Thomas French

[Bunnygirl]

Hi,
I'm looking for a birth/baptism for a Thomas French about 1772 St Mary's Bedford.
I have his burial in Marston Moretaine and that states he was 71yrs old 19th Sept 1843. His marriage states he was from St. Mary's Bedford

Thanks
Bunnygirl 

[bedfordshire boy]

The marriage entry would have stated that he was resident of Bedford St Mary's at the time of his marriage which is not the same thing as him being born in Bedford St Mary's. The 1841 census gives his birthplace as Bedfordshire.

Virtually all Bedfordshire baptisms pre 1813 have been extracted onto the IGI. I can't see an obvious baptism for him. Perhaps he wasn't baptised at all, or possibly the family was non-conformist. Is there any sign of non-conformity in the family.

Do the witnesses at his marriage provide a clue?

There were French baptisms in Marston Moretaine shortly after his assumed birth date. Perhaps there's a connection.

Who was Jemima French who married in Marston Moretaine in 1788, and might she have been connected to your Thomas?



David

[johnP-bedford]

From Bedford St.Marys marriage register transcript

BANNS... 7 Feb 1796 Thomas French & Elizabeth Britnall (of Marston Morteyne)

Published twice only, this is 2nd date.

No other French name in the register

The marriage was a Marston Morteyne on 16 Mar 1796 as per FreeReg

Cheers John

[Bunnygirl]

Hi
Thanks for your reply David. I had suspected that Thomas was not born in St Mary's and thought that I would eliminate that place to start with, as John's reply has confirmed no other French name in the register.
I do have the Marston disc and am trying to tie them all into together.
Many thanks David & John

Bunnygirl