YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
The elusive Thomas
Q I am seeking your help in finding Thomas Wheeler, who was a tailor in Lambeth. My problem is trying to find where he was born and who his parents were.
The journey so far has led me from his marriage to Mary Holden in 1798. In 1813 he was living in Pratt Street, Lambeth, as shown on the baptism of his sons Charles (b.1813) and Christopher William (b.1816). We then wind forward to 1825 with Thomas at 2, Pratt Street, Lambeth, occupation tailor. Then 1839 finds him still a tailor at Pratt Street. The mystery thickens as in the 1841 census Thomas turns up in Croydon North End, Almshouses. In 1842 he is recorded at his son Christopher William’s wedding. Thomas died in 1847. Could you please direct me where to go now?
Roger Wheeler
A Thomas Wheeler was admitted to Croydon North End Almshouses because he was elderly and could no longer work. Many towns have almshouses that in effect provide sheltered accommodation for small numbers of old people. They were generally endowed by rich merchants and other wealthy persons, after whom they are usually named, for the benefit of poor but respectable Anglican citizens. Where they survive, and a surprising number do, they are well worth a visit as the buildings are almost always very interesting.
Surviving records are likely to be held by local archives, in this case the Museum of Croydon. If you email archives@croydon.gov.uk they should be able to help you. The minutes of the almshouse governors should include a note about the admission of Wheeler to the home and when he died and perhaps the reason for his death.
Of course, this may not help very much finding very much about when and where he was born, but any admission record to the almshouse should give you his age and, perhaps, the parish where he was born. SF
Civil Service Evidence of Age records
Q The following entry appears in FindmyPast, and is transcribed below. First name(s): Ann Last name: Cantelo Birth year: 1834
Birth date: 10 Oct 1834
Place: Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight
County: Hampshire
Country: England
Event type: Birth
Reference: 28374 040
Record set:
