Help with SMITH & BIRCH please

[babygirl101]

Tiggi

Many thanks for these, I'll take a look to see where they fit in.

I have to say though, that from the info Suanne has very kindly sent me about this family, I'll strongly deny, absolutely, any connection with them, lol, they appear to have been way, way beyond dreadful parents. If the child protection register existed Carolines children would have be on it before birth. Her parenting skills appear to have been non existent.

To say the reports are shocking would be putting it far too mildly, I can't even think of a suitable word for the parents behaviour. He seemed to be in trouble with the law all the time, she 'hit the bottle', he hit her and during all this she managed to accidently kill off several of her children, the list reads as 14 children born of which:-

1 accidently burnt to death
1accidently suffocated by Caroline whilst drunk
1 accidental death casued by a horse and carriage
1 more suffocation casued in the same way
1 died aged 1 year - no cause given - but I have my suspicions!!!

oh, and did I say 1 charged with stealing, the list goes on!!!



BG 

[Sasha]

I found some bits : Might help someone
 Northants Baps ( all listed as travellers)

Henry Birch son Henry & Hannah 1791 20th Mar Syresham C/E Pershore Worcester

Isabel Birch daughter Henry & Hannah 1786 18th June Hellidon

Rebechah Birch daughter of Henry & Hannah 1798 7th Oct Alderton

On the IGI there is a baptism on 20th Nov 1803 at Cleeve Prior Worcestor for a female Valentine Birch to parents Henry and Hannah.

It would fit nicely for her to be Azar's mother, and for him to have taken her surname.

Jo.

[babygirl101]

Hmm, now I'm thoroughly confused as to how Azar got his name, I'm looking at the baptisms register for Nailstone and he's recorded as:-

March 21st 1830  - Azar, son of Edward and H or Folentine( it's quite difficult to make out which letter it is) SMITH, a traveller and licensed dealer in corks??, again hard to make it out. The baptism was performed by Joseph Taylor Curate of Ibstock. It looks as if it should be Valentine and it's been mistranscribed/heard.

The baptism you've given Jo, would be about the right time for it to be Azars mum, wouldn't it.

Caroline is also baptised as SMITH, so now I'm wondering why they using the name BIRCH on the census returns and for their numerous children??


BG 

[Sasha]

Caroline is also baptised as SMITH, so now I'm wondering why they using the name BIRCH on the census returns and for their numerous children??

Isn't it the case, though, that if the wife is more 'black-blooded' than the husband then they will use her name?

With that Elijah Boswell I've been looking at, (he of the four wives   ), the children he had by his first wife, who wasn't Romany, all used Boswell as a surname.  He then 'eloped' with three Smith sisters, and their children all used Smith as a surname.

I saw the baptism for Valentine on the IGI earlier, but then with tiggi finding out that Henry and Hannah Birch were travellers it does look quite promising, doesn't it?  I think there was also another baptism for a son Levi to the same couple.

Jo.

[babygirl101]

You're quite right Jo. You'd think given their unusual first names that they'd be easy to trace - no chance - it's like trying to hit a moving target lol

BG

[Suanne]

Did you know that on the IGI there is a

Valentine SMITH  baptised  21st February 1794  @ Allexton, Leicester which I believe is just outside Peterborough.  Parents were William SMITH and Frances.

So that is a couple of Valentines baptised.  Who do you think would be Azar's mother?

Suanne

[Sasha]

I'd lean towards Valentine Birch, simply because the Birch surname has to come from somewhere.

Jo. 

[tiggi]

here is another one :
Northants
Reservey      SMITH      daughter of      John & Mary      1796      13-June      Stowe IX Churches C of E      gypsies, born 12th Jun under Judkins close hedge

[babygirl101]

Tiggi

I think you meant to put that posting under my other query re Resevoy lol, but thanks you for that one, Blimey, just what I need, another Resevoy to find lol lol. That one would have made her 65, but 1861 so not Williams wife, could possibly be Williams wifes mother??

BG