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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Bedfordshire => England => Bedfordshire Lookup Requests => Topic started by: Lizw on Thursday 12 April 07 04:00 BST (UK)
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Hi
I wonder if someone can help me I'm trying to find George Downing and his wife who I think was Susan Bailey.
They both emigrated to New Zealand (dep. 12 Nov 1868 arr 8 Feb 1869) on the Matoarka.
George Downing aged 31 and his wife Susan 32 with children Elizabeth (who may have been Rebecca Elizabeth) aged 11, Alfred aged 8, Eli aged 6, William aged 4 and Leonard aged 2. George was a Farm Labourer and they came from Bedfordshire.
In the Free BMDs the only George Downing married to a Susan before 1869 in Bedfordshire was - George Downing m to Susan Bailey at Ampthill Sep qtr 1857. There was also a George Downing b. Sept qtr 1838 at Ampthill which matches nicely.
I would be very grateful if I could find out where George and Susan were before they emigrated - I know nothing about their families before reaching New Zealand and I'm a real beginner at this.
:)Liz
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Hi Liz
Could this be them?
1861 census RG9/1000 Folio 69
George Downing Head 23 b Flitton, Bedfordshire Ag Lab
Susan Wife 23 b Silsoe, Bedfordshire Straw plaiter
Elizabeth Dau 4 b Greenfield, Bedfordshire
Albert Son 2 b Greenfield, Bedfordshire
Alfred Son 6mths b Greenfield, Bedfordshire
Old Workhouse, Flitton, Bedfordshire
Sue
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1851 census HO107/1754 Folio 143
Matthew Bailey Head 49 b Silsoe Farm labourer
Lucy Wife 48 b Silsoe Straw plaiter
Thomas Son 26 unm b Silsoe Farm labourer
Sarah Dau 20 unm b Silsoe Straw plaiter
William Son 17 unm b Silsoe Invalid
Susan Dau 13 b Silsoe Straw plaiter
James Son 10 b Silsoe Straw plaiter
Frederic Son 8 b Silsoe
Joseph Grandson 9 b Clophill, Bedfordshire
Beadlow, Clophill, Bedfordshire
Reg Dist: Ampthill
Sue
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There are 2 George Downing in the area...
This is the closest match for the age.
1851 HO107/1754 Folio 311
Bonner Downing Head 45 b Flitton, Bedfordshire Ag Lab
Fanny Wife 45 b Flitwick, Bedfordshire
Bonner Son 23 unm b Flitton Ag Lab
Charles Son 19 b Flitton Ag Lab
James Son 17 b Flitton Ag Lab
John Son 15 b Flitton Ag Lab
George Son 12 b Flitton Ag Lab
Mary Dau 11 b Flitton
Edith Dau 6 b Flitton
Dinah Dau 4 b Flitton
Allen Son 1 b Flitton
Flitton, Bedfordshire
Reg Dist: Ampthill
Sue
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Fantastic!!
Thank you very much!!
I've had a look at the IGIs and this fits in nicely with some entries there too. My Mother in Law had a note saying "Downing - Flitton with Slisoe" on it as well so it seems we're on the right track -
Is it cheeky to ask if anyone would know if they appear in the 1841 census??
many thanks
Liz
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1841 HO107/4/7 Folio 6
Bonner Downing 35 Ag Lab
Frances 35
William 14
Bones 13
Charles 9
James 6
John 5
George 2
Mary 1
Flitton, Ampthill, Bedfordshire
(all born in county)
Sue
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1841 HO107/4/8 Folio 6
William Bailey 45 Ag Lab
Elizabeth Bailey 45 Charwoman
next household..
Matthew Bailey 35 Ag Lab
Lucy 35 straw plaiter
Mary 15
Thomas 15
Sarah 9
William 6
Susan 3
West End, Flitton, Ampthill, Bedfordshire
(all born in county)
Sue
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Many thanks Sue
This is tremendous.
Liz ;D
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Hi Liz,
I have also been looking at the Downings from Bedfordshire. I would be very interested in finding out what happened to George and Susan after they reach New Zealand. Could you let me know how they thrived over there? In return I would be happy to bring you up to date on our side of the Downing family.
thanks,
Ted
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Hi Ted
I'm afraid I really know very little about this family. Another family member said that Susan was registered as a midwife in Christchurch NZ, which was where they settled.
Of the 6 children that I know of born in England. The eldest Rebecca Elizabeth b. abt 1855 married Carl (Charles) Rudolph White in 1879 in NZ and Eli Downing married a Lillian Turner but I don't know when yet.
Sorry I haven't been much help.
Liz
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Hi Liz,
Thanks for that. Every little helps.
cheers,
Ted
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Hi Ted
Your query prompted me to look at this family again.
George and Susan continued to have children after they arrived in New Zealand. They had at least 12 in total, the last I have found was born on 7 Feb 1880.
Susan was buried in Addington Cemetery in Christchurch in Sep 1923 but I have no record of George's demise. He possibly died in Dec 1906 but I have no firm evidence about that. He may also have been working as the verger of St Mary's Church in Addington Christchurch at the time of his death. I had a look around Addington Cemetery but Susan's grave is now unmarked the records show a William Downing buried with Susan who is the right age to be George so I suspect it could well be a transcription error and this is where George is buried. There is a record in 1907 from Church minutes saying Mr G Downing had died so a new Verger had been hired.
As to his occupation in 3 of his children's marriage certificates his occupation is listed
In 1879 as a labourer then in 1884, 1885 listed as a gardener so a Verger sounds about right too.
If you would like the details of the children perhaps personal message is the best way to proceed - if you send be your email address I can scan what I have and send it to you.
Liz