Searching for birth of Sophia Goff, Godalming, circa 1788

[CV-S]

Good morning,

Could I please have some assistance in searching for a record of the birth/christening of my ancestor, Sophia Goff. Although her age is quite certain on later records, her birthplace changes.

1851 - age 63 (born c1788 in Godalming)
1861 - age 73 (born c1788 in Frensham)
1871 - age 83 (born c1788 in Godalming)

Sophia married Edward Penfold, a maltman, on 14 March 1809 in Thames Ditton. They lived in Sunbury-on-Thames, where Edward died in 1824.

Unfortunately I don't know anything about Sophia or Edward before their marriage, except for the details given on Sophia's census returns.

Just to avoid double-up research, I know everything I need to about Sophia after her marriage, and have traced their children, it's really her birth I'm struggling with.

I appreciate any replies that may come

[Jane Masri]

I can't find anything for her baptism on Familysearch or other online sources.  I see you're in Oz, are you any where near an LDS centre?  You can look up that marriage entry to see if fathers names are included & see if they have the pr's for Godalming & Frensham for a baptism entry?

Jane

[CV-S]

Hi Jane,

Thank you for looking. It's so strange that she doesn't come up anywhere! I've even searched for a possible previous marriage, of a Sophia to a Goff, but that also draws a blank.
Unfortunately I don't live near an LDS centre. I think I just have to be very patient with Sophia!

[Jane Masri]

She certainly is elusive    Both Frensham & Godalming are in the IGI so, by rights, it should show her baptism but it doesn't    Godalming & Frensham are about 13k apart.  I had a look on the Surrey burial index under Goff & Gough( in the hope of finding other family members who might have stayed in that area) but the name doesn't appear at all.
Like you said she might pop up one day, it's happened to me.  One day you're thinking they must have landed from the moon & the next there they are on an updated online index,

Jane

[bdmayes]

From a transcript of Frensham registers:

Baptisisms

 9 Jan 1788 Sophia Goffe dau of William.

17 Aug 1770 Elizabeth dau of William

9 Sep 1774 Hannah dau of William

22 Nov 1776 Charlotte dau of William of Churt

28 Feb 1778 Richard son of William of Churt

1 Sep 1780 Henry son of William

24 Jan 1783 Frances dau of William.

There are no Goffe burials in Frensham. Churt was at this time part of the parish of Frensham. No sign of William's wife or marriage.

Brian




 

[bdmayes]

The most likely marriage from IGI is William Goffe and Mary Mitchel on 26 Dec 1766 in Headley, Hampshire. Headley is on the border with Surrey and is adjacent to Frensham.

Brian 

[bdmayes]

A transcript of the above marriage states that William was of Frensham.  No abode for Mary, so presumably Headley. Witnesses were John and Richard Pim.

Be aware that there is also a Headley in Surrey, which has no connection with Headley in Hampshire.
 

[CV-S]

Hi Brian, thank you very, very much!! That certainly looks like her, and some of those names Sophia used for her children.
I'm so happy I now have her parents and siblings, it gives me the starting block I've been searching for for so long.
Thanks again