HOOPER family of Bere Alston, Devon

[suzanne2812]

Hi All

I wish I had more to add to your family history, but I sadly don't. However I live in Bere Alston & walk past the above house almost daily.  My friend lives in a similar house in what is now Cornwall Street & she is cramped with herself, her partner & their three small children! Hard to imagine the large families of yesteryear managed to squeeze in.

There is a book produced by the local history society of old & new pictures. I know a little of the local history if I can help.

Regards Suzanne

[Doug Hooper]

Thanks Suzanne. I will get to Bere Alston one day. My daughter was there a few years ago. I'm looking forward to the day (if it ever happens) that the OPC puts the parish records on line as they have done in Cornwall.

Doug

[suzanne2812]

Hi Doug

I was asked to be OPC, but as I have two small children I really don't have the time (yet!)

Suzanne

[onefortheroad]

It's me again Doug.

Hi Suzanne.

Suzanne, you say there's a book of old and new pictures produced by the local history society: Do you know the title/author/publisher and where I may be able to get hold of a copy?

Doug, I haven't managed to get to Exeter (RecordsOffice). I did, however, spend yesterday in the public library in Tavistock as they hold the parish records for the area. I found loads of info for my SPRY/WYVILL/GIMBLETT/SLEEP ancestors and while I was there I had a good dig around for the HOOPERS.

This is what I found from the parish registers:

NICHOLAS  son of THOMAS & ELIZABETH HOOPER  baptised St.Andrew's church, Bere Ferrers, 6 Oct.1799.

NICHOLAS married GRACE BISHOP, St.Andrew's church, Bere Ferrers, 26 Aug.1829.
Witnesses: John Wyvill and Sally Bishop.

NICHOLAS  died 7 Sep.1875 aged 77yrs (slight error by someone down the line in his age. But they only wrote down what they were told by relative and is quite a common occurance.)

NICHOLAS  buried Holy Trinity church, Bere Alston, 11 Sep.1875


THOMAS HOOPER, bachelor of this parish,  married  ELIZABETH THOMAS, spinster of this parish,
St.Andrew's church, Bere Ferrers, 6 Mar.1793. 
Witnesses: Thomas Wills and John Hearns(?)

Although Thomas was "of this parish", I couldn't find a birth entry for him (I searched back to 1743). Granted,some of the microfiche records were faded and some impossible to read,but  the vast majority were clear and it would be most unfortunate if Thomas's record was in the minority. It could also be that he came to Bere Alston as a child with his parents and his birth record is in another parish. I'm just guessing now, can you tell?

I did come across this one which you may already have:

THOMAS,  son of THOMAS and ELIZABETH THOMAS, baptised St.Andrew's church, Bere Ferrers, 31 Mar.1767.

If I get another opportunity to go to Exeter I'll have another look for Thomas Hooper's parents.

But that's all for now.

Regards,  David.

[Doug Hooper]

That has filled a couple of blanks for me. Its a wonderful world, the world og genealagists. People who live on opposite sides of the world, don't know each other, but prepared to help out with their own time. I really appreciate what you are doing David. Accommodation available in Adelaide, South Australia any time you need it.

Doug

[onefortheroad]

Cheers Doug. You're more than welcome. Yes, we do help each other. I've been on the receiving end a few times and grateful to this site for providing the means of contact

Thanks for the invite......................plane lands 10.45 pm tomorrow. We'll get a taxi from the airport!

David

[Doug Hooper]

I have received some information from William Hooper in Plymouth that suggests that the family were at Buckland Brewster before going to Bere Alston.

[onefortheroad]

Hi Doug. how are things?

I've tried to find Buckland Brewster to no avail.

It must be Buckland BREWER, North Devon :-

http://genuki.cs.ncl.ac.uk/DEV/BucklandBrewer/

Have you been to see day one or two of the second ashes test ?  I promise I won't mention it again

David

[Doug Hooper]

Hello David

I meant Brewer. A slip of the key board.

Cricket??? What's that. I've heard its a game that Australia are trying to play but that they are not succeeding.

No I haven't been to the game but have been watching it on TV. It is a sell out crowd so we are getting direct telecasts. I'm afraid we have lost our way. England is far too good for us. We can't bat, can't bowl and certainly can't field.

Doug