Hi again
Although the details I sent from my considerable Betchley database were not the ones you wanted, I have some other information on file that may be of interest to you. There is an unusual story to go with it.
If you look at the Sussex section of Rootschat, you will find me trying to differentiate between 2 James Betchleys both born in 1796. One was transported for horse stealing in 1819, and is recorded as having died in Tasmania, and the other with the same name and pedegree, turns up in Croydon on the 1841 census. I have always wondered whether money changed hands and instead of dying, James secretly returned to the UK.
I know that is all by the by, but it is feasable that your John was one of the Croydon James' grandchildren. Perhaps if I pass on the Croydon details from my file, and you also check out the Sussex section of Rootschat, you may find something there that eventually turns out to be useful.
Roy G
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Pasted in from my file
A James Betchley with the same year and place of birth as James the transportee, has also turned up in the Croydon census of 1881. Token research has shown that he and his wife Elizabeth, who were both annuitants and therefore had either private funds or a pension, had been in Croydon since 1837. During those years, they and another presumed relative had several of their children christened at St John the Baptist Church in that parish.
St Johns church records detail,
Children of James & Elizabeth Betchley.
James Albert bapt 29/10/1837,
Elizabeth M Ann 02/03/1839,
Emma Jane 11/04/1841
Children of John & Susan (nee Wise) Betchley, married in Mitcham 1833
Jane Ann 1834,
John 1836,
Elizabeth C 1838,
William 1841,
Elizabeth E 1846
A Harriet Betchley married Henry Lucas 31/12/1843
With the exception of James and Elizabeth, I have found none of the Croydon children or adults after 1843. Furthermore nothing known about how these families either actually relate to one another or the main Betchley line, but it is highly probable that they link into the Sussex parishes of either East Grinstead or Cuckfield.
