Down (s) (es) Membury

[Jem2109]

Hi
I wonder if anyone else is looking into this family? I have Samuel Down(s)(es) born approx 1853-58 in Membury Dorset/Devon but cannot find his birth or details of parents.

He first appears in the 1881 census, and on his marriage certificate he has John as fathers name, but I can not find any trace of him before this. Every time I find a possible a simple search of the 81 census proves it's the wrong one as the earlier one's also appear on the 81 census, when my Samuel is living in Darlington, Co. Durham.

I've been through all the births for Dows, down, downs, downes dowse and can't find one that would be a possible, one looked spot on but he was found within seconds on the census married to someone else at the same time as my Samuel was in Darlington married to Isabella.

Can anyone give me some ideas?

thanks
Jan

[DOB7]

The 1881 census transcript states born Melbury, Dorset. However, I searched the 1861 census for Membury, Devon and found:
RG9/1372 Folio 82 page 11
Membury village schedule 58 Furley (?)
Solomon DOWN Head Marr 36 Farm Labourer born Membury
Ann DOWN Wife Marr 33 born Churchstanton
Sarah DOWN Dau Unm 12 born Membury
Samuel DOWN Son 8 Blue Boy (?) born Membury
Tom DOWN Dau (?) 2 born Membury
Martha DOWN Dau 8mo born Membury

Here is the family in 1851:
Name Relationship Mar Age Sex Occupation Birthplace
Solomon DOWN Head M 26 M Farm Labourer Membury-DEV
Ann DOWN Wife M 24 F --- Churchstanton-DEV
Sarah Ann DOWN Daur - 2 F --- Membury-DEV
Phillip DOWN Son - 10m M --- Membury-DEV
Address: 4 Yarty, Axminster
Census Place: Membury Axminster, Devonshire
PRO Reference: HO/107/1862 Folio: 420 Page: 1 FHL Film: 0221010

In 1871:
14 Shell Lane, Membury
Solomon DOWN Head 45 Farm Lab born Membury
Ann DOWN Wife 42 born Churchstanton
Tom DOWN Son 12 born Membury
Martha DOWN Dau 10 Scholar born Membury
Emily DOWN Dau 7 Scholar born Membury
Selina DOWN Dau 4 born Membury

and again in 1881:
Soloman DOWN Head M Male 54 Membury, Devon, England Ag Labourer
Ann DOWN Wife M Female 51 Membury, Devon, England
Selina DOWN Daur Female 14 Membury, Devon, England Servant
George DOWN Son Male 8 Membury, Devon, England Scholar

Source Information:
Dwelling Shellam Farm House
Census Place Membury, Devon, England
Family History Library Film 1341514
Public Records Office Reference RG11
Piece / Folio 2128 / 77
Page Number 1

[Jem2109]

I've seen that family before, but Samuel's father is John. Thanks for looking though. :)

[Jem2109]

Oh and can I just mention, I have searched Dorset, but Membury / Stockland Devon was also classed as Dorset so I pretty much figured the *l* was a mistake in the 81 census. If I'm on the wrong track please shout up and let me know.

thanks
Jan

[Mutley]

Hello,
I looked and I looked but you are right, where the hell are they?

I note from the 1881 that he was a signal fitter on the railway, I wondered if he could have often worked away from home.
Maybe the kids were with grandparents or relatives on the census night. Thomas and John being the oldest should appear somewhere, they were all born in Durham. (Tried Dow* with each family name and nowt).

You have not said where the marriage took place and when, also Isabella's maiden name. These may give a clue.

They seem to be AWOL or badly mistranscribed. Sorry I cannot be more help...

[Jem2109]

ooopppsss, sowwy, Samuel married in 1882! Samuel appeared in Darlington, beamed in from another planet ;) , and lived on Westmorland Street, 2 streets away Isabella Bainbridge was living with her family, one year later the marriage certificate appears and I have a fathers name for Samuel.. John. Samuel is then accounted for up until his death. I just wish the little green men would leave paper trails for my ancestors.

[Mutley]

ooopppsss, sowwy,

ooopppsss, sowwy from me too.

I was looking at 190l - Class: RG13; Piece: 4617; Folio: 37; Page: 17.

None of the kids would have been born in 1871. |doh|

Time for bed, Mutley

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r297/MutleyBG/im20sorry20copy.jpg

[DOB7]

What occupation is given for John DOWN(S)? The 1881 census also shows:
John DOWN Head M Male 61 Membury, Devon, England Tailor & Woollen Draper
Alice DOWN Wife M Female 61 Chard, Somerset, England
Hedley H. DOWN Son M Male 20 Chard, Somerset, England Tailor
Rose J. DOWN Daur In Law M Female 22 Winsham, Somerset, England
Source Information:
Dwelling Holyrood Street
Census Place Chard, Somerset, England
Family History Library Film 1341574
Public Records Office Reference RG11
Piece / Folio 2386 / 24
Page Number 44

and:
John DOWN Head M Male 58 Membury, Devon, England Wheelright
Sarah DOWN Wife M Female 58 Northleigh, Devon, England
Daniel DOWN Son U Male 21 Whitechurch, Dorset, England Wheelright
Frederick DOWN Son U Male 16 Whitechurch, Dorset, England Blacksmith
Ellen DOWN Daur U Female 18 Whitechurch, Dorset, England Domestic Servant
Source Information:
Dwelling Church Street
Census Place Lyme Regis, Dorset, England
Family History Library Film 1341513
Public Records Office Reference RG11
Piece / Folio 2126 / 54
Page Number 10