Belsham/Belcham v Belchampe.

Findem

Findem

The Fearless One. Rest in Peace.
I've come to the conclusion that Belsham/Belcham and Bel(l)chamchamp(e) are the same surname, yes I do know it's not a ground shaking theory. :D

It looks as though my earliest ancestor is Francis Belchampe, aka Belsham/Belcham.

He married Sarah Pettet in 1697 at Gt Chesterford and according to Free Reg a note indicated that both Bride and Groom were of "Walden".

Also on on Free Reg is the Saffron Walden baptism of Francis son of John and Susan Belchampe 21 Apr 1678, couldn't find a marriage or burial for this Francis on Free Reg. so there's a good chance he could be one of my ancestors.

With Soundex ticked on Free Reg, Belcham picks up Belsham and Bel(l)champ(e) names, now I realise that doesn't give authentication that all those surnames are related so I'm wondering what is the consensus of opinion. I couldn't check back further because on Free Reg the transcriptions start at 1674

Anyone care to comment?

Just for the record Baptisms, Marriages and Burial transcriptions on Free Reg for Saffron Walden all currently start at 1674 and go to 1749.

Odd thing but from the list of what's on Free Reg there's nothing for Gt Chesterford and nor is it indicated that there is "Work in progress", yet the marriage for Francis Belcham and Sarah Pettet at Gt Chesterford is on Free Reg! I'm wondering if the marriage info really came from Gt Chesterford PR's or was there a mention in Saffron Walden PRs.
 
Did you check surnamedb.com.
Belsham, according to the above, originally Belchamp, a village in La Manche, Normandy and translating to 'a beautiful place'.
In England the spelling divided into Beauchamp, Beacham, Belcham, Belchamp, Belsham.

Could possibly have been Huguenot. It is believed that our Pettett's were as well.
 
That's interesting Archie's Mum and no I hadn't checked that site, I'll Bookmark it.

You mention our Pettets so I take it you're researching the name also, are yours Essex.
 
thalauafu said:
Hi Jan, I have a Lydia Pettit born 1835 in Cambridge St. Giles in my tree. She married my gg Uncle Henry Gray in Cambridge.
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Mine were all from around Castle Camps......

Findem said:
Just for the record Baptisms, Marriages and Burial transcriptions on Free Reg for Saffron Walden all currently start at 1674 and go to 1749.
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..... which is just down the road from Saffron Walden. :D

My BELSHAMs were also from Castle Camps, but those that I have found thus far are mainly from the 1800s. :)
 
Findem said: ↑
Just for the record Baptisms, Marriages and Burial transcriptions on Free Reg for Saffron Walden all currently start at 1674 and go to 1749.
..... which is just down the road from Saffron Walden. :D
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Jan, did you mean Gt Chesterford is just down the road from Saffron Walden? :confused:
 
No, that Castle Camps was just down the road from Saffron Walden. Mind you, Great Chesterford is only down the road as well - 4 miles. ;)
 
PS Francis Belcham didn't marry Sarah Pettet 15 Oct 1697 he married her 15 Oct 1692. :oops: :D

Lucky for his daughter Sarah (bap 1695) though eh! :D

That destroys my theory as to why they married in Gt Chesterford instead of where they were living, Saffron Walden, I'll wash my mouth out. :( :D
 
Since Gt Chesterford is not on Free Reg transcripts yet and as Francis and Sarah appear to have only the one child, Sarah, in Saffron Walden, guess I'll note down Gt Chesterford as the first place to look for more children.

Why couldn't they have stayed in SW to have the rest of their children! :D
 
Double checking everything yesterday I found yet another error, again in my post #1, I didn't find the marriage of Francis Belcham and Susan Pettet in Free Reg, it came from Family Search.

I guess the excitement of at last finding Sarah Belcham and her parents must have addled my brain. :)
 
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