Genealogy Chat

Some weeks ago I was lent a booklet about the history of Meesden and every time I look in it I find something new. Under the heading 'Items from Hertfordshire Session Rolls Referring to Meesden' was an entry concerning the indictment of a William Chappell, a labourer in Meesden, who in 1764 was found guilty of the theft of two turkeys to the value of 7s, one drake (6d) and one duck (6d) and ordered to be transported for seven years! I don't know the revelence of this yet, but I'd say the William Chappell mentioned above would be an ancestor of Henry Chappell and if he was transported then it would have probably been to Australia. Maybe this has something to do with the way different surnames were used at different times! Lyndsey

Hi Jim and Lyla Sorry about the delay in replying - been away for a few days! You two really are fabulous! I know about John and Jane Brooks. They and their little kiddiewinks emigrated to Australia in 1854 and I am in touch with some of their descendants over there! Thanks for the info about Richard Brooks, Mary Matthews (another name I familiar to me from the Meesden census records). I am of the opinion that they are all tied in together but I cannot get my head around why they were using such a variety of names! It all sounds very suspicious to me! Do you think the name Challis might have been a combination of Chapel and Collison? Now that I have the papers I was waiting for from Australia I'm ready to go to Hertford Archives and will look into all this further! I was originally only going for the Saturday morning or late weekday evening but I've got so much to look for I think it would be worth my while taking a days annual leave! Thanks again Lyndsey

Hi Lyla How about this? 1841 Jane Challes abt 1826 Hertfordshire, England Meesden Hertfordshire View Record Mary Challes abt 1781 Meesden Hertfordshire I think Mary is 40 not 60 so abt 1801 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz RICHARD COLLINSON Marriages: Spouse: MARY MATHEWS Family Marriage: 11 MAY 1822 Meesden, Hertford, England zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz I am leaning towards the theory that they used two surnames sometimes Chappel sometimes Strange or Collison

Hi Lyndsay Glad to hear you are making progress. This is just an off the wall idea but next door to John and Jane Brooks in 1851 is a Mary Challis, widow 50 and her son James 28. I've forgotton when James Collison was born and I know the name is wrong but I wondered if they are worth considering? Lyla PS I dont have any credits on familyhistory online but this burial looks promising 1. Richard COLLISON found in National Burial Index (Hertfordshire FHS) 1 entry in Hertfordshire during 1828 details £0.06

Do you have this? Do the children ring a bell? 1851 England Census Record about Jane Brooks Name: Jane Brooks Age: 25 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1826 Relation: Wife Spouses's Name: John Gender: Female Where born: Meesden, Hertfordshire, England Civil parish: Meesden County/Island: Hertfordshire Country: England Registration district: Royston Sub-registration district: Buntingford Edmond Brooks 6 Eli Brooks 3 Mo Emma Brooks 4 George Brooks 2 Jane Brooks 25 John Brooks 25 Source Citation: Class: HO107; Piece: 1707; Folio: 43; Page: 34; GSU roll: 193615.

Thanks Jim. You have no idea how many Australian Brooks there are as a result of these two! Millions of 'em! I've made some very good contacts over there. Lyndsey

Hi Lyndsey Keep at it,you are doing well. I have lost track of what you have so; marriage John Brookes 1843 Jul-Aug-Sep Royston Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire View Record Jane Collison 1843 Jul-Aug-Sep Royston Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire

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 '

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

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 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

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 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

Thanks Jim I'll ring them tomorrow 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'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

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

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

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

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