Firstly there is Ann Woodman. Ann gave birth to a son, George, who was baptised in Little Sodbury on 10th July 1785. I have seen the parish register, after the names and date, it says "illeg."
I've looked through bastardy bonds for Chipping Sodbury borough - nothing. I know nothing about Ann, where she came from, when she was born, if she married later on, when she died. I just don't know what to look for next. I think she is truly a dead end for me.
And this leads on to George's son James, born 1812 in Old Sodbury - the next village along. He married an Eliza Matthews born ca 1820, who is the brick wall. The marriage certificate shows a line drawn through the box for both Eliza and James fathers names and occupations (bit interesting for James as I know who his father was, George above), as does the parish register which I viewed today (another frustrating day at the archives!). Banns gave no further information.
Eliza appears on the census from 1841-1891 (she should be on the 1901 as well but not found her yet). And herein lies the problem - the place of birth changes
1841 - no place of birth (this was taken after her marriage so she appears with James)
1851 - Purton, Wiltshire
1861 - Not Known
1871 - Purton again
1881 - Codrington, Gloucestershire
1891 - back to Purton again
There are two witnesses on James and Eliza's marriage certificate but I don't know how to use them to see if they might be of help somehow. I've looked for births/baptisms online for her but everything I find seems to not quite fit somehow.
thanks
Lisa