Laura Maud Hardy

[Jennifer Wesley]

My great grandmother was born Laura Maud Hardy we believe in Weymouth, Dorset England on 7 Feb 1860 & died 11 Nov 1940 & she married my great grandfather David Gavin (1858-1937) here in South Africa. Her parents were Samuel & Ann Hardy. It was rumoured she was related to the famous Thomas Hardy. Can anyone help me trace her ancestors to see if there was any truth in this.

[Sue Mackay]

1861 census: RG9; Piece: 1350; Folio: 32; Page: 21
17 Park St, Melcombe Regis, Weymouth

Samuel HARDY 31 pork butcher b Weymouth
Ann wife 32 b Weymouth
Samuel H son 9
Sarah A dau 5
Charles R son 4
Henry A son 2
Louisa dau 2mo

No Laura Maud here. Will go and look at 1871

[Sue Mackay]

OK, first of all I have moved this from the South Africa to the Dorset forum, as it is the Dorset end you are interested in.

I have found them in 1871 Class: RG10; Piece: 2002; Folio: 36; Page: 17
and it looks as if the 2 month old 'Louisa' in 1861 could have been Laura.

In 1871 they are at 1a Wesley Street, Melcombe Regis

Samuel HARDY 41 Letter Carrier & Shopkeeper b Weymouth
Ann wife 42 b Weymouth
Samuel Henry son 19 b Weymouth
Charles Robert son 14 scholar b Weymouth
Henry Nicholas son 12 scholar b Weymouth
Laura dau 10 scholar b Weymouth
Ruth dau 8 scholar b Weymouth
Emmeline dau 1 b Weymouth

[Marie C..]

Samuel Hardy, baptised 20th Sept 1829 Bank Building Baptist Weymouth Dorset. Parents Samuel and Mary.... possibly your Samuel.
Marie

[Sue Mackay]

Samuel and Ann still at same address in 1881 but only Ruth and Emmeline left at home as well as five year old son William.

By 1891 Samuel and Ann had moved to 5 Osborne Terrace, Melcombe Regis. Son Henry N was with them on census night but presumably only for a visit as he was working as a sorting clerk for Manchester GPO. Samuel is still a letter carrier. Emeline and William still at home.

By 1901 Samuel and Ann living alone. He is a retired postman.

[Sue Mackay]

It looks like you might be one year out with Laura's birth. She may well have been born on 7 February, but in 1861 rather than 1860. This would indeed have made her two months old when the 1861 census was taken.

As a confirmer, there is a birth registration in Weymouth RD for March quarter 1861 for Laura Hardy, Vol 5a page 320

[Jennifer Wesley]

Thanks so much Sue & Marie.

[Dorset Girl]

My great grandmother was born Laura Maud Hardy we believe in Weymouth, Dorset England on 7 Feb 1860 & died 11 Nov 1940 & she married my great grandfather David Gavin (1858-1937) here in South Africa. Her parents were Samuel & Ann Hardy. It was rumoured she was related to the famous Thomas Hardy. Can anyone help me trace her ancestors to see if there was any truth in this.

Hi Jennifer,
My own family was "supposed" to have been related to Thomas Hardy (which is what started me on this obsession so many years ago). I have the basic tree for Thomas but there are none of the names you have mentioned on there at all - certainly no Samuels. Sorry! (I have still to forgive my own family all of whom were convinced we were related :D)
Marion

[Jennifer Wesley]

Thanks Marion:)

[Jennifer Wesley]

Ok I have now found out I had the wrong Hardy that my ggreatgrandmother was related to. In a book written by her son James Vernon Gavin about the Gavin ancestors from Scotland he mentions his mother always spoke about her greatgrandfather being the Captain Hardy who served with Lord Nelson at Trafalgar. I remember being told my Uncle Nelson Hardy Gavin who is my mother`s brother was named after someone famous & his gggrandfather, so there must be some truth in this. Is there anyone who has this Hardy in their family tree?

[Sue Mackay]

There is a biography of Thomas Masterman Hardy here (http://www.royalnavalmuseum.org/info_sheets_thomas_hardy.htm). He only had daughters.

[Jennifer Wesley]

Thank you Sue. So that is definitely out of the question. Wonder if you could help me find out who her Hardy Great & GGgrandparents actually were?

[Sue Mackay]

As a confirmer, there is a birth registration in Weymouth RD for March quarter 1861 for Laura Hardy, Vol 5a page 320


Thank you Sue. So that is definitely out of the question. Wonder if you could help me find out who her Hardy Great & GGgrandparents actually were?

There is only one way, to work back systematically from what you know. You need to get Laura's birth certificate, which should confirm that her parents were Samuel and Ann and give you Ann's maiden name. You can then find the marriage and work back from there.

Certificates can be ordered on line here (http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/).

[Jennifer Wesley]

Thomas Masteman Hardy had a brother Joseph born 1764 in Dorset he married a Miss Smith. Can anyone help with her first name & if they had children?

Thanks
Jenny