ALLARD Family - Help Please!

[gralorn]

Hi, It's that old chestnut that I and two other interested parties are held up at the proverbial door and are desperately seeking a key to get us through it and beyond. We have traced the Allard Family back to Suffolk, in fact to be precise Wetheringsett. The earliest factual evidence that we have is that James Allard/Allwood married Mary Potter on the 17th May 1773. They both belonged to that Parish and their banns were read out in All Saints Church on the 5th, 12th and 18th of May. The actual entry in the Parish Register of marriages states: James Allwood of this parish, single man, and Mary Potter of this parish, single woman, married 17th May 1773 by Rayner Bellman, Curate. In presence of Thomas Quinton and John Shepphard, Parish Clerk What may be of interest is that James signed his own name whereas Mary made her mark. We are unable to establish the parents of James or his baptism and wonder if anyone may be able to assist with their discovery. We feel that they are of Suffolk or perhaps Norfolk origin. Mary's parents may have been Mary & Thomas Potter, but that has not been proved. We think James was born about 1747, he died after having 12 children (all Allard's) with Mary in July 1808. mary we believe may have been born around 1751 and died in 1810. Both are buried at Wetheringsett.
Any assistance would really be so much appreciated, been at this door looking for a key for many a year.

Graham Allard

[gralorn]

Yes it is me again, same brick wall unfortunately, only now there are five families all blocked at the same place, and have been trying to knock it down for almost twenty years. Hoping that perhaps more recent records or transcripts may just have come to light. One family feel that the Allards may have come across with William the Conqueror as it’s a popular name in France, another feels they may have been Huguenot refugees, who knows? Certainly none of us at the moment. Should anyone have any ideas, clues or knowledge it would be so very much appreciated. Thank You

[gralorn]

So could Sarah & Joseph Allwood of Rattlesden be James parents? A possibility, should anyone have any information such as marriage, children, occupation etc on Sarah & Joseph would be so very much appreciated.

[amondg]

Ref: ancestry

Your first post states all children were named Allard.

The  ten children  I have found are named Allwood, bap at Wetheringsett.
 

[amondg]

If they used naming patterns!

First son is James usually named after the paternal grand father

First daughter Elizabeth usually named after the maternal grand mother

Second son John usually named after the maternal grand father

Second daughter Sarah usually name after the paternal grand mother

[hanes teulu]

Ref: ancestry

Your first post states all children were named Allard.

The  ten children  I have found are named Allwood, bap at Wetheringsett.

I was about to draw attention to same - that "all Allards" in opening post appear as Allwood in all my finds so far - baptisms, burials and marriage

11 baptisms to James and Mary Allwood (one has single "l" Alwood), 1773 marriage is James Allwood, 1773 probable burial of twin John (?) is Allwood, James probable burial 1808 is Allwood. Unclear where Allard kicks in.

[gralorn]

Sounds like it could be that Sarah & Joseph just may be James parents, I know that James & Mary had many children and that it is Jeremiah that records the name ALLARD for the first time. I would love therefore any details at all on Sarah & Joseph and their children. This really is looking most probable for breaking down the proverbial wall. Thank you for your information so far, brilliant.