I am trying to find out some more information on Sophia White. She was born about 1804 in Walton Somerset. On 13th April 1824 she married John Godfrey at the Parish Church Street. I have found them and their family on the 1841 census (HO107; Piece 964; Book: 22; Folio: 8; Page: 10) and in 1851 census still living in Street. (HO107; Piece: 1935; Folio: 113; Page: 8). I believe the couple had at least eight children all born in Street. George b 1827 Eliza b 1829 John b 1831 John b 1833 Jane Elizabeth b 1836 Ann b 1839 Mary Anna b 1842 Emma born 1844 Sophia's husband John Godfrey is on the 1871 census in Street living as a lodger. He is recorded as a widow. It is of interest to note that by 1861 two daughters were living in Canada, Emma and Eliza. So I am wondering what happened to Sophia and where was the rest of the family in 1861. Can anyone help? With many thanks
Thanks Archie's mum. Sophia was on the 1851 census so I am guessing this is not her. I think her death must be between the 1851 and 1871 census. Unless she left for Canada as well as her two daughters but somehow I doubt it.
Mary Anna Godfrey b. 1843 in Bridgewater in 1871, 'visitor' but seemingly employed as a parlour maid. RG10; Piece 2381; Folio 5; Page 1. (Laptop on a go-slow).
There is a Mary Ann Godfry (FMP transcription but the original looks like Godfrey) b1845 Compton a house servant on a farm in Wells 1861 RG09/1666/63/4
George is living with John, his wife Caroline and their family in 1871, both brothers shoemakers and still in Street. RG10; 2452; 61; 39. George is also married (Diana). Still looking for them in 1861.
Quite a complicated family Mary Ann(a)Godfrey born 1842 also missing from the 1861 census turns up in Leeds in 1871 having married Altham Campbell Pilling. On the 1881 census Mary Ann Pilling is back in Street and on the census it kindly says Husband gone to America. I loose their trail after this. I wonder if he met up with the two sisters who by now had left Canada and were also in America. Did Mary Ann join him?
That's most considerate - he must've known we'd be looking for him eventually. Whereabouts in America were the two sisters by that time - do you know?
Before Ellis Island........castlegarden.org has listed arriving America on 13/7/1857 Sophia Godfrey age 53 and Emma Godfrey age 7 ????? Cant yet find Eliza
Emma was still in Ontario Canada on the 1901 census then settled in Michigan. Eliza I think was in Michigan in 1880
Family Search has a Mary Ann Pilling arriving in New York on the 'Devon' in 1881 age is given as 39 birthplace England...but that's all.
Wiki tree has a tree with Emma Helen Godfrey father John mother Sophia White. Emma's birthdate is given as 15/3/1847 but baptism as 1844. If the 1847 birthyear is correct then the age of 7 as immigration age could be a badly written 9.
Seems Eliza and husband John Linton arrived in US in 1856. Family search 1900 census Affiliate number T623 Digital Folder 004119836 Eliza age is given as 71 John as 66. Daughter Ida 26 and she is a music teacher and one of 6 siblings. John is a shoemaker and they were married in 1853 arriving as immigrants in 1856. Still cant find them on passenger lists
Eliza and John's daughter Sophia also listed as a music teacher on Familysearch, born 7th May 1862 in Canada. Died Michigan, 24 November 1948. Still hunting for her grandma.
So if Eliza and John arrived in the US in 1856 then it may be that Sophia joined them. I was thinking that that Eliza went to Canada first as she is on the 1861 Canada census. I haven't got access to that to check it. Thanks Archie's Mum.
The family have heard the story that Emma came to Canada as a bond servant from Wales. She is there with family in 1861 aged 14 so how likely might this be? I haven't got access to the Canadian census but now a relative is saying she thinks Emma aged 14 is staying with her father John Godfrey and he is widowed. All makes no sense to me.
Try here, Amle: https://www. bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1861/Pages/1861.aspx A John Godfrey (59) and Emma Godfrey (18), both born in England, are on the 1861 census in Markham subdistrict, York district, Canada West. A John Linton (30, shoemaker), Eliza Linton (33) and three children were next door.
Emma marries Ebenezer Pryne who was born in 1848 in Canada 1861 has Ebenezer in Whitechurch York Ontario 1871 he is 22 of German origin still in Whitechurch 1881 32 of Dutch origin with wife Emma 33 born England Maryatta 17, Malinda 15, Eliza 13, Elizabeth 8 Ira 2. All born Ontario. Emma would have been about 16 when Maryatta was born. Which is a bit confusing considering she was with John Godfrey in 1861 age 18!! 1891 he is 42 and married, still in York 1901 he is 51 with Emma 52 1902 there is a marriage in Toronto for Ira Pryne to Alice Muirhead, father Ebenezer Pryne mother Emma Godfrey.
Find-a-grave Emma Godfrey Pryne born 1847 died 1933 married to George Franklin Helmkey who died in 1870 then married Ebenezer Pryne 10/8/1872. Buried at Lake Orion Michigan Children of Emma and George Franklin were Malinda 1865 and Eliza Jane 1868. Maryatta- I'm not sure where she fits in. Was she born before George and Emma married or died young and so not listed on the Find a grave memorial for George Franklin?
