Hallo Dennis
How interesting to see your letter about Chapel walk, Rotherham. A descendant, my grandfathers brother, James Shillitto lived at no 14 Chapel Walk in 1881 aged 47. James & Eleanor on other census records are seen at 1861 - Chemist Lane, 1871 - 6 College Rd. Before he married he also lived with his parents Jonathan & Elizabeth in, 1841 - Well Gate, 1851 - 30 College St, so never moved far away, I have gone back to 1725 and they are still in Rotherham! James & Eleanor had eight living children in 1881 between the ages of 21 (John) and 3 (Jim). The two eldest John & Richard were named after James brothers who died age 9 & 11 in the Masbrough boat disaster of 1841, which claimed the lives of over 50 children. It is well documented in the Rotherham archives on-line! if you have connecions to Rotherham, it is a very sad but compelling read from the original newpaper reports of the time, there is also a memorial in the Rotherham Churchyard, which I have yet to visit as I live in Surrey.
I am starting to think, as I research my Rotherham ancestors that they may have been non conformist, one aunt of James named Ann Shillitto b 1802, married a Kilburn Hall, they had a son John Kilburn Hall who moved to Utah, I believe he was a Mormon so maybe his parents were too? I have had contact with his living ancestor, which is great. The majority of my ancesters were baptised in independant churches, they may have been members of the Ebenezer Weslyan Chapel who knows, but that just adds to the colour and the fun of researching your family tree I think!
In those far off days children did not have the luxury of going to Schools outside there own area. Can you tell me whic School you attended? if is just possible it may have been the same one, that is if it was quite an old one.
I shall look on Google thanks to your very informative letter. I hope to hear from you!
Regards Joan Chapman