GOODWIN (Bucks) anyone?

[Cannie lad]

My father's family came from Buckinghamshire with Goodwin on the male side and Ridgley on the female side.  I have gathered a lot of information on the Ridgley side but have hit a very early brick wall as far as the Goodwin family is concerned.  The furthest back I can get to is Charles George Goodwin, baptised 27 April 1830 in Eton.  His father is shown on the certificate as George Goodwin together with his wife Rebecca.  Then on 12 January 1852 Charles married Emma Ridgley at Farham Royal and his father, now shown as John George Goodwin, is a witness.  In both cases the father is shown as a "Servant".  I can trace the son, Charles George from the age of 11 indentured in Chipping Wycombe, through his trade as a chair maker, to his death in Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1913.  No amount of searching has traced George, or John George, Goodwin or his wife Rebecca. 
Can anyone help?  Any suggestions warmly appreciated.

[CaroleW]

Hi

Can I just clarify something

and his father, now shown as John George Goodwin, is a witness.  In both cases the father is shown as a "Servant".

I am assuming that the name John George Goodwin also appears in the "fathers name" box as well as the witness signature  which means he was alive in 1852

[Cannie lad]

Hello Carole
On the wedding certificate from 12 Jan 1852 in the Father's Name and Signature box it has "John George Goodwin" - and the Father's Profession shows "Servant".  In the earlier 1830 baptism certificate, the Parents names are shown as George (no John mentioned) and Rebecca Goodwin and the Profession is "Servant"
Thanks for the interest.
Jack

[jillruss]

Probably something you're already aware of, but watch out for spelling variations.

I have Godwins from Eton in my tree. Admittedly, they're a lot further back in time when names were written down as they were heard (early 1700s) but I have seen them as Goodwin as well as Godden, Godin and all sorts of strange concoctions.

Jill

[Cannie lad]

Thanks, Jill, but I've covered every variation I can think of.  I have the 1851 Census for Bucks on CD via the Buckinghamshire FHS and they don't appear there in any name variation despite John George Goodwin being a witness at his son's wedding in Farnham Royal, a year later.  I can find a John and Rebecca Goodwin in the 1841 census for Sutton, Gloucestershire but that John is an Ag.Lab although his age of 45 would be appropriate in this instance.
I've wondered if John George Goodwin lived abroad in his capacity as a servant as I've only found, so far, two instances of him being in Buckinghamshire, as related above.

Jack

[jillruss]

Another thought (sorry if I'm covering stuff you've already thought of).

As Eton is literally just a walk over the Thames from Windsor, is it possible that your chap was living in Windsor at the time - and so wouldn't show up on the Bucks census?

Jill

[Cannie lad]

Good thinking Jill as that hadn't occurred to me.  I'll check on Berkshire sites now.
Thanks

Jack

[jillruss]

Another thought - I'll have to stop or I'll blow a fuse!!

Could he have been a servant at Windsor Castle?

Jill

[Cannie lad]

Now that is something Jill.  Keep going and I'll buy any fuses!  I've done a very quick check on one census year but just got the same results as before but I think I might have to get the Berks. FHS CD for the 1851 census in order to concentrate a search.  Do you reckon Windsor Castle will be listed with all occupants?
Thanks again

Jack