Lyn Longham is a hamlet in the parish of Hampreston (now part of Ferndown). However, the OPC does not contain a baptism for a Mary Bennett at around the right time. There are actually very few Bennett references in Hampreston. You should also be aware that historically parts of Hampreston were in Hampshire, rather than Dorset, which adds a level of complexity to your search. The reference to her birth being in Church Knowle is puzzling, as Church Knowle, and indeed Wareham are not close to Longham at all. Maybe someone knows of another Longham in Dorset. You may also need to consider that Mary may have been a widow when she married Joseph - she would have been aged about 26 so it is possible that she was previously married. The marriage record for Canford Magna may give this information but even in 1832 this was not consistently recorded. On FindMyPast the record gives the Brides parish as Parkstone and the witnesses as Hannah BUDDEN & Henry CARD - the witnesses may or may not be related to either Joseph or Mary Ann. Sorry I can't help more Jon Baker Dorset OPC Co-ordinator -----Original Message----- I am hoping someone on the list can help me find the baptism of Mary Ann BENNETT. Mary Ann BENNETT married Joseph LUCAS probably in Great Cranford Dorset on 21 Aug 1832 However, Mary Ann's birthplace varies - Church Knowle, Wareham and Longham. She died aged 77 in Sept Qtr of 1883, suggesting birth date in 1806/5 - consistent also with ages on the Censuses. On IGI, no baptism for Mary Ann BENNETT anywhere in Dorset in period 1805-1808. There is a baptism for a Mary BENNETT on 25 June 1808 in Portland, Dorset, which I've always assumed was her, but now I'm not sure.

Thank you, Jon, for the info. I think the Church Knowle as birthplace for Mary Ann was just a mistake - some of her children were born in Church Knowle. I hadn't thought of her being previously married but of course that is a possibility. >From a child's birth cert after 1837, I know definitely that Mary Ann's name was previously Bennett, but I'm not certain about anything else for her, even the marriage in 1832 - was just a couple of months before birth of first child Elizabeth in Church Knowle - yes I know it was often the case! It may well remain a mystery. Thank you for your help Regards Lyn Australia ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jon Baker" <baker.jon@sky.com> To: <dorset@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 7:57 AM Subject: Re: [DOR] Baptism for Mary Ann BENNETT > Lyn > Longham is a hamlet in the parish of Hampreston (now part of Ferndown). > However, the OPC does not contain a baptism for a Mary Bennett at around > the > right time. There are actually very few Bennett references in Hampreston. > You should also be aware that historically parts of Hampreston were in > Hampshire, rather than Dorset, which adds a level of complexity to your > search. > > The reference to her birth being in Church Knowle is puzzling, as Church > Knowle, and indeed Wareham are not close to Longham at all. Maybe someone > knows of another Longham in Dorset. > > You may also need to consider that Mary may have been a widow when she > married Joseph - she would have been aged about 26 so it is possible that > she was previously married. The marriage record for Canford Magna may give > this information but even in 1832 this was not consistently recorded. On > FindMyPast the record gives the Brides parish as Parkstone and the > witnesses > as Hannah BUDDEN & Henry CARD - the witnesses may or may not be related to > either Joseph or Mary Ann. > > Sorry I can't help more > > Jon Baker > Dorset OPC Co-ordinator > > -----Original Message----- > I am hoping someone on the list can help me find the baptism of Mary Ann > BENNETT. > > Mary Ann BENNETT married Joseph LUCAS probably in Great Cranford Dorset on > 21 Aug 1832 > > However, Mary Ann's birthplace varies - Church Knowle, Wareham and > Longham. > She died aged 77 in Sept Qtr of 1883, suggesting birth date in 1806/5 - > consistent also with ages on the Censuses. > > On IGI, no baptism for Mary Ann BENNETT anywhere in Dorset in period > 1805-1808. There is a baptism for a Mary BENNETT on 25 June 1808 in > Portland, Dorset, which I've always assumed was her, but now I'm not sure. > > > > *************************************** > > When replying to this message, please spare a thought for your fellow list > members, and anyone searching the archives in the future. SNIP everything > which is not essential for comprehension or continuity (including the > footers which will be put back anyway!) > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > DORSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message >