Birdbrook and Steeple Bumpstead baptism

[Ian Sumpter]

Greetings:
I am searching for the baptism date and location of Richard Meers.  I believe he was born at Birdbrook or Steeple Bumpstead, Essex ca 1692.  Richard married Hannah Sutherman at nearby Stoke by Clare, Suffolk in 1711, where they had several children.  Interestingly. no Meers appear in Stoke by Clare bmd registers before 1711. 

My research suggests that Richard's parents may include: Richard Meers and Rebecca Brown (married st Steeple Bumpstead 11 Jan 1692) or James and Susanna M/Neers (married at Birdbrook ~1680).

Thank you for your time.
cheers,
Ian

[DORAN54]

hi  ,i have searched  but the only ref to a richard and hannah meers i can find is the baptism of james meers 31 oct 1731 sudbury suffolk son of richard and hannah meers


where did you have your info from?

[smudwhisk]

Squeezed in at Birdbrook, with no date against it but between an entry for 23 Oct 1690 and 13 Mar 1690/1 there is a baptism for Richard son of James Meares.  There are other children to James and Susanna in the parish from 1682, although he seems to have been the last child.  Haven't looked at burials to confirm the Richard survived.  Birdbrook is easier to read than Steeple Bumpstead but there is a John Meares as well as the Richard in there but couldn't see a Richard bapt around 1692 on a quick look.

It would probably be worth you while taking out a short subscription to SEAX and viewing the PRs.

[Ian Sumpter]

Bravo Smudwisk. I believe your info is spot on.  I viewed the Birdbrook parish records on film last year and saw the James and Susanna Neers/Mears entries.  I first interpreted their surname to be written as "Neers".  Perhaps it was a spelling mistake or other misinterpretation by the parish clerk (including my lack of reading hand-written script for that time period)?

I also found in the Birdbrook BMD register: James and Susanna M/Neers marrying at Birdbrook ~1680.  Burial records show a James Mears buried at Birdbrook 25 Mar 1729/30; and Susanna Mears, widow, buried at Birdbrook 13 Nov 1731.

So now i have to figure out James's birth/baptism date (and parents/family.. the search goes on.

many thanx,
Ian

[Ian Sumpter]

Smudwhisk, thank you for the link to SEAX. I was able to find the Neers/Meers at Birdbrook going back to 1635.
My direct relative, James Neers, was born at Birdbrook 20 Feb 1641/2, and some siblings born between 1633-1639.  His parents were John and Mary.  Unfortunately the Birdbrook parish records do not pre-date 1633, so not able to find any further info on John Neeres, although it seems he was buried in Birdbrook in 1665. 

Using SEAX, I viewed a number of the Essex parishes surrounding Birdbrook.  Two possible relatives, Alice Meers and Richard Meeres were married at nearby Steeple Bumpstead in the 1680s and 1690s, respectively.

So the search goes on for John and Mary Neeres.  Are the parish records for Suffolk viewable online?

cheers,
Ian

[smudwhisk]

Are the parish records for Suffolk viewable online?

Unfortunately not.

[katmay]

Hi

I am looking for baptism record for Walter and Emily Pericval as they are sister and brother,

I have looked on website http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/

I have looked several places but no luck

Walter Percival - born (i have certificate) is 23 march 1861 born in Birdbrook but registry district was Halstead.

I found Emily's marriage as her age was 31 so i worked out she was born between 1855-6 as I cannot find birth records for her. she was born in Birdbrook according to census i found.

I wonder if anyone have access all baptism record around the area of Birdbrook - I tried looks for stemple, birdbrook and stambourne nothing .... their parents were Joseph Percival and Mother called Hephzibah (Plum Maiden name).

Any suggestion or help of finding baptism records for both siblings would be a great help..

Many thanks

Katmay

[nannyj]

@Katmay
Lots of plums and Percivals in birdbrook but none born to Joseph and hephzibah.
There's a George and hephzibah Percival, and a George and hephzibah plum having children around that time.
Nearby parishes: ashen, stormer, steeple bumpstead, ovington, kedington, helion's bumpstead. Will have a look there. Unfortunately no marriages records available inline for birdbrook for that time either.