Henry Edward Bennett was a baker and confectioner by trade. He was reputedly to have been associated with MacIntosh Toffees company .
A family researcher in the 1960's traced his forebears and I believe mistakes were made as to the maiden name of his mother, Harriet, and a few other details which may actually pertain to his wife. Unfortunately the researcher gave no sources.
Some key dates and places need to be sourced again, independently, and these are highlighted below.
Harriet (also Hariott) apparently was born in St Peter's Port, Guernsey in 1805. HER BIRTH, CHRISTENING, MARRIAGE AND DEATH DATES ARE UNKNOWN. Harriet's husband is Edward , a tailor born about 1806 in England. He died before 1851 (?DATE).
The following are known from official records and the family records concur, except where noted.
1841 Census: 31 Sand Street, St Helier
Harriet 35 (1806) not born in census area (but in the Channel Is)
Edward 12 (1829) born in census area (St Helier)
Harriet 14 (1827) not born in census area (but in the Channel Is)
Susanna 10 (1831) born in census area (St Helier)
Thomas 7 (1834) born in census area (St Helier)
Maria 3 (1838) born in census area (St Helier)
Henry 9m born in census area (St Helier)
The date of Henry's birth (14/8/1840) fits moderately well with the census 9 months later (6/6/1841).
1851 Census, 16 Roseville Street, St Helier
Harriet 46 (1805) St Helier born Guernsey, St Peter's Port, widow
Edward 22 (1829) St Helier born St Helier, blacksmith
Thomas 15 (1836) St Helier born St Helier, errand boy (NB 2 year discrepancy)
Maria 13 (1838) St Helier born St Helier, scholar
Henry 9 (1842) St Helier born St Helier, scholar (NB 2 year discrepancy)
Francis 2 (1849) St Helier born St Helier (recorded as "grandson" but as "son" in 1861 census.- Susanna's possibly illegitimate son as father is not recorded at his baptism (St Helier's - 14/7/1859).
Henry Edward Bennett married Eliza Alice Downing reputedly on 27/1/1867 by Rev Langtry (NEEDS TO BE CHECKED and any associated details ascertained) at St Saviour's, Jersey. If correct then the known dates of his daughters' (first 2) births suggest they were born out of wedlock and be in conflict with details of her previous marriage. Family emigrated to NZ in 1875. He died in NZ on 27/9/1942 - aged 102. A g-granddaughter who remembered him during his last 15 years died also at a great age only a few months ago,170 years after his birth!
Any details or directions to acquire certificates etc would be greatly appreciated. I think I have accessed all relevant online resources. The key thing is to have independent confirmation or otherwise of these details by persons not imbued with all the myths and misconceptions of a family now so distant from the original sources.
Many thanks in anticipation
MalNZ