Hi, my name is Rod and Maria DOWNS was my great-great Grandmother.

This is what I know about her, which is not a lot, and most of the information came from this site via The SIMKIN Thread.

Maria DOWNS was born about 1806, but I have no information on her birth place. Her birth year was calculated from her burial year.
She married James SIMKIN on 29 Sep 1836 at St Mary's, Bury St Edmunds. (from SIMKIN thread)
She was buried on 19 Mar 1841 at All Saints, Chevington. (from SIMKIN thread)
Maria issued two children:
Mary Ann SIMKIN born 13 Dec 1839, Chevington, Suffolk - my great Grandmother (birth & marriage cert held)
James Downs SIMKIN born 14 Mar 1841, Chevington, Suffolk (birth cert held)

Maria was buried 5 days after the birth of her son James. I therefore suspect she died as a result of that childbirth. I have sent for her death certificate but I don't think it will reveal anything that I do not already know.

Have traced James SIMKIN, the husband/father, through the census from 1841 onwards, and have his parents details etc. Most of the parental info was provided via this forum.

I would appreciate any information whatsoever about Maria DOWNS above.