The W(h)atling Family can be traced back to the early 15th Century. William Watling is the earliest record todate. He lived in Worlingworth Suffolk from 1440 to 1503.
The Whatling name has been spelt in various ways . The spelling would be consistent with the dialect spoken and the spelling of the clergy who recorded the hatching,matching or dispatching. There was no formal education for the general public before 1833 although there were various charity schools mainly run by the church for poor children.The rich however, paid for private education, at home or schools.
Our ancestors were mainly ‘ag labs’ (agricultural labourers) or thatchers and carpenters.They lived in Suffolk until the mid 19th Century when Henry Whatling moved to Norwich. He was a carpenter and in the late 19th century made a bold move to Birkenhead on The Wirral probably seeking work on the construction of The Manchester Ship Canal or ship building on The Mersey.
Where We Lived
HOXNE
The Village of Hoxne in Suffolk is also a ‘Hundred’. (A Hundred is a subdivision of a county or shire, having its own court.)
Hoxne Hundred saw our ancestors back in time to at least the 15th Century. The earliest ancestor recorded to date was William Watling in Worlingworth 1440 to 1503.
Hoxne Parish Church
Wingfield , Stradbroke, Cross Street and Horham, all in The Hoxne Hundred
Norwich
It was the mid 19th century when Henry Whatling moved the family to Norwich . He was a carpenter and was looking for work. They lived in Ray’s Yard off Sussex Street. ‘Yards’ were notoriously very poor places to live with numerous families sharing water and sanitary facilities. They eventually moved to Sussex Street. The whole family was baptised at St Augustine’s Church
Birkenhead
Towards the end of the 19th Century the family moved again – this time a long way from East Anglia – to Merseyside.
Birkenhead began with the establishment of Birkenhead Priory and the Mersey Ferry in the 12th century. During the 19th century Birkenhead expanded greatly, becoming a town as a consequence of the Industrial Revolution.
Ken Whatling was born in Tranmere Birkenhead
ABOUT US
DNA?
This is a Puzzle!
Whatlings DNA points to England and Northern Europe with 40% being English whilst 33% is Irish, 12% Welsh and 6% Scottish. There is a flavouring of Norwegian and Danish too!
Roshier DNA has definite roots in North East England and Northwest Europe(58%). There is 39% Scots and a flavour of Sweden & Denmark plus 1% Spain?
Roshiers or Roziers were almost certainly Huegenots – followers of John Calvin (below) who fled from France
“We would Love to Hear from You.”
Ken & Lorna Whatling (nee Roshier)
QUESTIONS?
Are We Related?
If you would like to comment or can help the development of our Family History or just have some Questions. Please get in touch