Joseph Godfrey

[Elma]

Jap
Yes You were correct about the mothers of Catherine Jane Lavina (Mary Ann Colman) and William Alfred Boscowen(Catherine Coleman). Thank goodness it was recorded as she did, we would never have solved it otherwise.

As for Charles and Joseph both recorded as children of William. That is a mystery but William 'Banker' Godfrey, the younger of the two William Godfreys became the patriach of the family. We know he took in and bought up at least two other illegimate grandchildren. So It is possible that he looked after Joseph,his younger sisters child.

Parish Records The Parish Church, Street
1822 Joseph The baseborn son of Anne Godfrey Street
Dec 29th

There were no other Joseph Godfreys around the area at this time so I feel sure this is my Joseph.

Parish Records The Parish Church, Street
1802 Ann dau of Will'm and Ann Godfrey
June 13th


Joseph consisently gives his place of birth as Street.

So far so good.
Possibly Joseph and Charles grew up together, both appear to have entered the Royal Marines and both shared the same wife!

William 'Banker' Godfrey was the eldest son, some 10 years older than his sister Ann. He married Mary Linham in 1811 and had several children all recorded as baptised at The Parish Church, Street
Charlotte 1812
Elizabeth 1816
Giles 1818
Ann 1820
Sophia 1823
and Hannah 1825

Interestingly for my own Great grandfather (son of this William) Robert born 1813 and now Charles 1816. We have no baptisms. Robert is definately connected. Charles will take some more work. I guess if Charles needed to record William as his father for his marine service, we may not get to the bottom of it.
It has been a very interesting journey, helped by many. I would not have worked out Elizabeth at all and she has been a pleasure to get to know.
Thank you Thank you everyone.
ELMA

[Sandyhall]

Still trying to get my head round this so Catherine Colman and Mary Ann Colman are one and the same person (having a blonde day today)

have you got any of the birth Cert's for the other children -
Frederick George Rodney
Joseph Hall
Ann

Arthur Charles Henry

Sandy

PS still looking for a marriage to Catherine/Mary Ann Colman

[Elma]

Sandy
If you are having a blonde moment. I have just gone grey.
Yes that is how it appears. I will try and get the other birth certificates.
I thought perhaps Joseph kept two families but with both mothers called Coleman/Colman I guess it is not quite so fanciful!
They are a lovely family though.
Elma

[Elma]

Sandy
Just to confirm
Birth Cert Catherine Jane Lavina 1848 records mother's maiden name as Mary Ann Coleman, her baptism-parents Joseph and Catherine

Birth Cert William Alfred Boscowen 1854 records mother's maiden name as Catherine Colman, his baptism-parents Joseph and Mary Ann!
Confusing to say the least
ELMA

[janbooth]

What a fascinating family, Elma. I wonder why she she interchanged Catherine and Mary Ann - the frustrating thing is we will probably never know. There is a marriage registration on the GRO and FreeBMD in the June qtr 1847 at Marylebone reg district (right area, right time frame), vol 1, page 326 where 4 male names are shown (Joseph GODFREY amongst them) and only 3 female names so it is perhaps a possiblity. I have managed to match up one male and female from the 1851 census, i.e. Clement LEONARD is married to a Bridget but the others are proving more difficult. Will carry on with that investigation.

Janet

[Elma]

Hi Everyone
Just an update on Joseph. I have recieved his Marine records and they are amazing value for £3.60 inc p&p! Although no further details of his wife and family, the copies of his attestation and service records are very clear. Joseph seemed a model marine with many good conduct and exemplary behaviours.
He served in the Baltic Seas and the Russian War. It also names three ships he was on and I was amused to see included the Boscowen and the Rodney which are names he gives his children. I thought they were a bit fancy! He attested with his cousin Charles but Charles was unable to serve for long. Charles physical description though is very detailed, more so than WW1 records.
Thanks everyone for pointing me in this direction.
ELMA

[JAP1]

Hello Elma,

Thank you so very much for the update!

As for the middle names being after his ships! That's a new one for me! We could have searched for years for Boscowen relatives, or friends, or a minister ...

I guess we are all still wondering about the Catherine/Mary Ann name swapping - but we'll never know!

And what good news about the 'good conduct' and 'exemplary behaviour'!

Thanks again for filling us in,

JAP
PS: Any info in the Marine Records on the Pa of Joseph and Charles?

[janbooth]

I concur with the above. How fascinating and thank you for letting us know. Happy New Year from a very snowy Cheshire - brrr!!

Janet

[RosanneTMM]

Sandy
Just to confirm
Birth Cert Catherine Jane Lavina 1848 records mother's maiden name as Mary Ann Coleman, her baptism-parents Joseph and Catherine

Birth Cert William Alfred Boscowen 1854 records mother's maiden name as Catherine Colman, his baptism-parents Joseph and Mary Ann!
Confusing to say the least
ELMA

Frederick George Rodney Godfrey, born 2 Feb 1858, is my g-grandfather.

His entry of birth lists his parents as Joseph Godfrey, Colour Sergeant RM, and Mary Ann Godfrey formerly Stratton.

I, too, have been confused with this line. Have you had any more luck with it?

[Elma]

Hi Roseanne
It is good to hear from you, a new cousin.
I have mostly been searching Joseph Godfrey, father of Frederick George Rodney and he has been fascinating I get quite side tracked as Joseph served in the Crimean and had three wives the last of which was his cousin another family member for me to unravel.
As for Frederick George Rodney I never got his birth certificate as I have got his older two siblings. Their mother was Mary Ann Coleman or Catherine Coleman. She liked to change her name. I believe it is one and the same person as it changes within a few weeks from the birth registration to baptism records of her children.
I have also been given Mary Ann Stratton as Joseph's wife but I can not find any evidence of this but then I have not found out anything about Catherine/Mary Ann Coleman. I believe she was born in Devonshire.
Do you know when Frederick George went to Canada? I am happy to share any information I have. Did you know Frederick George Rodney was born shortly after Joseph had returned from sea. 'Rodney' was one of the ships he served on.
I am glad you found my post. Welcome to the Forum it is a very friendly place and I have found it very helpful. On the down side addictive!
With Regards ELMA
PS I have found Catherine's Burial on 29th July 1863