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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Kent => Topic started by: LindaN on Wednesday 25 May 16 05:17 BST (UK)
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I am researching an ancestor: John Spain and am trying to narrow down his birth records to find his parents. On the 1851 census his birthplace in 1804 is listed as Canterbury Kent. I have found a record of a christening in 1805 in Bonnington Kent and wondered if this might be the right one. I get confused by all the different districts etc. in England, as in Australia we don't have as many for the one place and I'm wondering if someone could help me out please? Thank you.
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According to G****le maps, Bonnington is to the south of Ashford, and west of Folkestone. It is about 20 miles to the south of Canterbury.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnington for more information.
I would suspect that he would say Canterbury for the census, as it is the closest large town, and a very well known one, which everyone would know.
Hope this helps.
AC
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It may be that he was born in Bonnington and brought up in Canterbury and thought that was where he was born.
There is another child of William and Ann baptised in Bonnington - Mark c1807 - he gives places of birth as Hythe and Dover.
I don't think you can assume he is yours as Spain as a name is not uncommon in Kent. :-\
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There is another John Spain you may wish to consider. He was baptised at River (by Dover) as follows,
1804 Oct 14 John s/o John and Susanna Spain
River is closer to Canterbury than Bonnington, but not much!
Regards,
Tony
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Thanks for your help everyone. Those 2 records that have been mentioned are the most probable that I've found. I haven't found anything to confirm them enough for me yet though. The one baptised at River was listed in the Canterbury Bishops Transcripts so I assume that area must all belong to the Canterbury diocese or Parish. Unfortunately while I know he was married to a Sarah, the only marriage record I can find is an index with no fathers name listed. So I may never be able to narrow it down.
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Is this him in 1851 :-\
H0107/1630 f239 p44
John Spain 47
Clara Spain 24
Jane Spain 17
Charles Oxborough 22
If so have you tried checking Charles Oxborough's origins as he is listed as nephew
It is possible this relates to him
British nationals armed forces births 1761-2005 - Charles Oxborough -1827 - Gibraltar
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A bit more grist to the Mill.
There is a marriage at St Mary Northgate, Canterbury as follows,
1808 Apr 25 William Oxborough and Susan Spain both of the Parish.
The witnesses were Alex Groves and G’ Bligh (PC)
There is also a baptism at Holy Cross, Canterbury,
1812 Nov 8 Henry Oxborough Spain s/o John & Susanna and born 2 Oct 1810.
May be of interest?
Regards,
Tony
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A possibility?
John Spain married Susanna Boorn 8 August 1787 at Folkestone.
Children from the marriage, baptised as follows,
Charlotte Spain 26 Dec 1787 Folkestone
Susanna Spain 15 Jan 1790 Folkestone
William Spain 28 Mar 1792 Folkestone
Sarah Cullen Spain 29 Oct 1796 Folkestone
Elizabeth Spain 14 Dec 1798 Folkestone
John Spain 14 Oct 1804 River by Dover
Henry Oxborough Spain 8 Nov 1812 (born 2 Oct 1810) Holy Cross, Canterbury
John and Susanna can be found living in Ramsgate on both the 1841 and ’51 Census Returns.
1841 Reference HO107, Piece 469, Book no. 5, Folio 14, Page 21
1851 Reference HO107, Piece 1630, Folio 547, Page 35
Both were buried in St George’s Churchyard, Ramsgate
John Spain 18 June 1852 aged 86
Susanna Spain 26 November 1854 aged 88
A quizzical,
Tony ???
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Thanks for all that information. I have been tracing Charles Oxborough and I agree that the records mentioned seem to match up. I also found an old thread in the british genealogy archive on roots web where someone has put up some very through records and his reasoning behind why he thinks each record is the correct one, which has been great. I am now pretty sure that the John Spain baptised in River, Kent is the right one.
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A bit more confirmation?
There is a John Spain, on the 1881 Census, living with his son Henry C Spain at Clarence Terrace, Ramsgate. Ref RG11, Piece 990, Folio 54, Page 8. His age is said to be 79! However, his place of birth is noted as Bushy Rough. There is a Bushy Ruff Country Park at River.
Tony