Genealogy Forum UK

Yes this is about the Coley's. I know I haven't posted much across the various genoalogy forums but those who are good with names will know this is about the Coley of Cradley.

Thanks to Linell pointing out something in a different forum... I'm starting to suspect a family connection... and really have no way to prove it.

The earlier suspect is Samuel Coley (b abt 1775)
http://bcconnections.tribalpages.com/fa ... ley-Family

The later suspect is my distant relative William Coley (b 1808)
http://bcconnections.tribalpages.com/fa ... ley-Family

They are both listed as Nailers in the census and appear to live near each other. I'm wondering if there is a chance that Samuel could be the father. The ages seem to match up.

Looking based on names as well, William Coley had a daughter named Phoebe in 1848, which was 14 years before his son Joseph Coley married Phoebe Walker (so it can not be named after that relationship)

The big question and why I'm doubtful is that Samuel appears to have had a rough year around 1808. His first wife appears to have died (guessing based on dates) from giving birth to James Coley [surprisingly the name of my Son]) and married Pheobe Salt.

There is a 1801 birth of a Joseph Coley, but this isn't my direct relative but gives a suggestion on the connection as well (which has been in every generation since in some form). They are all burried in the same Parish (St Peters) but given the size of Cradely this may not be a huge case.

(btw is there a way to check if the Cemetery stones still exist. A macarb part of me would like to see them)

Thoughts?

Hi David, I don't think your William 1808 is the son of Samuel and Phoebe as they had a son James baptised 1808, plus all their children's baptism's are in the Parish Register, where as William's isn't. William says he was not born in the County in 1841, I think he was probably from Cradley Heath Staffs, which runs into Cradley, over the River Stour. As I think I pointed out to you before, a lot of Baptisms for that area have not survived, but having researched that area for a good many years, I would think William was from Cradley Heath Staffs. As for Phoebe, they all had Phoebe's and yes most of the Township of Cradley were buried at St Peter's it does not mean they were all related. We also have the advantage of the Vicar's Notebooks for Cradley, written in 1857 and 1863, Rev Thompson does often state family relationships, would write something like, 'Mrs Coley (for example) sister of Mrs Davies at no 150.) There are no connections recorded for William's family, which would have helped, so no I don't think he is connected to Samuel - sorry, perhaps someone else will take a different perspective. Linell.

Again, sorry but they were all Nailers and or Chainmakers............

note from Maggie....."Looked up both of the marriages, not much use though -

06.11.1797 - St Martin, Birmingham
Samuel Coley married Phebe Newton

and

22.08.1808 - St Martin, Birmingham
Samuel Coley married Phebe Salt"

Thanks very much for taking the time to search Maggie, shame there are no more details, but I do believe the info we have is correct. Cheers from Linell.

Just wanted to note that on http://www.cradleylinks.co.uk/surnames.htm there is a message from gtgtgrandaughter of the 1850 William Coley.

thanks for looking into this.

This was a stretch and trying to learn how to read around the data I have and trying to make links.

Really appreciate the help.

this is the only census info on bcc

Updated by Linell
1841 Census Canking Row Cradley Worcs
COLEY, William M 30 1811 Nailer NO
COLEY, Mary F 30 1811 Worcestershire
COLEY, Eliza F 10 1831 Worcestershire
COLEY, Maria F 3 1838 Worcestershire
COLEY, Joseph F 0 (7 months) 1841 Worcestershire
WALKER, Pamella F 75 1766 Worcestershire
WALKER, Rosanna F 35 1806 Worcestershire

1851 Butchers Lane Cradley Worcs
COLEY, William Head Married M 43 1808 Road Mender Cradley Worcestershire
COLEY, Mary Wife Married F 44 1807 Nail Maker Cradley Worcestershire
COLEY, Maria Daughter Unmarried F 13 1838 Chain Striker Cradley
COLEY, Joseph Son M 10 1841 Chain Striker Cradley
COLEY, Benjamin Son M 7 1844 At Home Cradley
COLEY, Phoebe Daughter F 3 1848 At Home Cradley
COLEY, William Son M 1 1850 At Home Cradley
WALKER, Rosanah Lodger Unmarried F 48 1803 Washer Woman Cradley Worcestershire.

anyone find anything later might be something we could use ?

1861 Butchers Lane Cradley Worcs

William Coley 54 labourer
Mary Coley 54 nailer
Benjamin Coley 17 pudler
William Coley 11
all born cradley

On Ancestry it says William Coley b abt 1827 with a note - other poss dates 1807

1871: Butchers Lane, Cradley, Worc
William Coley 44 (looks like 64) Head M (think it says - Vag Bengnil? Beggar) and underneath (intended? for) Cradley, Worc
Mary Coley 23 (looks like 63 on image) Wife Cradley, Worc

I've already reported the two transcription errors on Ancestry for those cases (I think I'm up to 44 reports doing my family tree due to mis-readings of 'Coley')

I have confirmed that William Coley died in 1878 in March
Stourbridge v 6c, P 119

I actually ordered a copy of that certificate (not quite sure why I did to be honest)

Mary died the year earlier but I haven't confirmed that 100% yet.

again thanks for the help. I guess all there is to it is for Lin or someone to update the bconn page and put the death info in.

Wonder if the tomb stones still exist...

Will update later today David, am off out all day, but will do it ASAP. I noted that Wm says he was born Cradley in 1851, that was what they all called Cradley Heath, my Nan did, to them the two places were much the same place. I am convinced he was born in Cradley Heath and moved into Cradley proper. Not many old tombs are legible in St Peter's; I've been round there, do you think Wm would have had a Headstone Linell.

Hi David not sure if you have been in contact with me before re the BCC site
drop me a pm if you get a min

I'm not sure if he did have one.
The family was large and common by the looks of things, so the chances of having one are slim. It's more the "connection" thing making me wonder if it still exists.

Being in Canada means I can't just make a 3 day weekend to drive down and check. Though I did just discover that the Toronto City Library has a number of books from Cradely in their collection I'm going to see if I can get a look at.

davidcoley wrote:I'm not sure if he did have one.
The family was large and common by the looks of things, so the chances of having one are slim. It's more the "connection" thing making me wonder if it still exists.

Being in Canada means I can't just make a 3 day weekend to drive down and check. Though I did just discover that the Toronto City Library has a number of books from Cradely in their collection I'm going to see if I can get a look at.

even if there no headstone you could try to get a record of who in the grave with him might give a clue ?