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Vera, thank you for getting back to me. So, going on what you say, you think that the birth cert you found for me is the right one. Do you also think that the 1861 census showing Sarah as a farm worker is correct, given that the age is a bit different?

I'll just check out that 1861 for Sarah. I didn't post it but I do remember it was on the thread somewhere.

On the balance of probabilities, I think this is very likely because no one so far has found a Benjamin with a Sarah and many things fit.

Aniother opinion would be good and hopefully someone would pick up and give their thoughts.

Vera

I would say 1861 census with Sara A as Farm Servant is very likely to be her.
Can't find a Sarah A anywhere else in the Retford or Lincolnshire area for 1861. Also Bradfield where Sarah A was in 1861 is very close to Ecclesfield where John Andrews was born and to Sheffield where they married.

Will try to find them in 1871. With a bit of luck they will have a relative visiting!

Vera

Vera, thank you for trying

nudge for some possible comments on the likelihood of Bentley Watson being Benjamin Godfrey

Vera

Vera, I have 1871 census ( with another mystery)John Andrew (Head), Sarah A Andrew (spouse) no "s" on Andrew

On this census are 2 people i can't connect with yet.George H Hounsell 1838, and Carroll Hounsell, 1857

Yes I found that 1871 but very poor quality on Ancestry. I think although they were transcribed as George and Carroll that may not be so. I thought the original looked like Clara. Not sure her age is correct either (14) Although they were lodger and wife there was aniother entry but I can't quite read it.

The only thing I can think of to tip the balance in favour of Benjamin/Bentley would be if George and Martha's marriage cert used one of those names too but then its quite likely to say Thomas.

I wouldn't bother too much about the missed of s as long as the other things match ie dob, place of birth and occupation.

Just another bit of info for you to have one of the census of George and Martha gives the exact occupation as Bentley Godfrey. I'll check out my history.

Vera

It's too much to take in tonight. I'm going offline now but will be back on tomorrow. Thank you so much for your help. Goodnight.

a nudge so I don't get lost

I'm going to go thru thread again. There must be something - somewhere.

Vera

Was there an address on the birth certificate. I have just noted that in 1844 at the time of the birth cert Thomas was a bricklayer. The Thomas who died and whose wife went on to marry Bentley Godfrey was in 1851 a shopkeeper.
However could still be the same one as occupations do change as it did in the case of son George.

Vera

Hello Vera, sorry to say there was no address on the birth cert.

Have been looking for a marriage for Thomas and Mary Ann, but can't find anything (can't make out maiden name. it looks like Barthorpe ) I've seen a family tree with a Mary Ann Nicholson, but nothing to back it up.

I did find that marriage last night:

England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index: 1837-1915
about Mary Bartrop Name: Mary Bartrop
Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1841
Registration district: East Retford
Inferred County: Nottinghamshire
Volume Number: 15
Page Number: 10&f5=15">959 (click to see others on page)

Mary Bartrop Oct-Nov-Dec 1841 East Retford Nottinghamshire
Thomas Booth Oct-Nov-Dec 1841 East Retford Nottinghamshire
Charlotte Fairham Oct-Nov-Dec 1841 East Retford Nottinghamshire
Joseph Harrison Oct-Nov-Dec 1841 East Retford Nottinghamshire
Ann Lambert Oct-Nov-Dec 1841 East Retford Nottinghamshire
Alexander Mccalla Oct-Nov-Dec 1841 East Retford Nottinghamshire
Harriett Nawton Oct-Nov-Dec 1841 East Retford Nottinghamshire
Thomas Watson Oct-Nov-Dec 1841 East Retford Nottinghamshire

That date would fit with Harriet's (on the 1851 census above) for date and place of birth. But still nothing definite to link the name Benjamin Watson on marriage cert to stepfather Bentley.

I have re-looked at all the other posts and checked for possible Benjamin Watson's but nothing I can see would link to Sarah Ann.

The birth cert for Sarah Ann, Lincolnshire, although a good possibility throws up another problem as the occupation of Thomas (sorry I missed that when you posted birth cert details) is different from 1851 census occupation so that can't be 100% either.

The only thing I can think of is the marriage cert of one of the sibs of Sarah Ann preferably the youngest who may not remember the name of her/his biological father may have recorded a Benjamin or a Bentley as father.

Vera





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Hello again Vera, I did see that marriage, I was looking through records all day, and I did wonder about it. Nothing is straightforward, is it.?
I have tried to get something concrete by working from another angle. 1911 census, looking at address where my grandfather lived I discovered a family called Watson. This is too much of a coincidence, in my mind, for it not to be relatives of Sarh Ann, but so far haven't found the connection.Will have to keep trying. Thank you so much for your time and effort. :-)

nudge

Hello again. I agree a different angle is needed. Can't accept ancestors as yours unless everything is 100%.

Which 1911 are you referring to. Widening the search may turn up a Benjamin Watson after all.

No, nothing is straightforward it can be frustrating and rewarding and unfortinately very expensive if certs are needed to confirm.

Vera

Adddress was 10 Haggard Road,Hillsborough,, Sheffield. William Byron Watson, Head,Married. Cattle Drover, Ecclesall Bierlow.b. abt. 1842.Wife: Fanny Watson,41,Joseph,18,Fred, 16, Hubert,9,Mary Elizabeth,7, Wilfred, 5, Alice 2.
I've found several census for him, and 2 marriages.
Have to leave pc til tomorrow, thank you again, and goodnight.

nudge