Ciphy, The Navy Record for William T. Godley of Lindfield, Sussex is clearly for the correct person –
your William T. Godley.
You have found your William in the 1841 census, and then in November 1841 he joined the English navy.
He had to be age 21 to join the navy, so William lied about his age, and said he was 22.
Many years later (in 1855), his
correct birth date of “March 1822 born at Lindfield” was added to his navy record.
His navy record gives you detailed information about where he was, and what ships he served on, and his work, from Nov 1841 to October 1876, when he retired from the navy. While with the navy, William served mostly as a steward.
From his navy record we can see that William was only in England for about 1 month in June 1848, and that he was stationed in Mauritius from late 1849.
There will be no other records in England for your William Godley. The earliest census was in 1841.
Regarding “
Annie LISTER a cousin from Sussex. Annie had a sister or daughter: Mary LISTER.”
You have not provided enough information here to make a useful search.
About parents (dead before 1852) of WT GODLEY: a Thomas GODLEY died 1838 Cuckfield (covers Lindfield) could be father of WT, but no proof of relation. Nothing found about death of his mother a Lucy (or Mary) GODLEY (SKINNER). So more UK research needed.
Perhaps have a look to see if Mary Godley (Skinner) married again after her husband died.
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), William born 1836, Mary born 1842 and Robert born 1848.