James Owen - Kirkby

[Aitcho]

I have just returned from a very fruitful visit to Kirkby Library plus visiting St Chad's churchyard to see the gravestone of James and Margaret Owen.

Today there happened to be a 'Family History Help Desk' running from 9am until midday and Rob O'Brien a member of the team suggested that we should have a look initially at the 'Tithe Records' as I wanted to try and get an idea of where James Owen's father would have lived and worked.

The 'Tithe Records' are fascinating as they record the various fields or plots by numbered sections and what produce was grown in each field and whether there was a house or cottage on a plot, in addition it showed what acreage the farmer worked and what payments were made to the local vicar.

Rob located plots for William Owen (who farmed the largest acreage), Samuel Owen, Ann Owen and John Owen and was kind enough to print out pages of the plots they all worked. Whilst he was working on a computer producing the print-outs he gave me copies of "Registers of Kirkby St Chad's Chapelry - Baptisms 1610 - 1839" and "Registers of Kirkby St Chad's Chapelry - Marriages and Burials 1610 -1839" so I could run a check on William Owen.

Last Tuesday I was at Liverpool Central Library going through the records of St James, Toxteth church looking for the marriage record of William Owen and Mary Tickle 11th February 1792 and once I found the relevant entry sent the page to the printer without looking at it closely. One of the staff also managed to find and print out the Banns which was very informative.

When I got home I checked the marriage details and found that William Owen was listed as a Widower so today I managed to locate his first marriage to Rebecca Prescott at St Chad's church on 12th May 1782 and also that they had three children Jenny Owen 1782, Mary Owen 1784 and John Owen 1786, unfortunately Rebecca died in 1789 aged 32years. That information was gleaned from the St Chad's Chapelry books at Kirkby Library.

So have had an excellent week so far!

[MaryA]

You've gathered a huge amount of information from your visits, well done.

PS did you come to speak with the Help Desk at the Liverpool RO on Tuesday? If you go again, please do introduce yourself to us there.

[Aitcho]

You've gathered a huge amount of information from your visits, well done.

PS did you come to speak with the Help Desk at the Liverpool RO on Tuesday? If you go again, please do introduce yourself to us there.

I was very fortunate in that the people who helped me at Liverpool Central Library and Knowsley Kirkby Library were very knowledgeable.

My visit to Liverpool Central Library was early in the morning before the Help Desk opened, I will time my next visit to make sure that I can meet members of the Help Desk.

[MaryA]

I will time my next visit to make sure that I can meet members of the Help Desk.

We'll look forward to seeing you.