My Wakefield ancestors were originally from Durham, mostly in the Gateshead/Newcastle area and, before 1700, from Whickham. From 1780 until 1900 several members of the family were clock and watchmakers in Durham. John Wakefield, born in Gateshead in 1754, was the first recorded Wakefield family clockmaker, apprenticed to John Dobie, Tanfield, Durham, in 1775. Some of the clocks and watches made by the various Wakefield clockmakers are still in existence. My current family tree spans 8 generations. Hopefully I can expand my family tree and confirm the generations prior to John Wakefield when my research and that being done by other family members is complete.
|
