Hester OLDFIELD

[DerekB]

I am looking for Hester Oldfield who married Samuel Page in Dundry in 1829.
In the Census 51-71 she says she was born in Bedminster, from the age in the census that would have been about 1805.
I have a copy of the B&AFHS  Bristol Baptisms CD vol 8 to 14 and she is not listed.
Has any one found any Oldfields in North Somerset that might give me a staring point to continue looking or actually come across Hester?
Many thanks
Derek

[wendy47]

Hi Derek

I don't know whether you've seen the following

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/Bristol_and_Somerset/2004-07/1090440222

Wendy47

[DerekB]

Hi Wendy,
No I had not seen it before.
Many thanks for the tip I'll follow it up, seems there is someone else on the same trail.
Best wishes
Derek

[DerekB]

Thanks for all help given on this topic, the problem is now resolved but has created another query.
I have found out that Hester Oldfield was almost certainly a widow when she married Samuel Page in Dundry in 1829 even though the marriage record says spinster.
Her first husband was James Oldfield and she was Hester Gould.
James Oldfield disappears from the record, last mentioned as the father of their son John in 1822. He is not in the BAFHS CD of Bristol burials, not 1841 or 1851 census or in the NBI for Bristol. What happened to James? Did he die or just abandon Hester with a small child. If so where did he go?
Their son John Oldfield was convicted at Bristol sessions in 1849 for stealing a lamb and sentensed to 7 years transportation to Australia.
He had previously been convicted for something at Wells. I can't find any trace of the Wells court records, does anyone know who holds them if they survive.
John Oldfield was finally transported to Perth in 1852 after serving time in Milbank prison and then on a prison hulk in Portsmouth.
He did not return to England at the end of his sentence, remaining in Australia. I have made contact with one of his descendants in Australia who would like to hear from fellow members of the Oldfield family.
Thanks
Derek

[wendy47]

Hi Derek

You could try the following

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=120&j=1

It may give you some idea of where to look for criminal cases.

Wendy47

[DerekB]

Hi Wendy,
Many thanks for the tip.
Regards
Derek

[Ardy]

I stumbled across this thread while researching James Oldfield.
DerekB, did you end up finding anything on him? I'm tracing the Oldfield line and this is where it ends, any help would be greatly appreciated, i'm kinda new at this.

...also, I am related to the person you spoke to in Australia i assume.

[DerekB]

Hi Ardy,
Being now fairly certain that I am descended from Hester's second marriage I have not taken the Oldfield line any further back.
Hester's second marriage was probably bigamous as it looks like her first husband James Oldfield (father of John) was also transported to Australia. It is all very murky.
We have obtained as much as possible regarding the trials and transportation.
Jeff in Australia who is descended from John Oldfield has been continuing the research and if you wish I can put you in touch with him, you may well have much info to share. Can you reply off board here?
Regards
Derek

 

[Ardy]

Thank you for your help, i think i have Jeff's details so i'll try to contact him, Thanks again.