George GOODMAN

[bgoodman]

Hi, at present trying to find records for Thomas Goodman, grandfather of George Goodman, born 1844, who was the son of James Goodman (Blacksmith) Rickmansworth. Not having much luck at present. Thomas born in Wiltshire in approx 1766 may have joined the Wiltshire Militia. Although he equally could have joined another county, if he didn't actually grow up in Wiltshire. He must have done something with his years before his marriage, aged 29-30 years. I haven't found any evidence yet of him being imprisoned during this period also. 1795 was when he seemed to appear first in Rickmansworth. To recap he married Zylpah Harding 1795 in Rickmansworth and had several of his children baptised in St Mary's parish Rickmansworth. He did not appear to be in the army when he started his family, often described as a laborer.

While looking up stuff in the library today I found some evidence on ancestry of Goodman non conformity, in Hertfordshire and in the near by counties. Dates may suggest not directly related to my ancestors
Jermima Goodman baptised 8th of Nov 1812, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. RG4: Registers of Birth, Marriages and Deaths, Hertfordshire, Independent. Piece 2040; Hemel Hempstead, Box Lane Chapel (Independent), 1805-1820. The mother's name is not very clear Mary Godman or Mary Goodman. There was also later, a William Godman baptised 16th April 1815.
In Newport Pagnell, Bucks, there is a James Goodman baptised 26th of July 1813. Father was William Goodman, mother Susanna Goodman. Piece 253; Newport Pagnell, Great Meeting, (Independent) 1790-1822.
In Maulden Bedfordshire, there is a burial for a Richard Goodman 16th of Nov 1831, Piece 227; Maulden (Independent and Baptist 1730-1837.
In Cranfield Bedfordshire there is a burial for a William Goodman 10th of Jan who is a Baptist. Piece 220 Cranfield (Baptist) 1799-1837.

With the Wiltshire connection although again dates are not within the correct time frame to be applicable to my ancestors. There is, rather strangely, a Thomas Wright baptized 27th of August 1838. Father Robert Goodman, mother Sarah Goodman. Swindon, Wilts. Wesleyan, piece 2629: Swindon. 1838-1856. Maybe while baptizing in Wilthsire they just named their children with any old surname. Similar to Thomas's son George hale sloper Goodman, the hale sloper part which appears to have no connection that I can find. He was, however, born in Rickmansworth, sorry Wiltshire.

[bgoodman]

Hi, in desperation I considered Goodman body snatching in Wiltshire but I am pleased to say I rejected that temptation. I have, however, emailed a local Wiltshire paper in the search for Goodman ancestors. I have offered to do a DNA test on any willing Wiltshire male Goodman people. Fingers crossed on that one for now.

[Maddie]

  Ummmm, maybe body snatching would be taking it just a little to far.

Good idea to try the local paper though, hope something comes of it.

Maddie

[[Ray]]

In case useful / interesting . . . . . .

Bedfordshire forum
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=665541.0

[bgoodman]

Hi, thank you Maddie for your comments. Thanks also to you Ray for that link. It was an interesting read. I remember on a census some time ago a person named Goodman Goodman. I thought perhaps it was a mistake at fist when I read it. Unfortunately I didn't keep any reference of the Census details at the time. I later read that the name Goodman could mean husbandsman ( a small scale farmer). Another definition of Goodman was the title used instead of Mr or Mister. It was used for men from a lower social rank. Goodwife was used, for the lower female social rank, instead of Mistress. It was sometimes shortened to Goody instead of Mrs, Miss or Ms. Even more confusing When you consider the practise of some manorial workers adopting the surname of their master. Therefore it is hardly surprising that other surnames appear side by side with the name Goodman. Then of course you have the people who used alias surnames to perhaps avoid taxes, or removal orders as they moved from one borough county to another.

[bgoodman]

Hi, pleased to say that the Gazette & Herald (Wilts) have published my piece. Hopefully now some Wiltshire Goodman male will agree to part with his DNA. I have started putting some requests on ancestry also. Although most of the public trees for Wilts have also got Thomas born 1766, which wouldn't really advance my search.  Next time I visit ancestry I will post messages on some more trees. Perhaps trees which have a Thomas, or a different first name, with a different birth year.

[1783caz]

Fair play to you !!! we are at our most points now ...i must salute you for your trying ...there is a salisbury jounal to try but i think that might be at kew ...was meant to go this year but ended up boating to much for the charity i help ......its on my mind all time ...maybe when winter sets in and things calm down more ...might do a trip there ...if we can all get a list written together that i can tick off when i go ...that would be a great help ....then i have somethoing ot aim for and work through ...i WILL DO IT ...I just need a list ............

[bgoodman]

Hi Caz, thank you for your comment. Well done to you for doing charity work, boating. I had a look at Salisbury Wiltshire. It would be a nice place to visit as it has a nice medieval cathedral. However, I am unable to see where the nearby places would relate to Rushall, where Thomas was supposedly born. Near Salisbury is Warminster, Stonehenge, Amesbury, Andover,  Basingstoke, Wilton, Winchester, Shaftesbury, Ringwood, Bournemouth, Romsey and Southampton. I know that there may have been Goodman folk at some of these places around the 1700s. Some of these places do ring a bell. Were you thinking of Wiltshire in general rather than looking at nearby places to Rushall. For those places I wouldn't even know where to start with a list at this stage. Maybe worth looking into further though.
When I looked up Shrewsbury Shropshire, where Thomas's second wife claimed to be born, there were even Goodman people there also, (around that time frame).

[bgoodman]

Hi, I have emailed the Wiltshire FHS for help with Thomas Goodman born 1766, two links as was suggested by their secretary. I have also being busy leaving messages on ancestry public member trees. I haven't given up on Thomas, not that he deserves such loyality. He could have left some clues, at least, especially with regards to his baptism.