4744
England / Re: Workhouse births
« on: Sunday 15 October 06 22:42 BST (UK) »
Thanks both, very useful and interesting inforrmation 
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4745
England / Methodist lay preachers
« on: Sunday 15 October 06 17:46 BST (UK) »
Two of my great grandparents were Methodist lay preachers and I suspect that may have been how my grandparents met. Does anyone know where I can look up information about lay preachers ? Have tried on Genuki and search engines but haven't come up with anything very useful
4746
England / Workhouse births
« on: Sunday 15 October 06 17:23 BST (UK) »
With the kind help of Rootschat members I have the details of my ancestor who was born in a Devon workhouse. What I'm interested to know is, would the reason for his being born there the fact that he was illegitimate? His mother lived with her own mother at the time of the censuses before and after his birth. I believe illegitimacy wasn't a stigma then so not very likely that it was a punishment for "getting into trouble" ! Would it be in case the mother's family could not afford to care for the child? 
4747
Devon Lookup Requests / Exeter and environs photos
« on: Sunday 15 October 06 17:04 BST (UK) »
I have noticed that Slightlyfoxed is offering photos of Exeter area. I'm not sure whether Topsham would be included in this, my ancestors lived at 61 Lower Shapter Street and 66 Shapter Street. I have found photos of Shapter Street on the web but no indication of what number. They also lived at 59 Fore Street, Littleham. I get the idea that these places are next to each other, would that be right? I would be very grateful for any photos as it's such a long way to Devon from where I live. Can't pop down for the day but perhaps I will plan an expedition next summer. 
4748
The Common Room / Re: Lost cousins
« on: Saturday 14 October 06 18:38 BST (UK) »
I haven't tried this site and certainly won't now after reading all the comments. My stuff is on Genes Reunited and I have had loads of matches including ones with a certain Paul E! I think GR is excellent value for a tenner
4749
Devon / Re: Bastardy quarter sessions BELL
« on: Wednesday 11 October 06 22:52 BST (UK) »
Oh Sue, thank you so much, thats wonderful! I didn't know he had a middle name either so that's some extra information. Many thanks. 
4750
Devon / Re: Bastardy quarter sessions BELL
« on: Monday 09 October 06 22:40 BST (UK) »
William's birthplace was listed on the censuses as Exeter but his mother's was listed as Topsham so I thought that he must have been born in the city of Exeter. As you can see, I don't know the area at all, it's a long way from the frozen North where they eventually came to work! I have looked at information on the area and it looks as though Topsham is part of the greater Exeter area. A very lovely part of the world too by the look of the photos.
4751
Devon / Re: Bastardy quarter sessions BELL
« on: Sunday 08 October 06 23:43 BST (UK) »
Thanks for all the information everyone. Yes Sue, I do mean the little green booklet, your information about that is very interesting. William's mother was Julia Bell and she is listed in the censuses as living with her mother in Topsham after William was born so it doesn't look as if she was left to her own devices. Julia herself was born in Topsham. She later married but obviously not to William's father as he is listed in later censuses as stepson. William became a Methodist lay preacher when he grew up, not sure if that would provide any clues. I think I will take your advice Sue and write to the register office in Exeter.
4752
The Lighter Side / Re: Upsetting genealogy?
« on: Friday 22 September 06 21:00 BST (UK) »
Felt quite upbeat until I read all these sad stories! My own:-
Grandfather who died when my dad was only 3, so grandmother was left with two young boys to bring up on her own
One gt grandmother who had never had alcohol until she was introduced to it by gt grandad and subsequently became an alcoholic and died an early death
Other gt granparents who had 12 children and lost at least 5 of them in childhood
Hard times!
Grandfather who died when my dad was only 3, so grandmother was left with two young boys to bring up on her own One gt grandmother who had never had alcohol until she was introduced to it by gt grandad and subsequently became an alcoholic and died an early death Other gt granparents who had 12 children and lost at least 5 of them in childhoodHard times!