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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Bedfordshire => England => Bedfordshire Lookup Requests => Topic started by: Darren S on Thursday 23 February 06 12:31 GMT (UK)
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Hello, I hope you can help.
I'm trying to find the origins of a character in my wife's family tree called Kisby Cotching. I have found his entry in the 1861/71/81/91 and 1901 censuses; as you'll see the spelling of his last name and first name vary throughout, and for some reason his surname is completely different in 1861! I've also found his marriage registration.
I cannot find him in 1851 for love nor money, so please could someone see if they can find him in 1841? Part of me thinks that "Kisby"could be an assumed name, and additionally we may be looking for Draper, rather than Cotching (or Cotchin/Cotchings/Scutching/Scutchin/Scutchingson etc.)
1861 census:
Although the first name is spelt slightly differently, and the surname is completely different, this must be the same person, since Kisby Cotching marries Ann Baines and all the children change their surname by 1871! "Breckhill" is presumably "Brick Hill", very close to the Beds border and near Woburn.
Kisbee Draper, 24, b. Breckhill, Bucks, Lodger Head, Leighton Buzzard
Ann Baines, 23, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Housekeeper, Leighton Buzzard
Charles Baines, 2, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Housekeeper Son, Leighton Buzzard
Ann S Baines, 1, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Housekeeper Daur, Leighton Buzzard
1871 census:
Note how Ann, Charles and Ann S Baines above are now all "Cotching". The age of Kisby must be a mistranscription, i.e. it should be 35, not 55. Birth place must be "Beds, Woburn Sands"
Kisby Cotching, 55, b. Bedcks, Woburn Lands, Head, Leighton Buzzard
Ann Cotching, 33, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Wife, Leighton Buzzard
Charles Cotching, 12, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Son, Leighton Buzzard
Ann Cotching, 10, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Daughter, Leighton Buzzard
Elizabeth Cotching, 8, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Daughter, Leighton Buzzard
William Cotching, 6, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Son, Leighton Buzzard
Maria Cotching, 4, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Daughter, Leighton Buzzard
John Cotching, 2, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Son, Leighton Buzzard
1881 census:
A slight variation on the surname spelling.
Kisby Cotchin, 44, b. Woburn Sands, Beds, Head, Leighton Buzzard
Ann Cotchin, 43, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Wife, Leighton Buzzard
William Cotchin, 16, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Son, Leighton Buzzard
Mary Cotchin, 14, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Daughter, Leighton Buzzard
John Cotchin, 12, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Son, Leighton Buzzard
Darney Cotchin, 8, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Daughter, Leighton Buzzard
Thomas Cotchin, 4, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Son, Leighton Buzzard
Ernest Cotchin, 3, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Son, Leighton Buzzard
Sam Cotchin, 3 months, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Son, Leighton Buzzard
1891 census:
Another variation on the surname spelling (and Kisby's age)
Kisby Scotchings, 60, (Place of birth not given), Head, Leighton Buzzard
Ann Scotchings, 53, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Wife, Leighton Buzzard
Thomas Scotchings, 14, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Son, Leighton Buzzard
Ernest Scotchings, 13, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Son, Leighton Buzzard
William Scotchings, 8, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Son, Leighton Buzzard
(Sam Cotching had died in 1882 q1)
1901 census:
Possibly a transcription error in the surname this time...
Kisby Colchin, 66, b. Woburn Sands, Bucks, Head, Leighton Buzzard
Ann Colchin, 63, b. Leighton Buzzard, Beds, Wife, Leighton Buzzard
Marriage registration from IGI:
Kisby Cotching & Ann Baines
26/06/1864, Leighton Buzzard, England
Husband age at marriage: 27
Wife age at marriage: 26
No father of groom/bride given
If someone can help find me where he was in 1841, and the others in the household, I would be very grateful!
Thanks, Darren
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Hello Darren
On 1851 found a Kirby Draper living in Bow Brickhill Bucks, but most likely is Kisby.
HO107/1723 folio 112 page 10
William Draper age 48, born Moulsoe Beds ; Labourer
wife Mary Draper age 46 born Ridgmont, Beds
son William Draper age 18 born Newport Pagnell, Bucks ; Labourer
son Kirby Draper age 17 born Aspley Guise, Beds ; Labourer
son Alexander Draper age 13 born Westrom, Kent ; Labourer
grandson William Rainbow age 8 born Aspley Guise Beds
regards John
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Thanks John, that's fantastic! I thought I'd tried searching for Kirby in 1851, as a likely misspelling, but obviously I hadn't.
That probably means I don't need the 1841 census so badly now - although I suppose it might tell me something else...
Regards, Darren
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Darren
Delving further - found on the IGI the christening entry of William Rainbow on 01/MAY/1842 at Aspley Guise, parents listed as John Rainbow & Eleanor.
