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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Suffolk => England => Suffolk Lookup Requests => Topic started by: Tracey W on Thursday 26 February 09 21:35 GMT (UK)
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Hi
Can anyone help with info about Jane Armstrong born about 1815 in Bury St Edmunds please.
She is in 1841 census in St John Lee, Anick, Hexham, married to my Gt, gt, gt grandfather John Fenwick and I know her maiden name was Armstrong from the birth cert of their son Robert.
I'd love to know about her family in Suffolk, so any help would be appreciated.
Tracey W
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Why did you pick Bury St. Edmunds. The 1841 census doesn't usually say where they come from. Have you looked at the 1851 census.
The only Jane Armstrong birth on LDS was christened 26.09,1802 in Rame By Plymouth, Cornwall. Her father was George Armstrong and Mother Isabella Kelly married 24.10.1794 in Maker. They had other children on the records.
sabrina
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Sorry went off track there. I don't know why, but I ended up in Cornwall
sabrina
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Hi
Couldn't find Jane, but there was a;
Hannah Sarah Armstrong b: 08.09.1809 ch: 11.01.1810 in Bury St. Edmunds St. James Suffolk F/John Armstrong M/Sarah Cooper.
Francis Cooper Armstrong b: 05.09.1800 ch: 25.12.1800 in Bury St. Edmunds St. James suffolk F/John Armstrong M/Sarah.
Are you in a position to get a film out for that area. Try the 1851 and 1861 census if you can, Sometimes they have a parent living with them if your lucky.
sabrina
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Hi Sabrina
Thanks for your replies.
I'm new on RootsChat and not too clever at it yet; I do have later censuses which gives Jane Armstrong's birthplace as Bury St Edmunds, which I should have said in the first place - oopps!
After your message I took another look and see that in 1861 Jane and her husband John Fenwick are living in Durham and have a grandson William J Armstrong age 6 born in Northumberland. Do you think that maybe Jane was married previously or if she'd had a son before her marriage to John then maybe this would make sense?
I'm probably being really dense but when you say "film" I don't know what you mean.
Thanks
Tracey
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Hi
I use the site all of the time, and the people can be quite helpful. However I am not real good either.
I have done research in Suffolk, and although I am not sure, I think they keep the records in Bury St. Edmunds for a lot of the surrounding areas. It is like a registration District I think. So maybe Jane was christened in another area close by. There are hundreds of parishes in Suffolk, and only a few km apart.
The film. Have you used the LDS site. I think it is: www.familysearch.org - or ask google for the LDS site in UK. When you get the site, you click on Library catalogue, and click on place search and type in the place you want, and then follow the prompts. However Bury St. Edmunds has a lot of films I think. You could ask one of the family history groups there on the net. I think there are help sites on this site. Ric is the moderator, try and find him and ask him.
Have you bought Jane and Johns marriage certificate - it might tell you her parents.
I am going overseas on Monday, so I hope you can find someone to help you.
sabrina
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Sorry I forgot to tell you that if you find a film that you want to look at, you have to go to a LDS church, and they will order the film for you to look at. It will cost you about $5 Aus - that's where I am.
sabrina
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I suppose you know that John Fenwick and Jane Armstrong were married in Hexham Dec 1/4 1837 Vol. 25 Page 298 Hexham in in Northumberland. There were a lot of John Fenwicks born in Northumberland.
I think their marriage certificate would be your best bet, as it would tell you their parents names if you are lucky, and also where they were married. Some times if you get a film out, the certificates are on there at that early stage, and also the births of children. That is if there is a film for Hexham.
sabrina
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Thanks for your replies again Sabrina. I'd not traced Jane & John's marriage - but I'll order a certificate today - so you have been very helpful.
Perhaps then I've have a go at the LDS films. I've looked at the family search.org site and found some really good bits of info, but haven't been brave enough to take it any further. I guess there's info on the site about where to find the nearest church - are they approachable without being drawn in on the religious front? I would hate to offend, but established religion is not my thing.
As you're on the other side of the world from me I guess you're just starting autumn as we're going into spring. I'm in England which is starting to look beautiful with the daffs and primroses out! I hope you have a good trip.
Many thanks
Tracey
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Tracey
If you get the marriage certificate, it should say where they were born, and who their parents were, and maybe their age. sometimes it just says they were of age (older enough to be married) This information isn't always on the certificates, depending on what the couple were prepared to put down. Take note of the witnesses on the certificate, as they might be sisters or brothers. This will help to recognize the family. I did give you a couple of children born in Bury St. Edmunds. There was a Jane Armstrong b:10.03.1818 ch:17.03.1819 F/Thomas Armstrong M/Jane NOBLE in St. Matthew, Ipswich, Suffolk. (LDS). Ipswich is a fair way from Bury St. Edmunds. I wonder when she went to Northumberland. My family moved around Suffolk, Cambridge, Norfolk and Northumberland. If you find her parents names, they might be in Northumberland in the 1841 census.
sabrina
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are they approachable without being drawn in on the religious front? I would hate to offend, but established religion is not my thing.
You do not need to be a member of the LDS church to use their facilities and I have never found them to be evangelical to non members. Quite the reverse, they are just well informed dedicated family historians who will make you very welcome and do their very best to help you.
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp
If you still do not feel comfortable visiting a LDS FHC, then most of Suffolk's Anglican Parish Records are for sale from the SRO on microfiche.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,129613.0.html
You need only buy the years that you interested in and if you do not own a fiche reader, you should be able to use one at your local library.
Rick :)
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Thanks Rick for the very useful info and links, and the reassurance - I shan't be worried now to contact the LDS for help.
Tracey
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Hi Sabrina
Thought I'd let you know that I now have the marriage certificate for Jane Armstrong and John Fenwick; it answers some questions and raises more!
They were married on 9th Dec 1837 but a line is drawn through where her father's name and profession should be given. That must mean that she was illigitimate and the father not known. One of the witnesses who signs the marriage certificate is an Elizabeth Armstong - perhaps a sister or her mother. I have found an Elizabeth Armstong living, and born, in Bury St Edmunds in 1861 aged 61 so she would have been of the right age/time to be Jane's mother; she is unmarried and living with her brother Matthew who is a 64 year old clergyman - imagine the scandal! There are a number of Armstrong families around Hexham at this time, and perhaps the disgraced lady's baby was sent of to relations there to hide the scandal. My next step must be the parish records to find out if this is a true link or just a romantic wish on my part.
I have learned that Jane already had a daughter (Jane Armstrong b1834 in Northumberland) when she married John, and this younger Jane - following the family tradition - also had an illigitimate child - the William Armstong b1855 living with his grandparents in 1861.
Many thanks for your help and inspiration.
Tracey
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Tracey
Good that you are getting somewhere at last. The marriage certificate should tell you where they were married, and might help with the film, as to which church. The Rick who answered above is the moderator, and they are always very helpful, and knowledgeable. I have been away for a few weeks. Hope you find what you want.
sabrina