Thank you to everyone who said Hi to a newbie. In my family I have Richard Willett born 1814 either Petworth or Angmering, he married Louisa ? born 1815 Blackheath/Crayford Kent (I have this info from census records 1871/81) I have been told that Louisa was a "James"but I cannot find anything to support this. Added to which Richards father was a Thomas Willett born about 1798 married to an Elizabeth ? His Grandfather was William Willett born about 1760 married to a Martha Chick again I have no proof of this. If anyone could help me with this it would be much appreciated.
Hi Hops Looking at the 1871 census (RG10, Piece 1076, folio 7, page 8), Joseph and Louisa had a daughter Lois, aged 17. If you lay your hands on a copy of her birth certificate, it should give you the maiden name of Louisa, thus providing another step in nailing down the marriage. The reference for Lois' birth registration is: December quarter 1853, Steyning registration district, volume 2b, page 208. Not sure if you have ever ordered a copy certificate before, but they are available from the GRO (click the link) for £9.25. Use the references that I have provided and you should get the right one.
Came across a tree with William Willett 1750 Horsmonden Kent died 1830 Goudhurst and Martha Chick. William's father was William and mother Elizabeth Woodfine William Willett (1750) with son Thomas born 1798 Goudhurst and married to an Emma Fishenden born 1787 married 1818. No Richard in the list of children. But in looking at these dates maybe Thomas' first wife was Elizabeth..
Lois Willett's birth in the GRO, mother Collins: GRO WILLETT, LOIS COLLINS GRO Reference: 1853 D Quarter in STEYNING Volume 02B Page 208 The first marriage may have been to a Sarah Collins, Marriages Sep 1850 COLLINS Sarah Woodstock 16 255 Willett Joseph Woodstock 16 255 ; who then died, with Joseph remarrying to either of these, given crook spelling at the Registries: Marriages Jun 1857 Shepherd Louisa Abingdon 2C 465 Willshire/Wiltshire Joseph Abingdon 2c 465 Marriages Mar 1857 Whittick Louisa Dudley 6c 54 Willis Joseph Dudley 6c 54
You probably already have found out that Romany families can have large families and the kids baptised in a number of different number of parishes and counties. One of my grandmother's brothers married a Romany lady, so my great aunt, I did a little research on her and previous families and it was quite interesting, especially locations at Census times. Noting you mention a female named James, one of sisters of my great aunt was named Sylvester so they aren't too fussy with names.
Btw I found with the family of my great aunt Councellatta some name changes, Councellatta became Councie and sometimes Connie, just shortened, her sister Sylvester in a later Census became Esther, again I suppose just a shortening of her name but a brother in the same census named Zachariah became John.
