Joseph SMITH of Sharnbrook

[johnP-bedford]

I'm not so sure about the Baptist church theory now .....

Joseph & Mary married in the Sharnbrook parish church in 1818, (witnesses John & Hezhyibah ? PACEY, if anyone one knows of them ?) & their 5 children were baptised in that parish church between 1819 - 1836 - but still canot find baptism of Joseph 

[L-Genealogy]

Hi JohnP,

I am also directly related to this tree - the Shoemaker Smiths of Sharnbrook! I have reached the same sticking point as you but I realise you wrote this in 2006 so hope you still are active on here and see it, or somebody else at least!

Did you by any chance get anywhere with tracking down Joseph Smith's baptism record? I have 3 potential brothers for him ,3 of the brothers share the same trade of Shoe maker, the other is a tailor, but no records for any of their baptisms. Mary is seen living with son Joseph in one census and with son Robert in another. Both share the same trade which connects them and Joseph's daughter is living with Uncle Robert at the same time as Mary was there. I believe the 1797 date to be more realistic for Joseph's birth as the 1841 census giving 1801 is suspiciously full of "rounded up" age numbers by the innumerator.

The only record I can find for Mary is potentially Mary Woodens who married William Smith in 1793 at Sharnbrook. I am trying to trace her baptism record as well and their 4 children. There is a William Woods and Mary who had a daughter 1774 in Felmersham which seems a possible match. But who knows?    If anyone can help please respond. Many thanks.

[L-Genealogy]

Just wanted to add, spoke to Beds CRO on the phone and by law people had to get married in an Anglican church even if Baptist, so the Baptist theory still may hold true.

[bedfordshire boy]

Hi Lesley

Welcome to Rootschat

And, yes, John is still active!

Before 1837  legal marriages had to take place in the Church of England other than Quakers and Jews who were also allowed to conduct marriages.

1841 ages were/should have been rounded down (not up) to the nearest 5 below. So age 40 covered actual ages of 40 to 44, giving a birth range of 1796 to 1801.

I have Wooding/Woodens from Turvey, five miles away, who were non-conformist.

[L-Genealogy]

Thanks so much for the quick reply Bedfordshire boy!

What you say about rounding down would tie in perfectly! The Turvey link sounds worth look into - thanks.

I meant to say that I also have the Whittals John mentioned in my tree too. I am descended from Joseph Smith Shoemaker b. 1799 who married Mary Ann Whittall. But his son William also married an Ann Whittall so a double link!

[L-Genealogy]

And thanks so much for the welcome! 

[johnP-bedford]

Hello Lesley & welcome to RootsChat.

As David (Beds Boy) says I am still active......!

I have not pursued the Joseph Smith family line since way back then in 2006, however I may take another look knowing there's so much more info been made available online over the last 8 years.

I have other Partridge links to the Whithall family that I will revisit as well.

Cheers John   

[L-Genealogy]

Great to make contact John!

[L-Genealogy]

John, I came across some more posts from you I believe on another forum. Did you manage to determine the whereabouts of the church book for the Sharnbrook Old Baptist Church? I am really stuck without the baptism records that prove the link between William Smith and Mary Woodens/ Woodin and their children. There is mention in your posts that you had extracts emailed to you from the book by somebody? You also mention their son Joseph was a deacon. Do you have a source for this?

Thanks

Lesley