Does anyone have access to the image of a baptism record on Family Search?

[Jang]

After years of searching I think I've finally found the baptism of William Morris, probably in Ledbury.

The transcript on Family Search:
William Morgan Morris, baptised 7 Apr 1806, Herefordshire, Mother's Name Sarah Morris

I've always suspected he was the son of William Morris and Sarah Morgan who married in 1803 in Ledbury but info from his convict records put his birth ca 1810.

I'm confused about there being no father's name listed.

Can anyone help with the actual image?

Jan

[goldie61]

This transcribed entry is from Hertfordshire Bishop's Transcripts and is only viewable at a familysearch library or affiliate library.
This seems to be a combination of many Herefordshire registers.
Have you looked at the Ledbury films? These are viewable at home if you're signed in.
Go to 'catalog' at the top, and put in 'Ledbury'.

Most often when there is only a mother's name, it is because the child was illegitimate.
Do you have evidence of who William's father was?

I shouldn't put too much store by the difference in ages. Many people didn't know exactly how old they were (no such thing as birth certificates then), plus many people added to, or took away from their age depending on their agenda.

[Jang]

Thanks goldie61, I didn't know I could access the Ledbury registers. I've been right through the 1806 baptisms but he's not there. Then I realised the transcript didn't say Ledbury but Herefordshire! Not sure where to go next apart from searching nearby parishes.

I don't think he was illegitimate as William Morris and Sarah Morgan married in Ledbury in 1803 and had daughter Elizabeth in 1804. I found her baptism easily enough.

No I don't know who his father or mother were. The reason I suspect he belongs to these parents is that he was transported to NSW for poaching and I found a reference to him and his partners in crime in "Rural Conflict, Crime and Protest 1800 - 1860" by Timothy Shakesheff which said he was "part of a family of notorious poachers".

[jonw65]

William Morgan Morris, bap 7 April 1806
Mother Sarah Morris
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:W9P5-YHPZ

Under Document Information you will see
Digital Folder Number 007907742

Which I think just is their DGS number 7907742, otherwise known as microfilm 992389
Consisting of
Bishop's transcripts for Presteigne (Radnorshire), 1659-1881 (items 1-3)
Bishop's transcripts for Preston-upon-Wye, 1664-1836 (item 4)

Also says
Image number 00292
There seem to be 908 images on the film, which we can't see at home, but possibly suggests that image 292 will be a Presteigne one.

[Jang]

Thanks jonw65, I tried to find the film you mentioned but couldn't. Can you help me locate it? I find Family Search very confusing!

[jonw65]

Hi
Bishop's transcripts for Presteigne, 1659-1881
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/31184

Bishop's transcripts for Preston-upon-Wye, 1664-1836
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/30711

As goldie said, it can't be viewed at home
I still think Presteigne is likely, but they seem to be one of those Welsh parishes that have refused to allow copies of their parish registers to go online. Which is very disappointing.

[Jang]

Thanks for the links - it is a pity they won't allow their registers to be put online. I must admit I often wondered if William had been born/baptised in Wales. :-)