SMITH family - Bury, Sussex

[AnnJ]

Trying to trace Smith family. Easy I know!
Henrietta Smith (Bn 1859 Q4 Brighton) father was William Smith Bap 6.11.1831 in Bury.  Think mother was Jane A Eedes (Bap 1836 Hurstpierpoint). 
1841 shows William living with his parents Thomas & Harriott in Bury.  In same family group is Clement Smith born about 1771.  Could this be William's father?
Any help with confirming the above or with help on Bury BMD parish records very gratefully received.
 :-*Ann

[sillgen]

Clement Smith married Jane Sowter in Bury 27 May 1800.  He was a bachelor of Bury (4 years) and she was 19 and marrying with consent of Danl.  Presumably a father?
I assume you meant that Clement might be the grandfather of William?  There is another Clement Smith marrying at that time too so it would be easy to muddle them.  27 Oct In Amberley to Sarah Peskett.  One in Thakeham in 1794 too to Ann Smart.   I thought it would be an unusual name!
Andrea

[AnnJ]

Brilliant thanks so much.
Just confirming the middle link.  Is there a record of Thomas and Harriotts marriage?  which would be around 1830ish.
If I wanted to go back further on Clement are there any records that far back?
Ann

[sillgen]

There are two possible marriages around that time to a Harriet in Eartham and Yapton so without looking at the original registers it would be hard to tell which is the right one - and indeed they may not have married in Sussex.  What census records do you have for the couple other than 1841?  Later ones give place of birth.  Do remember that in 1841 ages above 15 are usually rounded down to the nearest 5.
Yes, you can go further back.  Parish records generally start around the mid to late 1500s.  Bury registers begin in 1558 but they are not all on the IGI (www.familysearch.org) so you would have to look at the original on film at the record office or your nearest LDS family history centre.   Another option may be to join the Sussex Family History group as they have many records available online for members.
It is always difficult to know what people do and don't know about but it might be that checking the hints and tips on the Beginners' Board would be useful for you.  Where did you get William's baptism date from?
Andrea

[omega 1]

Hi

William Smith,baptised 6th Nov 1831.Mum & Dad Thomas & Harriet.
Extra info,Dad was a Labourer.

Possible marriage

Thomas Smith & Harriet Green
14th May 1831 at Yapton.

There are 2 baptisums for a Thomas Smith at Bury

14th Dec 1806,son of Clement & Ann

10th May 1807,son of Clement & Jane.

Omega

[AnnJ]

Thanks to all who have helped.  Will look at the suggestions made and think on. Ann

[sillgen]

You do need to look closely at census.  I found a Jane Smith in Bury who was widowed in 1851 and she had a son Thomas with her but he was unmarried and that was after the time your Thomas was married to Harriet.  The fact that there are at least two Clements is going to muddy the waters.  Your Thomas is not likely to be a child of Clement and Jane if this is correct but without a much closer look it is all supposition.
Andrea