George Moxon, born Donington, c. 1845 COMPLETED

[sp1jpe]

My great great grandfather, George Moxon, appears in censuses of 1871, 1881, 1901, 1911. In 1901 his name is Moxom. In all he is born Donington, Lincs, around 1845, and living in Helpringham. His wife is Ann, although she is absent in 1901. Their children, born 1870-87, are in the FreeBMD listed as Moxom. In 1881 Thomas Moxom, born Donington, is lodging in Helpringham with George Bassett, brother of Ann Moxon, nee Bassett. I can find no trace of George Moxon in 1851, 1861, or 1891. His father was called William (acc. to the record of marriage of George Moxon and Ann Bassett). Can anyone help fill in these gaps, or suggest where I should look?
Many thanks
JohnE
COMPLeted

[lizdb]

1891
RG12 2581 15 24

indexed Morcom   (image says Moxom)

is that him?

[sp1jpe]

Many thanks - it is the right family. I was interested that George's birthplace is given as Helpringham - the only census so far which does not give it as Donington. I have a possible George Moxon for 1851, born Upwell; perhaps he was not sure of his birthplace after all.
Any more information/advice very welcome. Many thanks.
JohnE

[Geoff-E]

I have a possible George Moxon for 1851, born Upwell;

That one seems to  have been a Shoemaker and was in Cambs in 1861 and 1871.

[cath151]

Hi,
Could only come up with this not sure if its right but there is a Donington connection in 1861.
Christening Welney, Cambs.
George Moxon
Parents William (farmer) and Ann.
13 Oct 1844

In 1841
William and Ann, Welney
Ho107/78  9/12

1851
HO107/1767  516/1
Ann and family including a George of right age

1861

RG09/2321 23/15
Ann, widow and children including some born Donington.

Cathy

[Geoff-E]

1861
Upwell
George MOXON 15 Cordwainer's App, Welney
RG9/1053/46/4

1871
Cambridge
George E MOXON (mar) 28^* Cordwainer, Welney
Mary Ann (wife) 30 North Faisley Berks
RG10/1587/94/40

^*  Increased because his wife was older?

Ah - OK, there were two of them
Births Dec 1844
MOXON    George        Downham    13   65   
Births Jun 1845   
MOXON    George Elmer         Downham    13   61

[sp1jpe]

Thanks for all those really useful comments. I think the line suggested by Cathy looks promising,given the Donington connection and the father's name of William. It still leaves me short of George Moxon in 1861; I was tempted by the cordwainer's apprentice, but GeoffE's pointing out of the 1871 census scuppers that.
How did you spot the mistranscription  Morcom, Liz? It sent me back to a puzzling grandchild transcribed as Hermas Macon - on closer inspection it turns out to be Thomas Moxon (the writing was very unclear!).
Thanks to you all. I will leave the enquiry open for a while in case anyone has more info, particularly on 1861. Irrespective of whether I now have the right line, the family of William and Ann appear to have gone downhill from farmers in 1841/51 to servants/labourers by 1871. Was there a general decline in agriculture in the area at the time? (Perhaps this is a question for a different  forum)
JohnE

[Geoff-E]

I think the line suggested by Cathy looks promising,given the Donington connection and the father's name of William.

How did you spot the mistranscription  Morcom, Liz?

Yes, I agree, the chap that Cathy found looks hopeful.

Regarding mistranscriptions ... you don't have to search using a surname ... any combination of names/age/birthplace will do, then you look closer at anything that turns up as a possibility.

[sp1jpe]

Many thanks for the answers - they have really helped (including the last tip on searching a census).
JohnE
COMPLETED