Dead End with Richard Hardy

[Grace56]

Hello, everyone. I am new to the forum and I am pleased to be here.
I do have a question which is baffling my sister and I.

Some years ago, my sister began researching our family on my fathers side. She did very well and got back to 1798. But, with one name, she hit a dead end. There are no birth, death or marriage dates for this fellow. Nothing in fact but a name.

Anyway, I said I would have a look around and see what I could discover and how to go about it; but I'm totally stumped. 

What do I do next? I know that most of the ancestors in the 19th century and early 20th century lived and worked in East Anglia. Many in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Could that be a starting point?

Thank you in advance.

[Spidermonkey]

Hi Grace, welcome to Rootschat!  I'm sure that people will come up with some suggestions to help you break down your brick wall!

What name is it that you are stuck on, and what do you know about the family up to reaching the dead end?

[josey]

Some years ago, my sister began researching our family on my fathers side. She did very well and got back to 1798.

And a welcome from me too  . Lots of knowledgeable & experienced people here who can help

Many more records - both images and transcriptions - have become available online then since your sister did her initial research. Some may be on subscription websites but much is free. Certainly not saying any of your sister's work is dubious, but this may be the opportunity to double check the work so far so that any work from now on has a solid basis. Has she got proof from original documents of the line back to the name of interest? And if you have no dates, what is the source of his name?

Josey

[Grace56]

Thank you, Spidermonkey and Josey.

The mans name is Richard Hardy and, until I see my sister and her records again, that's all I know. The family were all living and working in and around Littleport and Hilgay in Cambs'and Suffolk. I believe they were agricultural labourers.

The other names which I think are connected with Richard are; William Pitts, Samual Pitts, John Pitts, and Esther Pitts. The others are Butchers by name and they were my fathers mother and uncles/ aunts.

My fathers Christian name was Lansdell (unusual I believe)

[jim1]

How is he connected to your family ?
You need to give us something more positive to work with.
As has been said what is the last piece of provable info you have on this line of your family?

[Grace56]

Richard Hardy was my great, great, great grandfather and according to the paper family tree I've just found, beside his name is c1785. What does c mean? Birth perhaps?
His daughter, Eleanor was my great, great grandmother.

From there, the link is direct back to my father, Lansdell Harry Roberts.

I'm guessing that, if Richard was born in 1785, it will mean finding his birth place and finding him in parish/church records.

I am new to all this so its all a bit daunting at the moment. But very interesting and absorbing.

[josey]

Hilgay in Suffolk.

As far as I can see, Hilgay is in Norfolk which may affect our searches.

Do you have Richard or Eleanor on the 1841 census? Or Eleanor's baptism or marriage record?

[jim1]

& who did Richard Hardy marry ?

I take it this is Eleanor's marriage:
Name    John Butcher     
 Birth Date     1818     
 Age     22     
 Spouse's Name     Eleanor Hardy     
 Spouse's Birth Date     1817     
 Spouse's Age     23     
 Event Date     06 Sep 1840     
 Event Place     Hilgay, Norfolk, England     
 Father's Name    John Butcher     
 Spouse's Father's Name    Richard Hardy 

[josey]

Shame that marriage is before the 1841 census - Eleanor will not be with family.

For the back burner:
A possible baptism for Richard on familysearch:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NNDZ-K4T

A couple of possible marriages for Richard - 1804, 1810.