Author Topic: It's those pesky Hern families again !  (Read 268 times)

Offline Sue Frost

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It's those pesky Hern families again !
« on: Tuesday 09 April 24 19:23 BST (UK) »
Researching my family tree , and happy with what I've collated so far , but now I've hit a brick wall .
This is not my ancestor so DNA isn't likely to help , unfortunately .
So , John Hern , born in 1793 , in Cookbury , Devon . John married Mary Sanders on 29/8/1814 , and they had nine children together . He died in Bulkworthy in 1863 . Its his parents that i'm struggling with , initially I thought his father , another John , was born in 1769 , in Bulkworthy , and married Agnes Damerel Hannaford . She was born in Devon on 2/2/1772 , and the marriage took place at Widecombe in the Moor on 18/11/1793 . I think I may have the wrong John tho' , most others searching the same tree have put a different John to me , and Francis as John's spouse , not Agnes , but I can't see any evidence to support this . There are several generations of Hern that lived in the Bulkworthy , Cookbury area , until they eventually landed up in South Wales , so is Widecombe on the
 Moor a bit 'leftfield' ?
This is so important to me , its for an uncle whose mother , Florrie died just after having him, she was married to a William Hern , who placed my uncle with Florrie's sister , my nan . Its never really been spoken of within the family , or whats left of it now , so my uncle has no real idea of his family background at all . He is now unwell himself with Parkinsons , and will be 80 shortly , I would love him to know something about his family . Can anybody help ?

Offline Girl Guide

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Re: It's those pesky Hern families again !
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday 09 April 24 22:13 BST (UK) »
Welcome to RootsChat  :D

There is an 1851 census record for a John Hern and wife Frances living at Haytown Village, Bulkworthy, Bideford, Devon.  His birth year is given as 1771.

John's occupation is given as Cooper and birthplace as Langtree, Devon.  His wife's birthplace is given as Bulkworthy, Devon.

They are also in the 1841 census living in Haytown with what I assume is their married daughter Ann.

I would keep options open and see if you can find other John Hern records.  It's always worth finding as many possibilities that are available.  If you build up a record of all likely John Herns you may be able to get a clearer picture.

Also bear in mind spelling variations of the surname - Herne, Hearn, Hearne etc.  Tick the Name Variants box when searching.

Ashford: Somerset, London
England: Devon, London, New Zealand
Holdway: Wiltshire
Hooper: Bristol, Somerset
Knowling: Devon, London
Southcott: Devon, China
Strong: Wiltshire
Watson: Cambridgeshire
White: Bristol
Windo - Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire

Offline amondg

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Re: It's those pesky Hern families again !
« Reply #2 on: Wednesday 10 April 24 02:59 BST (UK) »
Following on from Girl Guide
The 1841 census same page

John Hern 70 Cooper
Frances 65
Ann Nicholls 30 widow
Thomas Nicholls 4
Richard Nicholls 3
Next entry
John Hern Junr. Carpenter 47
Mary 45
John 18
Caroline 13
Edwin 8
William 4
Harriott 1
Next entry
James Hern  75 Carpenter
Grace 40
--------
As the elder John 70  is listed first and John 47 is listed as John Jnr. This would be why it is assumed
that John 70 is his father.

Offline amondg

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Re: It's those pesky Hern families again !
« Reply #3 on: Wednesday 10 April 24 05:06 BST (UK) »
The marriage of John Hern to Mary sanders 29 August 1814 was at Cookbury

John was listed as "a resident" what is doesn't say is of this parish.
Others will have more information but I think you only needed to live there for 3 weeks to become a resident.

The witnesses are Emanuel Sanders and James Hearn. Witnesses signed
Bride and groom made their mark.

If son James is their first born son then it is likely his father is James.

Notes both James and John are Carpenters.


Offline amondg

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Re: It's those pesky Hern families again !
« Reply #4 on: Wednesday 10 April 24 05:09 BST (UK) »
It's possible James and John Senior are brothers or cousins, did they marry sisters?

James Hern married Ann Newcombe 23 March 1791 at Buckland Brewer

John Hern married Frances Newcombe 26 October 1795 at Buckland Brewer
He was of Bulkworthy.

Offline Sue Frost

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Re: It's those pesky Hern families again !
« Reply #5 on: Saturday 13 April 24 15:51 BST (UK) »
Thank you so much for all your info and suggestions , what a great , helpful site this is ! I think I got carried away with the notion that John married Agnes as she came from a family , some of whom fought in the American Civil War !! How amazing that would be for my uncle  !