Hi all, I wonder if anyone can help me find the early history of my great great grandmother Rose Ann Smith please? She married Josiah Woodard in Aldeburgh, Suffolk in 1864. I have her wedding and death certificates and have traced her censuses from 1871 onwards, but I can find no trace of her birth or 1851 or 1861 Census entries. As you will see below, her first names and place of birth tend to vary a little! Here is the information I know about her:
The wedding certificate shows her as Rosa Ann, "of full age", married in Aldeburgh Parish Church, Suffolk. Her father was George Smith, occupation Carrier. She was resident in Aldeburgh. There are no clues about other family members on the certificate as both witnesses were Woodards.
The 1871 Census shows her as Roseanne aged 27, resident in Peasenhall, Suffolk, born in Hertford.
The 1881 Census shows her as possibly Roseanne (it is a little unclear) aged 37, resident in Esh Winning, Durham, born (looks like) Helmstead, Hereford (the enumerator's writing is atrocious)!
The 1891 Census for the Woodard family street in Esh Winning is recorded as missing.
The 1901 Census shows her as Rose A. aged 57, resident in Esh Winning, born Hemel Hempstead.
The 1911 Census shows her as Rose Annie aged 67, resident in Esh Winning, born Hemel Hempstead.
She died in Esh Winning in 1919 as Rose Ann, aged 75.
From the above, it seems safe to assume that she was born 1843/44 in Hemel Hempstead. The other places listed on the censuses are probably where the enumerator has misheard.
I cannot locate any trace of her father George either.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.