Gapin , Geappen, Gappen etc.

[warrawillah]

Convict John Gapin was tried at Winchester in July 1817 and transported to Hobart, Australia. His native place was given as Hampshire. later generations became Geappen. I can see there are many Geappens in Hampshire but cannot make the link to this John, born, we think, about 1803.  Can anyone find a possible birth for him please or baptism?  Are there any court records online for Winchester?
Thanks,
Marie

[chempat]

Information about what Hampshire holds:

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/archives/hals-collections/courts.htm

[bearkat]

You can search the online catalogue of the Hampshire Archives

http://calm.hants.gov.uk/advanced.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog

Newspapers can be a good source for finding details about trials.

The nearest baptism I can find to 1803 is John GAPEN son of William & Anne 12th March 1797 at Eling.

[warrawillah]

Thank you both for taking time to reply. I will try the links you suggest.
Regards,
Marie

[ciderdrinker]

Hi
I found one baptism
John Gapin 26.2/12.3.1797 at Eling Hampshire to William and Anne.
.
There's a remarriage for William 23.7.1805 to Betty Allen
Daughter Sarah bapt 10.5/13.6 1819 to William and Elizabeth labourer Asher's Bridge.

There's a earlier marriage for William but it's to a Jane Green 19.10.1789.
No burials on line  ,a couple of marriages on FreeReg.

Not sure if he's yours but perhaps worth following up.

Ciderdrinker

[warrawillah]

Thank you for your reply. John Gapin had only two children, James and Jane Mary Ann, so I was rather hoping that his father might be a James Gapin /  Geappen. Is it possible he was a son of William and Jane?  I guess certificates at this time do not show much detail, and, in any case, if I did buy one, how would I link the John b 1797 to my convict?  He doesn't seem to have much detail on any of his records.   I have found nine different spellings of the name so far, which makes research difficult.
Thanks again,
 Marie

[bearkat]

An 1818 newspaper report states that John Gapen was 17.  He stole a lamb, 2 ducks and some lard from Mr C Arnott.

This gives a year of birth of around 1801.  I think 4 years is a fair bit of difference at this age.  Most of the online records are for C of E parishes.  Perhaps he was non-conformist.

I think Mr Arnott lived in Eling.

[warrawillah]

Oh wow! I did not have that information. Thank you so much! In which paper was it and is it accessible on line?
Marie

[bearkat]

Have a look at the free index to newspapers on Findmypast.  There are a couple of mentions.