RootsChat.Com

England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Devon => Topic started by: cwelli on Saturday 19 March 22 15:16 GMT (UK)

Title: Bovisand Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth
Post by: cwelli on Saturday 19 March 22 15:16 GMT (UK)
I am looking for previous occupants of my cottage. I think it was built in the 1800's but possibly earlier. I don't know any names of previous owners or of anyone in the surrounding cottages. I can search Ancestry but don't know how to begin without a name so that I can search the census returns. Please can anyone give me a 'starter'.
Thank you.
Title: Re: Bovisand Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth
Post by: CaroleW on Saturday 19 March 22 19:06 GMT (UK)
Only FindMyPast has the facility to search all census entries by address

You could check for any electoral registers at your records office

You need to bear in mind that censuses were 10yrs apart & people moved around a lot more in those days
Title: Re: Bovisand Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth
Post by: pandacub on Saturday 19 March 22 19:25 GMT (UK)
I can look up census returns by address with a subscription I have, but Bovisand Lane is not showing.  There are several houses showing under the street name of Down Thomas on 1841, 1851 and 1861.  Would the names of occupants of any of those help you?
Title: Re: Bovisand Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth
Post by: cwelli on Saturday 19 March 22 19:49 GMT (UK)
That's very kind of you. I am looking for Paiges Cottage, Rowden Cottage or Mead Cottage. They are adjacent to each other. I know that often places get renamed but I am hopeful that one of them may have one of these names.
Thank you
Title: Re: Bovisand Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth
Post by: DOB7 on Sunday 20 March 22 09:47 GMT (UK)
According to the GenUKI online gazeteer, Down Thomas is in Wembury. Have you contacted https://wemburyhistory.org.uk/ to see if they can help? It may also help to look at the census enumerator's schedule page for the village. This will describe the names of the properties visited. In 1841 the listings show Boveysand and Down Thomas but not the individual cottage names you mention.
Title: Re: Bovisand Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth
Post by: cwelli on Sunday 20 March 22 10:56 GMT (UK)
Thank you, I have contacted a local historian who hasn't replied as yet. Interesting to see the spelling Boveysand which may help locate the info I am after. Are you able to send me the reference for the 1841 listings? I have just joined Down Thomas Facebook page to see what other locals may know.
Title: Re: Bovisand Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth
Post by: pandacub on Sunday 20 March 22 11:07 GMT (UK)
Hello cwelli

Am sending you a message
Title: Re: Bovisand Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth
Post by: cwelli on Sunday 20 March 22 11:31 GMT (UK)
Thank you. I have found an older spelling of Bovisand as Boveysand. It isn't easy to get info from the Archives office as you have to book and it isn't open every day.
Title: Re: Bovisand Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth
Post by: cwelli on Sunday 20 March 22 11:34 GMT (UK)
There is a line at the bottom left that says Attachments and other options. is that a possibility.
Title: Re: Bovisand Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth
Post by: athel_cb on Saturday 26 March 22 12:54 GMT (UK)
I wonder if the spelling Boveysand has anything to do with the River Bovey -- not with Bovey Tracey, which is too far and remote from Plymouth, but the river rises not impossibly far from Plymouth.
Title: Re: Bovisand Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth
Post by: cwelli on Sunday 27 March 22 08:25 BST (UK)
Thank you all, for help received. Hopefully I have found a local that may be able to answer my queries. :)