Genealogy Forum UK

New member here - so treat me gently!

I'm looking for information on William Russell, born Rowley Regis, c.1878. His father was also William - born 1853 in Rolvenden, Kent.

William (1853) married Jane Siviter at St Giles, Rowley Regis, 26 August 1876. At the time of the 1881 Census the family were living with Jane's widowed mother, (Ann) Maria (Bell) at 13 The Village, Rowley Regis but by 1891 they were living at 24 Regent Street, Smethwick.

William (1878) married Alice Caroline Rigby at The Register Office, Kings Norton, on 4 July 1895. on the marriage cert he is listed as a "Chemist" although he had previously been a "Nut & Bolt Screwer" and was later a "Hammer Man working under steam" so I am somewhat confused as to his "career path".

William (1878) and Alice had three children:

William (1896) - no further information
Doris Eveline Emma (1897) working as a nursemaid at the Prince of Wales Inn, Coleshill in 1911 then vanishes
Sidney Baden (1900) ... he was my Grandfather but I never met him (neither did my late father) as he and my grandmother separated and he was killed in a fight in Coventry in June 1934!

Alice Caroline seems to have left William (maybe the other way round ... I don't know) shortly after Sidney Baden was born and went to live with Henry Riley - whom she eventually married in January 1926 in Coventry.

Any pointers as to where I might discover more information from would be greatly appreciated!

Hello G-ordy,

I will move your thread over to Black Country Discussion...
Looks like you are looking at this family on BCC
https://bcconnections.tribalpages.com/t ... ver=566949

1901 126 High Park Road Smethwick
William Russell Head Mar 28 Hammerman ? Born Smethwick
Alice Russell Wife Mar 25 Born Smethwick
William Russell Son 5 Born Smethwick
Doris Russell Daur 3 Born Smethwick
Baden Russell Son 11/12 Born Smethwick

William 1896 in 1911
Name: Wm Russell
Age in 1911: 15
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1896
Relation to Head: Inmate
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Swathwick, Staffordshire, England
Civil Parish: Llandegfan
County/Island: Caernarvonshire
Country: Wales
Marital status: Single
Occupation: School and Other Instructions
Registration District: Bangor
Registration District Number: 631
Sub-registration District: Beaumaris
ED, institution, or vessel: 20
Piece: 34487

Name: William Russell
Gender: Male
Birth Date: abt 1895
Birth Place: Smethwick, Staffordshire, England
Age: 19
Document Year: 1914
Regimental Number: 12350
Regiment Name: Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment
Form Title: Short Service Attestation
Number of Images: 8
Family Members:
Name Relation to Soldier
William Russell Self (Head)
Alice Caroline Russell Mother

Discharged Medically Unfit Epil. Fits 12 Nov 1914

Many thanks - that's definitely the family I am looking into.

I already had the 1901 census information, I have a copy of the marriage certificate between William (1878) and Alice Caroline (Rigby) dated 4 July 1895 - they were both aged 18 at the time.
Her address is given as 231 St Pauls Road, Smethwick, and her father (Peter Rigby) is listed as deceased and as having been "Manager at Glass Works" ... I believe this to have been Chance Bros, Smethwick, from family lore.

The 1911 and 1914 information on William is new to me - can you give me any more details of the significance of "Llandegfan" and "inmate"? I have heard that there was some sort of "reform school" situated there which took "wayward" children and trained them for a career in the Royal or Merchant Navy?

The 1914 record is fascinating too - any further information on source please?

I have now located a record for a William Russell, born 1878, died Wolverhampton between Jan 1924 and Mar 1924 and I suspect this is Alice Caroline's first husband.

By 1911 she was living in Coventry with Henry Riley, having had three more children, she is listed as his wife but they did not get married until 2 January 1926, on the Marriage Certificate she is listed as a widow, although they had been living together for over 20 years she gave her address as "347 St Pauls Road, Smethwick" I have no idea why!

Any leads on Henry Riley would also be appreciated. (Born Stourbridge c1872, died Coventry July 17 1936)

All the information is from Ancestry.

Thanks - I've found his service record OK, now looking for the "Llandegfran" census record

Edit: Found it - HMS Clio - Training Ship moored in the Menai Straits.

Marvellous stuff, thank you!

Now can anyone confirm what a “Capstan Hand” was? I’ve heard two possible descriptions, either a capstan lathe operator or someone working a ship’s capstan?

Poster if you would like more info on what is a capstan hand please post that ask in the general discussion.

Before I move this can anyone add anything that is missing to Bcc?
if they are able that would be great.

Added here https://www.tribalpages.com/tribe/brows ... =298131044

Please check all is correct

Thanks Kdw will now arc.