Gigg Family of Membury/Axminster Devon

[gamosa]

Does anyone have the Gigg family in their line?  I am specifically looking for Ann Gigg b 1843 in Membury, Devon.  None of the censuses list parents for her or her siblings.  She definitely has a sister Johannah and possibly 2 brothers - Charles and George.  Each of the census years lists the children living with relatives, or in 1881, Ann and her sister are in the Axminster workhouse, along with Ann's 2 children.

I have not been able to find info relating to the father of Ann's 2 children - Mary Jane and Sydney.

Ann then married Charles Bidgood in 1885, and after his death in 1891, she may have remarried a John Harris in 1892.

Ann's son, Sydney may have married my ancestor in 1892, so I'm interested in info on the Gigg line, as it relates to the Bidgoods.

Before I request a marriage certificate for Sydney Gigg and Ellen Bidgood, I thought I would ask the community for help.  Thanks

[heywood]

Hi,
as Ann and her siblings are with families called Down - it would seem that is the connection.

Both James and Samuel seem to be children of George and Joanna Down (see Family Search -  IGI).
There are several children in this family including Elizabeth, Jane and Ann as daughters.

However searching Free BMD James Down marries Susan Gigg in March quarter 1840 

Susan Down is an 'inmate' in 1861-  the workhouse?

I wonder if this is your family in 1841 and if it is - then perhaps Elizabeth Down married  James Gigg and her brother James Down married his sister Susan?

1841 HO107; Piece 201; Book: 7; Folio: 8; Page: 9

Beckfore (?) Membury
James Gigg 40 yrs ag lab
Elizabeth 38 yrs
Mary 13 yrs
James 11 yrs
Jane 9 yr
George 7 yrs
Samuel 5 yrs
Charles 1 yr

there are possible deaths for Elizabeth and James in Free BMD but where are other children? 1851 Jane is a servant; as is Mary.

Family Search has a submitted record for James Gigg and Elizabeth Down marriage 1827.

best wishes
heywood

[heywood]

I have seen the family in 1881 b ut can't see them in 1871. If the children were illegitimate, then you may never get the father's name. Parish records may show it or the birth certificate but then again- they may not.

I found Ann in 1891 with Ellen Bidgood - so Sidney marries his mother's step daughter - well they do keep things in the family here 

Can't see Sidney/Sydney in other censuses apart from his marriage.

[heywood]

well this has driven me mad for too long - I will have to give up. I have read your other thread gamosa and feel somehow that things aren't quite right  But don't ask me where!

I take it you are descended from Harry (Ellen Bidgood's child) but we cant find him on census after 1891. Did he remain in Devon and retain the name Bidgood?
That marriage certificate seems to be essential to make sure you have the right Sydney and Ellen or even just to eliminate them.

Please keep us informed!
good luck
heywood

[gamosa]

Now you can understand why I am so frustrated and reaching out for help!  My link to the family is actually through Ellen Bidgood's sister - Louisa - she was my g-g-grandmother.  When I learned of the family's hardships after their mother's death, their father going to debtor's prison, the 3 youngest to the workhouse and Ellen's likely rape in the workhouse, I could not give up finding info on Ellen or her son Harry...I have to lat least know where they lived, when they died, etc.

The last info we have for them is the 1891 census, and that's about the time Ellen's father was found dead after the great storm of 1891.

The only other possible tidbit is the fact that Ellen may have married her stepmother's son - Sydney Gigg.

I actually have a copy of the marriage certificate on order and that should confirm if this is indeed my Ellen.

I keep thinking their is a familial connection to the Down's family but I haven't been able to make it.  I will look through the details you provided and see what I come up with.

Wish me luck!

[heywood]

I'd say the Downs/Giggs is as I suspect - that now seems quite straightforward to the Bidgood/ Gigg scenario 

Please let me know when you receive the certificate- it is intriguing.

I can understand that you want to see what happened. What a sad case- so many were though.

There are a couple of marriages for a William Henry Bidgood after 1901 on Free BMD.

[gamosa]

I've been able to eliminate the possible marriage of Ellen Bidgood to Sydney Gigg as Ellen's father's forename does not match, so I guess I am back where I started, not knowing what happened to Ellen or her son.

I am awaiting her son's birth certificate just to see if a father's name is listed (Harry was born illegitimately in the workhouse).

[gamosa]

I am a bit late with this update...a person at the records office said that Ellen Bidgood's father's name did not match what they had on the marriage certificate to Sidney Gigg.  I did order the mc and as it turns out there are no fathers' names listed for either Sidney or Ellen so it is still quite possible that this is my relative.

I also ordered a copy of Sidney Gigg's military record and though very interesting, it has not helped to pinpoint Ellen as my ancestor.

Does anyone know if census records were kept for military personnel?  It will be very interesting to see what the 1911 census holds, if anything. 

Also, does anyone know if death records for British Royal Navy personnel are open to the public, and if so, how might I go about locating info on Sidney, who seems to have spent his remaining military days based out of Devonport.

Thanks