Genealogy Chat

Hi Susan I'm showing myself up I'm afraid Susan - I once tried to use the IGI site, got absolutely nowhere with it and never went back again! I'm sure it's a very helpful tool and I will endevour to have another go. Meanwhile, is there any way we can find Sarah's birth in 1806 to find out for sure what her maiden name was? Lyndsey

Oooh you must have a look at this website... http://www.yourtotalevent(.)com/people/idxpepl.htm I just copied a little bit to wet your appetite! 1 Henry STRANGE; Hertford, St John (at marriage) + Lydia PIGG 1825 31st Oct, Meesden Herts; bap 7 Apr 1805 Clavering ,Essex (parents Thomas & Sarah (nee BURGESS) (Ref Clavering PRs) Lydia was listed as a widow in the 1851 census for Meesden (See Hertfordshire page)

Lyla I was just going to say don't feel too bad - we don't know that your info was incorrect! I'm off now to look at the site you mentioned and will report back! Lyndsey

Well Lyla, I've had a look, not as detailed as I would have liked but I have to go out at 7.15 and I daren't be late! I'll have another look tomorrow. Got abit side tracked by the entry under Lydia's as I live in Cheshunt and used to live in Waltham Abbey!! How do we account for the Chaple family on the 1841 census records? - surely with all the same names in the same areas it has to be more than a co-incidence? Lyndsey

Hmmmm.... If Lydia Pigg married Henry Strange there are a couple of scenarios. 1. In 1841 Henry Strange was still alive and for some reason the enumerator copied down Chaple (there was a Chaple family further up the page). But I dont think this is right because there is no sign of the 'real' Henry Chapel who we know to have been born in 1806. 2. More likely, Henry Strange died and Lydia hooked up with Henry Chaple for a little while. Perhaps they never married and so when he died in (1844?) she and her children reverted back to Strange as that was still her real name. I looked on FreeBMD but there are no births for the children under Strange but some possibles the right age under Chapple - no names just says 'male child' - so not very helpful. Perhaps someone with the NBI could see if there is a Henry Strange burial in Meesden sometime between 1825 and 1851? Possibly he died between 1825 and 1831 as it seems odd that she had no children in that time. Anyway, have a good evening. Maybe someone will have solved the puzzle by the time you get home!

Hi Lyla I've now had time to look at that web site you put me on to in more detail and found the post about the Essex and Hertfordshire 'Strange' family. A great bit of detective work on your part!! I've passed it over to my Australian rellie and we shall see what she makes of it all! Many thanks once again Lyndsey

This has been to interesting to leave. I looked for the sons who did not emigrate. 1901 Charles Strange Elizabeth abt 1842 Meesden, Hertfordshire, England Head Meesden Hertfordshire William Strange Mary abt 1832 Meesden, Hertfordshire, England Head Nuthampstead Hertfordshire zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz 1891 Charles Strange Elizabeth abt 1833 Meesden, Hertfordshire, England Head Meesden Hertfordshire William Strange Mary abt 1831 Meesden, Hertfordshire, England Head Barkway Hertfordshire zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz others in 1841 George Strange abt 1776 Hertfordshire, England Meesden Hertfordshire Mary Strange abt 1781 Hertfordshire, England Meesden Hertfordshire zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Ann Strange abt 1806 Hertfordshire, England Meesden Hertfordshire William Strange abt 1829 Hertfordshire, England Meesden Hertfordshire

Hi Jim Yes, I've been able to track Charles from 1861 right through to 1901 and I've found William and family in 1871. Would seem to me that the year of birth I was originally given for William (1841) was incorrect. On the 'Strange' site it's 1832 which makes much more sense of how old he was when he married Mary Lyndsey

I give up - I can't find James Collison anywhere. I think the only thing you can do is get hold of his marriage to Lydia and hopefully find out who his father was. Good luck and let us know if you find any answers. Lyla

Never mind Lyla, you've been more than helpful with everything you have found out! I'll get back to my Australian rellie and get her to double check her sources. I'll let you know how it all turns out. Cheers Lyndsey

Two of the children were born pre 1837 LDS have records,on film,for this period,which you can view. Film or fiche number 0991387 Item 6 Parish registers, 1737-1837 Church of England. Parish Church of Meesden

Thanks Jim I'm going to Hertford Archives soon - I can look it up there - can't I? Also, could I just ask - is it likely that Hetford Archives have a full 1841 census for Meesden there for public viewing? Thanks Lyndsey

I am an internet only type. However my wife reckons the Parish records should be in the archives but the census in the reference library. You could phone or email them,to check or start a thread on here,someone should know.

Thanks Jim I'll ring them tomorrow Lyndsey

Hi Jim HALS inform me that they have the 1841 census available for public viewing in their Reading Room! I'm really looking forward to going! I have an ever-growing list of Meesden pre 1820 births/deaths/marriages to look up, but have to first wait for some more info from the Records Offices in NSW, Australia! Regards Lyndsey

Hi Lyndsey Glad to see you are progressing. I know the marriage cert. for James Collison will only prove he is the childrens step father but what it should give is Lydia's previous name history. You never know there might be Collison children from a previous marriage.

Hi Lyndsay Good luck at the records office. Whilst you are there have a look for the marriage of Lydia to James Collison in the marriage records for the church - hopefully they will have married in the same one. If you can find it it will save you forking out for a certificate as a copy of all marriages were held at the parish. It would be interesting to know who was James father and might help to find him in the census. Lyla

Thanks for your good wishes. It's going to be a week or two before I go as I was quoted about 3 weeks waiting time for the shipping info from NSW Records Office and I only ordered them last week. I'll let you know what I find out! Lyndsey

Hi Lyndsey I saw your post about trying to update this thread. Just hit 'add reply' Waiting with interest.

Hi Jim As per your instructions am just clicking on reply with the following: ' I now have the names of James Collison's parents! This morning I received some immigration documents from NSW State Records office about John and Jane Brooks (& family) who emigrated to Sydney on the Ascendant in 1854. Jane Brooks was James Collison's sister. The documents state that Jane's parents were Richard and Mary Collison - both dead. Not knowing the years of their deaths, I'm guessing that it must have been pre 1841, which is why they weren't on the census records! Just thought I'd let you know after all the help everyone has given me! Lyndsey '