Genealogy

"...I have seen the 1881 census which lists in Old St. William Alfred Bradley, 65, baker, born Upton with wife Ann, 63, born Newent Glos. marriage and birth information I have obtained from the IGI. William and Elizabeth's son William moved to Longhope Gloucestershire and the family there were innkeepers, butchers, bakers and grocers. My father was born in Longhope.

William Jnr's birth certificate in 1838 gives parents William Alfred Bradley and Elizabeth (formerly Armstrong) and William A as a baker in Old St. The Armstrong name has been passed down through the Bradley family to my great great grandfather, great uncle, father and brother so I would like to find out about the Armstrong in the battle of Waterloo. My father thought that he had been buried with military honours and hoped to find a plaque in the Pepperpot Church but of course that has been mainly pulled down! I'm not sure that that story is true. We think he survived that battle and was in the cavalry. The family used to have his uniform and sword. Of course I don't know yet whether the Armstrong's came from Upton originally or whether just Elizabeth lived there after her marriage.

In the IGI I found a marriage between William Alfred Bradly and Elizabeth Armstrong on 18 July 1836 at St Marys Handsworth Stafford and I think that must be them. But why did they get married so far from Upton? I haven't seen the original record yet to see if there are witness or parent's names and places of residence.

I haven't seen the 1841, 1851, 1861 census returns to see where Elizabeth was born or her age. I have found an Elizabeth Armstrong b 1802 in Upton with brothers Joseph and William and parents George and Mary through the IGI. If it was her she was quite a bit older than William. The Pigot's Directory of 1839 shows George Armstrong, cooper, Old St, Joseph Armstrong, maltster, High St., Joseph Armstrong, baker (and malster), Old St. I wonder if William Alfred Bradley married the sister of his boss and then took over the business or whether he always worked for the Armstrongs?

The 1830 Pigot's Directory of Staffordshire and Worcestershire lists 7 bakers and Flour dealers in Upton:

Joseph Alsep, Old St
Joseph Armstrong, Old St
Henry Baker, High St
Thomas Baker, Old St
Thomas Callow, Church St
Francis Handy, Old St
Joseph Merrett, New St

hence my problem with identifying the shop!

William and Elizabeth had three sons William, James and John Bradley all christened in Upton between 1838 and 1843."