Are you a descendant of Joseph Harris who was baptised in Ratlinghope, Shropshire on 6 December 1857, son of William Harris and Eliza Blockley, Marehay? If yes, I’d love to hear from you. Or more precisely my husband would! Joseph was the older brother of his grandfather, John Harris (1866-1929), and an elusive man. Not only him but also his family.
What we know
Joseph Harris married Jane Broxton on 3 April 1877 in Ratlinghope. They had eight children between 1877 and 1892, three of whom died young, two unnamed. Joseph and Jane and some or all of their family appeared in the censuses from 1881 to 1901 as follows:
- 1881 – Sydnal Farm, Donington, Shropshire
- 1891 – Squilver, Wentnor, Shropshire (a farm sometimes recorded as Disgwylfa), his parents were nearby at The Stedment
- 1901 – Blue Brick House, Sheepy Magna, Leicestershire (another farm)
Jane very likely died in Meriden registration district, Warwickshire, in 1904. Joseph remarried to Ellen Adcock in the parish of Over Whitacre, Warwickshire, around April 1905 (same registration district). Joseph and Ellen were recorded together at The Clapper, Norbury, Shropshire in the 1911 Census, with Ellen’s uncle William Degg.
William Degg or Degge died on 17 March 1914 in Frodesley, Shropshire, and Joseph registered the death on 18 March. He was also living in Frodesley. This is the last definite sighting of Joseph. He may also be the Joseph Harries [sic] New House Cottage, Frodesley, who was fined 5 shillings for keeping a dog without a licence (Shrewsbury Chronicle 10 April 1914, p 8).
Please note: Joseph did not remarry and emigrate to Australia as many Ancestry trees claim.
More than meets the eye
Between the 1881 and 1891 censuses Joseph and family went to Canada, arrived Halifax on the Prussian, 22 May 1882. Son William was born in Canada but the family was back in Shropshire by the time Emily was born on 26 September 1885. A flight from debts in England most likely.
Joseph and Jane’s family – what we know about them
Fanny Harris, born 18 September 1877, Ratlinghope, Shropshire
- With parents in 1881 and 1891 censuses
- Servant in Stratford on Avon 1901 Census
- May have married Thomas Dolbin Bint, 5 April 1910, Upper Arley, Worcestershire, England
- If so emigrated to Canada 1910 and had a son Clifford Thomas Irvin Bint, c1911, and died Toronto, 1971
Mary Eliza Harris, born 17 September 1881, Donnington, Shropshire
- With parents 1891 and 1901 censuses
- Not so far found 1911 or 1921 censuses
William Price Harris, born 18 August 1883, Canada
- Middle name may appear as Pryce too
- With parents 1891 and 1901 censuses
- May be the William Harris, labourer, who arrived in Canada on the Kensington in July 1907 and was then debarred from entry to the US (name William Price Harris)
- The William Harris who died in Winnipeg in 1947 having worked for the university as a shepherd? Date of birth matches but this man seems to have come from Wales.
- Or did he eventually get to the US?
Emily Harris, born 26 September 1885, Wentnor, Shropshire
- With parents 1891 census
- With grandmother and uncle, Eliza and John Harris, in 1901 Census, Harnage, Cound, Shropshire (birthplace given as Canada)
- Not so far found 1911 or 1921 censuses
Clara Ann Harris, born 22 August 1888, Ratlinghope, Shropshire
- With parents 1891 and 1901 censuses
- Possibly a domestic servant in Manchester, 1939 Register. Date of birth is right but there is another Clara Harris, born Pontesbury, Shropshire, in that area in the 1911 and 1921 censuses too.
Jane Harris and two other female children, born and died Clun RD
- Clun RD included Ratlinghope and Wentnor parishes
- Jane was born and died March quarter 1892
- Two other female children were born and died June quarter 1890 and March quarter 1891
Canada and other puzzles
There is a possibility/likelihood from faint family memories that some of Joseph’s family, perhaps including him, went back to Canada, and may even have returned to England again. My research is ongoing but I am putting this information out there as “cousin bait”. If you have any links, do get in touch.