On 1851 census living at Water Lane Sherington Bucks.
HO107/1723 foli 480 page 7
John Rainbow age 46 born Yardley Hastings, Northants ; General Dealer
wife Eleanor Rainbow age 27 born Ridgmont, Beds
Judith age 18 born Yardley Hastings ; Lacemaker
James age 7 born Sherington, Bucks
Spencer age 4 born Stoke, Kent
Mary Ann age 2 born Bow Brickhill, Bucks
they have a Ridgmont/Bow Brickhill/Kent connection - but no proof they are linked
regards John
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Thanks again, John, for that further research you did! :)
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Hi Darren,
Your William Rainbow was the nephew of my greatx4 grandfather! John Rainbow was my greatx4 grandfather's brother, who was also called William. William was born in 1801 in Yardley Hastings and he died in 1861 (I think). It's always nice to find links in this research :)
Katie
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Hi Katie,
Through another entirely different source, I have been put in touch with three other people all descended from the Draper family you see in the 1851 census listing above. One of these is Peter Rainbow, a descendent of Eleanor Draper, who married John Rainbow, as shown on the other 1851 listing above.
I'll send you a message as I'm sure you'd like to get in touch with him :)
Darren
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hi
Not sure if you are aware but the Cotchings have lots of graves in St.Mary's Church in Old Linslade and in All Saints Church and Vandyke Road Cemetery in Leighton Buzzard.
They have in particular lots of earlier graves in St. Marys ranging aroung the 1800's I have noticed them whilst plodding around searching for my lot. If you would like me to take details when im there just let me know.
The Cotchings used to be a big family in the town although I still live here in Leighton Buzzard I dont know of many left but presumably lots married into different names. Do you know why they changed their name from Draper?
Not sure if you noticed but on the same page of the 1901 census as kisby (its spelt as cotchin,just mistranscribed) is william cotchin aged 36 living with elizabeth kempster and her children! i think this might be kisby and anns son as everything fits.
Do you know where kisby and ann were living at the time of their death? or when they died?
Thanks
Serena
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hi
this might be of intertest to you as i have a theory as to why kisby changed his name from draper to cotchings!
try this site www.buckscc.gov.uk and look in the bucks prisioner section this is listed:
Kisby Draper in Aylesbury Prison
Name: Kisby Draper
Aged: 24 years
Born: Aspley
Living: Little Brickhill
Occupation: Horse Dealer
Date rec into gaol: 7th March 1859
sorry crime not listed but yuo can apply to bucks council for them to send you a copy of the record.#
thanks
serena
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Dear Serena,
Thanks for your replies. I didn't know about graves in the churches you mentioned, but then I've never been to Leighton Buzzard! If you would be so kind to take any details you think might be relevant, that would be fantastic.
You are right that William Cotching, whom you mention, was one of Kisby's 14 or more children, I'd already found his record.
Kisby died in 1925, aged 90, a pretty good age for someone of his lifestyle! I don't know when his wife died. His death was registered in Leighton Buzzard district, but I can't be more specific than that.
Another contact of mine had found that jail record; also imprisoned at the same time was John Baines, his brother in law (Ann's brother).
It turned out that Cotchings was actually Kisby's mother's maiden name; I personally don't believe he would have been that bothered by going to jail to change his name, though. I suspect he might not have got on with his father. At least of his brothers also changed surname to Smith, for no apparent reason!
There's certainly a lot of detail about this colourful family that we'll never find out!
Regards, Darren
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Hi Darren,
I will visit st. marys tomorrow (weather permitting) as I know there are quite a few up there so possibly he maybe one of them.
I will also keep my eyes open on my travels round the others.
thanks
serena
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Hi Darren,
I looked round St. Marys today (sorry it took so long but it hasnt stopped raining) but unfortunately Kisby wasn't there, however there was about 15 there so if you give me some names you are interested in I will write them down as they are dated from the beginning of the 1800's to late 1880.
I also looked in Vandyke road cemetery but couldnt find him there either. Do you have a rough date in 1925? I will look in the parish records at the library tommorrow and see if they cover 1925 for deaths as the should tell us where he is buried.
Thanks
serena
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Hello
You probably already know this but just in case...
In the 1881 census, there is a Kizby Rainbow...son of William and Rachael.
Just thought this seemed coincidental!
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Hi Darren. Kisby Cotchin was my Great Grandfather, a lot of the names you have were his sons and daughters one of his sons was called Ernest
( Riley was his nickname) he lived with me and my family. Sorry I cant tell you to much at the moment only I have to go out. But I do have a photo of him where hes buried etc etc.
Paulinep
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Hello Darren, my name is Janet and I am Kisby's great grandaughter, I live in London with my mother who is Kisby's grandaughter and remembers him. Mum is 99 this autumn. I am researching myself and possibly have a little more to offer. What particular area might I help on? Janet