FINCH - Southill

[bedfordshire boy]

I think so John. It all ties up. Massey was a Southill name as well.

But why did they change from Chambers to Finch?

But they all seem to have been baptised, just with a name other than Finch, which seems to have put paid to the theory that they were dissenters (although they may have been and hedged their bets by baptising the children in the established church)

And yes, Andi, I read woodman as well in 1851

The other area of concern is William senior's birth - the enumerator kindly didn't follow instructions in 1841 and gave his exact age - 39, whereas in 1851 he'd either aged badly to be 56 or more plausibly I think the 6 is actually a badly formed 0 -it's nothing like the bold 6's below and is more like the 0 lower down the page except he didn't close the circle. What do you think JP, I see you're up early and amending last night's message!

David

[johnP-bedford]

If he did change the name from Chambers to Finch, why was he still buried in name of Chambers. ?  Did they do deedpoll name changes ?

On FreeBMD marriage of Emma Cox at Biggleswade in March qtr 1847, vol 6 page 99, lists both George Chambers & George Finch.

& the Birth Index has an entry for both George Chambers AND George Finch.

Have you found the birth of William Chambers / Finch ?
The IGI has 3 extracted entries of baptisms at Southill,  2 on 14 Oct 1800.
One of which just names mother Sarah Chambers.   I wonder if father was Finch ?

[bedfordshire boy]

Just found this on A2A

 Ref: QSR/17/1798/49a

Recognizances: Jos. Finch, Langford, lab.; bastardy. WITH SARAH CHAMBERS

Might be connected

I'll see if I can see who the child was

[bedfordshire boy]

Yep, that may be it.

The William christened 14 Oct 1800 mother Sarah Chambers was illegitimate, per the transcript. The date ties in with the census - BUT it doesn't tie in with a 1798 bastardy recognisance. And I can't see an earlier illegitimate Chambers in either Southill or Langford

[johnP-bedford]

Pretty good detective work so far !

Why on 1841 census were their ages exact - not rounded down to 35 ?

The age on 1851 is not a 6 like the other 6's but could be an unfinished 0

Also on 1841, on same page, living 2 doors up, is William Chambers age 55 Thatcher, & Susannah age 55, & Joseph age 20 & Edward age 13

[johnP-bedford]

Been thinking ! , It's odd that there are 2 extracted baptisms of William Chambers on 4 OCT 1800, the other is to William & Susannah,  what does transcript say about this other one.  Cannot be two babies, same name, same day ? can there. 

Plus the 1841 entry of William Chambers age 55 being a Thatcher, & then William C b 1802 also being a Thatcher,  a family trade ..... & only living 2 doors apart.

So I reckon William may have been the bastard son of Sarah,  & this Sarah being related to William age 55, who then brought up the younger William as his son. 

... but why does William Finch on 1851 become a Woodsman rather than be a Thatcher

 

[johnP-bedford]

Bedford Gaol Database lists a William Finch of Southill, born about 1800 with 5 separate charges. At age 12 in 1813 Misdemeanour in service (2 counts), at age 18 in 1817 Snareing, & at age 20 in 1819 Game Laws (2 counts)

.. no wonder he changed his name ! 

[AB321]

Good morning!

Wow guys, thanks so much for all this detective work! I will be glad to see what finally unearths itself!

I thought things didn't add up but put it down to my inexperience of digging!

My grandmother (Naomi Finch's granddaughter) was always known for being a difficult person  - but I guess we will let her off the hook now - it must have been something in the family genes!!

Would there be any reason in those days for all the possible name changing? I know there was Game Law offences in Williams past - if it was him!

All this help REALLY is appreciated!
 

[AB321]

Just seen that you've also found the criminal record - but why does he use his Finch name again on the censuses?