Dear Listers, Am seeking information on the family of James Bennett prior to his being convicted and transported to Tasmania in 1828. He was married to a Charlotte Hatton on 21st Feb 1825 at St. Marys, Newington, Surrey, and had a daughter Mary Ann Bennett shortly after, say 1826, but after James was transported, Charlotte went back to her father surname Baker at Lymington to live. James subsequently was granted an annulment from his marriage to Charlotte. Am wondering what fate held for his daughter Mary Ann Bennett who was most likely raised in Lymington. Help would be most welcome please. Cheers Ann Daniel, Tasmania

Hi Ann, I have found a Mary Ann Bennett living in the workhouse at Lymington in the 1841 census, birth given as 1827 but she was dittoed as being born in Hampshire, but that is not conclusive, as she may have just said she was born in Hampshire as not to confuse things, or the enumerator may have forgot to put no and just continued his dittos down the page. There is also a marriage of a Mary Bennet in Dec 1850 in the registration district of Lymington, There are 4 possible husbands, but I cannot find her on the 1851 Census with any of these husbands, I have found two of the candidates which look like they have new brides, not a Mary, which leaves a Richard Hayward and a Stephen Gregory. If I do find them, I still have the problem of sorting them out as the other female is a Mary. On a sadder note I have also found 4 deaths in Lymington registration district between 1836 and 1854 of a Mary or Mary Ann Bennett. I will keep trying but records are a bit sparse for this area of Hampshire Hope this helps, Rob Kenchington _________________________________________________________________ Win New York holidays with Kellogg’s & Live Search http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354033/direct/01/