I wonder if someone can help me I'm trying to find George Downing and his wife who I think was Susan Bailey.
They both emigrated to New Zealand (dep. 12 Nov 1868 arr 8 Feb 1869) on the Matoarka. George Downing aged 31 and his wife Susan 32 with children Elizabeth (who may have been Rebecca Elizabeth) aged 11, Alfred aged 8, Eli aged 6, William aged 4 and Leonard aged 2. George was a Farm Labourer and they came from Bedfordshire.
In the Free BMDs the only George Downing married to a Susan before 1869 in Bedfordshire was - George Downing m to Susan Bailey at Ampthill Sep qtr 1857. There was also a George Downing b. Sept qtr 1838 at Ampthill which matches nicely.
I would be very grateful if I could find out where George and Susan were before they emigrated - I know nothing about their families before reaching New Zealand and I'm a real beginner at this.
:)Liz
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Stephens Brunton Thomson Taylor Graham Alves Ferrie Helmore Pember Reeves Mills Prestney Bundy Young Stewart Knipe Wright Libeau Coopey Blogg Keith
1861 census RG9/1000 Folio 69 George Downing Head 23 b Flitton, Bedfordshire Ag Lab Susan Wife 23 b Silsoe, Bedfordshire Straw plaiter Elizabeth Dau 4 b Greenfield, Bedfordshire Albert Son 2 b Greenfield, Bedfordshire Alfred Son 6mths b Greenfield, Bedfordshire Old Workhouse, Flitton, Bedfordshire
Sue
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1851 census HO107/1754 Folio 143 Matthew Bailey Head 49 b Silsoe Farm labourer Lucy Wife 48 b Silsoe Straw plaiter Thomas Son 26 unm b Silsoe Farm labourer Sarah Dau 20 unm b Silsoe Straw plaiter William Son 17 unm b Silsoe Invalid Susan Dau 13 b Silsoe Straw plaiter James Son 10 b Silsoe Straw plaiter Frederic Son 8 b Silsoe Joseph Grandson 9 b Clophill, Bedfordshire Beadlow, Clophill, Bedfordshire Reg Dist: Ampthill
Sue
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There are 2 George Downing in the area... This is the closest match for the age.
1851 HO107/1754 Folio 311 Bonner Downing Head 45 b Flitton, Bedfordshire Ag Lab Fanny Wife 45 b Flitwick, Bedfordshire Bonner Son 23 unm b Flitton Ag Lab Charles Son 19 b Flitton Ag Lab James Son 17 b Flitton Ag Lab John Son 15 b Flitton Ag Lab George Son 12 b Flitton Ag Lab Mary Dau 11 b Flitton Edith Dau 6 b Flitton Dinah Dau 4 b Flitton Allen Son 1 b Flitton Flitton, Bedfordshire Reg Dist: Ampthill
Sue
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I've had a look at the IGIs and this fits in nicely with some entries there too. My Mother in Law had a note saying "Downing - Flitton with Slisoe" on it as well so it seems we're on the right track -
Is it cheeky to ask if anyone would know if they appear in the 1841 census??
many thanks Liz
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Stephens Brunton Thomson Taylor Graham Alves Ferrie Helmore Pember Reeves Mills Prestney Bundy Young Stewart Knipe Wright Libeau Coopey Blogg Keith
1841 HO107/4/7 Folio 6 Bonner Downing 35 Ag Lab Frances 35 William 14 Bones 13 Charles 9 James 6 John 5 George 2 Mary 1 Flitton, Ampthill, Bedfordshire (all born in county)
Sue
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1841 HO107/4/8 Folio 6 William Bailey 45 Ag Lab Elizabeth Bailey 45 Charwoman
next household.. Matthew Bailey 35 Ag Lab Lucy 35 straw plaiter Mary 15 Thomas 15 Sarah 9 William 6 Susan 3 West End, Flitton, Ampthill, Bedfordshire (all born in county)
Sue
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