52 Ancestors: #3 - Hunt for Henry Wakefield
Seated front-second from the right
great-grandfather, Charles Wakefield
son of Henry Wakefield
Last week I wrote about my husband's grandfather, Christian Wismer Ruth. Doug thinks I may be the foremost expert on Christian! I have reams of information, from birth to death.
At the other end of the genealogy spectrum? My 2nd great-grandfather, Henry Wakefield. Plenty of oral history, with very little documentation.
What do we have? Hearsay, fantastic family lore and conjecture. Goodness, even his birthday is a mystery!
From my mother, aunts and assorted family members, we have heard the following.
So .. what do the documents say about Henry Wakefield?
great-grandfather, Charles Wakefield
son of Henry Wakefield
Last week I wrote about my husband's grandfather, Christian Wismer Ruth. Doug thinks I may be the foremost expert on Christian! I have reams of information, from birth to death.
At the other end of the genealogy spectrum? My 2nd great-grandfather, Henry Wakefield. Plenty of oral history, with very little documentation.
What do we have? Hearsay, fantastic family lore and conjecture. Goodness, even his birthday is a mystery!
From my mother, aunts and assorted family members, we have heard the following.
- Henry was a horse thief ... chased from the border of Scotland
- Henry immigrated to Maryland from England
- Henry served in the British military
- Henry died at sea
So .. what do the documents say about Henry Wakefield?
click on image to enlarge for better viewing
This record was discovered in "Trinity German Lutheran, 1853-1877: Baltimore City, Maryland. Ruppert, Gary B. Westminster, Md: Willow Bend Books, 2002". Book located at The Historical Society of Baltimore County.
From record:
This record was discovered in "Trinity German Lutheran, 1853-1877: Baltimore City, Maryland. Ruppert, Gary B. Westminster, Md: Willow Bend Books, 2002". Book located at The Historical Society of Baltimore County.
From record:
- Parents of Charles (Karl) were Heinrich Wakefild and Elis. Jud - agrees with all records
- Charles was baptized December 13, 1868 - death record lists birth as October 26, 1868
We find Henry Wakefield in the Baltimore, Maryland, City Directory, 1868. This is the only directory with a listing for Henry.
From record:
- Henry's occupation is tailor
- Resided at 290 S. Ann Street
While researching on Google, I stumbled on "Wakefield Memorial : comprising a historical, genealogical, and biographical register of the name and family Wakefield" compiled by Homer Wakefield. The book was privately printed for the compiler in 1897.
Searching the index I discovered Henry! Genealogy happy dance! Well, maybe a little genealogy skip. You can see there are quite a few blanks in his entry.
From record:
- Born October 14 ___
- Birth in England - 1900, 1920 United States Federal Census, Charles Wakefield lists father's birthplace as England. 930 United Federal Census, Charles lists his father's birthplace as Wales
- Married August ___, 1867 to Elizabeth Judd - see record below
- Died July 1, 1871; have found no records to support this date. At sea on ship "Callaloo" - have not found information about this ship
- Served in United States navy during Civil War - enlisted November 9, 1863 from Baltimore, Md. - disagrees with family lore that states Henry served in the British Navy. Have yet to find records for either possibility
- Discharged November 22, 1865
- Resided 290 South Anne Street, Baltimore, Md. - agrees with Baltimore City Directory
\
Baltimore City Court of Common Pleas (Marriage Index, Male) 1851-1885 Underwood to Whelen - MSA CM205-21
That is all the information I have for Henry Wakefield. Nothing but frustration at each turn.
Any tips/help would be greatly appreciated. Really need to kick down the wall surrounding Henry Wakefield!
- Only record on site for Henry Wakefield marriage in 1867.
- Henry Wakefield 40 years of age - birth date would be 1827
- Occupation listed as mariner - disagrees with the 1868 Baltimore Directory
- Bride listed as Elizabeth Young (could this be Judd?) - age agrees
That is all the information I have for Henry Wakefield. Nothing but frustration at each turn.
Any tips/help would be greatly appreciated. Really need to kick down the wall surrounding Henry Wakefield!
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