Emma HAMLIN

[Dizzy Escape]

I am beginning to suspect that my gg grandmother, Emma Hamlin, may have come from Bovey Tracey in Devon.  I am working on the theory that she was born there in 1836, the daughter of William and Sarah Hamlin.  She had two elder brothers, William (b.c1831), John Beer (b.1834) and a younger brother, Walter (b.1837).  By the time of the 1861 Census, Emma had moved away (possibly to London), her father was dead, and her widowed mother was living with two of her sons, William (a butcher) and Walter (a miller).  Her husband may have died in 1846 or 1848 (there are three deaths of William Hamlins in this registration district in those two years).  Much of my theory depends upon the elder William being a butcher, since this is what Emma puts on her marriage certificate in 1864.  Emma herself was dead by the time of the 1871 Census and I can't find her in the 1861 Census.  I'd be very grateful if someone could look up the Bovey Tracey Census for 1841 and/or 1851 - especially the 1841 Census.  Many thanks, Emma

[CatOne]

1851 HO107/1870 Folio 590 Page 60
Bovey Tracey, Devon
Sarah Hamlin widow 45 Butcher Devon Bridford?
William 19 Butcher Devon Moretonhampstead
John 17 Butcher Devon Bovey Tracey
Walter 12 Scholar Devon Bovey Tracey
Albert 9 Scholar Devon Bovey Tracey
Sarah Beer? visitor 88 Devon Ledburn? St Mary

No Emma though 

Regards,
Catherine

[buttonmoon]

Hi Emma, I've found the family mentioned by Catherine in the 1841, again no Emma living with them

William Hamlyn 40 a Butcher
Sarah 35
William 9
John 7 and
Walter 4

all born in county, living at East Street, Bovey Tracey.
Hope it is of use, shall have a look for Emma, all the best, Kate.

[Dizzy Escape]

I'm really impressed by the rapid responses!  Thank you very much, Kate.  Well, I'm pleased to find that William the elder was indeed a butcher, but mystified by Emma's absence.  IGI records her christening on 15 May 1836 in Bovey Tracey.  The NBI doesn't cover this parish, so I suppose she might have died as an infant, although there's no record in BMD of a death of an Emma Hamlin / Hamlyn in Devon during this period.  I've just ordered the death certificate of 1870 so that I can establish beyond doubt the year of her birth.  Many thanks.  Emma

[buttonmoon]

The only other Emma Hamlin/Hamlyn's living in Devon in the 41 are as follows

Robert Hamlyn 35 a carpenter
Jane 35
John 12
Mary 9
Edwin 7
Emma 4
George 4 monthes and
Robert 60 a builder

all born in county, living Shaldon, St Nicholas, Devon


James Hamlyn 40 a carpenter
Susan 45
William 25 a carpenter
Philip 20 a carpenter
Mary 10
Henry 8
Emma 6
Edwin 3 and
Samuel 4 monthes

all born in county, living at the Parade, St Andrews, Plymouth. I will see if I can find an emma in the 51 living with another family. Kate.

[Dizzy Escape]

Thank you, Catherine, very much indeed for your rapid response! I now know that Emma wasn't on the 1841 Census, either, but that her  father was indeed a butcher.  IGI definitely records Emma as a daughter of this family, and I suppose she could have gone into service by the age of 15, but what was she doing aged 5?!.  With best wishes, Emma

[Dizzy Escape]

Dear Kate; dear Catherine,
I can't keep up with either of you!  Many thanks.  Let's hope we can locate a 4/5 yr old Emma somewhere in the vicinity!  At least I can't find any evidence of her death, so my theory might still work!  I'd love to prove a Devon connection since my mother's family has hitherto proved irredeemably home counties!  Best wishes, Emma

[Dizzy Escape]

PS  Family oral history tells of an ancestor on this side of the family who was a French prisoner of war in Dartmoor during the Napoleonic Wars, who, when released started out on foot to find his way back home, only to meet and fall in love with a local landlord's daughter called Bertha.  A Devon link through the Hamlyns would provide the first indication that this story might have some substance.

[buttonmoon]

I can't find her on any of the census', maybe they forgot her! I really don't know what could have happened to her. Do you think that maybe she went by a second name?
Kate.