The Champions of Horsham

[Sands]

I have a Charles Champion b. abt 1795 who married Anne Mitchell in Feb 1816 in Horsham.  Does anyone have access to any registers who could tell me his parents names please.  I think it was a Thomas Champion, but cannot be certain.
Many thanks   Sands

[jorose]

Marriage records at the time wouldn't show parents' names (they do give the names of two witnesses who might be relatives, and the parish of residence of the bride and groom at the time).  The first thing I'd look for would be 1841/1851 ++ until the time of his death censuses, to get his birthplace.  If it was Horsham, then you could look for a Charles Champion in those parish records - although on the IGI his marriage and the births of children to him and Ann show up in Horsham, but not his birth.

[sillgen]

I looked at the marriage record on the Sussex Marriage Index.  It does not give any further information other than witnesses Francis Mitchell and John Collins.   
There is a Charles Champion in Horsham in 1841 living with Elizabeth age 87, George 16 and James 14.  His age is given as 40.  All born in Sussex.
As relationships are not given I would guess he is a widower living with his widowed mother and his sons but that is only a guess.   
You need to search parish registers for his birth.   It could be anywhere.  Start at Horsham and work out!   Not very helpful but unfortunately there is no easy way if you do not have a specific town of birth.
With luck womone will have access to the Horsham registers and be able to help you.  If not, you can get the film to search from your nearest LDS centre.
Andrea

[Sands]

Thank you Jorose and Siligen for your help.  Charles died about 1850 and his wife Anne in 1841, so the reference to him being in the 1841 as a widower, is correct, I am sure.
Many thanks
Sands