CREW family via Dudley, Worcestershire
I hope this is helpful and would love some help by return:
My Great-great-grandfather (paternal) was James CREW, born 1818 (allegedly) in Netherton, Dudley, Worcestershire. I do not know any details of his parents or his real birthplace.
My branch of the CREW family name appears to have strong connections with the Black Country - in particular with Netherton, Dudley, Worcs. My research shows that many (if not all) of the the CREWs moved to the Black Country from the Bristol & Somerset UK County area at about the time or just before my g-grandfather James was born. There were at least 3 CREW brothers, who may or may not be related to James CREW,who moved from just outside Bristol to Dudley to become Miners (which is what James also did for a living!)
James CREW married Prudence nee PRICE in September 1839 at Dudley. Prudence was the daughter of Benjamin and Prudence PRICE also of Dudley, Worcs.
Through Prudence CREW's side of the family I have family connections to the following Surnames:
BRADLEY
MILES
PRICE
The 1951 UK Census has James and Prudence CREW living at Sweet Turf, Dudley with the following children:
Hannah CREW, born 1839
Sarah CREW, born 1841
Mary CREW, born 1845
James CREW, born 1849
Jemima CREW, born 1850
Ten years later, James and Prudence were still living in Netherton and registered a family of 9 children in the 1861 UK Census:
Sarah P(rudence?)CREW
Mary CREW
James CREW
Jemima CREW
Emma CREW, born 1852
Henry C CREW, born 1854
William CREW, born 1857
Thomas CREW, born 1859 (My great-grandfather)
Edward CREW born 1860 (Edward died in 1872)
(Hannah seems to be missing but does reappear in 1871)
The family address was 186, St Johns Street, Netherton.A listed visitor Mary PRICE, born 1837, was a sister to Prudence CREW.
The 1871 UK Census produced details of one more child, a son, Ernest, born in 1866. The family home was now 67, St Thomas Street, Netherton.
Sarah, Hannah, Mary, Jemima and James were not listed as living with their parents in 1971 but living at #16 St John Street, Netherton.
For certain I know is that my great-grandfather Thomas married Ann (Annie) ELEY, born 1858. Their marriage was in 1880.
This produced 5 children with one survivor, Francis CREW, born 1886.
There appears to have been a nail manufacturing business, owned by the brother James, in which Thomas was employed, in 1881.
Thomas's brother James was listed in the 1881 UK Census with the following data:
James aged 32 (b1849) Netherton (Nail & Rivet Manufacturer)
Mary Ann aged 32 (b1850) Dudley (Her surname was also CREW - possibly a cousin?)
Thomas J aged 4 (b1877) Old Hill, Staffs
Blanche aged 1 (b1880) Old Hill, Staffs
Living at - Moore Lane, Rowley Regis, Staffordshire.
The same 1881 UK Census provides the following data:
Thomas, aged 22 (b1859) Netherton, Dudley (Nail Manufacturer)
Annie, aged 23 (b1858) Netherton
Living at 186, St John St, Dudley
The 1901 Census shows Thomas as then living at Kingsworth, Gate Street, Tipton, Staffs (Dudley Park)
What is know is that Thomas and Ann CREW had a small grocery business and Thomas had a background in mining. This is known family history and the 1901 census confirm this to be true.
By 1901, Thomas was very prosperous from quarrying and brick making but they obviously kept the grocery business going as well. They were able to afford for my grandfather, Francis (Frank) CREW to transfer from Birmingham University to Edinburgh University where he graduated in Medicine in 1912. Frank went on to become a Fellow of the Royal Society and a leading Geneticist and Professor through Edinburgh University. (The boy done good!)
I also believe that Thomas CREW became a Mayor somewhere in the Birmingham area. This was possibly Bromsgrove. This would have been circa 1915-1925 (I think!)
Through my Great-GrandUncles I have connections with the following family Surnames:
Sarah Crew married(Solomon) LOWE
William Crew married (Mary) DAVIS
Henry Crew married (Ann) BELLINGHAM
Jemima Crew married (Richard) RAYBOULD
Emma Crew married (Thomas) STONELEY
These marriages produced many offspring of which I have now got details.
Through Ann ELEY I have connection through Great-GrandAunt Emma ELEY connection to the ROUND family - Emma having married John ROUND.
I have gathered much information from the birth of James CREW in 1818 up to the beginning of the 20th Century and the 1901 UK Census of rmany of the CREW and extended family members but I am stuck as to where James suddenly appeared from in 1818 where he gives his birthplace as Dudley, Worcestershire (30 years later when someone might not actually know where they were born?)
Hopefully all this information will be of help to the CREW searches - if it does help you, please do let me know as we will be related. If you have any information for me fro James CREW's origins I will be delighted to hear from you.
If you can help me identify or have any links to relatives that might help me in return, please do let me know.
Thanks and best wishes,
Iain CREW