I was prompted to join the list after reading Tim Cattley's remark about "other
references to Wheathampstead." Clarification would be gratefully received.
I stumbled on NAOMI Catley when researching my grandmother's family of which nothing
was known other than that the marriage took place in Wheathampstead. The information now
on the Families of Wheathampstead web site (under Ansell) was posted by me. It is
substantiated by marriage certificates for NAOMI and EMMA, birth certificates for EMMA and
MARY, and a death certificate for NAOMI. From Naomi's marriage certificate her father
was WILLIAM Catley.
NAOMI can be found in 1851-1901 censuses; in 1841 she likely was at the Union Workhouse
(her address in 1842) and this is was probably in one of the St Albans districts recently
reported missing from the Ancestry data base. EMMA can be traced 1851-1891. MARY is found
only 1861-1871.
All other information posted on the web site is from secondary sources like SGI and in one
instance the Catley Database.
In addition there is an ELIZABETH Catley found 1841. I believe her to be the Elizabeth
Lambley found with MARY and her husband Abel in 1881 and 1891; also found in Westminster
in 1861 and 1871 and as a boarder in Wheathampstead in 1901. In 1891 she is listed as Aunt
and if she was Mary's Aunt presumably was Naomi's sister.
The Hertfordshire Burials added to the Catley Database are of interest for two reasons.
Firstly they show 8 Catley burials at Wheathampstead 1800-1824 thus confirming that
Catleys were present there. A common name in the area especially well represented in
neighbouring Kimpton is Catlin. I have spent many hours convincing myself that these are
separate families and not spelling variants and am glad of supporting evidence.
Secondly WILLIAM Catley buried 1834 aged 36 years fits with the William who married NAOMI
Bunyan in 1820 (IGI). I am guessing that NAOMI and ELIZABETH were their daughters. This
relates to the question that interests me most: why in 1841 was Naomi at the Union
Workhouse and 15-year-old Elizabeth living alone?
Regards
Anthony