Christopher Harrington from Badwell Ash, died 1743 or 4

[Klswift]

Hello all- I'm really stumped as I am a beginner.

3 cousins sharing the same "Barrell" line in Suffolk have been DNA tested, and weirdly, we all have connections to Harringtons, not Barrells, all descended from Robert Harrington in Suffolk (1616-1707). The male among us gets almost exclusively Harrington results from his Y-DNA. We assume this means a Harrington man got a Barrell woman pregnant, probably illegitimately and the child took her name, not his.

One of our Barrell ancestors hails from the tiny village of Badwell Ash (population was about 300 people). There is also a Christopher Harrington living there at the same time. I have found his burial record for May 30, 1743 or 1744. I also have christening records for three legitimate daughters in the 1730s, with a wife called Elizabeth listed.

We think he may be the genetic link, and that he may have had an affair with a female Barrell ancestor of ours, the product of which was just included into the Barrell line that we have records for.

What would prove this, is if we can link this Christopher Harrington to the Robert Harrington from 1616 (as we are quite strongly genetically connected to his descendants). I am having a tough time finding any more records, unfortunately.

Can anyone please help with suggestions or knowledge?

Thank you so much for your time. 

[philipsearching]

Greetings, and a warm welcome to Rootschat.

I had a quick look on freereg for Badwell Ash and the registers seem to be available going back to the 1500s.  The first Barrell (or similar spelling) I found was James, son of James and Esther baptised 16 Oct 1715.

Given the number of parishes in Suffolk, and the fact that not all surviving registers have been transcribed, this may be one of those searches that you revisit every month or so to see what new information has come online.

Proving a link between Robert Harrington (1616-1707) and Christopher Harrington (bur 1743-4) would be persuasive, but you need to track back from your direct Barrell ancestor to around 1630, then look for links.

Transcribers do not always include every detail on a register, so there is no substitute for checking images.  You may get lucky and find a 'base child' with a 'reputed father' named, but also look for baptisms to widows (more than one of my ancestors was a "merry widow" who had a child born a few years after her husband died) - this may not be noted in a baptism register and would require checking burial registers.

If you let us know how your line is constructed (not naming living relatives) with dates and parishes, there may well be Rootschatters who have access to resources not yet available online who are ready and willing to help.

All the best
Philip

[Klswift]

Dear Philip,

Thank you so much for looking this up for me. I apologise profusely for taking so long to thank you- I have been away as we have had a bereavement.

This was a very helpful response for a beginner and when I get back on deck, I will post the appropriate information, in case there is anyone who can shed light.

Just wanted to send you my gratitude.

Sincerely,
Kristy.