Research Forum

Looking for Great Grandfather William Rawlings, Clevedon
published by on Thu, 26/09/2013 - 4:10

Looking for any information about my Great Grandfather, William Rawlings, born in 1864. I believe him to be the son of George Rawlings, born in Clevedon in 1830. He had a brother, John. They both emigrated to the United States approximately 1883 - John first, followed by my Great Grandfather William. Emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio, USA. I'm trying to find his (William A Rawlings) roots in England, as he had three children in Cleveland, then died at the young age of 27. His son, also William A, born in Cleveland, Ohio, never knew his father, and so we have no historical knowledge of him or his roots. Any information is appreciated.

best regards,
Peter Rawlings
peter.rawlings@yahoo.com

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Sun, 29/09/2013 - 20:39

Looking for the birth of your great grandfather, William RAWLINGS, at first I thought this could be his birth on FreeBMD as it was the only William RAWLINGs that appeared to fit. Clevedon being in the Bedminster Registration District.

Births Sep 1863
RAWLINGS William Charles Bedminster 5c 759

But the only baptism I can find online for a William Charles RAWLINGS (on the Clevedon Civic Society Site â€“ we havenâ€™t got all the Clevedon ones yet) lists

St Andrews - RAWLINGS William Charles s/o Samuel & Elizabeth Labourer July 20^th 1863

This didnâ€™t fit with him being (as you believed) the son of a George. However there is also an Alfred William RAWLINGS christened in 1864 in Clevedon

St Andrews - RAWLINGS Alfred William s/o George & Elizabeth Groom Feb 7^th 1864

So it does look as if your William was originally Alfred William â€“ I see you refer to him as â€œWilliam Aâ€

Births Mar 1864
RAWLINGS Alfred William Bedminster 5c 841

If you compare the entries for the 1871 and 1881 censuses you can see that the William s/o George in 1871 is exactly the same age as the Alfred W in 1881.

The christening of John, Alfred Williamâ€™s brother

St Andrews - RAWLINGS John s/o George & Elizabeth Groom June 10^th 1860

Does that fit with the age of his brother?

George RAWLINGS, the father, died in 1902 and was buried at St Andrews Churchyard on the 1st March 1902, aged 71.

Submitted by on Tue, 28/01/2014 - 20:53

Thank you so very much!! Yes, that age does fit with his brother John! I'm so glad to have been able to trace his roots back to England! And I am so sorry to be so long in getting back to you - you've been a big help.

best regards,
Peter Rawlings

Submitted by on Mon, 30/09/2013 - 20:41

You might check with Shirley Babbage (nee Rawlings), a Rawlings genealogist with interest in the Somerset region. She can be reached on Genes Reunited.