Genealogy Chat

I actually feel quite privelleged to be part of the Smith clan. Even though it is one huge clan. There were nearly half a million Smiths on the 1901 census. Vicky, you are right about the generations. Eliza Smith's dad James was on the 1841 census , and his birthplace given as Out Of County, and guess what? he had the nerve to die before the 1851 census, as I found his wife Sarah Smith, a widow, and the children on 1851, so me finding James's baptism is about as big a chance as me winning the Lottery. Ben

Ben, if it was a more unusual first name I'd suggest looking for sons named after the father, but I think you're on a non-starter with a name like James LOL my Johns are all 20th century so weren't too difficult - but thank goodness for the Lukes, Isaacs and Lawrences during the 19th Century!

adding my Smiths just incase any recognises them Sophia Smith c1805 married Richard Meeson in 1828 inWalsall staffs Her Father Was Benjamin c1779 Married Ann Hodgkins in 1803 in Walsall Staffs Phebe Smith c1773 married Samuel Proud in Walsall Staffs Linda x

hi i have smiths in my tree from worcester, all 4 children were illegitemate and their dad`s surname was brown!! he had a family living in the black country 1851,1861 dont know why he moved to worcester and left them, but hes with my grt grt grandmother in 1871 but he then left my grt grt grandmother and was living in london in 1881. the childrens name were Abiather Amos brown smith 1868 (amos brown is the fathers name) Albina Brown smith 1871 - 1886 Edgar brown smith 1873 ( my grt grandad) Adeline brown smith 1875

I don't know whether to be peeved or relieved... one of my lines of Smiths are probably not Smiths at all! On this line I've got a John Smith born about 1848, and have been having problems finding his parents. I have been unable to find a possible birth registration matching the parents (who married after he was born ) as per the 1851/1861 census. I was relating my problems about not finding the birth registration to MIL... I then got told an old family tale that gt gt grandfather John was actually adopted. My best guess now is that he might be an illegitimate child of his mothers, so he's possibly not a Smith at all! The downside - mum's maiden name, Taylor, is almost as common in that neck of the woods LOL

Just when thought my Smiths were a Bedfordshire lot I find they start in Gt.Harrowden Northants in 1705 - That's James m to Jane Gray son Morris b 1731 Irthlingborough Northants m Mary Northfield at Risely Beds. Children: John b 1760 Mary b 1760 Morris b 1761 Sarah n 1765 John m Dorothy Headland(b.1776) from Souldrop Beds) Children: Charles b1801, George b 1793, Sara 1810 William b 177 Joseph 1803 John b 1805........all at Risely. Charles m Lucy ? Children John b 1823 Sara b 1828 Harriett b 1836 Esther n 1843 Sara Elizabeth b 1867.......all born in Knotting Beds. John m Ann ? Riseley Beds. Children: Charles b 1851 Samuel b 1868 Clark b 1860 Henry b 1856 all born Knotting Charles m Mary Ann Hale Children: Florence b 1875,Arthur Herbert n 1877, Eliza Ellen b 1879, Gertrude Minny b 1881, Frederick Jesse 1884, Charles Edward b 1890..................my Grandad. So if anyones got any of these please let me know.

I have been looking for birth record of my grandfather William Smith for nearly a year. His father was called John Smith. I know the problems you are having.

Sometimes you get lucky with Smiths! I didn't think I would ever find my Warwickshire Smiths so didn't even try. Then by chance I came into contact with someone who knew of someone who was researching my Smiths...... and he had the lot back to the 1650's. The same names came down the generations and they often had twins. I have three different lots of Smiths; one lot from Churchover, an Ann Smith from Wenhaston(no chance of ever finding her line) and a Lydia Smith from Chobham in Surrey. So never give up! Genealogy is full of surprises. M