Folks, Every week or so (or whenever the digest gets to about 20 KB), I'm forwarding to the List those posts that have been "gatewayed" from RootsWeb's SUFFOLK Board that might contain information of interest to List subscribers, and here's the current "digest" of such gatewayed posts. If you wish to respond to any of these gatewayed posts, please do so by clicking on the relevant "Message Board URL:" link and NOT by responding either to the list OR to my address as the digest poster. Board posters will not see your List response unless they are also subscribed to the List, and most are not. PLEASE also be careful about responding to any post and inadvertently re-posting the ENTIRE digest to the list! More information on RootsWeb's Boards can be found at: http://boards.RootsWeb.com/boardfaq.aspx#undefined , and the Board "home page" is at: http://boards.rootsweb.com/?o_iid=33216&o_lid=33216 . If you have any questions about the Boards or what the following is, pls contact me off-list at: mailto:SUFFOLK-admin@rootsweb.com . Thanks, Peter SUFFOLK List Admin. -------------------------------------------------- Re: Thingoe Registration District This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Gobbitt Surnames: NUNN, CLARK, ROBINSON Classification: marriage Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/8627.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: White's 1844 directory of Suffolk shows that Sturley Nunn, a solicitor at Ixworth, was the Superintendent Registrar of Thingoe Union. On the same page (693) is James Clark of Ixworth, "registrar & relieving officer". In Pigot & Co's 1840 trade directory, James Clark is described as a "registrar of births and deaths" under Ixworth (p. 563) and he also appears under Thingoe Union Poorhouse (one of the public buildings in Bury St Edmunds, listed on p. 543) among four relieving officers, including a Thomas Robinson. The only Nunn entry under Ixworth in 1840 is for attorneys Nunn & Sams, who also had an office in Bury St Edmunds (p. 539: Meat Market), which was at 1 Whiting Street by 1844 (White's, p. 651). This seems to have been Sturley Nunn's firm, suggesting that Thingoe residents closer to Bury may not have had to go as far as Ixworth for their Superintendent Registrar, although relatively few people would have been inconvenienced by the longer journey, since civil marriages were quite rare in those days. The 1836 registration Act (http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~framland/acts/1836Act.htm) required each Board of Guardians to appoint a Superintendent Registrar, so the records of Thingoe Union should reveal whether Sturley Nunn held that post at the time of the marriage in 1840. (Whether the Suffolk Record Office would confirm this for you is less certain!) Audrey Collins (a self-confessed "civil registration nerd") gave a talk on "Civil registration and beyond" at The National Archives last year. The transcript of her podcast at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/podcasts/civil-registration-beyond.htm contains several minor errors but you can hear her saying that it was not always clear where the register offices were located because many of the early registrars and superintendent registrars were part-timers with other jobs, often Poor Law Union officials or local tradesmen, using their own normal business premises for registration activities. She therefore supposes that some English couples could have been married by a local blacksmith, as at Gretna Green in Scotland, where unions were forged over the anvil. A quick search using Lancashire's Online Reference Library (http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries/borrower/join.asp) found these two notices in the Bury and Norwich Post, 7 Oct. 1840 (p. 1, col. 4): Mildenhall Union. REGISTRATION. From Wotton Isaacson, Superintendent Registrar, 30 Sept. 1840: Thomas Edward Robinson of Mildenhall, Relieving Officer, is appointed Registrar of Births and Deaths [in place of George Campion Postans, for eight specified parishes or places]. And also Registrar of Marriages for the whole Union. And ... the said Thomas Edward Robinson has appointed [Samuel] Playford of Mildenhall, Printer, his Deputy Registrar of Births and Deaths [for those eight places]. Thingoe Union. APPOINTMENT OF RELIEVING OFFICER. By Order of the Board, from James Sparke, Clerk, 28 Sept. 1840: The Board of Guardians of the Thingoe Union ... will meet at the Board Room, in the Union House, on [9 Oct.] to receive applications from any persons desirous of the appointment of RELIEVING OFFICER for one District of the Union. The Salary will be �80 a year, and the person appointed will be required to provide security, himself in �100 and Two Sureties of �50 each, for the due performance of his duties, and to reside in such parish within the Union as the Guardians may direct, and will not be permitted to follow any other trade or occupation, but to devote his whole time and attention to the office. Testimonials of character and efficiency must be addressed ... to my Office in Hatter-street [Bury St Edmunds, where solicitors Holmes, Jackson, Sparke & Holmes were based]. A thorough search of this and other 19th-century newspapers [ends] -------------------------------------------------- Re: Stebbing-circus family This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: aceverminator Surnames: Stebbing Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/2339.2.3.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I have a "Stebbing's Wild Animal Circus" poster it is about 17x22 in great shape....aceverminator@gmail.com -------------------------------------------------- Re: Thingoe Registration District This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Robesure Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/8627.1.