Brooks- COMPLETED

[Tati]

Very welcome!

Here's the 1851 census for Sarah

1851
HO107/1685 111 25 & 112 26
Thatcham, Berkshire
Cold Ash Road
Joseph Brown, head, mar, 52, Ag lab, b. France
Sarah, wife dau, mar unm, 27, b. Berks Bucklebury
Mary A, dau, 17, b. do.
William, grandson, 3, b. Thatcham
Benjamin, grandson, 6 m, b. do.

[Flosse]

Thanks Tati,

I had a look and it states in the   Census that Joseph was a former soldier, now an Ag Lab.  Also that he was born West Indies but a British Subject.    All other census state that he is from France.

Any idea where I can find his military record and also his birth record in France? (I think he was serving in the West Indies).

It looks as though Sarah had her children out of wedlock and then married Edward Brookes (hence 'brown Brookes' and also the confusion regardng stepson etc) - does that sound a reasonable explantion to you?

Thanks, Flosse

[Flosse]

Sorry, meant to say that she married James Brookes!   

Flosse

[Tati]

Yes, at least Benjamin seems to have been born out of wedlock to Sarah. Shame William is not with the family in 1851, it would have shown us his relationship to Sarah - son or nephew or whatever.

I know nothing about military documents but it seems to me we have very little to go on here anyway. Maybe Joseph Brown was born in the French West Indies? Really not sure how to find out!   

[Flosse]

Hi

yes, it is a shame about William leaving before we got to the bottom of it!  So often the case eh? 

I guess the next question I have then, is does anyone have access to the baptism records for the children of Sarah Brown, as shown in your posting for 1851 -
William, aged 3 and Benjamin aged 6 months.
My thinking is that there may be a reference to the father?  I have searched through some bastardy records but to no avail at this time.

I have applied for Edward Brown Brookes birth certificate.

Re. Joseph, I knew it would be a can of worms as soon as I saw the words 'foreign parts' (I am looking for my Prussian GGrandfather at the mo!).  I think best leave it there for now!!   

Cheers
Flosse

[Flosse]

Hi,

Does anyone have access to Thatcham baptism records -  I have searched various other records and am unable to find a birth/baptism for James Brookes b c1822 in Thatcham, Berkshire. 

 In the 1851 census James Brooks (spelt this time without an 'e') states that he was born in Hampstead Norris.  I have checked on the IGI but although the details below are shown, nothing more is said about him.  On his second marriage certificate there is simply a line where his fathers details would be.  I am awaiting his first marriage certificate.


If it helps, I have also discovered that he first married Rachel Seymour in 1846 and appeared to have two sons -  Edward b. c1848 and George, bornc1850  both in Thatcham.  Rachel died in 1853 in Berkshire.

He remarried in 1856 to Sarah Brown and appears to have another son rather confusingly called Edward born in 1858 and a son called Benjamin (unsure as to whether this is his son or not - see previous posts).  Perhaps this is why he is distinguished with Edward Brown Brooks in his name?

If anyone can explain who James was and find a baptism record for him which shows, perhaps, a mother at least I would be so grateful.  Fingers crossed!

Many thanks indeed
Flosse

[Flosse]

Hi,
Hoping someone can help with my look up request (see previous posting in thread) - made a mess of it by modifying a previous post instead of starting a new one - apologies!! 

Thanks for your patience,
Flosse

[Tati]

Looks like none of the posters on this thread have access to what you need - hopefully you'll get a better response if you start a new thread