First Generation

John Ramsdale, date of birth not known, was married on 23rd April 1718, in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire by Banns, to Hannah Blun who was baptised on 19th July 1689 in Bromsgrove, the daughter of Samuell Blunne and Anne Woodard. Hannah was buried in Bromsgrove on 29th December 1728 as was John on 10th May 1736.

Children

1. John Ramsdale was born in 1719
2. Samuel Ramsdale was baptised on 12th December 1721 in Bromsgrove

Second Generation

St Bartholomew's Church, Wednesbury (before 1827)

Interior (before 1827)

Samuel Ramsdale married Hannah Bagley on 24th April 1751 in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire.

Children

1. Sarah Ramsdale, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 1st March 1752
2. Joseph Ramsdale, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 16th December 1753
3. Edward Ramsdale, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 25th January 1756

Joseph Ramsdale married Anne Rowlaston in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury on 27th October 1771.

Wednesbury is one of the oldest parts of Sandwell. The "bury" part of the name indicates there may have been an Iron Age fort or "beorg" on Church Hill as long ago as 200BC, and the town was certainly a key defensive feature of the kingdom of Mercia.

In the Middle Ages the town was a rural village, with each family farming a strip of land and the heath nearby used for grazing. It was held by the King until the reign of Henry II, when it passed to the Heronville family. In the 14th century, while Wednesbury was still a farming community, local people began to mine their own coal and iron. By Tudor times, when local landowner William Paget was one of the most prominent men of the kingdom, pottery, metalwork and textiles were made. In the 17th century Wednesbury pottery - "Wedgbury ware" - was being sold as far afield as Worcester, while white clay from Monway Field was used to make tobacco pipes.

In the 18th century the town's main occupations were coal mining and nail making and with the canals came a big increase in population. The poor social conditions proved a fertile breeding ground for religious nonconformism, and in 1743 John Wesley first preached in the town. His views were not always well received - fears that he was trying to undermine society led to riots, and on one occasion he was chased out of the area.

Mr Albert Crane, one of the last Worcestershire nailmakers, in 1951

Third Generation

Edward Ramsdale, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 25th January 1756, married Hannah (surname unknown) in or about 1777.

Children

1. John baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 30th November 1777
2. Maria baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 6th September 1779
3. William baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 11th March 1782
4. Joseph baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 12th April 1784
5. Ann baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 11th September 1786
6. Joseph baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 12th February 1789
7. Samuel baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 8th September 1791
8. Sarah Ross baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 6th June 1797

Fourth Generation

William Ramsdale, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 11th March 1782, married Ann (surname unknown) in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire in or about 1806

Children

• Hannah Ramsdale, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 5th August 1807
• Martha Ramsdale, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 1st January 1809

Samuel Ramsdale, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on 8th September 1791, married Martha Johnson, (daughter of Isaiah Johnson and Ann Wells) on 21st November 1814, in St. Peter's church, Aston Juxta, Birmingham.

1841 Census: 14 Cox Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire
Samuel Ramsdale	45	Wood Screw Forger
Martha Ramsdale	45	Chapel Cleaner
Maria Ramsdale	20	Button Cutter
Esther Ramsdale	15	Warehouse Girl
Samuel Ramsdale	13
George Ramsdale	6
Mary Ross	20	Button Cutter

In the 1851 Census Samuel's age is stated as being 60 and place of birth Wednesbury, Staffordshire. Samuel had various occupations:

• 1829 - he lived at Livery Street (named after Swann's Riding Academy), Birmingham and worked as a screw forger
• 1841 - he lived at 14 Cox Street, Birmingham and worked as a "wood screw forger"
• 1851 - he lived at 14 Cox Street, Birmingham and worked as a milk seller
• 1858 - mathematical instrument maker

Samuel is believed to have been illiterate and died on 15th April 1859 at 11 Court, Great Russell Street, Birmingham.