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi David. Thank you for your very informative reply. I have been in touch with Suffolk Records Office in Bury but they were unable to supply further information. They did however suggest that I contact the Bury Registrar's office, which I have but no reply has yet been forthcoming. It does seem possible from your information that the Thomas Edward Robinson that conducted the marriage could be the same person who was appointed Registrar in Mildenhall. It would seem too much of a coincidence if the registars in two adjoining districts had identical names. The 8 parishes mentioned however must relate to villages around Mildenhall. I was surprised to find that my couple had married in a Registrar's Office. As far as I was aware they were an ordinary couple, not non conformists who were both born in Rougham and continued to live there after marriage for some years, although eventually moving to Lawshall and finally to Ingham. Maybe they had a falling out with the local vicar, but I would still not expect them to travel to Mildenhall to marry but to stay in Rougham or possibly Bury. If they went to Mildenhall then surely the certificate would give Mildenhall (or Newmarket) and not Thingoe as the address. Perhaps the Thingoe Registrar was unavailable and Thomas Robinson was acting as a releif Superintendent. This however does not answer my question, where were they married? -------------------------------------------------- Re: Thingoe Registration District This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Robesure Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/8627.1.1.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Since my previous message I have received a reply from the Bury St Edmunds Registrar to the effect that they beleived that Thingoe did have offices in Bury other than the Union Workhouse, but no records of the actual whereabouts. For David who replied in detail I have had another look at the marriage certificate. This took place on 24 Feb.1840, I see that Thomas Edward Robinson was not appointed as Mildenhall Registrar until 30 Sep.1840. So he could have been a Registrar in Thingoe before being appointed to Mildenhall. Secondly there is a second Registrars signature which previously I could not read, from the information he has supplied I now realise that it is Sturnly Munn, Superintendent Registrar, so he must have been in attendance as well. Unfortunately I still do not know where the event took place, Bury, Rougham, Ixworth, Fornham or possibly Mildenhall. -------------------------------------------------- Re: Beeston, Beaston This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RogerChapman1944 Surnames: Beeston, Beason, Beaston, Richardson Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/8477.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I think you will find that the father is Clarke Beaston, not Charlie, with the grandfather also sharing the same name (which may perhaps be Clark rather than Clarke). I am interested in the Hadleigh area Beestons (and also the local Richardsons)but have as yet failed to make the connection to this family listed in the 1851 census. The Capel St Mary Beastons use a variety of spellings over the decades including Beason and Beeston as well as Beaston. -------------------------------------------------- FOWLES and BURGESS, Peasenhall, Suffolk This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: ejw2713 Surnames: BURGESS, FOWLES Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/8629/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi all, This one is something of a shot in the dark as I am looking for the father of two illegitimate children born in Peasenhall in about 1896 (Thomas Fowles BURGESS) and 1898 (Annie BURGESS). I think their mother was Maud Anna BURGESS born about 1874 to Harry and Mary who lived in Peasenhall (Harry was born there too but Mary in Sibton). The name "FOWLES" is the only lead I have, and of course could be a red herring, but if anybody knows whether there were people of that name in and around the parish around that time it would give me something to go on. I have searched to no avail so far but it's possible that the name was transcribed differently. I cannot easily access the Suffolk RO, but I have very easy access to the Norfolk RO so would be happy to do look ups in exchange for any information. Having grown up in the parish next door I know the area well, but had no idea my partner would have lines hailing from the same part of the world! Thanks for reading, Elizabeth -------------------------------------------------- Re: parish records lookups for SAMUEL HOWLETT, born WOOLPIT, SUFFOLK This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: diamondlifestyle Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/8609.9.1.2.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I'm struggling to find anything in Suffolk at all; I've found the Woolpit records here http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pbtyc/Den/Woolpit/Woolpit_H.htm (link is to the H section - lots of Howletts but no Samuel) there are also some Samuel Howletts in Suffolk cemeteries, a list can be found here http://www.gravestonephotos.com/public/findfamily.php?name=Howlett hope you find something useful, Kate -------------------------------------------------- HELP NEEDED for the birth date of SAMUEL HOWLETT, born WOOLPIT, SUFFOLK about 1836/1842?? This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: joanharvey61d Surnames: Classification: birth Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/8609.9.1.2.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi Kate Many thanks for your help and advice. Samuel Howlett is quite a mystery, as to his birth date and where born. I think that Woolpit is near to Slow and Rattleden, Suffolk. The 1871 and 1881 census, Samuel has, born Woolpit, when living in Reigate, Surrey with his wife Eliza and children. His ages vary, in 1871 he is age 31, in 1881 he is age 39 (his name is mistranscribed as HAMLETT in 1881). On his death cert in 1914, Reigate, Surrey, he is age 70, so born about 1844. His marriage cert in 1864, he is age 24 and father is John Howlett, a Blacksmith. So all the different ages makes it difficult to find out when he was born. I would appreciate any further help, if you come across my mysterious gt gt grandfather SAMUEL HOWLETT. Thanks again. Kind regards Joan Harvey -------------------------------------------------- Re: HELP NEEDED for the birth date of SAMUEL HOWLETT, born WOOLPIT, SUFFOLK about 1836/1842?? This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: jonwarrn Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/8609.9.1.2.