John Snowden

[diden]

I cannot find John Snowden and wife Jane before the 1861 Census. Jane was bn in Laxton Notts and John (variously) in Walesby Lincs or Notts. I assume Notts) John bn 1820 and Jane Bn 1820/1.
In 1861 they are living in the Radford district of Worksop.Traced them thro to deaths in Carlton in Lindrick, John,1889 and Jane, Harthill 1899. John was an agricultural labourer and shepherd.
I made a mistake and went through to a Haxey line with another Jane and John Snowden bn the same years.
I should be able to find them in 1841 & 1851 as there are children, Ann bn 1848 and George bn 1849 in Bothamsall. (Eliza 1851)
If anyone can help I'd be really pleased. John would be my great great grandfather. 

[Necromancer]

1851 - interesting spelling but looks like it says on the tin !

HO107/2122 Folio 95 Page 14 - Radford, Worksop

'Bracebridge'
 
John South 30  Head Ground Keeper born Lincoln
Jane South 29  Wife Laxton
Mary South 8  Walesby
William South 7  do
Elizabeth South 5  Bothamsall
Ann South 3  do
George South 2 do


1841 - Looks like they knew each other before marriage ?

In Bothamsall ...

So South seems no accident ? ....

HO107/849/8
Registration district is East Retford 
Sub-registration district of Tuxford 
Folio: 6 
Page: 6

In the Household of:-
 
William Peck 60 - Farmer
Jane Godson 20
John South 20

[mosiefish]

Hi,

Welcome to rootschat.  No I can`t find them either in the 1861 BUT doing a first name search threw up this family:

Brace Bridge, Radford. Worksop

John SOUTH, H, M, 30. Ground Keeper, Lincoln
Jane, Wife, M, 29, Laxton Notts
Mary, Daur, 8, Walesby Notts
William, Son 7, Scholar, Walesby Notts
Elizabeth, Daur, 5, Scholar, Bothamsall
ANN, Daur, 3, Bothamsall
GEORGE, Son, 2, Bothamsall

Could be the enumerator was getting slightly tired when reading the dog-eared bits of paper!

Mo

[Heather D]

Welcome to Rootschat diden You've got a thorny one here!

Others have beaten me in pointing out the 1851 entry but ...

I can only see one baptism on the Notts FHS disk to John and Jane South. This was Eliza baptised Worksop 06/04/1851. Strangely this "fits" with the 10 yr old Eliza with your John and Jane Snowden in 1861. The census for 1851 was taken 30 Mar ...just too early for her appearance I think.

The marriage which corresponds with the Souths is John South and Jane Godson, Laxton 13/01/1842. They are both working in the same household in 1841.

I may be completely wrong but it looks as though you may be dealing with a change of name. If you haven't already done so, it might be wise to get hold of a birth cert for one of the Snowden children to find their mother's maiden name.



Heather

[diden]

Thanks very much everyone for your replies. I had not thought about a change in name!
I will get a birth certificate as you suggest. This is quite wierd as my maiden name was Snowden and now perhaps it should have been South! Odd that they should they should change names while living in Radford Worksop.
Anyone have any ideas why families changed names at that time?

[Heather D]

The most common reason I've found is when the man is born illegitimate and then decides to take on the surname of either his natural father or mother's subsequent husband. I've a couple of individuals in my tree who can't seem to decide what their surname is

Other reasons ...I've come across someone changing their name to that of a wealthy benefactor. Or possibly your man had something to hide, such as a previous marriage or criminal record <grin>

There must be other possibilites but it makes life interesting!

Heather

[diden]

don't think there are any wealthy benefactors in my family! Illegitimacy more like.
I have been looking up births and there are Mary, William,
Elizabeth, Ann & George SNOWDEN  registered (nott & Mansfield) all the same ages as Mary, William, Elizabeth, Ann & George SOUTHS registered (Southwell & E Retford)
Also Eliza, Hannah, Emma & JOhn SOUTH and on 1861 Census there are these named children of John and Jane Snowden. All same ages. Am v confused so it must now be a birth certificate hunt! Surely this same order of names can't just be a coincidence?

[Heather D]

How odd.....those birth registrations would seem to suggest two different families, except the Snowdens are missing in 1851 and I can't see the Souths in 1861 

Must admit I'm flummoxed! Hopefully a birth certificate from your Snowden family will set you off on the right track. Let us know what you find out?

Heather

[diden]

have sent off for the birth certificates of George South & George Snowden to see what info this might give me. If nothing, then I suppose I have to spend time looking at parish records. Is the local Studies Library at Nottingham a good place to start? Some benefits - I decided to go and see Mansfield. I'd driven round it several times and it looks horrible but there are some really fine buildings in the centre.