As regards couples having many children over a number of years - my Grandmother married at 16 had 12 children over 23 years and my x grandmother was still having children at 46.
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By Searching Stephen RICKETTS the National Archives A2A
Royal Hospital Chelsea : Soldiers Documents, 1760-1854
Stephen RICKETTS born Harbington, Gloucestershire, Served in the 4th Foot Regiment, 54th Regiment, 48 Foot....
Discharged aged 42
Date: 1825-1847
Looking at Coaley Net - under the Section of Population Tables for Gloucestershire from 1801 onwards
www.coaley.netLook under Section : Site Guide, then Local History, and there you will find, Gloucestershire Population Tables 1801-1901
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Listed as
Ampney Down in 1801 had a population of 279 (if you divide by 6 = approx 46 families) and a few years later had grown to 324 (approx 54).
As my x Grandad was a Carpenter & Wheelwright in the same Village - and from Ancestry Apprenticeships records - (1710-1811)
On the 4 Dec 1784 - at Down Ampney he had an Apprentice named Wm Green and on the 7 July 1788 his Apprentice was Thos SLY.
So records may exist to see who Stephen RICKETTS was apprenticed either on Ancestry or at the Gloucestershire Records Office
Our families probably worked together at some point.