Children

1. Hannah Ramsdale was baptised on 22nd October 1816 in St. Phillip's, Birmingham
2. Maria Ramsdale was baptised on 27th September 1822 in St. Phillip's, Birmingham, and married Thomas Lees on 17th December 1842, in All Saints, Birmingham
3. Esther Ramsdale was baptised on 27th September 1822, in St. Phillip's, Birmingham
4. Samuel Ramsdale was born on 14th July 1827 and baptised on 20th April 1829 in St. Phillip's, Birmingham
5. Martha Ramsdale was baptised on 21st June 1830, in St. Martin's, Birmingham
6. George RAMSDALE was baptised on 26 January 1835 in St. Phillip's, Birmingham and died at 14 Cox Street, Birmingham on 3 February 1843
7. Mary Ann Ramsdale was baptised on 16th January 1837, in St. Phillip's, Birmingham

St. Phillip’s, where Hannah, Maria, Esther, Samuel and Mary Ann were baptised, was built on land located at the highest point in Birmingham donated by Robert Phillips (after whom the Cathedral is named) with funds of £600 provided by George I. The church was dedicated in 1715 before it was finished. Its Georgian design (the work of Thomas Archer as later modified by J.A. Chatwin) is one of the finest examples in the country.

The beautiful stained glass window behind the altar was designed by Edward Burne-Jones, who much later also designed the Last Judgement in the west window. St Phillip's was given the status of Cathedral in 1905

All Saints, where Maria Ramsdale married Thomas Lees on 17 December 1842, is the Church of England parish church of King's Heath, Birmingham

St. Martin's, where Martha Ramsdale was baptised on 21 June 1830, is now a Grade II listed building and the most ancient of Birmingham's churches.

St. Martin's has been the focal point of the market area since the 12th century. Inside is the oldest monument in the city, a 1325 effigy of the Lord of the Manor Sir William de Bermingham. The present building, with a stained glass window by Burne-Jones, dates from 1875.

Although the industry of Birmingham allowed it to thrive, the working conditions were often unpleasant and dangerous, and the pay for the working classes, particularly the many women and children employed, was low. Many could not find regular or full-time employment. A British Association Survey of 1839 produced the following statistics:

Age	Average Earnings
	Male	Female
7 to 13	3 shillings and 1 penny	2 shillings and 4 pence
14 to 20	5 shillings and 9 pence	5 shillings and 2 pence
20+	24 shillings and 3 pence	8 shillings

Many families could not aspire to as great a sum as 24 shillings per week for the chief wage earner, an unskilled manual labourer in the mid 1860s could hope to bring home between 15 to 18 shillings. The poverty line was around 18 to 21 shillings. Most working class families had to supplement their wages by home or factory work for the women and children, and informal work such as child-minding and errand-running. The pawn-shop was a regular necessity for a large number of families, and any church relief or free meals were usually taken. The strong sense of community in many areas, where the family would often remain for generations, perhaps doing a "moonlight flit" to a nearby house in the district but essentially remaining in the near district, also helped many through in desperate times, neighbourly assistance was of great importance.

Fifth Generation

Samuel Ramsdale, born on 14th July 1827 at Livery Street, Birmingham, was baptised on 20th April 1829 in St. Phillip's, Birmingham. According to the 1851 Census, Samuel (then aged 23) lived with his parents, Samuel and Martha, at 14 Cox Street, Birmingham, at which time his occupation was described as a silver pencil case polisher (journeyman).

