William Shelmerdine.1774 Parents William c1752 ....................and there on back through the parish records. Son Joseph. abt1808
We find in the Manchester Cathedral Church records 3 events for a William baptism.
What's clear is the family haven't ventured from the parish of Manchester, so finding them isn't hard but given the repetitive Christine names given, separating such out and confirming the links isn't 100% possible because given their abject poverty there will be no other records to able corroboration but certainly by association we can assume from here on in, all of the Shelmerdine's are closely related as we go back in time and their numbers reduce.
A full extraction of Manchester parish church (Cathedral) will yield a family rooted in Manchester since their migration from the place name 'Shelmarsdale' Skelmersdale.
We're blessed that their existence is recorded given the lower class state of the family and other families in the parish who were at the bottom of the pile only for the fact that if you didn't register your child's birth in the parish register then you were not entitled to poor relief and had to go back to your parish of origin to claim it.
William was around at the time of the Peterloo massacre 16th Aug 1819 a couple of Shelmerdine's are mention as being injured in the event.
1841 Census for the Workhouse, Market Street, Manchester.
William Shelmerdine. age 65 Occupation Hatter. born of this county.
There were only two Williams in the census and given his trade as a Hatter its likely he's the father of Joseph Shelmerdine. Sadly William is in the Workhouse so he's fell on hard times and unable to support himself fully. Its probable the workhouse in question was built in 1792 on New Bridge Street and now the site is occupied by Victoria station. The work house records show its not bad accommodation and probably far more cleaner and healthier then living amongst the populars as William is in there from the 1841 census through to the 1851 census at age 77. Follow this link to get a flavour of Manchester life if you were on the poverty bread line, its a grime read.
1841 census return for the Manchester Workhouse
1851 Census for the Workhouse, Market Street, Manchester. taken on the night of the 30th of march.
William Shelmerdine 'pauper' age 77 Widow. Hatter born Manchester.
There are 3 William's baptised in 1774 at Manchester Cathedral Parish Church one of these are likely to be the father of Joseph and all are born to fathers of further Williams.
1. William 1 Nov 1774 son of William & Alice Torkington. Williams trade is a Dyer.
2. William 10th July 1774 son of William Shelmerdine. no mother or occupation of father given.
3. William 22nd Oct 1774 son of William Shelmerdine no mother or occupation of father given.
Given the proximity of the baptisms its clear there are 3 William's living at the same time. In the 1841 census we pick up 'our William' as he's a Hatter by trade, a common trade to the family. So its a poor existence and he's likely to be working for someone else.
William and Alice Torkington married on the 27th Dec 1773. At the Cathedral Church. Williams occupation is Dyer. He cant read or write and left his mark on the register but Alice could read and write. Witnesses given as Emund Clayton and James Ashworth.
Children:
Alice buried was buried on the 28th Apr 1790 age 38 states husband William a Dyer and cause of death Weeken. Also William buried on the 14th July 1805 age 55 Occ Dyer. cause of death given as, Decline in health. Both events at St Johns, Deansgate. Due to the Cathedral being extremely busy new churches were built to cope with the demand of events which broke the parish into manageable section. St Johns would include Hulme going forward.
Children;
3.William 1st Nov 1774 Stated son of William & Alice
Elizabeth 14th Dec 1777 Stated daug of William & Alice, its in the BT register basic parents names.
??? : 8th Aug 1779 daug of William & Alice. PR (there is no name unless its hidden in the fold of the page. PR.
Alice 17th Sept 1780 Stated daug of William & Alice, its a Cathedral PR entry and its basic.
Mary 29th Aug 1782 Stated daug of William & Alice, occupation of father; Fustian Dyer. Fustian is just a heavy cotton cloth for men's wear. Note in the PR she is stated Mary but in the BT register she is stated Martha.
Marth 8th March 1785 daug of William & Alice. PR.
Thomas abt 1787 Son of William and Alice Died age 3 year on the 1st July 1790BT register.
Ann 8th Aug 1789 daug of William & Alice. PR
Below are the burial entries for Alice in April 1790 and William in 1805
Children:
Children:
William and Alice Hughs married 1775 extract for further tracing
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