Bedfordshire Location

[Paul E]

Hi

Can anyone tell me if there's a Bedham in Bedfordshire?
This appears on a census return (I've checked the image and it does say Bedham, Bedfordshire) for an ancestor of mine and I can't find it listed in GENUKI list of Parishes and Towns.

Any ideas?

best wishes

Paul

[johnP-bedford]

Hi Paul,

This has stumped me.    I've not heard of the place, I've looked & not found.

The following link was via Cyndie's list enables you get info on all places in Bedfordshire, but Bedham is not there.

http://www.old-maps.co.uk/gazetteer.htm

There's a few ....hams ! maybe Bromham, Biddenham, Blunham, ...

Perhaps it's just Bedlam ?

Anyway you say it's on a census return, what year ? & is it a birthplace or the census place ?. If a birthplace have you checked the other census years for the same person to see if the place is repeated over years. are other family members also born there ? or is it a 1-off misspelt can't read the handwriting scenario ? 

or the enumerator misheard  - Biddenham locally is pronounced Bidd-Num

If I do find anything I'll let you know.

cheers John



 

[Paul E]

Hi John

Thanks for this.  Its a one off - he appears as born Bedham, Bedfordshire in 1891 but in 1901 its St Giles London (same guy / age / family, living in Islington London both years).  His wife is descibed as born Soho and then St Giles London.

I think you may be right - possibly transcribed as a misheard place.  I haven't found him conclusively in 1881 or 1871 so can't confirm which of the later censuses is wrong!

I appreciate your thoughts on the mysterious Beham though!

best wishes

Paul



Paul

[johnP-bedford]

Paul,

Its not a 1 off, but a 2-off !!!. Looked at 1891 census, & there are 2 entries with birth places as Bedham, Beds. I take it your interest is the George Clark age 31 living in Islington. The other chap is Thomas Carrier age 57 living in Wokingham Berks. Both census sheets are clear enough (to me) as being Beds, Bedham  
Looking in 1881 I found a TC born Biddenham Bedfordshire - but this does not prove anything.  Also found 2 11 year old George Clarks in 1871 cesus , born in Beds.
But no other census has recorded a birth in Bedham.

Keep searching .
John