1851 Census
Name	Relationship	Marital Status	Age	Occupation	Birthplace
Samuel Ramsdale	Head	Married	60	Milk Seller	Wednesbury, Staffordshire
Martha Ramsdale	Wife	Married	59	Mangler	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Samuel Ramsdale	Son	Unmarried	23	Silver Pencil Case Polisher (Journeyman)	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Address	14 Cox Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire

1861 Census
Name	Relationship	Marital Status	Age	Occupation	Birthplace
Samuel Ramsdale	Head	Married	32	Ironmonger's Porter	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Charlotte Ramsdale	Wife	Married	26		Birmingham, Warwickshire
George Samuel Ramsdale	Son		16m		Birmingham, Warwickshire
Address	Back 41, Great Russell Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire

1871 Census
Name	Relationship	Marital Status	Age	Occupation	Birthplace
Samuel Ramsdale	Head	Married	42	Porter	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Charlotte Ramsdale	Wife	Married	36		Birmingham, Warwickshire
George Samuel Ramsdale	Son		11	Scholar	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Charlotte R	Daughter		7m		Birmingham, Warwickshire
Address	344 Park Road, Birmingham, Warwickshire

1881 Census
Name	Relationship	Marital Status	Age	Occupation	Birthplace
Samuel Ramsdale	Head	Married	52	Warehouse Porter (unemployed)	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Charlotte Ramsdale	Wife	Married	47	Laundress	Birmingham, Warwickshire
George Ramsdale	Son	Unmarried	21	Jeweller Fancy Rings	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Emily	Daughter	Unmarried	6	Scholar	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Charlotte R	Daughter	Unmarried	10	Scholar	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Address	344 Park Road, Birmingham, Warwickshire

Samuel married Charlotte EVANS (baptised 4th November 1836, at Whitchurch in Shropshire, the daughter of Samuel EVANS and Martha SHUKER) on 18th October 1858, in All Saints, Birmingham. Samuel's occupation at the time of his marriage in 1858 was warehouse porter and he lived at 19 Hockley Hill. Charlotte's address at time of marriage was Lodge Road.

In the 1881 Census "Samuel Ramsdale" (stated to be aged 53), is described as a "servant" to Susanna LEES who was probably the daughter of Martha RAMSDALE and Thomas LEES, who were married on 17th December 1842. His occupation is described as "Scale Maker Servant (Dom)" and his marital status is "unmarried".

1881 Census
Name	Relationship	Marital Status	Age	Occupation		Birthplace
Susana Lees	Head	W	37	Scale Manufacturer (Dom)		Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
Jane Gregory	Sister	M	27	None		Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
Charles Gregory	Nephew	-	4	-		Birmingham, Warwickshire
Samuel Ramsdale	Servant	U	53	Scale Maker Servant (Dom)		Birmingham, Warwickshire
Florence Lees	Grandaughter	-	12	Scholar		Birmingham, Warwickshire
Address	Claremont Rd Trentham Villa			Pro Ref	RG11 Piece 2834 Folio 39 Page 17
Census Place	Handsworth, STS			FHL Film	1341679

Samuel is believed to have been illiterate and he died on 9th October 1891 at Back 340, Park Road, Birmingham.

Quarter	Year	Age	Forename(s)	Place	Volume	Page
Dec	1891	64	Samuel	Birmingham	6d	101
Jun	1899	38	Mary Ann [HORTON]	Birmingham	6d	91

Children

1. George Samuel Ramsdale was born on 17th November 1859 and died on 23rd August 1938 at 81 Alexander Road, Soho, Birmingham
2. Ann Maria Ramsdale was baptised on 25th March 1866 in St. George's, Birmingham and died in Birmingham in 1868 aged 2 years
3. Charlotte Rosina Ramsdale was baptised on 18 September 1870 in All Saints, Birmingham

Sixth Generation

Parish Church, Sutton Coldfield

Interior of Parish Church Sutton Coldfield

George Samuel Ramsdale was born on 17th November 1859 at 2 Court, Great Russell Street, Birmingham, in the parish of St. George. On 26th April 1886 he married Mary Ann Horton (born 28th July 1860 at Myring Place, Sutton Coldfield and baptised on 19th August 1860, the daughter of William Horton and Caroline Perks) in the parish church of Sutton Coldfield in Warwickshire. George Samuel's residence at time of marriage in 1886 was Park Road, Soho, Birmingham.

