How can I prove this?

[SharonK]

I am looking for information on Rachel (Rachael) Wilding who was born c1820/21 according to the 1851 census where she is living with her husband James and children Thomas (7), Jane (5), Isabella (4), Margaret (2) and Ann (6mths). All of the family are down as born in Longton and I believe Rachel and James were married in 1842 at Penwortham St Mary (she was a Wilding before she married as well so possibly cousins).

I found a possible baptism for her 4 Feb 1821 in Longton to a Thomas Wilding and an Elizabeth Woodcock BUT the only (highly) likely match for her on the 1841 census she is living at home with her (supposed) parents Thomas and ELIZABETH    I can't find any baptisms of her siblings from 1841 (Janetta 20, John 20, Christopher 12, Richard 5, Ann 3) to James and Elizabeth but there is a baptism of a John to a Thomas and Isabel (21 Mar 1819 Longton) which blows my only theory that Elizabeth was his first wife and Isabella his second wife 

any thoughts? I need to know if her parents were Thomas and Elizabeth Woodcock because if they are the LDS gives another generation back through the details of Thomas and Elizabeth's marriage!

Thanks

Sharon


Sorry meant to say that they are living in New Longton in 1851 and the possible match for her in 1841 is in Chapel Lane, Longton.

[janan]

Hi Sharon
I'm confused - it isn't difficult 
You seem to be implying that the mothers name in 1841 is different from the name at baptism but you've written them both as Elizabeth. Then you suddenly mention father as James not Thomas. Could you clarify please?
Thank you
Jan

Oh did you mean to put Isabella in capitals rather than repeat Elizabeth for the 1841 entry? And is James a mistake?

[SharonK]

Oh sorry  useless aren't I!? In a bit of a rush as I have to go out!

Yes on 1841 the parents are Thomas and Isabella when I would have hoped that they were Thomas and Elizabeth to match the IGI baptism entry I have for Rachel.

And I meant couldn't find any baptisms to Thomas and Elizabeth apart from the one for Rachel and just a baptism of a John to Thomas and Isabel.

Thank goodness you seemed to understand my hasty ramblings!

Sorry about the confusion, hope someone can help!

[janan]

Hi
If you stick Thomas and Isabel in as parents on the IGI some Freckleton Non Conformist baptisms pop up as well as John including a highly promising Jennett born 1817. Have you found anymore of the family in 1851? That might help unravel things.
Jan

[janan]

Ah right I'm fully with you now having had a squint at the 1841  Remember as 1841 doesn't give relationships Rachel may not be with her parents. Longton is chocabloc with Wildings who are most probably all related - I think it is going to take a lot of tracking of each family to unravel.
By the way is that Rachel's future husband next door to her in 41?
Jan

Also both the Thomas Wilding to Elizabeth Woodcock marriage and Rachel's baptism are submitted records so need treating with caution and checking against the original entries.

[SharonK]

I did see those Freckleton ones which confused me no end as Freckleton isn't really that close to Longton is it, well the River Ribble kinda gets in the way!

I had seen the family next door and think the two heads of household *could* possibly be brothers (the LDS does seem to link them back to same parents although as you say perhaps these records aren't as accurate as they could be  ) BUT I had a DIFFERENT James earmarked as her future husband. There is another James on Chapel Lane in 1841 believe it or not!  He is with a Jane aged 60 and probable siblings. I chose this one due to probable baptism for James of 17 May 1818 Longton to a James and Jane.

I know there are LOADS of Wildings in Longton (and some in Penwortham) and I've been trying to link some together but its so hard 

thanks for helping 

[Galium]

This may not be relevant, but the route across the Ribble between Freckleton and  the south bank was fordable at low tide, and was used to shorten journeys which would otherwise have to go the long way round via Preston.

There's a bit more about it here:

http://www.heskethbank.com/history/oldchurchhistory.html

[janan]

Hi Sharon
Freckleton may have been the nearest place for a Non-conformist baptism - I like the idea of the whole family splashing across the river to get there Gallium

Do you have access to censuses? If not give me a shout if you need me to look at any of the other Wilding families in 41/51.

Happy hunting
Jan

[SharonK]

Thanks Gallium - that's interesting, I didn't know that! Suppose it might make things more possible.

Jan, I have Ancestry subscription so have 41 and 51 census' but as I say I'm finding it had to link them together as there are so many and its frustrating that the 41 only has basic information on so makes match-ups that bit more hard work! 

As for whether I've found them in 51, well I have a look-up on the go for that one as I really can't find them  In 1861 Thomas is at 51 Deepdale Mill Street in Preston and is a widower but he has his unmarried daughters Jennet (43) and Ann (24) with him as well as a grandson Thomas (7mths).