Bere Ferrers Parish Records pre 1800 *COMPLETED WITH GENEROUS HELP, THANK YOU*

[onefortheroad]

Hi Sam.
I read your post just before I went out this morning and, as I was going past the library, I called in and had a dig for your Edward.
I started at 1769 and worked forward but the first Westlake baptism is 1786 and the last to fall within your parameters was 1794. However, sadly there's no Edward. In fact, in that 25yr period, there were no Edwards baptised at all of any surname.
The ones I found were:

Dec.26 1786  Betty, dt. of William and Ann Westlake
Aug. 5  1787  Francis, son of George and Elizabeth Westlake
Jun. 13 1790  William, son of George and Elizabeth Westlake
May 6   1792  Mary, dt of George and Mary Westlake
May 18 1794  Jane, dt of George and Elizabeth Westlake

Sorry I couldn't deliver an Edward, but at least you can now rule out Bere Ferrers.

David

[Sam Buckley]

Thank you so much. I have found one baptised in Chagford so that is looking more likely to be him now. I really appreciate your help. You are a gem. 

[onefortheroad]

Pleasure, Sam

Did any of the parents match up by any chance?

[Sam Buckley]

Not as far as I can tell, but it will be interesting to try and find out. I'm wondering if Edward moved to Bere Ferrers because he already had relatives there.
IF I find thet he was actually the Edward born in Chagford, then his father (also Edward Westlake) was sent to Australia as a convict in 1787 (first fleet), so I wonder if, when old enough, Edward moved away from the area to escape the stigma of a criminal father?
I wonder if I'll ever be able to prove it?

[onefortheroad]

He more than likely moved to the Bere Peninsula for work, Sam. Chagford was predominantly an agricultural area whereas Bere Alston/Bere Ferrers had the silver/lead mines. Ag Labs were seasonal therefore very poor. Miners were not rich but had regular work and regular pay.
It's a shame he didn't live to feature in the censuses.
I'm here for another week so let me know if you need anything.
Cheers, David

[Sam Buckley]

Thank you so much David. 

[cranstone]

Hi Cocksie

I too have ancestors in Bere Ferris/Alston and wondered if youhad seen this, it might be helpful...

www.DevonHeritage.org

It has burials for those areas.

Kind regards

[cocksie]

Thanks cranstone.
Had stumbled across this website and the burials found pointed me down a path, so was very helpful.
Cocksie

[onefortheroad]

Thanks for posting the link, Cranstone. Like Cocksie, I too have used the website but took another look yesterday and found a link to another interesting site from which I've gleaned some more useful information :- http://www.balmaiden.co.uk/CornwallDevon.htm

Hiya Cocksie, how are you and how are your mum and dad? Goodness, it seems ages since we were in Devon and trawling through parish registers. We're back up in Yorkshire now working everyday on our new place. We've been here just over a year and gradually finding time to glance at the family tree but not done much with it so far.

Anyway, Happy New Year to you all and if you need any Yorkshire look-ups....

Yours, David