Hello & help please

[Jim Goodin]

My name is Jim Goodin and I am currently researching my ancestor Edward Goodin born in Sussex (about 1762) and a convict aboard the First Fleet to Australia in 1788. Since it's still "Australia Day" in the UK I feel justified in posting this message at such a late hour Australian time

Unfortunately for several years I have come up against a blank wall when I try to investigate Edward's English/London roots. An IGI FamilySearch lists Edward's mother as Ann Sargey and father as Edward Goodin; married at St.Edmund the King & Martyr in Lombard Street, London. Another private correspondence source states that Edward was the son of Mary Savage (or Servige) born at the London Lying in Hospital, Middlesex. He may have had a brother Andrew also born at the London Lying in Hospital.

Edward was convicted of Theft - grand larceny, 21st April 1784 at the Old Bailey. One would think he had left a clear trail having been convicted at the young age of (about) 18 and featuring in New South Wales' colony records as a settler and constable at Kissing Point, Sydney, until his death in 1839. Not so.

If anyone could shed some light on his origins I would be most grateful. I have searched all available parish records - St. Edmund the King and Martyr, Lombard Street; St. Dunstan's, Stepney; & St Botolph, Bishopsgate - without success except for the 1760 marriage of Ann Sargey/Edward Goodin at St. Edmund the King and Martyr. While this marriage record certainly fits with an estimated birth date for Edward of (about) 1762, it is by no means definitive evidence.

I seek the forum's help and advice.

[notanotherminer]

Hi Jim and welcome to Brit-Gen

Because the Introduce Yourself forum is just for saying a quick "hello" and is not for posting queries I have moved your thread over to our London forum where it will hopefully attract the attention of those with knowledge of London records.

[Coromandel]

Hello Jim and welcome to the forum

Since you mention the trial date I expect you've already seen the Old Bailey proceedings: I note that Edward's surname is given there as Goodwin.

It is said that:

'Mary Jane Goodin (Mrs. Lucas), mentioned that her father (William Goodin) had an "Uncle Andrew". William's father, first fleeter, Edward Goodin, certainly did have a brother named Andrew. The births of both Edward and Andrew were recorded the London Lying in Hospital to the same parents, Edward Goodin and Mary Savage (Servige). Some researchers have believed that first fleeter, Andrew Goodwin, alias Goodin, was this person. They were of the same age. However, Mary Jane, who was my great grandfather's sister, said that Uncle Andrew was a sea Captain. The first fleeter was a farmer.'

from http://www.
jdark.linkt.com.au/jamesresearch.html

There's much online here about an Andrew Goodwin or Goodin who was also on the First Fleet:

http://www.
heavenandhelltogether.com/?q=node/2

(This site also discusses Edward, because some have suggested that this Andrew was Edward's brother.)

It's interesting that you say that Edward was born in Sussex, which would contradict the London stories. What is the source of this information?

[Jim Goodin]

Sorry my mistake I meant to say Edward was born in London .....not Sussex which referred to something different at a very late hour.