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Wright, Alice

R

rosejean

Brummie babby
Alice Wright was my great grandmother, 2nd wife of James Henry Alexander. She seems to have been born about 1872 and they married about 1897. They were living in Handsworth in 1901 and Wylde Green in 1911.She had 2 daughters: Elsie (b.1898) and Lily (born 1905).
I'm trying to trace back to her branch of the Wright family, but it seems to have been a very common name in Brum at that time, especially when linked with Alice!
Does anyone have any pointers for me to look at? Many thanks for any help.
 
Are there any clues on the marriage certificate? Father's name and occupation and the witnesses.

There's a record on familysearch and her father's name is listed as William, if true would narrow it down but the record doesn't list any other of the above.

There are 2 Alice Wright's listed with father William on the 1881 census.

Also trace known family to see if they turn up somewhere with relatives but being so late probably no good this time.
 
Of the 2 listed on the 1881 census the one is actually Alice Maud Mary Wright and appears to marry in 1898, Kings Norton district.

Which leaves the daughter of William Wright and Charlotte Seaton, birth registered Mar qtr 1882, Bham. However, without further evidence I wouldn't be certain that she's the right one.
 
Apologies if you already know but it's possible they had 2 further children - James Henry Albert b1900 and Ivy Hilda b1903 - who both died young.
 
MWS said:
Apologies if you already know but it's possible they had 2 further children - James Henry Albert b1900 and Ivy Hilda b1903 - who both died young.
Click to expand...

Thanks for reply and sorry I've taken so long to reply.
Although I have quite a lot about James' first wife, Alice's origins seem a bit more vague. I don't have the marriage certificate as I'm trying to get as far as I can without spending money! But it's rapidly approaching that point.
I have a marriage recorded on 21/9/1897 at St James, Handsworth, which does fit with the family history and addresses on census records until 1911, when the family move to Boldmere. My grandmother, Elsie, told me about growing up there with her sisters, but no brother is ever mentioned, so I'm not too sure about James Henry and Ivy. However Elsie was only born in 1898 and may not have been told about siblings born and died when she was young. Neither are on the 1901 and 1911 censuses.
I'd also tracked down the 2 Alices, daughters of Williams so I'm going to have to look for marriage certificates to decide upon which one to choose!
James Henry Alexander was obviously quite an interesting character as his fortunes seemed to have improved during his working career. Family history remembers him working at the Birmingham Mint as a medallist in the masonic jewellery trade. I have in my possession a box full of about 200 commemorative medals: a few completed, but many being seconds or only practice stamps which are one-sided. It looks as if he saved copies of some of his (or someone else's work) I also have a small box of what I have always understood to be his engraving tools. About 25 years ago I took a few of these to Christies' office in York to find out what I could for my mother. The lady I saw was not a specialist and offered to find out more if I wished to sell them. As I did not, I took it no further, and she considered them interesting but of relatively low value. Her idea of worthless and mine differed, especially when I multiplied out the value by the total number of medals! However they are family history and have been hidden away again. One of these days I shall have to contact the Birmingham museums about them.
Thanks again for your efforts
 
Marriage cert from 21/9/1897 for James and Alice. Hope it helps. William is listed as a carpenter which fits with the William and Charlotte on the 1881 census - he was a joiner.
 

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