Joseph Meek of Ruardean (Parish Records)

by imarlb, Sunday, March 09, 2014, 16:27 (3904 days ago) @ Mike Pinchin

Aagh! Of course, it does cause problems. Presumably, then, this Joseph was not the son of John and Elizabeth MEEK because that one was a coal miner. However, I'm not sure why I chose to believe that this burial belonged to the Joseph who married Ann HARRIS. It's a standard belief looking at family trees belonging to other folks but presumably there's no evidence for that since the marriage and children's baptisms seem to be silent on the occupation. There is another suitable burial in 1805 for a Joseph aged 55. No occupation given but just as likely, it seems to me.

It's been quite a while since I looked at this family and now I know why. I got inspired by the wills and thought that the problem might have a solution but I'm as stuck as I ever was.

Certainly 2 of my Joseph's sons were coal miners. However, very strangely, Joseph's great grandson William Henry MEEK born at East Dean in 1854 was a coal miner in 1871 but by 1881 was a - Shoemaker!

I wonder if there will ever be enough evidence to make a reasonable choice.

Thanks so much for pointing this out to me.

Regards, Irene