Genealogy Chat

Things moved on a pace this week. The LDS arranged the Parish records film for Rempstone, Notts, in double quick time, my thanks to them. My GRO marriage certificate for the 1831 brother William Cook & Jane Boman also arrived today. Because I have had so much help and support from this board I am writing out this updated scenario in three parts, especially for my regular viewers! It’s a large read, so only if you have time. I needed to get it on as serious self doubt has crept in. Opinions are welcomed from all.

Part one. The Rempstone facts. The circa 1786 a Thomas Cook marries the next door neighbours daughter Alice Bonser in 1823, PR has him as of the Parish. Son Thomas is born 1824, PR has father as Innkeeper, this occupation is again listed for the 1831 birth of a daughter Alice and yet again for the 1833 birth of William. The 1837 birth of daughter Ann is not on the PR film. For the 1841 census the family group is as above but minus the wife and husband Thomas is shown not of the county. The father in law Thomas Bonser and his family are still the neighbours in 1841 and for that census HE is the Inn keeper. As an aside this man was also Church warden for the PR period.

Part two. The 1851 census The Cook’s have been dispersed, mother, father, 1824 son Thomas or daughter Alice daughter not to be found. The 1833 William at 17yrs old with an Aunt and still in Rempstone. The 1837 Ann now 13, confirmed by her birthplace, in St.Alkmund, Derby as a servant. The Bonser family has also been reduced to the eldest son & young family in Rempstone. Allowing for the possibility that daughter Alice has married with a name change, parents are dead. As for the 1824 Thomas, the ONLY man with similar parentage is the one to be found Census 1851 in Matlock Derbyshire, given as Loughborough Leicestershire birth with some of his own young family. On his 1846 marriage cert, importantly his father is a Coachman. This family is confirmed as mine, and has been defined through to 1901with changes. The Rempstone born possible brother, William, marries 1856, on this cert, his father is an Ostler.

Part three. Optimism or pessimism. For Age given in Census 1841 for the 1824 Thomas Cooke is spot on. Occupations for the 1786 father, Ostler, Coachman are horse related, Inn Keeper could have been an upgrade for the Parish reg births. There is no Thomas, Rempstone born 1824 to be found Census 1851or those thereafter. Loughboro’has been confirmed as reg’d district for Rempstone, Notts. Against, in fact, nagging doubts. The Rempstone, Notts, Cook name is spelt without an e. Both father & son could be dead before 1851 Release of further 1841 Census material for Loughboro’ will have a batch of Thomas begat Thomas Cooke’s 1824 Thomas WAS born Loughboro’ but baptised elsewhere or not at all. For across the counties the LDS lists 75 Thomas begat Thomas Cooke 1822-1826

In the hope of some weekend opinions, I have taken the liberty of bumping this message, it got lost 1st post, I apologise in advance. Regards to all, Bob

Ok offereing an opinion: Cook with or without an E - Not really an issue Inn Keeper - well one of my ancestors worked his way up from servant in a pub, to ag lab, black smith, thrashing machine owner and then Inn Keeper. Maybe he kept horses at the pub?

Thanks Pippa, An Ostler actually 'parked' the horses at an Inn, so I really pin a lot of hope on the occupations link. Espec' the Coachman on the marriage cert. Bob

It's a very long time since you made your post, but I have been looking for any clue to the parents of Thomas Cook of Rempstone born around 1786, who was my great-great-grandfather. So, having exhausted most possibilties online, I googled "Thomas Cook Rempstone 1786" and came up with the link your very relevent post. My working assumptions are that Thomas Cook was an Ostler, Stableman at an Inn, and that he married the Inn Keeper's daughter, Alice Bonser on 6th March 1823. Alice, being the daughter of Thomas and Ann Bonser. Thomas Bonser is described as "Inn Keeper" on the 1841 census . Alice was christened at Rempstone on 13th August 1801, and was buried at All Saints church on 25th June 1837, which is the year that her daughter Ann was born.

Trevor, as you say this is a very old post. Bob is probably not still following the thread. If you click on his name, you can send him a message through GR (assuming he still has the same email address).

Potty, thanks for the advice. I'll try that.