RootsChat.Com

Transcripts of Nottinghamshire Pre-1841 Census, Nottinghamshire Family History Society Record Series, Volume 95, by JB Bailey (1994) ISBN 1872776337

I have tried and failed to find a copy of this book - I've looked everywhere online but can't see anywhere to buy a copy, and even tried to get a copy through interlibrary loan (unfortunately they were not willing to ship it 1700 miles for me - that was apparently the nearest copy ).

I am particularly interested in the 1811 census for Newark which I am told contains a list of householders and other details (according to the Notts Archives it is contained in this book). The original record of course is at the Notts Archives, but I thought it would be easier if this book was in the library.

Is there anyone in Notts who can check to see if it is in their local library, and if so could lookup a handful of names in it for me?

Many thanks,
Alexander

Here are the facts:

20 Dec 1895 - Ada DOBB was born in Eakring, Notts, illegitimate daughter of Lucy Elizabeth DOBB. Her birth cert has no mention of a father.

10 May 1896 - Ada was baptised, and the record states she is daughter of "Harry Lucy Dobb, Eakring, Single Woman" (Harry is written and crossed out on the original).

16 May 1896 - her mother Lucy married Harry FRECKNALL in the local register office (note this is 6 days after Ada's baptism)

1901 census - listed as Ada Frecknall, daughter of Harry & Lucy

1911 census - listed as Ada Frecknall, now a servant

29 Sep 1913 - Ada DOBB (age 17) married William Birley JOHNSON at a local register office. One witness is Harry Frecknall, though her father's name is blank.

5 Nov 1913 - Their first son was born, mother Ada JOHNSON formerly FRECKNALL.

1917-1921 - 3 more children born, all with mother's maiden name DOBB.
Immigrated to Western Australia in 1920s.

15 Oct 1972 - Ada died in Freemantle, WA. On death cert, father recorded as "unknown", mother as "(christian name unknown) Dobb"


So the question is: do you think Harry Frecknall was Ada's father? My aunt and I disagree based on the evidence above. Certainly all the extended family assumed she was Harry's daughter, but they would not have known that she was illegitimate, so had no reason to question it.

Sorry for writing a book - but many thanks to anyone who reads it all.

Alexander

Can anyone tell what the 'abode' is for this 1873 baptism in St. John's, Portland, Dorset? It's the word in the fifth column.

Thanks

Elizabeth Chester has been one of my biggest brickwalls, but I've never posted on here about her because we know so little information about her. But I've got my fingers crossed that someone may have a brilliant idea.

Elizabeth CHESTER - born c.1803
Married Bennet NAIL (NEAL) in 1825 in Oldswinford, Worcs.
Died 6 Mar 1886 in Stourport, Worcestershire (age 83)

The censuses give her information as follows:
1841 - age 35, NOT born in county of Worcestershire
1851 - age 47, birthplace N.K. (Not Known)
1861 - age 58, birthplace Kidderminster, Worcs
1871 - age 60, birthplace Kidderminster, Worcs
1881 - age 77, birthplace Nottingham

She clearly did not know where she was born. I think the 1861 and 1871 which have her born as Kidderminster are erroneous - she had just lived there for most of her life after marriage, and probably didn't know what else to put. Likewise I think the Nottingham birthplace in  1881 may be misleading. I could easily see "Not known" getting confused as "Nottingham" when the enumerator copied her schedule over to the books.

I have nevertheless searched for her in Nottingham, and though there are a few possibles, nothing at all definite.

She had a grandson called Henry Chester Neale - might that be an indication that there was a Henry Chester in her family? Maybe her father by chance?

All in all, not much to go on. Any suggestions are most welcome.

Thanks
Alexander