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ROBERTS surname interests.

  • Thread starter Thread starter mark roberts
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mark roberts

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Is anyone here researching the surname of Roberts. I have come to a standstill with my research. I engaged a researcher a number of years ago and have not been able to go back any further than Thomas Roberts and Mary Ann Cateley married 1811 St Martins, Birmingham.

HELP!!!
 
The only extra help I can give is they were both of the parish of St Martins. Thomas was a batchelor and Mary a spinster. The witnesses were William and Harriott Clarke. It may be worth searching if the Clarke's were relations.
 
i cant seem to find anything for you. who was thomas and marys child who is your ancestor? where were they born, was it still in birmingham?

have you found them on a census, etc or any other info?
 
Hi Wendy thanks for your help, I really appreciate it. its frustrating when you come to a standstill and no where to go!!

Mark
 
Hi Mark. Just read your post. I'm also researching 'Roberts' name - on my grandmother's side. If you want to contact me through 'messages' we could see if they are one and the same!
 
Hi Mark,

Researching a name like Roberts is really quite difficult unless you have specifics to work on. Roberts is most popular in Wales, and is often a result of the patrynomic system. For example the name Probert, may be a contraction of ap Robert, ap being Welsh for son of or belonging to, hence son of Robert. With the English domination of Wales, certainly since the days of King Henry V111, names which were with pride were remembered and recited through generations were often afforded surname status when the authorities simply added an 's' thus Mark son of Robert son of Rhys son of Llewellyn could become simply Mark Roberts. Indeed the further you try to go back the more difficult it becomes. I've managed to go back to about 1770. But only because I became aware of where my forbears lived or were born. Beyond the 1840's this information is vital if you want to trace parish records.
 
Hi, I'm seeking information on my great grandfather who was a blacksmith in Sutton in the 1830's. His name was Francis Roberts. He was a Chartist and took part in the demonstrations in the Bull Ring in July 1839. He was arrested and sentenced to hang. This did not occur (obviously) but he was transported to Port Arthur in Tasmania for life. There is quite a bit of informaion on the internet about him over the period following his arrest. From the internet I have learnt that that a building called the "Smithy" still exists in Sutton. The following extract gives more details:

SMITHY
The Smithy at 78 Birmingham Road, is one of the oldest ( and maybe the oldest) buildings in the town. A survey in 1977 found that the main stone structure is based on a 15th cruck frame ( visible on the rear elevation). The history of the building is obscure and there is no convincing evidence that the building was ever used as a smithy; the name may date from the 19th century when it was the home of a blacksmith.
The property was aquired by the Corporation in 1944 and in 1963 the Sutton Coldfield Musuem was opened on the premises. In 1966 the building was extended to provide accomodation for a caretaker but in 1976 after the Town's merger with Birmingham, and the number of visitors to the Museum having fallen to less than four a week. Birmingham Corporation withdrew financial support and the museum closed.
Since that time the property has been let out to various commercial organisations. Presently the building is in use as a retail art gallery.

Does anyone know whether Francis Roberts lived in this property or anything about him? He was born in 1812. Married Mary Ann Eades at St Martins on 18/05/1834.
Any information would be appreciated.

Gerald (Gerry) Francis Roberts
 
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