William Weldon

It was with great luck that I had discussions with the family and discovered some of the history of the first child of Joseph Welding and Rachel Hardman.

In this day and age, there is little shame with a child born out of wedlock, but back in 1884, although common, it was something that was often hidden from view.

In this example, the family tree history becomes convoluted and without direct information, a puzzle that cannot be solved.

William Hardman lived at the bottom of Pottery Lane in Whiston at the turn of the century. Although a Weldon, William was born in 1884 before Rachel Hardman was married and they lived in her fathers house, it is probably no coincidence that he was named after his grandfather.

The young William was the first born and therefore the oldest of the large brood of Weldons from the Joseph and Rachel marriage. He was, as they said back then, "born out of wedlock" which was perhaps frowned upon, Joseph and Rachel were not living together so it was arranged that the baby would live with Rachels parents, he was brought up by his grandparents, William and Jane Hardman (nee Barron).

It may have just made economic sense for William to live with his grandparents while Joseph and Rachel found their footings in life.

He is shown in the 1891 census as a seven year old, living with the Hardmans at the Pottery at Whiston. 1881 census data shows that this was the residence of the Hardman family for a generation before.

He was brought up as William Hardman although when he was around family he was often called Billy Weldon.

William was still living at home, Whiston Pottery, with his grandparents at the age of 17. He was working in nearby Prescot, as a Watch Movement Maker. The census then lists him as William Welding.