Dear all
I'm not exactly a beginner, but this particular problem is making me feel like one!
I have managed to trace, with a good level of certainty, my ancestry to an Elizabeth Gooch showing in the 1881 census at Brabling Green, Framlingham, and the 1871 census at Brundish. She is married to James James (in 1862), but I know her maiden name is Gooch from FreeBMD searching.
The problem is I cannot find out where Elizabeth Gooch comes from. I believe she is in the 1861 census in Hoxne Union Workhouse, but going back further than that I cannot say with a high level of certainty.
The problem is partly her birth year. I'll list the years it is stated for, with the deduced birth year:
1861 1840
1871 1835
1881 1835
1891 1836
1898 1833 (death)
So, it's a 7-year range according to the records: clearly some are wrong!
I would really welcome an opinion as to where she might be in the 1851 and 1841 censuses, and even a likely parish she was baptised in. If there is any luck, she is within FreeBMD range, but she is right on the cusp of registration so I might miss it.
I know I should order up the marriage certificate, and this will give a father and another date of birth. But in my experience one can often work these things out before ordering certificates.
Many thanks in advance!