HUMPHERYS of Witham

[Jolee]

According to the marriage record William who married in 1771 came from Witham so I had a look there and found the following don't know if these are the ones you are looking for

John born 7 or 9/01/1748/9 baptised 29/01/1748/9
Peter born 01/02/1753 baptised 09/02/1753
Hannah (Humpers on record) born 13/07/1754 baptised 09/08/1754
Isaac born 28/06/1756 baptised 28/07/1756
All at Witham all children of Samuel and Hannah Humphreys

Not yet found William or Samuel

[olleym]

Jolee
You obviously had more patience than I when looking at the Witham PR's!

Mark

[grantleydawn]

Excellent, fantastic, thank you Jolee & Mark.

Peter is my ancestor, so you struck gold for me. I now have his parents.

I noticed in the book "A History of Witham" by Janet Gyford (2005) some references to a bricklayer Samuel HUMPHREYS.
- ". . . . Two red brick buildings (85-87). First (87), built 1760s by bricklayer Samuel HUMPHREYS . . . ."
- “. . . . the bridge at the bottom of Chipping Hill. It was designed by bricklayer Samuel HUMPHREYS, with his colleague Charles MALYON. They took just three weeks to build it in August 1770 . . . ."
- "Across it, imposing red brick building, five windows wide (66), built 1780s by Samuel HUMPHREYS in his own style (mansard roof etc., like his 87 opposite, and his 64 that you’ve just passed)"

I was wondering if those extracts referred to the Samuel HUMPHERYS (brother of my ancestor) or possibly his dad. It is now appears that they would relate to his dad.


The Parish Records that you both refer to, are they viewable online? I live in South Australia.

I did notice that the Essex Records Office, via the section “Essex Ancestors” had a subscription to view Parish Registers. I have hesitated buying a subscription, not knowing what was available to view.

Regards
Grantley

[olleym]

Grantley

Seax, the online resource of Essex Records Office is an excellent facility
There may be a few gaps but it contains every parish BMD record from the late 1500's, although you may need to take a course in calligraphy to understand some of the entries.
You can take a digital copy of anything you find

Mark

[grantleydawn]

Thank you Mark,

That just leaves the decision as to how long a subscription that I should purchase.

I do also have the BARWELL family of Witham (the butchers) as my ancestors. I think I should do some basics on them first, before I subscribe to the site.

Regards
Grantley

[nannyj]

How long you buy a subscription for depends on your time. If you know what parishes you're looking for and have all day, a day would be good. If you've only got evenings, then a week or a year. I started on a day, then a month, and now I'm on my second year's worth!
You can look at as many records as you like during your subscription. Some parishes don't start til 18th and 19th centuries, but there are masses and masses of bmd records. Once you find someone, you can often work back a few more generations. I always keep Google maps open in a separate tab, so I can look at neighbouring parishes if I don't find something.

[grantleydawn]

Thank you nannyj,

Not having excess money, I am busily getting all my research in order so as to maximise my use on the website.

I traditionally follow all lines, instead of just the male line, so my options are broad.

I think that I might start with the 24 hour option, to see what is there.

Regards
Grantley

[nannyj]

Yes it's not a cheap hobby for sure!
It's a good idea to do as much as poss on the free sites and then use one day subs as and when to check things out/ confirm.
Good luck.