Genealogy Chat

I have photocopies of "family records" for sealing which show my ancestor and his parents and siblings. The same person who submitted the information (unfortunately in 1955!) also had other people in the general area in Essex with the same surname sealed. The person who submitted the information lived in Idaho, USA. My family is Canadian so I know we are not (recently) related to her.

Would some LDS members who have families sealed, seal anyone with the same surname living in the general area? Or would it be more likely that all of the people in that part of Essex had a family connection? Hope that all makes sense! Thank you for any guesses.

Your guess is as good as anyones Lisa - have to say some of the submitted/sealed records are totally rubbish on there and it may be an over enthusiastic mormon member wanted to seal (baptise posthumously) anyone they thought may be their ancestors.
I think you need to start from the beginning and check out any work they have doen.

Hi Heather:

Thank you for your reply. I've not seen a connection to this lady's family, so I think for now, I won't pursue it. Besides, since she did submit it in the 1950's, chances of finding her relatives is slim. Thank you for your thoughts, it's appreciated.

Lisa, always have a google for your relatives names plus the area they lived in - its amazing what can come up.

Hi Lisa,

I live in Essex and I go regularly to the Essex Records Office. If there is anything you would like looked up, please ask. I would appreciate a pm as I come onto GR at all different times of the day.

Kathlyn

Hi Heather: You are absolutely correct! I've found little bits of information over the years, as I try every sort of combination of words: surname, occupation, dates, initials of first names, other surnames, etc. Thank you for the advice, though as it might help someone else reading this. :)

Kathlyn: Thank you very much for the offer. My ancestor was born in 1826 and settled in Canada by 1857, so unfortunately, I've just been trying to confirm his parents. Others have offered assistance, and I believe nothing can be found at the ERO. (Did find his marriage in Pimlico, though.) :) Thank you for the offer, though, it's appreciated.

Kathryn and Heather, you've both made me think of something.

I've never tried looking up this other family. It would be interesting to find out if they stayed in Essex, or if they left for North America, like my ancestor and his uncle did. (My ancestor possibly followed his uncle to Ontario, Canada as he arrived 9 years later.)

Oh yes, have a go. This guy, when did he marry in Pimlico then?
If he were born 1826 it should be after 1837 registration. What names are we looking for?


I know when I was looking for my GGMx2, Jane Boniface someone in the states contacted me who had been researching Janes family for decades. Her brothers and parents all went to the states but Jane stayed here as she had already married my GGFx2.

I was dumfounded all the stuff this lady had to give me - they even have Boniface reunions over there with all the hundreds of descendants from my family line!

So have a good old look - they are out there somewhere. Try settlement orders, court orders - did they leave Essex cos there was no agricultural work for them?

Hi Heather:

I'm at work and just popped in for a minute. Thank you for your reply. I'm interested in the Mumford family.

Others have looked for him in Essex but I don't believe we ever found "proof" of his parents (I don't have my information in front of me). I ordered "Mumford" baptism records from a church in Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex, found a possible baptism for my James, but all I can say is the Mumford in Hatfield is most LIKELY my Mumford. (There were several James Mumfords born in and around 1826 in that area.) :( Once again, others have looked for proof, with no success.

James married Susanna(h) Vaus in 1857 (I ordered and received their certificate). They were in Canada by 1858. James' apparent uncle (I don't have proof my James is a part of the HBO Mumfords) settled in Ontario, Canada in 1848. James settled within 20 miles of this man. James was a butcher, so it wasn't necessary due to lack of work.

I started researching about 30 years ago (I was in college) and have been in touch with the other Ontario Mumford descendants. I'd love to find proof if we are in fact distantly related. There are a "lot" of them, sadly, only a handful of my Mumfords. Thank you for listening. :)

PS I do have a couple of wills of the Essex Mumfords which don't confirm my James, but does give me several reasons for believing I have found my ancestor's birthplace. Hope that all makes sense.

Just out of interest ?? I was delivered by a Dr Mumford in the east end.

Hi sorry, if you have their marriage cert can you not follow his father from that?

Hi Heather: There (now) aren't too many Mumfords around. I'm surprised to hear he was your doctor.

The only mention of James' family on the marriage certificate(?) is "James Mumford", butcher. (His father was named James and was also a butcher.) There were several James born around 1800, so I'm not 100% certain the family I found in HBO is mine. (But I'm pretty close to believing it!)

Thank you for your interest. I am camping this weekend, so won't be able to check back here until Sunday. :(