Wills/Bartlett - marriage.

[miggins]

Hi silaswall

Many thanks for your post.  It is very helpful as it gives my Great Aunts' correct names!

Regards

Miggens

[silaswall]

You refer to the family of the tobacconists. Where did you find their details?

[miggins]

Hi silaswall

Opps!   Seem to have pressed the wrong button!

If I remember correctly, I googled W.D. & H.O. Wills and it came up with the history.

Good Luck.

Miggens

[silaswall]

Thank you. My late aunt visited the factory where she saw a large family tree. She saw names she recognized on it. Bit of a mystery as "we" were definetly on the IOW by 1700. Could be a family myth!

[miggins]

Hello again silaswall

You have that story in your family too!!!   My grandfather also said we were related to the Wills of Burke & Wills of the Australian Explorer ilk.   I suppose there is a strong possibility of some connection somewhere but I think it would need quite a lot of research.

It's good to meet up with the other Wills family of the IoW.   My family were late arrivals compared to yours.

Regards

miggens

[silaswall]

Googled as you suggested. Found tree for the "cigarette people". No connection what so ever. As I suspected! Will continue with info I have as I think we were probably on the IOW in the 1500s. Unfortunately family funeral today. Will see what other stories are circulating!

[miggins]

Hi silaswall.   I don't suppose our family are connected to the "cigarette people but they are an interesting family aren't they?   Very prolific!   

Would be interested to hear any other stories you unearth.   Was interested to discover that Brighstone used to be called Brixton.   Do you know when the name was changed?   I'm still struggling to find the marriage of my Great Grandparents John Wills and Caroline Bartlett.   I assume they must have married as they seem to have had their children baptised.   Would the Church have done this if the children's parents weren't married?   Something else to dwell on!!!   

Sorry to hear of your family funeral.

Regards

miggins

[silaswall]

Have you checked "Isle of Wight Family History Society" then click on databases. You will find BM&D indexes for the IOW. Also has useful links to IOW Record Office.

[miggins]

Hello again silaswall.

Yes, I have used the IoW Family History Society and it has proved very useful.   I've always assumed that John Wills and Caroline Bartlett married on the mainland as John was from Yeovil, Somerset and Caroline was born in Batcombe in Dorset.   I believe they met in Leigh, Dorset so thought they would have married there.   Their first child, Fred, was born in 1886.   The GRO can't find any record of a marriage so I've not been able to make much progress in tracing my family tree apart from knowing that my Grt. Grt. Grandfather William Wills was a Glove Manufacturer in Yeovil.   His wife was Jemima Newman.

Thanks for your helpful suggestion.

Regards

miggins