St Swithin, Walcot

[BumbleB]

Hi Jo:  It seems that most of the pre1858 Somerset Wills were destroyed in the bombing of Exeter in WW2    And I've checked the name Archbell, with no match. 

The main reason for my request is that Somerset Heritage Centre say that the Walcot parish registers have been indexed by name, and by date, so looking up the name Archbell would be a simple task for anyone visiting the Centre, and give a confirmation or denial of my assumptions.   I would otherwise not ask for such a wide timespan for James' burial.

BumbleB

[Jo Harding]

Hello BumbleB,

I am sorry to hear about the destruction of the Wills in WW2. That may explain why I have been unable to trace ones for my ancestors, assuming they made them. I face the same trouble with records for some London parishes as they were destroyed in The Blitz.

I realise that you had hoped for a volunteer to do an RO look up. I am sorry that I cannot oblige as I live too far away from Taunton. Is there any chance the RO would do a quick look up for you? I know that some ROs will do these without charge if they take no more than 15-20 minutes.

Jo.

[BumbleB]

Hi Jo:  Unfortunately Somerset Heritage want to charge me £30, which is why I put it on the website.  I mean if the records have been transcribed by surname it would only take a few minutes to confirm or deny.  I've just done a whole load of verifications and additions today at Lichfield for someone, from transcribed and indexed records, and I reckon I did the 33 entries in not more than an hour, and that included writing out details etc. In the 2 and a half  hours I was there, I verified 33 entries, two other marriages and some burials from fiche, looked at and read through a will and a marriage licence, and that included the time spent waiting for the will and licence to come up from the vaults.

BumbleB

[Jo Harding]

It is a bit steep when as you say, it would only take a few minutes since the burials have been indexed.

I know that Cheshire Record Office would do look ups for up to 20 minutes without charge. This seems reasonable and a good service. No doubt as councils seek to maximise income, they will see family history research as something to be exploited, generating a good level of funds.

Jo.

[Old Bristolian]

Hi BumbleB

I go to Taunton occasionally - my next visit may not be until the summer, but if you've no luck before then I will certainly look up the details you want

Steve

[BumbleB]

Many thanks Steve, I appreciate it.

Jo:  I know that Cheshire RO are good, they did a couple of searches for me for nothing, and I think even threw in the photocopies - but then I can say nothing wrong about Cheshire as I was born there    And as it was in Hoole, then I can truly claim to be a hooligan 
Sue

[Jo Harding]

Hello Sue,

I lived around Chester for many years, so we must have been there at the same time I should think. I miss it very much and expect to return before too long. Another good thing is it is much closer to North Wales than where I am at present. 

I saw a lovely old book on Chester in a secondhand bookshop in a nearby town, I am going to treat myself to it on Saturday. 

Jo.

[Old Bristolian]

Hi Sue

I checked at Taunton yesterday, but it seems that only the baptisms are indexed. I did try & check throught the fiches of the burials (I managed c1825-31), but it was very time-consuming (because of the number of entries  - the register itself is beautifully written up) so I couldn't manage any more,

Sorry

Steve

[BumbleB]

Hi Steve, sorry for the long delay in responding - I've only just got back from holiday, having been away since the end of May.  Thank you so much for your efforts in Taunton, and sorry that you did not get a result for me 

Again many thanks.

Sue