Someone with local knowledge of areas?

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

I have an 1851 Somerset Census transcription which says that someone was born in Lay, but no County is listed alongside. The previous entry gives a birthplace of Culmstock, Som.

According to Genuki and TNA (the old Procat section) Culmstock is in Devon, so I tried to find out whether Lay was in Somerset or Devon, from the same two sources.

No results on either site, even after searching for Ley. Does anyone have any idea of where this place is please?

[Guy Etchells]

According to Gazetteer of Great Britain & Ireland - Cassell 1898(Reference #0168) Archive CD Books (http://www.parishchest.com/en-gb/dept_656.html)
page 14

Ley (1), ha., pa. of Black Torrington (q.v.), W. Dev., about 6 N.W. of Hatherleigh

Ley (2), ti., pa. of and 2 1/2 N.E. from Westbury-on-Severn (q.v.), S.W. Gloucs.

ha - hamlet
pa - parish
q.v. - which see
ti - tithing

Cheers
Guy

[topaz]

I don't know if this is of any help

http://www.old-maps.co.uk

has a North Ley and South Ley near Exford, Somerset (on a 1891 map). This is a long way from Culmstock but I thought I would mention it just in case.

Caroline

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Thankyou very much Guy, it was kind of you to look this up for me ..... now I can ask for a Census look-up.

I'm probably asking too much, as it will be a trawling job, but you know what we say in Yorkshire - if you don't ask, you don't get! :D

[Guy Etchells]

If I had the relevant census I would but unfortunately my interests lie further north than the counties of cider and cream cake. ;-))
Cheers
Guy

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Hi Caroline,

Your message wasn't there when I started typing to Guy ...... I posted my Reply and had to shoot off quick and I've just got back now. Thanks for the link, I noticed that both those places are in Somerset, but I don't really know whether it's there or the Ley in Devon. Whoever didn't put the County on is very naughty.

All is not lost though, as a friend will be getting this 1851 census page for me when she goes to the FRC next month, so I'll be able to report back as to what it says.

Hi Guy,

I didn't manage to get my request on this morning, but it's very nice to know that you would have tried to find my lot if you had been able.

I wish you hadn't mentioned cider and cream cakes though ...... you have now set me off wishing I could pop down there for a clotted cream tea! :D

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Here's a bit of the Census Transcript for 1851 which I had, with no County for Lay:

Mary 8 Scholar Lay

My friend Sue looked this page up for me at the FRC yesterday, she had difficulty reading the name of Lay, so she did what I would have done and at least made an attempt! I knew immediately that it's Clayhidon seeing as I'm getting used to the places in Devon now, but wouldn't guess it from Lay! :(

Mary, Daug, 8, Scholar, born (??)Claighinton(??)