Bitton Parish Registers

[Regorian]

Just had a quick look at Familysearch. IGI/LDS.

There's a Samuel Cains bn 1716, bd. 2may1776 Bristol. marrd. Elizabeth, daughters Edith and Eleanor.

Joshua bd. Bitton 12may1789.

I don't know whether these are yours, but if so Samuel proves there are entries 1700 to 1720.

[Mary Crane]

Many thanks -
The burial record for Samuel Cains gives his dob as 1716 but because the age of someone deceased is often given by a neighbour, or even a family member, who really has no idea of when the person was born - just knows they are 'old', I like to have some confirmation.  1716 does  fit in with his parent's marriage (in 1712)  but not with the birth of his son Benjamin in 1732.  (16 would have been a bit young!) 
As you say there are some records of that period but they are pretty random - not at all comprehensive. 
I know 'my' Samuel was the father of Benjamin dob 1732 so he must have been born at least no later than 1712 - the year Henry and Ann (parents) were married.

I was hoping  for confirmation that Henry and Ann were Samuel's parents   which is why I was hoping for a christening record, but no luck so far!
Thanks for your help

[Capetown]

Age of Marriage Act 1929 (UK)

Up until this Act - Males could legally marry at 14 and Females could marry at 12 - this Act raised the age to 16 years.

My x grandmother was aged 14.

[Mary Crane]

I knew at one stage it was legal to marry at such a young age but surprised it wasn't changed until 1929.  This does mean that Samuel could have been married and a father at 16 years.
Thank You

[Capetown]

?

Have you used the National Archives website - as this will tell you where records are held


http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk


Quick search for KAINS/CAINES etc etc - three examples

3 November 1747  Overseers of the Poor, - Bastardy
Examination re paternity before/after birth

Frances CAINES, Samuel WILLIAM, horsedriver

---

24 July 1761

Overseers of the Poor, St Mary Bitton: Settlement Examination

Abigail KAINS, single woman


and

9 March 1762

St Mary Bitton - Overseers of the Poor

Anne CAINES dau 7 and a half years: John HULBERT, butcher

? ( Is it the same John HULBERT who married Hester NOBLE, St George, Bristol, 28 September 1766)


(a couple of these records are held at Gloucestershire Archives)

[Regorian]

The Cain's were pretty well established in Bitton, although given as living in Bristol as well. Found entries in 1815 for them. Samuel and Benjamin. Clue to retaining family names.

I presume Henry was born Bitton 1686 which would have made him 26 on marriage in 1712. A typical male age at marriage. I can't find a baptism for Ann Signey (if she's the right wife). Ann would likely have been younger than Henry, say 17. So born 1695. So that would have made her 37 in 1732 (Benjamin). Quite possible not reached menopause by several years.   

[Mary Crane]

Many thanks to you both

I have tried the National Archives for a possible Will for Henry Cains (dob 1686) hoping there might be one which mentions a son Samuel, but no luck. 
I know that baptism records for the period I am looking at - 1700 - 1720 - are held at Bristol Archives but being in Australia I don't have access to them.

I have confirmed   the marriage of Henry and Ann Signey and also a son Henry dob 1718.  It is just trying to confirm if Samuel dob c 1716 was their son and this is my problem as I cannot find any birth/batism record for him.

Likewise a record for the birth/baptism of Joshua Caynes/Cains, dob c 1700, son of Henry and Mary  Beratt.

I have lots of information of the Cains family of Bitton and also St George, Bristol but am stuck with these two.  It looks like it will be one of those brick walls!

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice
Mary