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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Devon => England => Devon Lookup Requests => Topic started by: Dizzygirl on Thursday 28 July 11 10:58 BST (UK)
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Hi
I'm not sure if I have the right family and would welcome any opinions.
My 2xG Grandfather, John Counter, married Mary Jane Tapp on 29.12.1878. Marriage details:
Mary Jane Tapp, 20 years old, father Samuel Philip Tapp, bootmaker.
On all future census' her POB is given as Plymouth and in the 1911 census she is called Mary Jane Fowler Counter.
I found a family which I thought was correct. Details below:
1871 census - RG10/2118/117/21
St Andrew's, Plymouth
Samuel Tapp, Head, 34, Bootmaker, kingsbridge, Devon
Mary Tapp, Wife, 30,...., Plymouth, Devon
Mary ", dau, 12, scholar, Plymouth, Devon
Samuel ", son, 9, ", Plymouth, Devon
Minney ", dau, 7,", Plymouth, Devon
Albert ", son, 5, ", Plymouth, Devon
Louisa ", dau, 15mths, Plymouth, Devon
1861 census - RG9/1437/69/13
Charles, Plymouth
Samuel Tapp, Head, 24, Bootmaker, Kingsbridge, Devon
Mary ", wife, 23, ...., Stonehouse, Devon
Mary J F ", dau, 2, ...., Plymouth, Devon
Albert ", son, ..., Plymouth, Devon
In Apr quarter 1858 a Samuel Tapp married Mary Jane Fowler.
In the 1881 census (RG11/2487/58/5) Samuel is in the parish of St James & St Paul, Bristol. However, his daughter Mary J is still with the family! And John and Mary Counter are together in Plymouth.
Do I have the right Samuel Tapp for my Mary?
I welcome any thoughts as I can't find an alternative family.
Jo
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It certainly looks like the right family doesn't it?
But would be best to get some other independent evidence to add weight to this theory - or alternatively to disprove it of course.
Who were the witnesses when she married John Counter? were they siblings?
Did her Dad leave a will when he died? They can be great for mentioning daughters with their married surnames!
Those are just 2 ideas of things which might just add that vital clue to make you more sure of the link between the Samuel Tapp and family in the censues and the MAry Jane that married your ancestor
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Hi
Unfortunately the witnesses are James Counter and John Counter.
I can't find a will for Samuel (but then again I can't find his death either).
Jo
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Oh dear - not my best ideas then!!
Mary is widowed by 1891
RG12 1972 90 20
still in Bristol, with unmarried children Albert 23 and Louisa 20
so Samuel dies 1881 - 1891 (I cant see a will either)
nor can I see a death!
In 1901 Mary at RG13 2400 168 32, with 20 yr old dtr Beatrice Tapp? I wonder if actually a g/dtr?
(was so hoping she would have a Counter grandchild visiting!)
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Hmm, he's just trying to be difficult!!
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Here are some birth registrations, all Plymouth district which seem to tie in with the 1871 census:
Sep qtr 1858 Mary Jane Fowler TAPP vol 5b page 228
Jun qtr 1862 Samuel Philip TAPP vol 5b page 242
Jun qtr 1864 Minnie TAPP vol 5b page 241
Sep qtr 1866 Albert E TAPP vol 5b page 215
Mar qtr 1870 Louisa Fowler TAPP vol 5b page 286
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Hi
Thanks for the help.
I think I'm going to stick with this family being the right one. Looking at the 1881 census again, it states that the daughter Mary Jane is married which fits with the marriage to John Counter in 1878 but doesn't explain why she's both with her parents in Bristol and her husband in Plymouth at the same time!
Jo
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She may have been visiting her parents but her husband included her on his census. My ggrandfather was on board his ship and at his parents' house!
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Hi Dob7
Thanks.
jo