Who was John Wood’s father?
QMy great great grandfather was John Wood. His 1854 marriage certificate records his father as William Wood, and in the 1861 census he’s in Stottesdon with his wife and children. On the 1841 census, there is a John Wood (born 1833) living in Knightonon-Teme with Thomas Bury (born 1771) and William Bury (born 1811). I have also found a baptism for a John Wood born 1831 in Knightonon-Teme; the mother was Ann Wood. Could William Bury be the father?
AThe 1861 census has John’s place of birth simply as “Shropshire”. An 1851 census record (pictured) places a John Wood, farm labourer, aged 16, at Hall Farm, Billingsley, which adjoins Stottesdon, where John married. His birthplace is “Knighton, Worcs”. I can’t find a John Wood born at Knighton in another census, suggesting this is the one who was living with the Burys.
If your great great grandfather was Ann Wood’s son, who was his father? Consider the possibility that John was not illegitimate, but that his mother was recently widowed. In 1841, an Ann Wood, labourer, aged 45, was living at Knighton. Could this be John’s mother? Search for a burial for William Wood, or a marriage between him and Ann.
If John’s father was required to contribute towards his upkeep, there may be a record of a summons or maintenance order. Search for bastardy documents at Worcestershire Archives ( explorethepast.co.uk). Begin with the quarter sessions, because they are indexed, but also check those of the overseers of the poor, the board of guardians and petty sessions. Also local newspapers sometimes covered bastardy cases.
Finally, why was John Wood living with the Burys? A familial connection is possible, as is an arrangement between John’s mother or the parish authorities. Research the Bury family and check for out-relief payments.