Genealogy Chat

My gt X 3 grandfather John Smoothy is a mystery man.

I know his name from the baptism of his son - another John - in chelmsford. I've not been able to trace John senior at all. Tonight, after going mad with the Norfolk lot, I returned to mum's side of the family. Whizzed through a few more 1912-14 marriages which are now on ancestry's freebmd, and then had another go at John. He's a widower, in receipt of parish relief, in 1851 in Chelmsford. No idea why I couldn't find him earlier! I now know that he was born 1777 in Coggeshall, Essex. It's ironic that he was on the parish, as his son John junior was an assistant overseer of the poor! nell

Congrats Nell .....wonderfull feeling aint it? lol This is what keeps us all going...

The moral is to keep going on - I have looked for him umpteen times. Still can't find a death for him, but at least I know roughly when and where he was born. nell

Guess what! Found his burial! I got someone else to look for him a while ago buried in Chelmsford and they found nothing. But armed with his dob I checked myself and found a burial in Moulsham - which is a suburb of Chelmsford. He was buried in Feb 1861. So I went to the death index images and there he was. I've just ordered his death cert!!!!! Isn't it wierd? I knew he existed, but now I've found a census entry and a death cert and burial record he seems more real. Just need to find the blighter in 1841 to see if his wife was still around. nell

John Smoothy Age: 25 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1816 Household: View other family members Gender: Male Where born: Essex, England Civil parish: Braintree Hundred: Hinckford County/Island: Essex Country: England Street address: Occupation: View image Source information: HO107/331/11 Registration district: Braintree Sub-registration district: Braintree ED, institution, or vessel: 2 Folio: 39 Page: 28 (click to see others on page) Line number: 11 GSU Number: 241369 Not sure if this is any help, wife is called Sarah. Sons John and William Daughter Sarah. Braintree is very close to Chelmsford. Rgds, Jeanne

Well done Nell - what a lovely feeling! Let me know if you come across my famous Rachel Willis on your travels...........! Like you, I know exactly where she was born, whom she married, and have birth certs of two of her kids. Can I find where she was married? Rhubarb!!! Regards, Chris

1841 census: Birdbrook Hall, Essex Eliza Smoothy abt 1821 independent means Emily Smoothy abt 1816 independent means George Smoothy abt 1816 independent means Henry Smoothy abt 1816 Farmer John Smoothy abt 1776 Farmer Samuel Smoothy abt 1811 Farmer Sarah Smoothy abt 1781 Farmer All born in Essex.

Crackin'tackle Thank you so much for your efforts - but its not him. There are a lot of Smoothys in the Essex area, so I guess way back they were all connected. My first John was born 1777, according to 1851 census and his burial record. His son John was born Chelmsford 1812 and after a huge effort all round I've got him on all censuses plus his death. I will make a note of the chap you found though as he may well fit into the puzzle somewhere. Thanks again. Christine Don't get me started on missing marriages! Not to mention all the folk I've found - including this John b 1777 - who I find marriages for and then they don't appear to have had any children for years - no baptisms and no infant burials. This John and Elizabeth Smoothy managed 3 children, all neatly spaced out with 4-year gaps in between. Very tidy. nell

If you look on http://www.sole.org.uk/halstead.htm it includes the passage.... 'John had married Elizabeth Smoothy (1763-1833) of Birdbrook Hall in 1783 and amongst their thirteen children and numerous grandchildren were several farmers and solicitors in England and Australia.'

From Boyd's Marriage index.... 1787 Mary RIGHT & Buck SMOOTHY Hadstock 1741 Joseph RIST Ann SMOOTHY Birdbrook 1752 John RIST Tomsin SMOOTHY Birdbrook 1804 Samuel CATLEY & Elizabeth SMOOTHY, Halstead

White's Directory of Essex 1848 - list of inhabitants. John Smoothy, Birdbrook Hall

Marriages Hundon Church Banns 1837 to 1913 Banns 12/19/26 Jun 1864 Thomas SMOOTHY Bachelor Kedington. Rachel CORNELL Spinster of this parish Married 29th June 1864.

Paul Thank you. There are a lot of Smoothy names in Birdbrook and again, I am sure there is a link further back, though have not made the connection yet. I will put your findings in my research for future use. Cheers!