Help finding my Fanny in Dorset, please?

[Roger The Hat]

Right, just so you know as much as me............

Fanny's (presumed) sister Ellen was born on 25th June, 1854, in Market Street, Tavistock.
Her father was given as John Ansley, Marine Store Dealer, Market Street, Tavistock (informant).
Her mother was given as Susan Ansley, formerly Smith.

I've had a quick look, in the Library, but I couldn't find any record of a John Ansley married to Susan Smith.

I'm gonna need a bigger hammer................!


'Hat.

[teaurn]

Hi Hat

Can we assume in that case that Ann is a stepmother

Or is she another one of those elusive people who was forever changing her name

[Roger The Hat]

Hi, Teaurn,

Unfortunately, I don't think we can assume anything, because I've no other information to back up either theory, yet.

I'm not giving up yet, but with no probable marriage references or census entries for John then I might be a bit stuck.   
I'll see how I get on searching for Susan.


'Hat.

[teaurn]

Maybe it's John that keeps changing his name or mainly uses a middle name or something

[teaurn]

The following occupations were commonly practised by Gypsies, but the terms were also used to describe other traders and shopkeepers. A marine store dealer was a dealer in scrap materials.

hawker, licensed hawker, pedlar
basket maker, mat maker, beehive maker, brush maker, chair bottomer, sieve bottomer
tinker, tinman, razor grinder, knife grinder
dealer, general dealer, marine store dealer, wardrobe dealer
peg maker, umbrella mender, chimney sweep, horse dealer

This may confirm your theory - info found on this site:-
http://website.lineone.net/~rtfhs/gypsy.html

[Roger The Hat]

Hi, Teaurn,

I've been down that route with my Odell line, that Fanny married into - some of them were marine store dealers, straw hat makers, chimney sweeps, etc., but I've managed to trace them through the censuses, whereas Fanny and her parents are just being awkward!

I'm inclined to believe that Susan Smith and Ann are the same person, but I've found no likely match anywhere, yet.

'Hat.

 

[teaurn]

Very frustrating,

Not anything to do with canals is it?

If they were living on a barge and on the move it might have been difficult to track.  Are any of the places they've been known been anywhere near canals?

  Just a thought

[Morganllan]

Hello Hat

Re the BMD marrriage for John Edward Ansley in Plymouth 1862? One of the bride's has a funny combination of names which includes Fanny, but surname is not Connor. 

Best Wishes
Morgan

[teaurn]

If we assume that this is the right marriage for John with either bride (maybe both )

Then this would mean that Ellen had a different father which would explain why we cannot find a suitable birth for her