I've been trying to trace back my Dowding ancestors, so far to Matthias Dowding b 1788, possibly in Cucklington, Somerset close to the Dorset border. There are lots of other Dowdings in that area, including at least 2 other Matthias', but I've been unable to link them into my tree so far.
The reason that I have posted this on the Dorset board is that in tracking all the Dowdings listed in census returns 1841 - 1901 who claimed to have been born in Cucklington I have found an interesting group of 5 men who claim to have been born there but for whom there is no entry in the Parish records, which I checked through myself, together with neighbouring parishes at Christmas: James (c 1780), John (c 1788), Matthias (c 1788), William (c 1791) and Isaac (c1793).
By 1841 all 5 were living in Dorset - James and William in Bagber; Matthias in Fiddleford; John in Gillingham and Isaac in Wareham. I have also found a record for the death of a Henry Dowding who was buried in Bagber on 1 February 1833, aged 67 so born c 1766. It is tempting to suppose that they were related, though I know that is a dangerous habit for a genealogist !!
Does anyone recognise any of these men ?
Thanks
Emma Maitland
Manchester
