Sidney George Bedford born West Ham RD 1903

[rosie99]

Hi Rosie

I dont seem to be able to find Maria Liily Bedford on the 1871 Census. Would you be able to try for me please.

Many thanks

David

Here is the 1871 and more children whose births you can check as having mmn Smith on the GRO index   
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFFB-SYP

[Annette7]

William Bedford was indeed born in Polstead, Suffolk - bp.25/5/1833, son of William and Mary.

Marriage - William Bedford, widower, married Mary Collins 2/11/1820 Polstead.

Census indicates William Bedford senior was bc.1781 Polstead and looks like this was his first marriage:

William Bedford married Mary Scown 1/10/1799 Polstead .

Baptisms show that William bp.21/11/1779 Polstead, son of William and Rachel.

William Bedford married Rachel Martin 29/4/1779 Polstead.

All of this should now give you something to get your teeth into.

Annette

[Annette7]

avidt - just a word of advice.    You need to follow families via the census as you research back.   Looking for events in isolation can cause problems.    For instance, you said you couldn't find a marriage between a Bedford/Smith in the relevant timeframe/place but following via the census would have shown that Ernest was the youngest of numerous children and that his parents plus oldest brother were all born Suffolk where marriage was likely to have taken place, as indeed it did.   FindMyPast shows the marriage of William and Susannah Smith took place 1/6/1851 Stoke by Nayland, Suffolk.  Eldest son William bp.25/12/1851 Polstead and then they moved to Essex.

Annette