Dorset. citing 5a/623/36.
"England and Wales, Death Registration Index, 1837-1920", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/2JWJ-CG6 : accessed 02 Sep 2014), Sarah E Smith, 1915.
