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Sorry Maria, Not sure this is the right family yet, putting info on here while I do some fishing around. As for the Corway, quite often there are either mistranscriptions on censuses or it could be a case of it being upto the enumerator to deside how the name was spelt as sometimes the people in the house hold could not read or write. I'm looking at this family because Thomas Cosway is a Whitesmith and they seem to be the only Cosway family in Taunton, which seems to be where Mary says she was born on census info after she married. Fiona. Update. Also remember info given on any certificate is only as good as the person giving the info. My g grandfather claimed to be 26 on his married certificate, he was actually 29. Not sure why he made himself 3 years younger but could have been so he didn't look too much older than his wife. Also people under 21 have made themselves older so they didn't need consent.

This looks like wife Ann's death. Deaths Dec 1850 (64%) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COSWAY Ann Taunton 10 315

Fiona. Bit confused with your second post mentioning CoRway. Is that a wrong spelling? Also, I'm still none the wiser as to when Mary Jane was born. (Was wanting to get her birth cert but can't find anything on BMD that would be her that would tally with her age on the marriage cert). Hoping that makes sense!

This is the Cosway family in 1841. The address in 1841 and 1851 is Cannon Street Ann Corway abt 1805 St James Somerset Ann Corway abt 1834 Somerset, England St James Somerset Charlotte Corway abt 1824 St James Somerset Cornalius Corway abt 1822 St James Somerset Elizabeth Corway abt 1830 St James Somerset Emma Corway abt 1833 St James Somerset Thomas Corway abt 1805 St James Somerset Source information: HO107/972/2 Registration district: Taunton Sub-registration district: Taunton St James ED, institution, or vessel: 3 Folio: 6 Page: 5

Hi Maria, Hopefully this might be a starting point. Thomas is a White Smith. Taunton would match birth place give for Mary Jane on other censuses. 1851. Name: Thos Cosway Age: 40 Estimated birth year: abt 1811 Relation: Head Gender: Male Where born: Twerton, Devon, England Civil parish: Taunton St James Town: Taunton County/Island: Somerset Country: England Street address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: Disability: View image Registration district: Taunton Sub-registration district: Taunton St James ED, institution, or vessel: 1b Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 140 Household Members: Name Age Elizabeth Cosway 20 Henry Cosway 1 Thos Cosway 40 Elizabeth Cosway abt 1831 Crediton, Devon, England Daughter Taunton St James Somerset Henry Cosway abt 1850 Taunton, Somerset, England Son Taunton St James Somerset Thos Cosway abt 1811 Twerton, Devon, England Head Taunton St James Somerset

Oh and the Parish was St Mary Major in the County of Exeter in case that's any help

Yes, although I did have to look it up in case I was reading it wrong! Thomas Cosway was a Whitesmith (similar to blacksmith apparently). The witnesses were what looks like Thomas Avent and Susan Woodley. Don't don't if Avent is correct though. It looks like a lower case 'A' written as a capital, followed by what looks like a 'v'. All a bit vague. Sorry

Any suggestions where I go from here?

Hi Maria, Is there an occ for Thomas Cosway on the marriage certificate? What are the witnesses names? Fiona.

Now have marriage certificate of William Reynolds and Mary Jane Cosway although it leaves me none the wiser re: finding out Mary Jane Cosway's date of birth or find her certificate. William and Mary did indeed marry in 1878 in Exeter. William is listed as aged 28 and a labourer and his father, John Reynolds was also a labourer. Mary Jane Cosway is on the certificate as aged 27 or 29 (can't read it) and her father is listed as Thomas Cosway. I can't find ANY records of a Mary Jane Cosway having been born around 1851

All Sometimes I wish I'd never started this. My brain's totally frazzled. I'm definitely going now else I'll be up 'til some ridiculous hour of the morning!

Baby William on the 1851 census. Behind the Walls, Totnes, Devon John Kitts, head, widower, 50, brewer, born Totnes John Reynolds, lodger, married, 25, rail lab., born Exeter Mary Reynolds, lodger, married, 24, born Ottery Mary Elizabeth Reynolds, lodger, 12, born Totnes William Hy. Reynolds, lodger, 7 months, born Totnes Don't know who Mary Elizabeth would be, too old to be a child of John & Mary. A sister of John, perhaps?

God, too much information, can' t take it all in at this time of night especially with a headache from lying on floor with laptop. Will have a look tomorrow. Thanks all I'm sure I'll be back with more queries! Goodnight

Having just read the other thread,this is confirmation The address in 1881 is Cricklepit st. Exeter 1881 England Census about William Keynolde Name: William Keynolde Age: 30 Estimated birth year: abt 1851 Relation: Head Spouse's name: Mary Jane Gender: Male Where born: Totnes, Devon, England Civil parish: Exeter St Mary Steps County/Island: Devon Country: England Street address: Cricklepit <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Condition as to marriage: Married Education: Employment status: View image Occupation: Labourer Registration district: Exeter

William with parents in 1861? 8 Moor Ashes, Totnes, Devon John Reynolds, head, 35, lab. on So. Devon Railway, born Exeter Mary, wife, 33, born Totnes William H., son, 10, scholar Jessy, dau, 8, scholar Jane, dau,6 Margaret, dau,6 Thomas, son, 11 months Children all born Totnes.

Have given a possible birth for Mary Jane Cosway on your other thread. The marriage that Gwyneth found (first reply on this thread) seems to be the likely one for Sarah's parents. Kath. x

I think this is the family from 1881 1891 Charlotte Reynolds William,Mary Jane abt 1889 Exeter Daughter St Edmund Devon Frederick Reynolds William,Mary Jane abt 1886 Exeter Son St Edmund Devon Margaret Reynolds William,Mary Jane abt 1887 Exeter Daughter St Edmund Devon Mary Jane Reynolds William abt 1851 Taunton, Somerset, England Wife St Edmund Devon Walter John Reynolds William,Mary Jane abt 1891 Exeter Son St Edmund Devon William Reynolds Mary Jane abt 1850 Totnes, Devon, England Head St Edmund Devon William Reynolds William,Mary Jane abt 1879 Exeter Son St Edmund Devon

Gwyn I couldn't order marriage cert for her parents because I knew nothing about them except their names and I was having trouble finding them. I only found out after getting her certificate today that her name was COSWAY and not CASWAY! The marriage was witnessed by Richard Williams and what looks like Florence Harris. No idea who they are though

It 's the marriage cert. for Sarah's parents that you need. You will then hopefully have a name for the fathers of William and Mary. Using that information you should be able to find the birthplace of William and Mary ...by attaching them to the correct father. Even if Mary Jane died in 1886, you should be able to look for the correct William after that date......Did he witness Sarah's marriage?....Who did? Gwyn

Margaret Wow! How did you do that? That definitely looks like a possibility and makes more sense than the year someone else had on their tree (ie. Mary Jane born 1939) which would have made her pretty old (for that time) when she had her. Well maybe that'll narrow it down and I should look into that. I'll definitely be hassling you lot more as I'm not very good at this yet!