Help with signatures

Help with signatures - are they the same person?

I seem to have uploaded some images twice. Not sure how to edit. Sorry.
 
I'd say not all the same person. One W[illiam] Webb starts his W's with an upward sweep whereas the other forms (or tries to form) a small circle at the commencement of the W.
 
You might have two William Webbs but over all I think that the signatures are very similar. A lot may depend on the dates when the signatures were made, as he became more confident in writing he may have added more flourishes and individual touches
 
crazycatlady22 said:
Are they all marriage witnesses? Some look like the same William Webb, but on others the signature looks very different to me.
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With the exception of the top one 'William Webb and Jane Stotter', William signed as a witness to his children's marriage.

  • mugwortismy cat said:
    You might have two William Webbs but over all I think that the signatures are very similar. A lot may depend on the dates when the signatures were made, as he became more confident in writing he may have added more flourishes and individual touches
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    Time line
  1. 1831 William Webb and Jane Stotter signed the marriage register.
  2. 1854 William Webb signed, Eliza Webb made her mark. Marriage between William Webb and Ann Hogan both made their mark.
  3. 1861 William Webb signed, G.L. Gauler was a 'professional' witness. Marriage between Anne Webb and John Cudd Jr both signed the register.
  4. 1863 William Webb and Edward Armitage both signed. Marriage between Stephen Dean and Caroline Webb both signed.
  5. 1867 W. Webb signed, Ann Webb made her mark. Marriage between Eliza Webb and Alfred Pasby both made their mark.
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I'm also wondering whether I have two William Webbs. Each of the children mentioned above state their father, William Webb's occupation as either cordwainer, shoe maker or boot maker. All lived in Brixton, Clapham or Tulse Hill.

I believe 1,2 and 4 are definitely the same person and 3 and 5 might be a different William Webb. If that is the case I have really muddled this Ancestral line although Eliza Webb no 5 definitely fits into the family line. I have no idea where Anne Webb no 3 fits in.
 
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Ma-dotcom said:
Very similar the 'one with out circle curls may have been his Father 1861& even the last one. Age or illness plays about with signatures.
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I have no evidence to back this and to add to the confusion I have a number of marriages where both William and Jane made their mark. I have several theories:
  • William signed for Jane in no.1. Jane never learned to write.
  • Son William made his mark as a witness at his siblings wedding. He never learned to write. See no.2
  • Something drastic happened to William senior. He was a labourer when he died and not a shoemaker. His wife Jane died in the workhouse.

My problem is I have found more 'children' who state their father is William Webb, shoemaker, and I have no idea whether they are mine or another William Webb, shoemaker.
 
Stafford said:
He never learned to write. See no.2
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He may have learned later in life, I had a Gt Aunt who made her mark at marriage but wrote a letter to her Nephew in later years.
  • Something drastic happened to William senior. He was a labourer when he died and not a shoemaker. His wife Jane died in the workhouse.My problem is I have found more 'children' who state their father is William Webb, shoemaker, and I have no idea whether they are mine or another William Webb, shoemaker.
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William snr may have had cousins same name - it happened then, happens now. Not a lot of name choices back then & yes may be entirely different family. Not overly helpful Lass sorry.

then again, have you in mad carefree moments, checked censuses for others in area of same name etc?
 
I was about to suggest that 1,2 & 4 are William senior and 3 & 5 are William jnr --- maybe William jnr learned to sign his name after his marriage?

I agree that there are differences in the formation of the W but they are still very similar in other respects

Have you been able to find evidence of two William Webb shoemakers in the area?

Edit: think I have just said the same as Wendy but was slower ...
 
Ma-dotcom said:
He may have learned later in life, I had a Gt Aunt who made her mark at marriage but wrote a letter to her Nephew in later years.
William snr may have had cousins same name - it happened then, happens now. Not a lot of name choices back then & yes may be entirely different family. Not overly helpful Lass sorry.

then again, have you in mad carefree moments, checked censuses for others in area of same name etc?
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Endlessly! I am so confused I've gone back to square one. Alternatively, my William was a serial philanderer and produced lots of little ones. I can't find the new children in census records or birth records! Must get ready for work. Thanks for all your help and opinions.
 
I may have found a clue.

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Interesting the way Henry Webb curls his signature. Very similar to William Webb's signature. Henry is not in my family tree at this stage!
 
Tis anothery to look at, although teachers may have had influence on pupils writing too. Do you know any 'Atwood' or 'Green' connections?

Enjoy your day do good work-s ;)
 
Ma-dotcom said:
Tis anothery to look at, although teachers may have had influence on pupils writing too. Do you know any 'Atwood' or 'Green' connections?

Enjoy your day do good work-s ;)
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Thanks.:)

Have a little spare time at the moment (in lieu of lunch) and have been investigating Henry and his family. Father William died in 1839/40, judging by the age of his youngest daughter Eliza. The older siblings, including Henry, were born elsewhere. Investigating the older brother, David, also a shoemaker, they moved to Lambeth (Brixton) from Stoke-Bruerne, Northampton around about 1826/28 with their parents William and Christiana. Presently looking for an older brother William.
 
Stafford said:
Thanks.:)

Have a little spare time at the moment (in lieu of lunch) and have been investigating Henry and his family. Father William died in 1839/40, judging by the age of his youngest daughter Eliza. The older siblings, including Henry, were born elsewhere. Investigating the older brother, David, also a shoemaker, they moved to Lambeth (Brixton) from Stoke-Bruerne, Northampton around about 1826/28 with their parents William and Christiana. Presently looking for an older brother William.
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:( Eliminated. So is William Peter Webb, shoemaker.
 
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