Surnames in Dorset

[genjen]

Hi,

I am looking for any information on the following families from my partners ancestry.

Griffin, Cornish, Critchell, Crocker ( sounds like a firm of solicitors)

Hugh Griffin married Sarah Cornish in Bridport in 1850. I know that Sarah was the daughter of John Cornish and Mary Critchell. Mary was the daughter of Samuel Critchell and Sarah Crocker. I believe they were all from the Bridport area and were quakers. Hugh Griffin was the son of Thomas Griffin and Esther(?). Any help with these families would be hugely appreciated.

Cheers,

Jen

[nanny jan]

Hi Jen,

Dorset FHS might be able to help.  Their website is www.dorsetfhs.org.uk.

I'm a very new member so not sure if they can but their HQ is open to members and visitors; they have a lot of records there.   It is based in Poole but if that is too far for you to travel, send me a pm and I'll see if I can help.


Nanny Jan

[genjen]

Hi,

Thanks for giving me the web address, I shall certainly try to make use of it.

I live in Westmorland so getting to the Dorset Records office is only going to happen on very rare occasions. If you happen to be going and could find out for me Thomas Griffin's wife, Esther's surname and any other family information on her, I should be extremely grateful.

Also any information on John Cornish, born around 1800 and married to Mary Critchell. I should very much like his parents' names.


Not to worry if you can't  - I daresay I shall get there myself one day.

Thanks again,

Jen

[nanny jan]

Hi Jen,

Slightly crossed wires here; Dorset Records Office is based in Dorchester but the Family History Society has its own "office" in Poole with quite a lot of records.

The Records Office in Dorchester is now open Saturdays so use can be made of the car park that is normally used by all the surrounding office workers!

I'll take your list of names etc. next time I go to the FHS in Poole. If you have any more dates, etc just let me know; it will probably be a week or two before I go.

Lovely part of the country.....Westmorland.

Nanny Jan

[genjen]

Hello again,

Thanks for the offer. The dates and names I have given you will be enough to give me a boost on this line, which has been sitting waiting for my attention for some time now.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Jen

[janan]

Hi Jen
Have you been here

http://www.dorset-opc.com/

Has quite a few Bridport records online

I have Griffins from Axmouth/Colyford Devon with Bridport connections - if I come across a Thomas I'll let you know

Jan

[genjen]

Thank you,

That looks as if it could be a really useful site, when I have the time to search through it thoroughly. A very quick visit came up with some interesting results on the Griffin and Cornish families.

Regards,

Jen

[nanny jan]

Hi Jen,

I had limited time today to look at the records but I did find some info that I hope will be of use.

I found some Critchell baptisms in Bridport, all to John, a labourer, and Ann:

Samuel 8th April 1827

Sarah 1825, John 1828, John 1830, Henry 1833 and John 1834.  I guess the first 2 Johns died as babies and the name re-used.

One Crocker baptism: Sarah d of George, a Flax Comber, and Hannah 12th March 1821

One Cornish/Critchell marriage John Cornish to Mary Critchell 18th September 1821

Regards,

Nanny Jan

[genjen]

Thank you for this.

It looks as if John Critchell, married to Ann, could have been the brother of my Mary ( the one who married John Cornish in 1821). I know that Mary's father was Samuel, which would match with the naming of John and Ann's first son in 1827.

My Sarah Crocker is much earlier, being born around 1770 but may well have been linked in some way to the baptism which you found.

It's all good padding and extremely gratefully received.

Cheers,

Jen