• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Bishop William James (1866)

D

dotlane

proper brummie kid
I am trying to find out what happened to my Gt Uncle William James Bishop born in 1866.
It is known that in 1881 he was living with his parents Thomas and Lucy Bishop and siblings at 198 Bearwood Road, Harborne. In 1891 he is living with his widowed mother and siblings at Halberton Terrace Street, All Saints, Birmingham.
He married Mary Ann Bailey in 1893 at St. Cuthbert's Church, Winson Green and it is believed they had at least one child John Thomas born 1893/1894. It is possible they had a daugher Frances Amelia Bishop born in 1897. In 1901 (and 1911) John Thomas can be found living with his maternal grandparent(s) in Heath Street, Winson Green but I can find no trace of his father (or mother). What happened to them?
A Mary Ann Bishop died in Dec Q 1893 but if the child born in 1897 was their's, it is unlikely that was her. A christening for that child was recorded in the baptisms of St. Cuthbert's Church and although many things fit, the mother's name was recorded as Marianne not Mary Ann. However, I haven't been able to trace this child anywhere else and she doesn't appear on the census living with the maternal grandparents (as does John Thomas).
All trace of William James seems to have disappeared - did he emigrate, did he die (no death record found)?
If anyone out there can help solve the mystery of what happened to William and his child(ren), it would help break down one of my brickwalls.
DotLane
 
Re: William James Bishop (1866)

I think it must be Halberton terrace, Halberton St in 1891. In the electoral rolls there is a John Thomas Bishop at 5 Beeson Place, Heath St. He is there till 1935, by when he is with Alice Eliza Bishop. In 1939 he is at 262 Heath St (though she calls herself Alice Elizabeth now). They are still there 1945 & 1950, but only Alice in 1955
 
Re: William James Bishop (1866)

From 1937 -1956 Alice Bishop is listed in kellys as a shopkeeper at 262 Heath St. In 1962-73 it is John E.Bishop. 1973 is the last Kellys.
 
Re: William James Bishop (1866)

Thanks for this very useful information. I have now checked the BMD and found the marriage of John T. Bishop to Alice E. Burton in 1915 and the birth of their son John E. Bishop in 1916, so it all fits.
My grandmother Emily Bishop lived in Tudor Street, Winson Green (which is just off Heath Street) until the early 1950s when she died. However, no-one in the family every mentioned anything about John T even though he was the son of Emily's husband John's brother. Also, why did he appear to always live with his maternal grandparents until their death. Is there a mystery surrounding his father?
It is possible that the girl born in 1897 could have been his sister (since she had the same christian names as the maternal grandmother - Frances Amelia) but she doesn't appear to have lived with them as did John T. and I haven't found any trace of her. What happened to William James and his wife Mary Ann?
I was told by someone that they thought someone in the Bishop family had a cycle shop on the Winson Green Road - was this a case of family folklore being based on fact but in the wrong place?
Anyway, many thanks for the information you have given me, it has helped me fill in one piece of the puzzle.
Regards.
Dot Lane
 
Last edited:
Re: William James Bishop (1866)

I may be able to add to that, following your last post.
From electoral roll ,5 Maud buildings :
1912 John Bishop (women not listed usually then)
1918 John Thomas Bishop (absent voter ) 277084, Spr, 547 Fld Co, RE
1919 John Thomas Bishop
1920 John Thomas & Emily Bishop
1922 John Thomas, William George & Emily Bishop
1922 John Thomas, William George, Frederick Walter & Emily Bishop
1927 John Thomas, William George, Frederick Walter, Reginald & Emily Bishop
1930 John Thomas, Frederick Walter, Reginald, Emily Ann & Emily Bishop
The Bishops have left in 1935, it being occupied by a family called Norton, and Emily Bishop doesn’t seem to be found on the rolls from then on (though the search function on the online rolls sometimes doesn;t work perfectly, so we cannot be 100% sure of that.
Have looked for a cycle shop in the trades section of kellys run by a bishop, but can’t find one. As you say, shopkeeper could cover a lot of things.
 
Re: William James Bishop (1866)

Emily Bishop lived at Maud Buildings until 1952 with various lodgers (her husband died in the 1930s). The Nortons that you have picked up are her daughter Elsie who married William Norton - for a time they were lodging with Emily. Frederick Walter Bishop was my father.
The dates are very useful for my records.
Thanks again.
Dot Lane
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top