Is anyone going to the Berks Record Office?

[shirl100]

Hi there,

If anyone goes to the record office I would be really really grateful if you could try and help me find any information on David Freeman.
He was born about 1779 (deduced that date from death records) but I can't trace him. I know he married Ann Gomm by licence 27 April 1806, in Reading St Laurence. Ann Gomm was born in Henley on Thames Oxfordshire,  all their children were baptised in Henley and both of them died there. There is however no trace of David Freemans baptism in Henley (or anywhere else in Oxfordshire) so I was wondering if the marriage licence might have some information about his birthplace? Could it have been Reading where they married (although I suspect the reason they married in Reading rather than Henley was that Ann was 6 months pregnant at the time).

Any help or ideas will be really appreciated as I am well and truly stuck! Many thanks

[newburychap]

Don't assume that a licence exists just because the marriage entry say 'by licence'. Many licences were issued locally by vicars and rectors with some delefated powers (I am not sure if every incumbent could do this or just a select few).  Most of these local licences are lost.

Where couples went up the chain they would apply to the local Dean/Archdeacon or Bishop. For Berkshire this means the Diocese of Sarum or Salisbury. Records are held at the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office in Trowbridge (who are planning a move to Swindon). There is an index of these in the BRO and available on fiche and CD. You marriage is not there.

You could go higher and try the Archbishop's licence - for this period they are known as the Vicar General's Marriage Licence Allegations they are indexed. See http://www.sog.org.uk/vg/ for access options.

Good luck

[shirl100]

Many thanks for the information and for checking the index in the BRO, better try the Archbishop's licence next.Really grateful for you help.

Thanks again, Shirl

[newburychap]

I didn't check the index at the BRO - I checked the index at home.  There may be more in the BRO that are not from the Wilts FHS CD.

http://www.wiltshirefhs.co.uk/mlb%20cd.htm

[shirl100]

Thanks for replying and for your help, this could be one of those family history problems which could go on for ever.

Cheers

[jmp]

Shirl,

Just a thought but have you checked Rotherfield Greys for the baptism? I was doing some research for someone with family who lived in Henley and am aware that this church seems to have often been used as an alternative to St Mary's in Henley. The parish boundary of RG split what is now Henley in two. You may find him there if you havent tried already.

Jackie

[shirl100]

Thanks Jackie, I will have a look at that one, think I will need to keep everything crossed as David really does seem to be very elusive indeed.
Good luck with your searching

Shirl

[sniffybun]

A search on the web threw up your post relating to David Freeman of Henley.

Would this be any relation to the Freeman family of Fawley Court near Henley?

Did you manage to find out anything further ?

I am doing some research on this family and on their other seat in Wiltshire.

Thanks in advance.