Could convict records be wrong? are there records of English Trading Merchants?

[TammyW]

I have been searching for the family of John Warwick for a very long time and have not been able to confidently come up with his line. I know that he was born in 1802 and that his Father was named William. The problem that I'm having is that on his Convict record it has that he was born in Staffordshire and I cannot find any John Warwick born around 1802 with a Father named William in Birth or Batism records, however I can find many in Warwickshire.

Now before I started my research my Grandfather told me that the Warwick's were from Warwickshire and I know for a fact that John was tried at the Warwick assizes. Does anyone think it's possible that John's convict record was wrong in stating his Birth place as Staffordshire? or that he was born there and was Baptised in Warwickshire? I am extremely confused and don't know whether to believe his Convict record or my Grandfather and other people who have researched this line that believe his Family were from Warwickshire.

I was also wondering if anyone knew if there are any records or lists of Trading Merchants from the 1800s? I don't know John's brothers name, but I know for a fact that His Brother was a Merchant trading between England and India.

Any help and/or advice is much appreciated.

[PrueM]

Hi Tammy

From my own experience I can tell you that being tried at the Warwick Assizes may have nothing to do with the accused being from Warwickshire.  My own 4xgreat-grandfather was born in Staffordshire in about 1780 but was tried at the Warwick Assizes in 1815 (and convicted and sent to NSW for his naughtiness).

Where did you get your John's father's name from? 

It's possible that the Warwicks were from Warwickshire but it could be anytime back along the line, not necessarily at the time your man was alive.

Cheers
Prue

[TammyW]

Hi Prue,

Thanks for responding. I have his Death Certificate and it has his Father listed as William Warwick but unfortunately does not list his Mother.

[Wiggy]

HI Tammy,

I also have ancestors from Warwickshire and Staffordshire

- it seems the county boundaries may have changed at some stage in the 19th Century - could this be an answer to you query I wonder?

Wiggy   

[Billyblue]

"Could convict records be wrong?"
Yes, just as any records can be wrong, if the person involved gives the wrong information!

But more likely the clue is in what WiggyHobbes suggested?

Dawn M

[TammyW]

Hi Wiggy,

That's interesting! I'll definitely look into that, Thanks.

Tammy

[majm]

Re English Trading Merchants

I think most of the trading from England into India and vice versa in that era would be under the effective control of the East India Company.

I am fairly sure that the EIC archives would be lodged at The National Archives (Kew).  I think this link would get you to their Access to Archives (A2A) online home page http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/

Cheers,  JM