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Many thanks to all who have responded. I agree, it looks like "Woods end" or "Wood-end".

But does anyone have any suggestions as to why the place was stated for this baptism, but not for any others on this page? (I haven't checked any nearby pages - my next task!).

Also, although I note that there is indeed a Woodend just south of Hanbury (thank you hanes teulu & Alan Boyd) - it is 8 miles or so from Uttoxeter, so no obvious reason why the baptism would take place at St Mary's.

But in light of the above it looks as though my thought that the entry might somehow be referring to a future wife - Anne Wood - is just wishful thinking.

Hi CaroleW,

Many thanks for your interest - it's much appreciated. I agree with what you say, and in a sense I'm already a step ahead of you - working in the opposite direction as it were  .

I have already purchased the 2 birth certificates from the GRO. They show - not twins - but that sisters Mary and Ann both gave birth to illegitimate children within a few weeks of one another!

Margaret was born to Mary Davis on the 16th August 1843, with her sister Ann giving birth to Herbert on the 28th September 1843.

This is all part of a rather convoluted investigation I'm carrying out. This Davis family has proved to be difficult to trace through the various censuses, as family members change their ages willy-nilly, and professions also change. I've wondered many times whether I've got 2 or more separate families that I'm confusing - but always come back to the conclusion that no matter how strange it all sounds, my findings are actually correct.

Without going into too much detail here, I'm actually hoping to establish that the James Davis who is my 2x Gt Grandfather (and who married Sarah Ann Andrews at Claines, Worcs on 29th March 1840), was a brother to the aforementioned Mary and Ann - and also to further siblings Eliza (bap 7 Jan 1813), Samuel (bap 28 Jan 1821) and Elizabeth (bap 21 Feb 1830 - but born 1 May 1823). These children all have parents William & Sarah - with William being mostly a Bricklayer (with one baptism entry - Mary - putting him as a Mason).

James states on the Marriage Register that his father was William Davis - a Bricklayer. That's why I think he was part of this family - although I can't find his baptism. His death certificate says he was 65 yrs old when he died at Evesham on 4th March 1882 - so born around 1817. I'm working on the assumption that this family were a bit lax with their baptisms - note Elizabeth above - baptised when she was 6 or 7 years old - and Ann and Elizabeth were both baptised on 7th Jan 1813 - although I think they were also different ages.

Although I clearly can't be certain, what I've unearthed so far makes me think it is a strong possibility that James was born into this family around 1817 - but for whatever reason, was never baptised.

I originally thought that the James Davis baptised at Ombersley on 2nd Dec 1819 to William & Sarah was the person I wanted - but that William was a Labourer - and this couple had many more children at Ombersley.

Finding various grandchildren and children living with other members of this wider family over the various censuses have made me think I'm correct about James.

My next task is to try to establish the parents of the Sarah Ann Andrews who married James Davis in 1840. Helpfully, on the Marriage Register, she simply said her father was "Dead"    .

I'm hoping that the fact that other family members can be traced living with Andrews families on various censuses will assist in this task.

Many thanks for those who have so far commented on this post - and I'm always open to further thoughts and suggestions.

David

PS - just to say this is an investigation I began way back, but never resolved at the time. After a long lay-off I'm having another go at it. A previous thread was posted here https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=851715.0

Hello,

I wonder if someone with access to The Hive would be able to check this marriage for me please, the next time they visit. I'm particularly interested in what Margaret gives as her father's name and profession.

I know the marriage was registered in September 1871 at Pershore, Vol 6c Page 511 - but it doesn't look as though a pdf is available from the GRO and I'd rather not pay full price for a certificate unless absolutely necessary as Margaret herself is only of peripheral interest. I can give further details of this aspect of my research if necessary.

Thanks in anticipation.
David

Hello,

I'm researching the Bird family of Staffordshire in the early/mid 1700s. I have found a marriage between Joseph Bird and Hannah Tooth at Lichfield on 27th Jan 1735.

Although to date I have no firm proof, I believe that this couple had 7 children, from 1736 to 1753, all baptised at Colton St Mary. Images etc available on FindMyPast. No mother is listed in the Baptismal Register (which is written in Latin) - with all children being listed as son or daughter of "Josephi Bird".

In trying to ensure I've got the correct couple, I've been looking for burials of Joseph and Hannah. A good possibility for Joseph is the burial recorded at Colton on 27th Aug 1775. But it is the burial of Hannah Bird on 28th Nov 1776, also at Colton, with which I would appreciate some help deciphering.

Can someone please tell me what the words/abbreviations are after "Hannah Bird"? I wondered if what appears to be "W^w"  might mean "Widow? But then again I could be barking up completely the wrong tree!

Any thoughts and comments will be greatly appreciated.