Sutton Coldfield, 1885: view from the railway at Park Road, Soho where George Samuel lived the year before he was married to Mary Ann Horton

High Street, Sutton Coldfield

In the 1891 Census, George Samuel's address is given as 215 Icknield Street, All Saints Parish, Birmingham, occupied by the following:

1891 Census
Name	Surname	Relation to Head of Family	Marital Status	Age	Occupation	Where Born
George	Ramsdale	Head	Married	31	Iron Wire Drawer	Birmingham
Mary A	Ramsdale	Wife	Married	30		Sutton, Warwickshire
Frederick	Ramsdale	Son		4		Birmingham
Emily	Ramsdale	Daughter		2		Birmingham

In the 1901 Census George Samuel's address is given as Back 2, 215 Park Road, All Saints Parish, Birmingham. The address is described as having four rooms occupied by the following:

1901 Census
Name	Surname	Relation to Head of Family	Marital Status	Age	Occupation	Where Born
George	Ramsdale	Head	Widower	41	Iron Wire Drawer	Birmingham
Frederick	Ramsdale	Son	Single	14	Silversmith (Gold)	Birmingham
Emily	Ramsdale	Daughter	Single	12		Birmingham
Charles	Ramsdale	Son	Single	9		Birmingham
William	Ramsdale	Son	Single	7		Birmingham
Sidney	Ramsdale	Son	Single	3		Birmingham
Caroline	Horton	Mother-in-Law	Widow	70	Housekeeper	Sutton Coldfield

RG 13/2850, Folio 113, Page 22

Mary died in 1899. George Samuel died on 23rd August 1938 at 81 Alexander Road, Soho, Birmingham. George Samuel had various occupations including jeweller fancy rings (1881), wire drawer (1886, 1891 and 1901), shopkeeper (1893 and 1895), tram car guard and news vendor (1921).

Kelly's Directory of Birmingham, 1895
The extract for the section of Icknield Street between Great Western Terrace and Prescott Street reads as follows:
Great Western Terrace
210	Mrs Matilda Sarah Young (beer retailer)
211	Henry Hadley (coal dealer)
214	Henry Hadley (shopkeeper)
215	George Ramsdale (shopkeeper)
216	William Bolt (grocer)
230	Joseph Upton (printer)
Pillar Letter Box
233	Walter Gregory (tailor)
Prescott Street

Children

1. George Frederick Ramsdale was born in 1887 in Hockley, Birmingham and married Fanny Pullen in Birmingham in 1916. Fanny and George died in Birmingham, respectively, in 1936 and 1942
2. Caroline Emily (Sissie) Ramsdale was born in 1889 in Hockley, Birmingham and married Emmanuel Dyson in West Bromwich in 1924
3. Charles Samuel Ramsdale was born on 17th July 1891 in Hockley, Birmingham and married Millicent Anne Ashbolt in West Bromwich in 1917. Charles died in Solihull in 1972 and Millicent died in Solihull South in 1980
4. William James Ramsdale was born on 21st September 1893 in Hockley, Birmingham and married Elsie MASON in Birmingham on 31st July 1921. William died in Birmingham on 16th January 1982
5. Sidney Joseph Ramsdale was born in 1897 in Hockley, Birmingham and married Dorothy M. D. Wyatt in West Bromwich in 1924. Sidney died in Birmingham on 19th November 1967

Seventh Generation

William James Ramsdale was born on 21st September 1893 above the shop at 215 Icknield Street, Hockley, Birmingham. He was a printer by trade and on 31st July 1921 married Elsie Mason (born at 10:00 on 27th September 1896 at Back 116, Heaton Street, Birmingham, one of twin daughters born to George Mason and Sophia Newman) in St. Silas parish church, Lozells, Birmingham. The witnesses to the marriage were Elsie's brother George and twin sister Nellie. At the time of their marriage William resided at 81 Alexander Road, Handsworth, Birmingham. Elsie died in Birmingham on 15 May 1975 and William on 16 January 1982.

Children

1. Mabel Elsie Ramsdale, born on 6th December 1924
2. Robert William Ramsdale, born on 3rd December 1928