Thomas SPENCER

[kazrbutler]

I am trying to work out possiblilities for where a certain Thomas SPENCER might of been born.
He married Rebecca KNIPE on 23 Apr 1818 at Owston, Isle of Axholme, and is listed as resident in Walkeringham, which is in Notts.
In the 1841 census he his living at West Butterwick, listed as aged 50, and born in the county of Lincs (ie Y). Unfortunately, he appears to have died before 1851, as his wife Rebecca is listed as a widow.

There appears to have been quite a few Thomas SPENCERs in the area, in Notts and Lincs border villages, so I am feeling somewhat confused. Especially as his daughter was listed in as being born in three different counties in censuses, though always the same village!

I will admit that most of my research has been confirmed through parish registers. Might a death certificate at this time point me in the right direction?

Any help appreciated,
Karen

[Geoff Everitt]

The National Burial Index has this burial-

Thomas SPENCER 1 Jan 1847 age 59 at West Butterwick

Remember that age 50 on 1841 census meant 50-54 years.

[kazrbutler]

Thanks Geoff,

that information about his death is a great help, as it as it gives me a narrower search range. I can take each Thomas who still fits, and follow through for marriage, census etc and eliminate as many as possible.

Part of the problem is that despite the census saying he was born in Lincs, I cannot dismiss the fact that Walkeringham Notts where he was married from is so close to the border etc that it is still a possibility. With some family members, I have found it helpful to have more than one census record to confirm what is going on, which I know I am not going to get here!

I was aware that the 1841 census generally rounded adult age down to the nearest five years, thanks.

Off to start researching the various Thomas SPENCERs to see what I come up with.
Many thanks,

Karen

[Geoff Everitt]

Yes, I see your problem. I guess our ancestors didn't know (or care!) that when they walked a mile along a road in a flat, featureless area they were in another county. I see the places you have to work with (Walkeringham, Owston and West Butterwick) are all on the west side of the Trent.

I notice that there is a baptism at exactly the right time in Walkeringham, as I'm sure you're aware.

I'm not sure (apart from the exact date) what a death certificate would tell you. I'd expect that the age would be the same as for the burial and, if it wasn't, which would you believe?

Good luck!

[kazrbutler]

HI Geoff,
The baptism I have found for Walkeringham on the IGI is 21 / Oct 1787 for Thomas Spencer / Williamson - which would fit. I guess a search in the parish register will confirm the details including surname. Unfortunately, the Notts FHS disk for Baptisms and Phillimores don't cover Walkeringham (at this time for FHS)

I cannot find Thomas Spencer or Williamson in the 1841 census (Notts FHS transcription) for Nottinghamshire which would fit with this one for age (not that this is any real guarantee as he could be in a Lincs parish!) Have the CDbooks 1841 census for Lincs, but no index, so cannot double check Lincs as easily.

I do have a family which seems to have the knack of living close to the border of two, if not three counties! It gives me a perpetual problem of which county etc covers the records for census / parish regs etc, not to mention the fact that birthplace county can vary depending on whim. The only advantage is where there is more than one village with the same name, you can identify the correct one when the birthplace county changes in the census.

I suppose I could look into other avenues such as a will, which might list details of other family members and tie things together.

Sometimes I think family history is like doing a jigsaw, where not only lots of pieces are missing, but there are lots of extra ones there just to throw you off track! But that only makes it more satisfying.
Karen