Devon Nankivell (Dunn) to Australia

[diabak]

Latest Nankivell puzzle is Martin DUNN, married an Elizabeth ? in Devon 1836-38
7 children born Mary Tavy 1838 to 1858
All of the children (except 1) had Nankivell as a middle name,
All of the family emigrated and died in Victoria, Australia
2 of the sons  also used nankivell in their chidrens names.
Elizabeth  was chr abt 1812, and whether she is a Nankivell, or from them is the puzzle.
When she died in Victoria in 1905 parents unknown.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Dianne

[sparrett]

Latest Nankivell puzzle is Martin DUNN, married an Elizabeth ? in Devon 1836-38
 

Well, the mother's  maiden surname on the GRO index for the child John Nanivell DUNN (Dec. 1/4 1839. 9/455)is NICHOLLS.

Is that what you are asking?

[diabak]

I did see the nicholls marriage, but I believe she was previously a Nankivell, and married Dunn as a possible widow? I don't have access to Devon registers, and nothing in Ancestry
There is no Nankivell connection in  the Dunn family until after Martin and Elizabeth married, then it was in all their children's names.

Di

[Brentor boy]

Entirely speculative but Family Search has the baptism of an Elizabeth Nicholls, Mary Tavy, on 8 September 1817, mother Jane Nicholls, so presumably illegitimate. Is it possible the father, or step father, was a Nankivell and the name became attached?

[Brentor boy]

Further speculation. Family Search has these baptisms:  Mary  (1822), James (1829) both Mary Tavy, and Ann (1827) Tavistock. Parents James and Jane Nankivell.

Roots Web World Connect has Ann, born Mary Tavy, baptised Tavistock. Parents James Nankivell and Jennifer Nicholls.  Jennifer and Jane sometimes interchangeable.

Something to think about but need for more research. May be worth contacting Mary Tavy O P C for possible marriage.

[diabak]

I have that family, but they didn't marry till 1820, Elizabeth Dunn was born abt 1812, going by her age at death, and its said her birth was in Peter Tavy, though not sure that makes a difference.

[jomcd967]

In 1881 Elizabeth changes her pob to Mary Tavy.

I would suggest buying the 1838 marriage certificate for Martin Dunn and Elizabeth Nicholls as your best method of finding her parentage. I notice that in earlier census returns it looks as if her name is written as Elzth N Dunn, given that Nicholls is her maiden name on her children's birth (not a previous married name) then it is possible that she is Elizabeth Nankivell Nicholls which would fit well with being the illegitimate daughter of James and Jennifer as found by Brentor boy, although they later marry.

Other possibilities are Eliabeth Nicholls bap 16 Nov 1817 to James and Elizabeth.

Other possible parental marriages are Edward Nankivell and Mary Nicholls 28 Jan 1810 at Mary Tavy or Alice Nankivil and John Nichols 27 Feb 1809 at Stoke Damerel.

Again, I would strongly suggest that you buy the Martin Dunn/Elizabeth Nicholls marriage certificate before making any further speculations.

Kind regards, Jo 

[Brentor boy]

Calculating the year of birth from recorded age at death can be misleading.  It depends on  a) the deceased person knowing exactly how old they are and b) how well informed the person reporting the death is. A 100 years ago a person only needed to know when they were of "full age" i e 21. Also the year of baptism is not necessarily the year of birth.

I have family who lived in Mary Tavy and Peter Tavy and they seemed to use the facilities of both villages without distinction.

[diabak]

Going through the census... in 1841 in mary Tavy, in 1851 in Holne, Michelcombe. 1861 in Wales, with her age 29, 34, 44.

Looks like a lot more deeper research on this one.Even the DNA will not help.
Di