im a newwie...where do i start ??

[millie731]

HI there everyone , when my dad when younger ( about 1960s) he used to help a building merchants. He found in the mud a plaque which was presented to a Mr John William Baynton on the 10th November 1880. It was given to him "by the teachers and friends of Avenue Road sunday school for his services as secretary". My dad has always wondered whether we could find any info as to whom this person was and anything about him. This plaque is over 140 years old now. It would be nice to pass this plaque on to his family. So where do i start ? I had a look on the 1901 census and it bought up so many as the only information i have on this chap is whats above on the plaque. Any suggestions ??

kind regards
Millie

[Nick29]

Well, only two suggestions really Millie (and welcome to Roots Chat, by the way), - (1) Do some searching in local public libraries, Google, etc, and see if anything turns up...... I recently typed in my grandmother's maiden name and the county she was born into Google, and up popped a link to a 41-page story written by her nephew on his life and times.  (2) Try to trace the man's descendants, who may have family stories that they can tell.

[CaroleW]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat

What county did your dad find the plaque in as there are a number of John Baynton's on the 1881 census.  Was it by chance in the London/Middlesex area?

1881 census for 280 Euston Rd London, Middlesex

John W BAYNTON   aged 45  b Ivy Bridge, Devon occ Accountant    
Helen   Wife   aged 38   b Bagshot   Surrey  
RG11/0197/20/34

[millie731]

hi, thanks for both your replies. My dad found the plaque buried in mud in Norwich which is in Norfolk. I cant seem to find any Baynton from around this area so how the plaque came in norwich is another mystery !! Im presuming in 1880 when Jon Baynton left this school as a secretary he may have been nearing retirement so birth may have been around 1820. Ive also noticed when you start digging around and find records people want to start charging you which is a bit annoying !!!

millie

[percy porter]

There is an Avenue Road in Norwich if that is any help.

Alan NZ

[Nick29]

Millie - don't be deceived - genealogy isn't a cheap hobby.  If you are serious about finding out about this plaque and its owner, you should make yourself aware of the costs before you go much further.  You will be able to get some progress by spending a few pounds on internet searches on sites like Ancestry and Find My Past, and people on this forum will help you out with searches of censuses and parish records, but some mysteries you may come across will only be solved by purchasing certificates, which cost £7 each if you get them from the GRO in the UK.

[Goofy]

Welcome to Rootschat Millie.

I would probably start with the local council or library.  They may be able to give you information on local churches in that area.  If you contact the church directly they may have kept old records and have more detailed information for you on Mr Baynton.  The more information you have will help to reduce the cost!  Good luck with your search. 

Goofy

[Merly]

As Goofy says, if Mr Baynton was the secretary of a sunday school, I would try to contact the church directly first. I would also do a simple google search for his name, which could give you a million replies or what you need  . I would also do a lookup on the free census (1881) and see if you can locate him there. Good luck 

[maidmarion]

Hi,
Perhaps have a look in the local newspapers following the date he left the Sunday School. It may well give further details.