Genealogy Chat

Years ago my dad photocopied Shipley, Sussex records, including churchwardens, baptisms, marriages and burials. I have perhaps 35 pages, covering mainly Shipley, but also including Horsham, Cowfold, West Grinstead, etc. Years include (but I DON'T have complete sets!) 1734 through 1841. I would be happy to search the pages if you have any ancestors who lived in this area. Note: Names are not indexed -- these are copies of the actual records.)

Thank you for your offer. Please would you check your burials for: Mar 1823 BELCHAMBER (any spelling) We are not sure who this is so can we have full details, please. Indeed, if you come across any other entries in your records for this name, we would be very grateful (helping one-name-study)

Hi Gwyneth: Unfortunately, I have burial information for 1819 and 1820, but nothing for 1823. I did search every page that I have for ANY entries and did not see any Belchamber. There was a Balcheller (or something similar - very hard to read): November 1, 1797, burial - Elizabeth wife of James(?) Balcheller. If you would like me to look through my records for more Balcheller's, I would be happy to do so. (I THINK that was the only entry for Balcheller.) Sorry I was unable to find anything. Please let me know if there is anything else I may do for you.

Thank you for going to so much trouble. -and offering an alternative name, Lisa. I'm not sure if Elizabeth will be one we are seeking, but will certainly make a note and check families known to be in the area. Could you please confirm whether the burial was in Shipley or one of the other places you mentioned in your posting? Thanks again, we are so grateful for your help.

Hi Gwyneth: Elizabeth must have lived in Shipley, as two entries on that page say "...Barnard, from West Grinsted" and "...Etheridge, from Horsham". Elizabeth's notation does not specify a town or city. A clerk's name is on the bottom of the page, but can only make out "Hillary"; very well could be an initial in front of Hillary. (If you would like me to scan the page and send it to you, I would be glad to do so.) My second worst brick wall ancestor (William Vaus) belonged to St. Mary the Virgin Church in Shipley and either he or his son (don't remember right now) is buried in their graveyard. Since William's wife was listed on the same burial register page as Elizabeth Balcheller, Elizabeth might also be buried there. I'm so glad I was able to look for you -- I rarely am successful at finding ANY names when I search over here for people. Please contact me again if you think of anything else I might look up. I shall look now for other Balcheller's.

Hi Gwyneth: I sat down to slowly search each and every name listed on my photocopies -- some pages are very hard to read and they were either in poor condition or my dad somehow incorrectly photocopied them. (No sign of additional Balcheller's.) At any rate, I may have found a "Belchamb" in 1767 on one of those poorly-copied pages. The right margin of the page is cut off, but listed is on the Baptism page for 1767 is: Aug 23. William Son of Richard & Sarah "Gelchamb or Belchamb". It doesn't look like there are any letters after it, but I could be wrong. I could scan the page, if you are interested. There wasn't anything close on any of the other pages. Remember, I don't have all of the pages, just the ones with my ancestors' names on them. As I mentioned previously, please let me know if I may help again.

Thank you for all your time and effort. I will write an e mail direct to you, Lisa.