Hi
I am a bit stumped with this 4x great grandmother and would like to run what I have by you.
Mary Ann Saunders according to censuses was born in Kings Walden c1788. Her illegitimate son Jonathan (my 3x great grandfather) was baptised 7 FEB 1812 in Lilley. Mary Ann married Henry Bottesworth/Bodsworth 23 MAY 1814 in Lilley. Mary Ann Bodsworth died in Luton in 1865.
So far so good. The sticking point is who were her parents.
Now also marrying in Lilley were Elizabeth Saunders in 1810, Ann Maria in 1814, Charlotte in 1822, Hannah 1823 and Sophia in 1829. I have found these ladies (except Sophia) on censuses and they were all born in Kings Walden. This looks like a family moving from Kings Walden to Lilley.
There are matching baptisms in Kings Walden for Ann Maria in 1791, Charlotte 1795 and Hannah 1797 parents William and Elizabeth. The only other child for them on the IGI is William in 1792 - no marriage I can see for him but there is a burial 4 May 1829 Aged 36 in Lilley which would fit.
This would seem the most likely marriage
12.4.1787 William Saunders of Knebworth married Elizabeth Oakley Kings Walden
and these baptisms
William Saunders 1 FEB 1758 Knebworth parents William and Ann
Elizabeth Okely 8 MAR 1761 Kings Walden Parents Thomas and Anne
which fit these burials
Elizabeth SAUNDERS 26 Aug 1819 Aged 58 Offley
William SAUNDERS 29 Aug 1818 Aged 60 Offley
All very tidy except I have no baptisms for Mary Ann c1788, Elizabeth c1789 and Sophia (who only gets married and then vanishes - can't see on censuses, no burial, no remarriage)
Now if the William and Elizabeth marriage of 1787 is the right one there is time for them to fit in Elizabeth and Mary Ann before Ann Maria comes along in 1791. So why no baptisms?
There is a baptism for an Elizabeth 31 MAY 1789 in Kings Walden and a Mary 22 JUL 1787 parents
Thomas and Elizabeth. No burials or marriages for these two in Kings Walden that I can see so could Thomas and William be the same person??
Sorry for rambling on a bit but trying to get this straight in my head
Any thoughts welcome
Jan