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Is it not possible that Samuel's age is wrong, maybe he has taken a few years off his age? 1851 Woolpit HO107/1794/314/11 sch 49 John Howlett Head 47 born Woolpit Mary A Howlett Wife 47 Frenze John Howlett Son 18 Woolpit Samuel Howlett Son 15 Woolpit Rachel Howlett Daur 10 Woolpit Caroline Howlett Daur 7 Woolpit In 1861 in Woolpit, John, 57, is a Blacksmith, there's a grandson George with them. The names in the "Hamlett" family of 81 are a pretty similar match. There are baptisms of this family in Woolpit, according to Record Search (Family Search website), they are taken from Bishop's transcripts for the Archdeaconry of Sudbury including Samuel Howlett - 25 October 1835 parents John and Mary Ann (nee Goddard, must give maiden name in register) Marriage 12 October 1828 Woolpit John Howlett and Mary Ann Goddard John -------------------------------------------------- Re: parish records lookups This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: kathleendaley60 Surnames: buck Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/8609.10/mb.ashx Message Board Post: hi I was wondering if you could help me again with a look up for ada buck d.o.b 1889 father William mother Jennie burgh castle Suffolk kind regards kathy -------------------------------------------------- Re: HELP NEEDED for the birth date of SAMUEL HOWLETT, born WOOLPIT, SUFFOLK about 1836/1842?? This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: jonwarrn Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/8609.9.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi Joan I'm not related, I'm afraid. My curiosity was aroused by Woolpit, where an Ann Mattock once turned up - who she is I'm still not sure. I don't think that site - Kate gave you the link - with the Woolpit records goes as far as the 1830's, but there is a possible John Howlet bap. in 1804 on there, if you think this might be the right family. I can try and look at the BT of Samuel's baptism (at the weekend?) and see what it says for father's occupation. Ages can be way out on death records, but Samuel must have been in pretty good shape to have 10 years lopped off if he was nearly eighty. Will have look at Eliza Slow/Murrell and see if I can find anything, do you know for sure if Slow was her mother's maiden name? Kind regards John -------------------------------------------------- Re: HELP NEEDED for the birth date of SAMUEL HOWLETT, born WOOLPIT, SUFFOLK about 1836/1842?? This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: joanharvey61d Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/8609.9.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi John Thanks so much for your message and help. This surely must be Samuel Howletts family. I have been confused because of his age differences that he has given in census when he was living in Reigate with his family in 1871 and 1881. Also, on his death cert, died 1914, Reigate, he is age 70. I have had this problem before when searching for my gt grandfather, Joseph HANDS,(on my fathers side), he had also given wrong ages in census returns. Why do they do this, it makes it so confusing!!!! On my gt grandmothers birth cert, Caroline Howlett, born 1874, Reigate, Red Hill it has, father Samuel Howlett and mother Eliza MURRELL. But on the marriage cert of Samuel Howlett, he marries a Eliza SLOW (in 1864, Reigate), so another confusion. Did he marry another Eliza, or did Eliza use her mothers maiden name when she married Samuel Howlett??? Also my gt grandmother Caroline Howlett marries Alfred Goddard on 17 Oct 1897, Brighton, Sussex, father is Samuel Howlett, a General Labourer. I bit confused again, as you have mentioned the name Goddard, when finding Samuel Howletts family when they lived in Suffolk. So are my gt grandparents related somehow?? Not sure. I very much appreciate your help, you have put me on the right tracks in finding my family. Are you related to the Howlett/Goddard/Slow Murrel families? What is your advice on ELIZA SLOW/MURRELL? Any ideas please? Many thanks again. Joan Harvey (nee Hands) from Erith, Kent -------------------------------------------------- Re: HELP NEEDED for the birth date of SAMUEL HOWLETT, born WOOLPIT, SUFFOLK about 1836/1842?? This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: suffolkmawther Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/8609.9.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: In White's for 1844 James Howlett is listed as a blacksmith in Woolpit. Have you looked at the records from the Primitive Methodist chapel in Woolpit, in case the baptism was in this non-conformist chapel rather than the parish church of St Mary? There is also a listing for John Howlett, Parish Clerk. Pat ... -------------------------------------------------- Re: HELP NEEDED for the birth date of SAMUEL HOWLETT, born WOOLPIT, SUFFOLK about 1836/1842?? This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: suffolkmawther Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/8609.9.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: No mention of any Howlett folk in White's 1855. Pat ... -------------------------------------------------- Re: HELP NEEDED for the birth date of SAMUEL HOWLETT, born WOOLPIT, SUFFOLK about 1836/1842?? This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: joanharvey61d Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.sfk.general/8609.9.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi Pat Thanks for your advice and help. How do I find "Whites", sorry don't know what ths is. Also, where will I find records for the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Woolpit, your help would be very much appreciated, thankyou. Joan Harvey -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------