1861 1851 census look up Downing & Bailey

[Lizw]

Hi

I wonder if someone can help me I'm trying to find George Downing and his wife who I think was Susan Bailey.

They both emigrated to New Zealand (dep. 12 Nov 1868 arr 8 Feb 1869) on the Matoarka.
George Downing aged 31 and his wife Susan 32 with children Elizabeth (who may have been Rebecca Elizabeth) aged 11, Alfred aged 8, Eli aged 6, William aged 4 and Leonard  aged 2. George was a Farm Labourer and they came from Bedfordshire.

In the Free BMDs the only George Downing married to a Susan before 1869 in Bedfordshire was - George Downing m to Susan Bailey at Ampthill Sep qtr  1857.  There was also a George Downing b. Sept qtr 1838 at Ampthill which matches nicely.

I would be very grateful if I could find out where George and Susan were before they emigrated - I know nothing about their families before reaching New Zealand and I'm  a real beginner at this.

 :)Liz

[willow2670]

Hi Liz
Could this be them?

1861 census RG9/1000 Folio 69
George Downing Head 23 b Flitton, Bedfordshire    Ag Lab
Susan Wife 23 b Silsoe, Bedfordshire                       Straw plaiter
Elizabeth Dau 4 b Greenfield, Bedfordshire
Albert Son 2 b Greenfield, Bedfordshire
Alfred Son 6mths b Greenfield, Bedfordshire
Old Workhouse, Flitton, Bedfordshire

Sue

[willow2670]

1851 census HO107/1754 Folio 143
Matthew Bailey Head 49 b Silsoe            Farm labourer
Lucy Wife 48 b Silsoe                              Straw plaiter
Thomas Son 26 unm b Silsoe                  Farm labourer
Sarah Dau 20 unm b Silsoe                     Straw plaiter
William Son 17 unm b Silsoe                    Invalid
Susan Dau 13 b Silsoe                             Straw plaiter
James Son 10 b Silsoe                             Straw plaiter
Frederic Son 8 b Silsoe
Joseph Grandson 9 b Clophill, Bedfordshire
Beadlow, Clophill, Bedfordshire
Reg Dist: Ampthill

Sue

[willow2670]

There are 2 George Downing in the area...
This is the closest match for the age.

1851 HO107/1754 Folio 311
Bonner Downing Head 45 b Flitton, Bedfordshire   Ag Lab
Fanny Wife 45 b Flitwick, Bedfordshire
Bonner Son 23 unm b Flitton                             Ag Lab
Charles Son 19 b Flitton                                  Ag Lab
James Son 17 b Flitton                                    Ag Lab
John Son 15 b Flitton                                    Ag Lab
George Son 12 b Flitton                                       Ag Lab
Mary Dau 11 b Flitton
Edith Dau 6 b Flitton
Dinah Dau 4 b Flitton
Allen Son 1 b Flitton
Flitton, Bedfordshire
Reg Dist: Ampthill

Sue

[Lizw]

Fantastic!!
Thank you very much!!

I've had a look at the IGIs and this fits in nicely with some entries there too. My Mother in Law had a note saying "Downing - Flitton with Slisoe" on it as well so it seems we're on the right track -

Is it cheeky to ask if anyone would know if they appear in the 1841 census??

many thanks
Liz

[willow2670]

1841 HO107/4/7 Folio 6
Bonner Downing 35       Ag Lab
Frances 35
William 14
Bones 13
Charles 9
James 6
John 5
George 2
Mary 1
Flitton, Ampthill, Bedfordshire
(all born in county)

Sue

[willow2670]

1841 HO107/4/8 Folio 6
William Bailey 45             Ag Lab
Elizabeth Bailey 45          Charwoman

next household..
Matthew Bailey 35          Ag Lab
Lucy 35                           straw plaiter
Mary 15
Thomas 15
Sarah 9
William 6
Susan 3
West End, Flitton, Ampthill, Bedfordshire
(all born in county)

Sue

[Lizw]

Many thanks Sue

This is tremendous.

Liz

[egaten]

Hi Liz,

I have also been looking at the Downings from Bedfordshire. I would be very interested in finding out what happened to George and Susan after they reach New Zealand. Could you let me know how they thrived over there? In return I would be happy to bring you up to date on our side of the Downing family.

thanks,

Ted